Alternative Degree Pathways

The Degree Completion Program (DCP) provides a more focused pathway for students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program to earn their undergraduate degree.

This program is available for both online students and day students, ensuring flexible learning options to accommodate various schedules. Students can apply college credits previously earned from an accredited institution, as well as credits earned for life experience through the College’s Prior Learning Assessment Program, towards an eligible degree program.

The DCP offers a solid foundation in academic coursework alongside interdisciplinary courses that focus on the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will earn a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree offered at the College in their chosen academic discipline.

Degree Completion Programs are currently available for the following bachelor's degree majors:

• Communication and Media Studies

• Criminal Justice
• Early Childhood Education and Care (online only)
• English
• Human Resource Management (online only)
• Human Services
• Information Technology
• Liberal Arts
• Management
• Marketing
• Psychology
• Sport Management (Boston Campus only)

Eligibility

• Have earned at least 45 college-level credits from accredited institutions, with a GPA of 2.3 or better

Fisher College recognizes life and work experiences are a valuable component to one’s education. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) evaluates training and learning that occurs outside the traditional classroom and assesses how that knowledge relates to specific course content for college credit. Students gain college-level knowledge from a variety of sources.

Common ways students may be eligible to earn credit through the PLA program are full- or part-time employment, non-credit courses, volunteer work, military service, organizational membership, hobbies or recreational pursuits, and travel study.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many credits could I earn through PLA?

Bachelor degree candidates may compete for up to 30 PLA credits. The combination of PLA credits and transfer credits may not exceed 90 credits. 

Associate degree candidates may compete for up to 15 PLA credits. The combination of PLA credits and transfer credits may not exceed 30 credits. 

How do I earn credits through PLA?

First, you will identify the course(s) you believe you have gained college-level knowledge through life or work experiences. For each course, you will prepare a well-documented Portfolio Assessment that demonstrates your knowledge of the learning objectives required in the course. You must submit an application for approval to complete a Portfolio Assessment for each course. The Portfolio Assessment will be reviewed by appropriately qualified faculty to make a determination on awarding course credits. Credit will be awarded through sufficient demonstration of college-level learning standards; not for experience alone. No credit is guaranteed to be approved for credit.

What is the cost for PLA?

If approved to complete a Portfolio Assessment, you will be charged $100 per credit for the evaluation process. The evaluation fee is non-refundable should a portfolio not be approved for credit. 

How do I apply for PLA?

To be eligible, students must be accepted and enrolled in a degree program. Interested students may submit an application for Prior Learning Credit to the Dean of International Academic Operations and Curriculum Development. Please reach out to your academic advisor or Dean Nancy Pithis (npithis@fisher.edu) for additional information.

Your application will be reviewed for eligibility, and if approved, you will be advised on the next steps to begin building your portfolio. 

Experiential Credit for Internships

Bachelor's degree students who have graduated from the Police Academy are eligible to apply for PLA credit for CJ460 Criminal Justice Internship I and CJ461 Criminal Justice Internship II. There is no fee associated with this process.

To Apply, students must submit:

• A complete Police Academy transcript
• Police Academy program overview, hours, and course descriptions
• A resume and cover letter that includes a formal introduction of your experience and the documents you are submitting to support your petition for credit. 
• Email all documents to Dean Nancy Pithis, npithis@fisher.edu.

PLA Credits for Criminal Justice Courses

Police officers, whether or not they have graduated from the Police Academy, may petition for PLA credits for any criminal justice course that is not an internship. Students interested in pursing these PLA credits will complete a Portfolio Assessment along with answers to a set of specific questions for the course you are competing for PLA credits.

Please see the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) section above for answers to frequently asked questions and to submit an application.

Students who have been awarded their Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) in either infant/toddler or Preschool, are eligible to apply for PLA credit for up to 7 credits, including a practicum (4 credits) for the age group the CDA is awarded in, and one other Early Childhood Education course (3 credits). There is no fee associated with this process.

To apply, students must submit:

• ECE PLA Application
• CDA certificate that is current and in good standing
• Email all documents to your academic advisor

ECE PLA Application