Prior Learning and Transfer Credits

Advanced Placement from High School

Advanced Placement (AP) helps you move ahead by recognizing the learning you’ve already done. If you’ve met the learning outcomes in a similar course, you can skip the prerequisite and jump straight into a higher-level class.

If you completed AP courses in high school, you may qualify for academic credit at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP). We accept AP scores of 4 or 5 for transfer credit. To get started, submit your official AP transcript for review.

RDP awards transfer credit based on current agreements with Alberta universities listed in the Alberta Transfer Guide. If your course isn’t covered by an agreement, you can still earn credit by completing a Challenge process.

When you register, tell your Advisor about your AP courses. Keep in mind that not all universities may accept AP credits as advanced standing. Be sure to check the policies of any schools you plan to attend after RDP.

Advanced Placement within RDP

At Red Deer Polytechnic, AP applies when you transfer courses between programs. Your transcript will show this as “AP.” Keep in mind, if you skip a course using AP, you won’t earn credit for that course.

If you’ve gained knowledge outside the classroom, you may be able to earn academic credit through a Challenge Exam at Red Deer Polytechnic. This process gives you a formal grade on your transcript by recognizing your prior learning.

To apply, fill out a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) application and include documents that show your course-specific experience—like transcripts, course outlines, or other proof of learning. Polytechnic Assessors will review your application to see if it qualifies.

Once approved, you’ll pay a non-refundable challenge fee and register in the challenge section of the course. You must complete the exam by the last day of final exams in that term. Your transcript will show the grade you earned and a “Challenge” comment, even if you don’t pass.

Important Notes:

• You can’t challenge a course you’ve already passed at RDP.
• You may challenge a course you previously failed if you’ve gained new learning since then.
• You can’t challenge a course that was waived as a prerequisite or already credited through AP, Prior Learning (PL), or Transfer Credit (TR).
• If you can’t finish the exam on time, you may apply to withdraw. If approved, your transcript will show “WD” with the Challenge comment.

To earn a credential from Red Deer Polytechnic, you must complete at least 50% of your program’s credits through RDP courses. If you’re following an approved alternate pathway, this requirement may be waived through a formal agreement authorized by the Vice President Academic.

PLAR applicants must complete a Recognition of Prior Learning Application Form, and must provide the Polytechnic Assessors with any and all transcripts, course outlines/descriptions, or other documentation necessary to support their PLAR application.

RDP uses a Course Credit model to grant credit through the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process. This means you can earn credit only if your experience matches the learning outcomes or skills required for a specific RDP course.

RDP does not award PLAR credit at the program level, and we do not give general or unspecified credit.

To support your application, you must provide RDP Assessors with all required documents, such as transcripts, course outlines, or other proof of your learning. It’s your responsibility to make sure your application includes everything needed for review.

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition Process

How to Apply for PLAR

To apply:

1. Fill out the Recognition of Prior Learning Application Form.
2. Submit documents that show your learning, like transcripts, course outlines, or training records.
3. RDP Assessors will review your application to see if your experience matches the outcomes of a current course.

How We Assess Your Learning

Depending on your experience, the assessment may include:

• A portfolio or written summary of your learning
• Letters from employers or colleagues confirming your skills
• Photos, videos, or samples of your work
• References from professionals who support your skill level
• Group project summaries showing your contributions
• Employer performance reports
• Essays, assignments, or tests
• Skills demonstrations in labs or practicum settings
• Reviews of employer-based training programs
• Other methods chosen by RDP Assessors to compare your learning with course outcomes

If you earn credit, your transcript will show “PL” with the credit weight—but no grade is assigned.

Note: Some universities may not accept “PL” credits. Check with your future school before starting the PLAR process.

If your application is denied, you can appeal to the Registrar. The Registrar’s decision is final.

You may qualify for Transfer Credit at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) if you’ve completed an equivalent course at another post-secondary school. RDP uses tools like the Alberta Transfer Guide and course descriptions to decide if your previous learning matches an RDP course. We may also recognize hands-on learning experiences, like practica or studio work, if they align with a specific course.

To apply, complete the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) application and submit your official transcripts, course outlines, and any other documents requested by RDP Assessors. If your documents are in a language other than English, you must include a certified translation.

Transfer Credit is available to students who are bringing in courses from other post-secondary institutions. If you don’t qualify, you can explore other Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) options.

When Transfer Credit is approved, your transcript will show “TR” with the credit weight, but no grade is assigned. You’ll be notified if a fee applies after you submit your completed RPL application.

To earn an RDP credential, you must complete at least 50% of your credits through RDP courses, unless a formal agreement allows another pathway.

Letter of Permission

If you plan to take a course at another post-secondary school, you can request a Letter of Permission from RDP. This letter allows RDP to pre-approve the course and recognize it later as Transfer Credit on your transcript.

To apply, submit a Recognition of Prior Learning application and include details about the course you want to take. RDP Assessors will review the course to make sure it matches the curriculum of an equivalent RDP course.

Transfer Credit for Business Administration Students

If you’re applying to a Business Administration program at RDP, you may qualify for transfer credit through Alberta’s Business Administration pathway agreement.

You could be eligible if you’ve completed Business Administration courses within the last five years at one of the following institutions:

• Athabasca University
• Bow Valley College
• Grande Prairie Regional College
• Keyano College
• Lakeland College
• Lethbridge College
• MacEwan University
• Medicine Hat College
• NAIT
• NorQuest College
• Northern Lakes College
• Olds College
• Portage College
• SAIT

To learn more, contact an Academic Advisor at the Student Connect Centre. They’ll help you understand your options and guide you through the transfer credit process.

Advanced Placement from High School

Advanced Placement (AP) graduates may receive academic credit at RDP for their AP credential earned during high school. Only AP grades of 4 or 5 are accepted for transfer credit. An official AP transcript is required for assessment.

Transfer credit at RDP will be awarded based on current articulation agreements with Alberta Universities as cited in the Alberta Transfer Guide. For courses not governed by an articulation agreement, students may choose to pursue a Challenge process in order to obtain academic credit at RDP.

When registering please tell your Advisor that you have AP courses. Caution must be exercised as Advanced Standing for AP courses may not be recognized by some receiving institutions. Policies of institutions which you plan to attend after Red Deer Polytechnic should be taken into account.

Advanced Placement within RDP

Advanced Placement recognizes learning that enables students to waive a prerequisite and register directly into a higher-level course, or acknowledges that the desired learning outcomes have been achieved in an equivalent course.

Advanced Placement is applicable for students transferring courses across programs within Red Deer Polytechnic (noted as “AP” in the College transcript). If a prerequisite or equivalent course is waived, no credit for the prerequisite or equivalent course is granted.

IB graduates may receive up to 30 credits (five full course equivalents) at RDP for their IB Diploma earned during high school. IB grades of 5 or lower will not be accepted for transfer credit at RDP. An official IB transcript is required for assessment.

Transfer credit at RDP will be awarded based on current articulation agreements with Alberta Universities as cited in the Alberta Transfer Guide. For courses not governed by an articulation agreement, students may choose to pursue a Challenge process in order to obtain academic credit at RDP.

When registering please tell your Advisor that you have IB courses. Caution must be exercised as Advanced Standing for IB courses may not be recognized by some receiving institutions. Policies of institutions which you plan to attend after Red Deer Polytechnic should be taken into account.

Note: Students who plan to major in the physical sciences will be required by RDP to take the appropriate first year courses in mathematics and chemistry or to write challenge examinations rather than to accept transfer credit for RDC Mathematics 212 and RDC Chemistry 211.

To receive credit for prior learning, you must submit a Recognition of Prior Learning Application Form.  

• Once you’ve completed the form, please email it.

• You must also submit to RDP all transcripts, course outlines, course descriptions or other documents necessary to support your Prior Learning Application. 

• Applications for transfer credit assessment require official transcripts to be submitted from the awarding institution. Other supporting documentation (e.g. academic course outlines or descriptions) may be attached to the Recognition of Prior Learning application. 

You must have applied and/or been admitted to a credit program to submit a Recognition of Prior Learning Application Form. You do not have to be registered in a course to submit this form. 

To access the Recognition of Prior Learning Application Form, please login to your myRDP account.

A Recognition of Prior Learning fee may be required by Red Deer Polytechnic to support the assessment process. The RDP Assessor will determine if a fee is applicable and will notify the applicant after submission of the initial application. All fees are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Please submit Recognition of Prior Learning Application Forms at least eight weeks before the start of courses in which you plan to enrol.  

• Applications received after April 15 may not be completed before the Fall term starts.  

• Students registering for programs and courses starting in the Fall, Winter or Spring/Summer terms must submit completed Recognition of Prior Learning Application Forms before the Add/Drop date in the relevant term for courses in which they are registered, for credit to be applied to that term. 

• If students apply for a Prior Learning assessment for a course in which they are currently registered, they will be expected to produce the relevant documentation, and/or complete the requisite assessment, within the first two weeks of the term in which they are registered in the course.

If prior learning credit is granted via this process, the information will appear on your transcript as "PL", with the appropriate credit weight attached, but no grade is assigned.  
 
Many universities will not recognize a grade of "PL" on an official transcript, students should check with the receiving institution before initiating a PLAR process.