Phase III: PLA Portfolio

Candidates will be evaluated on their knowledge and skills gained in the curricular areas of Technical Skills, Literature, Repertoire, & History, and General Education & Humanities by a panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).

Through the portfolio evaluation, eligible applicants can earn up to an additional 30 to 60 PLA Credits for the equivalent of 1,350 to 2,700 hours of lived experience.

Phase III applicants must pay a $475 PLA application fee upon final submission.

What to expect:

Three Self-assessed Questionnaires and Learning Narratives (250-words) on the applicants’ competencies in Technical Skills, Literature, Repertoire, & History, and General Education & Humanities, and Articles of Evidence upload(s) to support each competency.

Candidates continue the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) journey by demonstrating how their professional experience equates to skills and competencies in the three curricular areas of the BFA Online that are eligible for PLA. You will be asked to indicate your competency in the areas of:

Technical Skills: Mastery of technical skills related to your primary discipline (e.g., instrument, voice, or performing arts concentration).
Literature, Repertoire, & History: Depth of knowledge in relevant literature, repertoire, and history.
General Education & Humanities: Breadth of understanding in general education and the humanities.

Required materials for Phase III: PLA Portfolio Evaluation

Three Learning Narratives (250 Words Each)
Describe how your performance skills, knowledge, and competencies demonstrate college-level understanding and learning outcomes for each curricular competency: Technical Skills, Literature, Repertoire, & History, and Humanities & General Education.

Your narrative should:

Reflect on your skills and competencies in the three curricular areas, answering how each competency has prepared you to expand your artistic practice in the BFA Online program.
Link your performance competencies, skills, and knowledge to demonstrate college-level learning outcomes.

Articles of Evidence Upload

Upload additional Articles of Evidence that directly support your competencies as outlined in the questionnaires.

Examples may include:

Performance programs or playbills
Press reviews or media coverage of your work
Union or professional membership documentation
Contracts or booking confirmations
Links to professional websites, YouTube videos, or digital portfolios
Letters or communications confirming professional performance engagements

Additional Evidence you may want to consider includes:

Performance recordings showcasing technical proficiency across different styles and difficulty levels
Solo recital or concert performances demonstrating advanced repertoire and musical interpretation
Chamber music or ensemble recordings showing collaborative skills and musical responsiveness
Masterclass or lesson videos documenting technical development and interpretive growth
Competition performances or recordings highlighting technical achievement and musical maturity
Orchestra, band, or ensemble experience documentation with letters from conductors or music directors
Professional performance reviews or critiques highlighting technical and musical accomplishments
Teaching experience demonstrating technical knowledge and the ability to communicate musical concepts
Sight-reading or audition materials showing music literacy and preparation abilities

You may upload PDFs, image files, and include relevant web links.

Note: This section is meant to verify your knowledge and skills gained through your performance experience. Upload these materials to the appropriate section of the Slate application portal. If you have any audio files as evidence, you can add them using the video uploader located in your Status Portal. Applicants may use previously submitted materials from Phase II if they are applicable.