Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

KPU recognizes that students attain significant learning at a post-secondary level from formal academic learning, as well as work, training, and other experiences outside the formal post-secondary education system. Through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), KPU will award credit for learning that is directly applicable to the student's declared program of study.  Should a student change programs, all or some of the PLAR credit previously awarded may no longer apply to the new area of study, but the student may be able to apply for additional PLAR credit that was not appropriate under the previous program of study.

Although PLAR credit may be granted, a further decision on the applicability of the credits toward program admission or graduation requirements may be required. Students are advised to first review the requirements of their program in the academic calendar, and meet with an Academic Advisor if questions arise as to how PLAR may satisfy program requirements for graduation.

Any student planning to transfer to a university or other post-secondary institution should be aware that PLAR credit granted by KPU is not binding at another post-secondary institution.

Policy AC6 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the university’s policy on Credit for Previous Learning and can be viewed online at www.kpu.ca/policies.

How to Request PLAR

  1. Determine the body of work for which you wish to request PLAR credit, and the comparable course it may equate to as part of your program requirements. Course descriptions are available in the University Calendar: kpu.ca/courses
  2. Contact the designated PLAR Department Consultant for the course in which you are seeking PLAR credit, as per the chart below. The PLAR Department Consultant will conduct a pre-assessment to determine if your request will be evaluated by a PLAR Assessor. If approved, the PLAR Department Consultant will complete and sign an Application for Prior Learning Credit form.
  3. Submit your signed Application for Prior Learning Credit form to Student Enrolment Services at studentinfo@kpu.ca and they will contact you with the amount and instructions on how to pay your PLAR assessment fee.
  4. Your request will be forwarded to your designated PLA Assessor who will contact you to select an appropriate assessment method, date and deadline. Descriptions of assessment methods are provided in the University Calendar.
  5. Your PLA Assessor will submit the results of your assessment to the Registrar’s Office, and your final grade will be recorded on your academic record and will appear on your academic transcript.

PLAR Department Consultants Contact Information:

Faculty of Academic and Career PreparationPLAR Department ConsultantEmail
English Language Studies

Lesley Hemsworth

Kathy McPherson

Lesley.Hemsworth@kpu.ca

Kathy.McPherson@kpu.ca

English Upgrading

Chris Traynor

Danny Wrench

Chris.Traynor@kpu.ca

Danny.Wrench@kpu.ca

Faculty of ArtsPLAR Department ConsultantEmail
AnthropologyLarissa Petrillolarissa.petrillo@kpu.ca
Asian StudiesRobert Menziesrobert.menzies@kpu.ca 
Creative WritingBilleh Nickersonbilleh.nickerson@kpu.ca 
CriminologyShereen Hassanshereen.hassan@kpu.ca
Education AssistantNancy Norman nancy.norman@kpu.ca 
Educational StudiesPedro Dos Santospedro.dossantos@kpu.ca 
CounsellingMark Kerrmark.kerr@kpu.ca 
English

Steve Weber

Joakim Nilsson (ENGL 1104)

steven.weber@kpu.ca 

joakim.nilsson@kpu.ca

Entertainment ArtsEd Koed.ko@kpu.ca
Fine ArtsAlison MacTaggartalison.mactaggart@kpu.ca
GeographyParthi Krishnanparthiphan.krishnan@kpu.ca
HistoryEryk Martin eryk.martin@kpu.ca  
Indigenous StudiesAllison Hottiallison.hotti@kpu.ca 
Journalism and Communication Studies  Chad Skeltonchad.skelton@kpu.ca
Language and Cultures Yanfeng Quyanfeng.qu@kpu.ca
MusicGordon Cobbgordon.cobb@kpu.ca
Philosophy/ HumanitiesMarc Champagne marc.champagne@kpu.ca
Policy StudiesEllen Pondellen.pond@kpu.ca
Political Science

Greg Millard

Ross Pink

greg.millard@kpu.ca 

ross.pink@kpu.ca 

Psychology

Susan Thompson

Dianne Crisp

susan.thompson@kpu.ca

dianne.crisp@kpu.ca 

SociologyAmir Mirfakhraieamir.mirfakhraie@kpu.ca 
NGO and Non-profit StudiesSarah Fessendensarah.fessenden@kpu.ca 
Melville School of BusinessPLAR Department ConsultantEmail
AccountingAndrea Hunterandrea.hunter1@kpu.ca 
Applied CommunicationsDarren Francisdarren.francis@kpu.ca 
Business & Quantitative MethodsFlora Hsiaoflora.hsiao@kpu.ca
BusinessJeannette Paschenjeannette.paschen@kpu.ca 
Computer Business SystemsLandon Kleislandon.kleis@kpu.ca
Cooperative EducationLeanne MacKenzieleanne.mackenzie@kpu.ca 
Economics

Taiwo Aderemi (Fall term)

Shauna McAuley-Bax (Spring, Summer terms)

taiwo.aderemi@kpu.ca 

shauna.mcauley-bax@kpu.ca 

Entrepreneurial LeadershipBrad Andersonbrad.anderson@kpu.ca
Graduate Diplomas in Business Administration (Global Business Management, Green Business Management and Sustainability)Tara Immelltara.immell@kpu.ca 
Human Resource ManagementMarla McMullenmarla.mcmullen@kpu.ca
Information Technology and Computer Science

Chris Leung

Chinmaya Mahapatra

chris.leung@kpu.ca 

chinmaya.mahapatra@kpu.ca  

Legal Administrative StudiesColleen Formisanocolleen.formisano@kpu.ca   
MarketingVida Morkunasvida.morkunas@kpu.ca   
Post-baccalaureate Programs (Operations and Supply Chain Management, Technical Management and Services)Phaedra Burkephaedra.burke1@kpu.ca 
Public RelationsAndrew Frankandrew.frank@kpu.ca
Faculty of Health PLAR Department ConsultantEmail
Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing Dr. Kim Bagshawkim.bagshaw@kpu.ca 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Sim Minhassimrat.minhas@kpu.ca 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Advanced Entry June Kaminskijune.kaminski@kpu.ca 
Graduate Nurse Internationally Educated Re-EntryHerraj Sandhuherraj.sandhu@kpu.ca 
Health Care AssistantSharon Josssharon.leitchjoss@kpu.ca 
Traditional Chinese Medicine - AcupunctureDr. John Yangjohn.yang@kpu.ca 
Wilson School of DesignPLAR Department ConsultantEmail
Fashion & TechnologyMary Androsiukmary.androsiuk@kpu.ca
Fashion MarketingShainin Karnai shainin.karnai1@kpu.ca 
Foundations in DesignNatasha Campbellnatasha.campbell@kpu.ca 
Front-End Development for Interactive ApplicationsJoanna Zanderjoanna.zander@kpu.ca 
Graphic Design for MarketingCarley Hodgkinsoncarley.hodgkinson@kpu.ca
Interior DesignPaola Gavilanezpaola.gavilanez@kpu.ca 
Product DesignIryna Karaushiryna.karaush@kpu.ca 
Technical Apparel DesignLindsay Norrislindsay.norris@kpu.ca
Faculty of Science PLAR Department ConsultantEmail
ACP MathematicsTanya BoborickenTanya.Boboricken@kpu.ca
BiologyMonica De Boermonica.deboer@kpu.ca
Brewing and Brewery OperationsAlek Egialek.egi@kpu.ca
ChemistryXin Liuxin.liu@kpu.ca
Computer Aided Design & Drafting (CADD)Christina Heinrickchristina.heinrick@kpu.ca
Environmental Protection TechnologyChris Hauta christopher.hauta@kpu.ca 
Health ScienceCayley Velazquezcayley.velazquez@kpu.ca 
HorticultureJamie Lamontjamie.lamont@kpu.ca
MathematicsJudy Bicepjudy.bicep@kpu.ca
Physics, Astronomy, Applied ScienceTakashi Satotakashi.sato@kpu.ca
Sustainable Agriculture

Rebecca Harbut

Mike Bomford

rebecca.harbut@kpu.ca

mike.bomford@kpu.ca  

Co-operative EducationPLAR Department ConsultantEmail
Co-operative EducationShawn Ericksonshawn.erickson@kpu.ca