Prior learning assessment (PLA) is a way for students to receive credit for prior learning. In the past, other terms, such as testing out of classes or receiving credit by exam, were used to describe PLA options. At Missouri State, credit for prior learning may be granted through external examinations or through assessments developed and administered by departments.
External exams
Many departments grant credit for prior learning on the basis of the following external exams. To receive credit for prior learning using scores on these exams, simply submit your official results to the Office of Admissions.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
- College Level Exam Program (CLEP) Credit
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit
- Military-based Credit
All courses with PLA options
PLA options exist for each of the courses listed below. The information below indicates whether course credit is awarded on the basis of an external exam (Advanced Placement, CLEP, or IB) or through a departmental assessment procedure. You can learn more about how to get credit by following the links for the available PLA options for each course.
Anthropology
Art
- Drawing, 2D, 3D: AP | Departmental
- Visual: IB
- Art History: ART 271 waived: AP; ART 272 waived: AP
Biology
Chemistry and Biochemistry
- GEC 108: IB
- CHM 116: AP
- CHM 117: AP
- CHM 160: AP | IB
- CHM 161: AP
- CHM 170: AP | IB
- CHM 171: AP
- CHM 175: IB
Computer Information Systems
- CIS 260: Departmental
Computer Science
Economics
English
Literature
Composition
Environmental Science
Exercise Science
- KIN 000: IB
Film Studies
Languages
- Arabic—ARB 101, 102, 201, 202, 000, 001: Departmental
- Chinese—CHI 101, 102, 201, 202, 000, 001, 311: AAPPL | AP | STAMP | Departmental
- French—FRN 101, 102, 201, 202, 000, 001, 311: AAPPL | AP | CLEP | IB | STAMP | Departmental
- German—GRM 101, 102, 201, 202, 000, 001, 311: AAPPL | AP | CLEP | IB | STAMP | Departmental
- Italian—ITL 101, 102, 201, 202, 000, 001: AP | Departmental
- Japanese—JPN 101, 102, 201, 202, 000, 001, 311: AAPPL | AP | STAMP | Departmental
- Korean—KOR 101, 102, 201, 202, 000, 001: Departmental
- Latin—LTN 101, 102, 201, 202, 000, 001: AP | IB | Departmental
- Portuguese—PTG 101, 102, 201, 202, 000, 001: Departmental
- RUS 101, 102, 201, 202, 000, 001: IB | Departmental
- Spanish—SPN 101, 102, 201, 202, 000, 001, 205: AAPPL | AP | CLEP | IB | STAMP | Departmental
Geography
Government/Politics
History
U.S.
World
Mathematics
- Algebra—MTH 135: IB
- Geometry/Calculus—MTH 261: AP | IB; MTH 280: AP | IB
- Math Studies—MTH 130: IB
- Statistics—MTH 340: AP
Medical Terminology
- LLT 102: Departmental
Music
- MUS 103: AP
Philosophy
- PHI 110: IB
Physics
Psychology
School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences
- SFR 676: Departmental
- SFR 682: Departmental
- SFR 791: Departmental
Theater
- THE 101: IB