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PLA Portfolio Assessment Course Description Database

You can earn credit for college level knowledge you have acquired through training, work and other learning experiences. The PLA database has over many course titles and descriptions from which to select. Use the list of key words below to find course titles and descriptions that best match your prior learning. Course listings are subject to change.

If the course you plan to complete through PLA does not appear in the Prior Learning Assessment Course Description Database, you have the option of finding a PLA course description from the catalog of another college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. The description from the college or university's catalog should be no more than two years old. The listing of the course here does not guarantee that a student will be successful in challenging the course or earning credit through PLA or credit by examination.

  • More info coming soon

  • Students who wish to earn credit for elementary Arabic 1 or 2 should take the BYU or NYU examinations.  Intermediate level examinations are available from BYU and NYU.
  • Students who wish to get a waiver of the Arabic language F3 option for their level of proficiency should consult the department chair for a proficiency exam. If successful, not credit will be granted, but the requirement will be exempted.

  • Art 170 Drawing 1
  • Art 180 Painting 1
  • Art 131 Introduction to Graphic Design
  • Art 159 3-D Design
  • Art 160 Ceramics
  • Art 254, Digital Video

  • Because of CAATE accreditation restrictions, AT courses are not eligible for challenge exams

  • More info coming soon

  • More info coming soon

  • More info coming soon

  • Consult with the Music Department

  • ECON 152 Principles of Economics (must complete successfully two CLEP exams)
  • ECON 156 Economics & Business Statistics

  • PDE restrictions prevent challenge exams or PLA for any courses leading to teacher certification.

  • The English Department does not offer challenge exams for any of its courses.

  • Consult with the Program Director

  • Students who wish to earn credit for elementary French should take the AP, CLEP, BYU or NYU examinations.  Intermediate level examinations are available from BYU and NYU.
  • Students who wish to get a waiver of the French language F3 option for their level of proficiency should consult the department chair for a proficiency exam. If successful, not credit will be granted, but the requirement will be exempted.

  • Students who wish to earn credit for elementary German should take the AP, CLEP, BYU or NYU examinations.  Intermediate level examinations are available from BYU and NYU.
  • Students who wish to get a waiver of the German language F3 option for their level of proficiency should consult the department chair for a proficiency exam. If successful, not credit will be granted, but the requirement will be exempted.

  • Consult with the Program Director

  • CLEP exams in history may be used for elective purposes only.  Consult department on challenge exams or portfolio submissions.

  • Students who wish to earn credit for elementary Italian should take the AP, CLEP, BYU or NYU examinations.  Intermediate level examinations are available from BYU and NYU.
  • Students who wish to get a waiver of the Italian language F3 option for their level of proficiency should consult the department chair for a proficiency exam. If successful, not credit will be granted, but the requirement will be exempted.

  • Students who wish to earn credit for elementary Latin should take the AP prior to enrolling at Moravian University.  For other students, please consult the department chair of Modern Languages & Literature regarding challenge exams for LAT 100 or 105. 

  • MGMT 216 Information Systems for Management (CLEP exam)
  • MGMT 223 Management and Organizational Theory (CLEP exam)
  • MGMT 251 Marketing Management (CLEP exam)
  • MGMT 253 Human Resource Management (CLEP exam)

  • Math 171, Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2 *
  • Math 211, Calculus and Analytic Geometry 3 ^

* Students who wish to take an exam to earn credit for calculus 1 should attempt the AP or CLEP exams. Students who are placed into Math 171 as a result of their math placement exam will receive credit for Math 170 upon completion of Math 171 with a grade of B or better. There is no charge for the achievement of the Math 170 credit under these circumstances.

^ Students who are placed into Math 211 as a result of their math placement exam will receive credit for Math 171 upon completion of Math 211 with a grade of B or better. There is no charge for the achievement of the Math 171 credit under these circumstances.


  • Consult with the Program Director

  • Mus 101 A Short Course in Theory
  • Mus 136.1 Beginning Piano Techniques
  • Mus 140.2 Musicianship I
  • Mus 141.2 Musicianship II *
  • Mus 171.2 Diatonic Harmony
  • Mus 272.2 Chromatic Harmony ^

* Students who are placed into Mus 141.2 by the music department (as a result of testing at the audition) will receive credit for Mus 140.2 upon completion of Mus 141.2 with a grade of B or better. There is no charge for the achievement of the Mus 140.2 credit under these circumstances.

^ Students who are placed into MUS 272.2 by the music department (as a result of audition testing) will receive credit for MUS 171.2 upon completion of MUS 272.2 with a grade of B or better. There is no charge for the achievement of the MUS 171.2 credit under these circumstances.


  • Consult with the Program Director

  • Because of CCNE accreditation restrictions, pre-licensure courses are not eligible for challenge exams or other PLA.
  • However, students with licensure as an RN who are enrolled in a BSN program or master’s program may be able to earn credit for specialized certifications. Please consult with the appropriate program director.

  • Because of ACOTE accreditation restrictions, OT courses are not eligible for challenge exams

  • Consult with the Program Director

  • Consult with the Department.

  • Because of CAPTE accreditation restrictions, PT courses are not eligible for challenge exams

  • More info coming soon

  • For POSC 110, Please take the CLEP examination for American Government.

  • PSYC 120, Introductory Psychology (CLEP exam, AP exam)
  • PSYC 207 Developmental Psychology (CLEP exam)
  • EDUC155 Educational Psychology (CLEP exam)

  • Consult with the Program Director

  • For SOC 115, please take the CLEP examination for Introductory Sociology.

  • SPEC 940  Research Design & Methodology

  • Students who wish to earn credit for elementary Spanish should take the AP, CLEP, BYU or NYU examinations.  Intermediate level examinations are available from BYU and NYU.
  • Students who wish to get a waiver of the Italian language F3 option for their level of proficiency should consult the department chair for a proficiency exam. If successful, not credit will be granted, but the requirement will be exempted.

  • Because of ASHA accreditation restrictions, SLP courses are not eligible for challenge exams

  • Consult with the Program Director

  • Consult with the Program Director

  • Consult with the Program Director