PLA from a Non-Regionally Accredited College or University

Students who have attended a non-regionally accredited college or university may qualify for PLA credit if all of the following apply: 

• The higher education institution must be in Texas.
• The higher education institution must be recognized by the THECB (maintain a certificate of authority to operate as a college in Texas).
•  The workforce program the student was enrolled in has been approved as an AAS degree by the THECB. http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/career_schools.cfm  If the student’s major is not on the official transcript, he/she must get a letter from the unaccredited college or university stating this information. Students who were certificate majors do not qualify to apply for this credit.
• The higher education institution must be nationally accredited, i.e. ACICS and ACCSCT. Verify this at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx  or check the Higher Education Directory.
• Student earned a grade of C or above.
• Student meets SSI requirements for the articulated course(s) and all admissions requirements.
•  The articulating college course is part of the student’s degree plan (may be an elective).
• Student has completed 6 credits or will complete 6 credits of non-developmental coursework within the Lone Star College System within one year of application date.
• All prerequisites for college course(s) have been met.
• The student must complete the new PLA form for Articulated Credit from a Non-Regionally Accredited Texas college or university found at http://www.lonestar.edu/6859/  A copy of the transcript and a course syllabus must be attached to the PLA form. An official copy of the transcript should be on file at the college the student is attending within the Lone Star College system.

Q & A Document