The following is a list of Workforce programs that offer Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) options at the departmental level. Not all programs offer PLA options, so some Workforce programs will not be listed below.
A student may contact their program to see if they are a PLA candidate before meeting the PLA petition requirements. However, the student must meet those requirements before they can officially petition to have PLA credit applied to their Collin College transcript.
Review the petition requirements and other PLA considerations before officially submitting a Petition for PLA Credit.
Departments with PLA Options
Automotive Technology
This program provides prior learning assessments based on the successful completion
of the appropriate departmental exam with a skills demonstration for the course. Alternatively,
students who already have the ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence)
credential will also be required to complete the skills demonstration, but will not
need to complete the departmental exam.
For more information, please contact:
James Yervasi, Discipline Lead
jcyervasi@collin.edu
Business Management
Collin College can award credit for the following course based on the successful completion of the Principles of Management CLEP exam with a minimum score of 50.
- BMGT 1327 - Principles of Management
For more information, please contact:
Jeffery Johnson, Discipline Lead
jwjohnson@collin.edu
Collision Technology
This program offers prior learning assessments based on the successful completion of the appropriate departmental exam with a skills demonstration.
For more information, please contact:
Raven Hartkopf, Discipline Lead
rhartkopf@collin.edu
Computer Networking
This program offers prior learning assessments based on select CCNA certifications.
For more information, please contact:
David Lipe, Associate Dean
dlipe@collin.edu
Computer Systems
This program offers prior learning assessments based on the successful completion of the appropriate departmental exam. Computer Systems courses with PLA opportunities include:
- ITSW 1304 - Introduction to Spreadsheets - Excel
- ITSW 1307 - Introduction to Database - Access
For more information, please contact:
Ann Cervantez, Discipline Lead
acervantez@collin.edu
Culinary and Pastry
These programs offer prior learning assessments based on the successful completion of the appropriate departmental exam with a skills demonstration. Courses with PLA opportunities include:
- CHEF 1301 - Basic Food Preparation
- PSTR 1301 - Fundamentals of Baking
For more information, please contact:
Ron Reczek, Discipline Lead - Culinary Contact
rreczek@collin.edu
Jill McCord, Full-Time Professor - Pastry Contact
jmccord@collin.edu
Cybersecurity
This program offers prior learning assessments based on select industry certifications (Cisco, CompTIA, etc.). Cybersecurity courses with PLA opportunities include:
- ITSY 1300 - Fundamentals of Information Security
- ITSY 2301 - Firewalls and Network Security Design
- ITSY 2342 - Incident Response and Handling
- ITSY 2343 - Computer System Forensics
For more information, please contact:
Damien Smith, Program Director
dhsmith@collin.edu
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
This program offers prior learning assessments based on select certifications from the ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography). Students must also successfully complete the appropriate departmental exam with a skills demonstration. Courses with PLA opportunities include:
- DMSO 1441 - Abdominopelvic Sonography
- DMSO 2353 - Sonography of Superficial Structures
- DMSO 2405 - Sonography of Obstetrics/Gynecology
For more information, please contact:
Megan Chambers, Program Director
mlchambers@collin.edu
Early Childhood Educator
This program offers prior learning assessments based on the CDA (Child Development Associate) National Credential by The Council for Professional Recognition. If awarded, the following PLA opportunities can be applied to the Certificate Level 1 - Child Development Associate (CDA) and/or the Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Educator (0-8 Years).
- CDEC 1317 - Child Development Associate Training I
- CDEC 2322 - Child Development Associate Training II
- CDEC 2324 - Child Development Associate Training III
For more information, please contact:
Ann Butler, Discipline Lead
abutler@collin.edu
Engineering Technology Programs*
*The Engineering Technology programs include Biomedical Equipment Technology, Electronic Engineering Technology, and Robotics and Automation Technology, which all require the courses below in their respective AAS (Associate of Applied Science) degrees.
These programs offer prior learning assessments for the following courses based on the appropriate departmental exam with a skills demonstration.
- CETT 1307 - Fundamentals of Electronics
- CETT 1425 - Digital Fundamentals
- TECM 1343 - Technical Algebra and Trigonometry (Departmental Exam only)
For more information, please contact:
Tripat Baweja, Program Director
tbaweja@collin.edu
Emergency Medical Services Professions
This program offers prior learning assessments based on the successful completion of the appropriate departmental exam, or an industry certification including the NREMT-B (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-Basic) or the NREMT-P (Paramedic) certifications.
For more information, please contact:
Greg Cox, Program Director
Fire Science
This program offers prior learning assessments based on the successful completion of the appropriate departmental exam and/or select industry certifications through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
For more information, please contact:
Pat McAuliff, Program Director
pmcauliff@collin.edu
Health Professions - Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
This program offers prior learning assessments based on passing the NATCEP's (Nurse Aide Training & Competency Evaluation Program's) CNA (Certified Nurse Aide) exam offered by The Texas Health and Human Services Commission. This includes:
- NURA 1160 - Clinical - Nursing Aide and Patient Care Assistant
- NURA 1401 - Nurse Aide for Health Care
Additionally, this program offers a prior learning assessment after completion of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's Nurse Aide CBT (Computer-Based Training). Students must successfully complete a skills demonstration administered by the academic department before PLA is considered for the following course:
- NURA 1401 - Nurse Aide for Health Care
For more information, please contact:
Michelle Kelly, Professor - Health Professions
Josh Snyder, Program Coordinator for Health Professions
Hospitality
This program offers prior learning assessments based on the successful completion of a departmental exam, or on select industry certifications granted by the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) or the AHLEI (American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute). Courses with PLA opportunities include:
- CHEF 1305 - Sanitation and Safety
- HAMG 1313 - Front Office Management
- HAMG 1321 - Introduction to Hospitality Industry
- HAMG 1324 - Hospitality Human Resources Management
- HAMG 2301 - Principles of Food and Beverage Operations
For more information, please contact:
Eric Tobin, Discipline Lead
etobin@collin.edu
HVAC
This program offers prior learning assessments based on the successful completion of both a departmental exam with a minimum score of 80% and a skills demonstration with a minimum score of 80%. The exams/demonstrations must be taken in the testing order below as designated by the HVAC department.
- HART 1401 - Basic Electricity for HVAC
- HART 1407 - Refrigeration Principles
- HART 1445 - Gas and Electric Heating
- HART 2431 - Advanced Electricity for HVAC
- HART 2438 - Air Conditioning Installation and Startup
- HART 2341 - Commercial Air Conditioning
For more information, please contact:
Brian Sanders, Program Director
bsanders@collin.edu
Insurance Management
This program offers prior learning assessments based on the TDI's (Texas Department of Insurance's) Agent or Adjuster License. Prior learning assessments can also be based on the successful completion of courses from The Institutes Knowledge Group, specifically the AINS (Associate in Insurance) courses AINS 102 (or 22) and AINS 103 (or 23).
- INSR 1301 - Commercial Insurance (TDI License; or AINS 103 or 23)
- INSR 1305 - Personal Insurance (TDI License; or AINS 102 or 22)
For more information, please contact:
Cydney Albert, Discipline Lead
cfalbert@collin.edu
LVN-to-RN Bridge
This program offers prior learning assessments based on the LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) license awarded by the Texas Board of Nursing. Eligible students can petition for the following PLA opportunities after successfully completing their first semester in the LVN-to-RN Bridge program.
- RNSG 1125 - Professional Nursing Concepts I
- RNSG 1126 - Professional Nursing Concepts II
- RNSG 1161 - Clinical I – Nursing – Registered Nurse Training
- RNSG 1430 - Health Care Concepts I
For more information, please contact:
Lindsey Brown, Discipline Lead
ljbrown@collin.edu
Marketing
Collin College can award credit for the following course based on the successful completion of the Principles of Marketing CLEP exam with a minimum score of 50.
- MRKT 1311 - Principles of Marketing
Photography, Commercial
This program offers prior learning assessments based on the appropriate departmental exam, skills demonstration, portfolio review, and/or industry certifications. Courses with PLA opportunities include:
- PHTC 1311 - Digital Media
- PHTC 1300 - Digital Photography
For more information, please contact:
Lisa Means, Discipline Lead
lmeans@collin.edu
Polysomnographic Technology
This program offers prior learning assessments based on departmental exams, skills demonstrations, and/or an industry certification, including the RPSGT (Registered Polysomnographic Technologist) and the CCSH (Certification in Clinical Sleep Health).
For more information, please contact:
Amber Allen, Program Director
amberallen@collin.edu
Karen Peterson, Clinical Coordinator
kpeterson@collin.edu
Real Estate Management
This program offers prior learning assessments for PLA-eligible linked courses.
For more information, please contact:
Bart McLeroy, Discipline Lead
rmcleroy@collin.edu
Respiratory Care
This program offers a prior learning assessment based on select industry certifications. Additionally, students must successfully complete a departmental exam before PLA is considered for the following course:
- HPRS 1204 - Basic Health Profession Skills
For more information, please contact:
Julie Boganwright, Program Director
jboganwright@collin.edu
Surgical Technology
This program offers prior learning assessments for students who have an industry certification from the NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting). Additionally, students will also need to complete the appropriate departmental exam or skills demonstration before PLA is considered for a particular course.
These PLA opportunities are a good fit for students who are Surgical Technologists who intend to earn their AAS in Surgical Technology.
NOTE: Students who plan to apply to the Surgical Assisting program must have an AAS in Surgical Technology as part of the admission criteria. Surgical Technologists who plan to apply, but who do not yet have their AAS, are encouraged to contact the Surgical Professions department to see which PLA opportunities they may be able to utilize.
For more information, please contact:
Donna Smith, Director of Surgical Professions
drsmith@collin.edu
Vocational Nursing (Spring 2025)
This program offers a prior learning assessment opportunity for Certified Medical Assistants. Students must be certified as a CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) via the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) or as an RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) via the AMT (American Medical Technologists). Additionally, students must successfully complete a departmental exam and a skills demonstration before PLA is considered for the following course:
- VNSG 1502 - Applied Nursing Skills I
For more information, please contact:
Kimberly Forcum, Director of Vocational Nursing
Welding
This program offers prior learning assessments for the successful completion of the appropriate departmental exam with a skills demonstration. The exams/demonstrations must be taken in the testing order below as designated by the department.
- WLDG 1407 - Introduction to Welding Using Multiple Processes
- WLDG 1428 - Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
- WLDG 1430 - Introduction to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
- WLDG 2447 - Advanced Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
- WLDG 2443 - Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
For more information, please contact:
Brian Sanders, Program Director
bsanders@collin.edu
General Contacts
Testing Center | Advising | ||
Celina Campus: Room: 125 |
Pamela Lee |
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Farmersville Campus: Room: 107 Phone: (972) 549-6450 |
Kamilah Willis |
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Frisco Campus: Room: F-209 Phone: (972) 377-1522 |
John Guillory |
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McKinney Campus: Room: W-206 Phone: (972) 548-6849 |
Liz Howard |
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Plano Campus: Room: J-232 Phone: (972) 881-5922 |
Caryn Wilson |
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Technical Campus: Room: A-001 Phone: (972) 553-1234 |
Greg Forge |
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Wylie Campus: Room: Campus Commons 201 Phone: (972) 378-8849 |
Doug Willis |