Did you know your previous work experience can be put toward your bachelor’s degree? At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we offer a 90-credit Human Resource Management bachelor’s degree that is designed for working adults. With our generous transfer credit policy, you may be able to put your previous workplace training or work experience toward your credit fulfillment. Here, we discuss our accelerated HR degree and how your prior experience can help you finish faster.
Key Takeaways
- Workplace learning can become degree credit through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
- Aspiring HR professionals can use certifications, work experience, software training, and more for PLA.
- At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, students can earn up to 35 PLA credits to put toward their 90-credit Human Resource Management bachelor’s degree.
Turning Workplace Learning into College Credit
A prior learning assessment (PLA) is a way to evaluate non-academic training and workplace experiences. If the knowledge and skills you’ve learned align with your desired program, you may be able to exchange your experience for college credit. This can help shorten your overall course requirements and help you graduate sooner. So, what exactly counts as workplace learning for aspiring HR professionals? It may include:
- Industry certifications and micro credentials, such as those from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) or the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI)
- Training in Human Resource Information System (HRIS) software
- Experience in compliance, benefits, or talent acquisition
- Taking webinars or e-learning courses
- Participation in mentoring, peer coaching, or shadowing
If you’ve earned certifications or have documented formal training, you may use them for PLA.
How a PLA Works
For a PLA to be exchanged for college credit, individuals must go through an in-depth process. It typically involves:
- Identification: Students identify experiences that may be used for PLA, such as workplace training, volunteering, certifications, or independent study.
- Portfolio building: Once the potential PLA experience is identified, students must develop a portfolio that documents their experience and demonstrates how it aligns with specific course learning outcomes.
- Assessment: When a student submits their portfolio, the school’s faculty will evaluate the experience and decide whether it meets college-level standards. Sometimes standardized tests are given to assess a student’s knowledge of a particular subject or course.
PLA programs often limit the number of credits a student can earn, so they must still earn some through traditional college courses. With an accelerated bachelor’s degree that requires only 90 credits, the limit on PLA transfer credits is 35.
Program Plan and Outcomes
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we’ve recently announced our newly redesigned online FastTrack 90TM bachelor’s degree programs. These accredited 90-credit programs are designed specifically for working adults, helping them earn a bachelor’s degree in less time than a standard 120-credit bachelor’s degree. Our 90-credit Human Resource Management bachelor’s degree features a curriculum aligned with Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) standards to meet specific, industry-relevant standards.
With 25% fewer credits than a traditional bachelor’s degree program, acceleration is achieved through careful program design and focused pacing. Students will graduate with competency in:
- Human resource management practices
- Communication and management skills
- Employee compensation and reward systems
- Employee engagement and performance
- Employment law and employer-employee relations
- Financial and data analysis
- Ethical leadership skills
Students can also earn digital badges through specialization courses or take graduate-level business courses at undergraduate tuition rates.
Explore the Accelerated HR Degree Program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
If you’re interested in seeing how your previous work experience can be put toward an accelerated HR degree, get in touch with Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Our 90-credit bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management is offered in a fully online format and accepts credit for prior learning through assessments. To start a PLA pre-assessment or request a credit mapping session, request more information today.
HR Degree FAQ
What is an accelerated HR degree, and who qualifies?
An accelerated HR degree at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a 90-credit degree designed for working adults. It can be finished faster than a traditional 120-credit bachelor’s degree and is open to students with or without transfer credits.
How does workplace training convert to college credit?
Workplace training can convert to college credit through a prior learning assessment (PLA), which assesses your knowledge and skills and rewards you with college credit if it meets the school’s standards.
How does a PLA reduce time and cost to earn a degree?
A PLA can reduce the time and cost it takes to earn a degree by shortening the number of courses you have to take. If you come in with 30 credits through PLA, you only need to take 60 credits instead of 90, speeding up your completion time and reducing your tuition costs.
How many PLA credits can I earn?
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, students can earn up to 35 college credits through PLA work and life experience.
