PLTW College and University Partnerships
"Collaborate now, compete later."
In order to accomplish our mission of preparing students to become the most innovative in the world, we count on our partners, including a collaborative team of colleges and universities. The following are the ways that institutions collaborate with the PLTW network.
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Engineering Affiliate
These colleges and universities have an agreement with PLTW to facilitate the delivery of the PLTW Pathway To Engineering (PTE) and Gateway To Technology (GTT) programs.
They provide and coordinate activities such as professional development (i.e. Core Training and Counselor Conferences), college-level recognition (i.e. undergraduate credit for students and graduate credit for teachers), program quality initiatives (i.e. School Certification and technical assistance), and statewide/regional support and communication.
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Biomedical Affiliate
These colleges and universities have an agreement with PLTW to facilitate the delivery of the PLTW Biomedical Sciences program.
They provide and coordinate activities such as professional development (i.e. Core Training and Counselor Conferences), college-level recognition (i.e. graduate credit for teachers), program quality initiatives (i.e. School Certification and technical assistance), and statewide/regional support and communication.
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College-Level Recognition Partner
These institutions allow students to earn college credit for PLTW courses.
PLTW classes are nationally standardized project-based courses that prepare students for college-level work and culminate with a student assessment, which colleges and universities can use to determine if a student earns college credit. The following are ways in which we see post-secondary institutions articulating with PLTW (some institutions, define these terms differently, so please verify before making assumptions).

Course Substitution Credit
PLTW course substitutes for a program course. Treated similar to AP or transfer credit.

Advanced Standing Credit
PLTW course eliminates the need for an elective course; or gives them no course credit, but gives them credit to advance their class standing (i.e. early registration, parking preferences, early financial assistance increase due to reaching junior status quicker).

Partial Course Credit
Grant partial credit for a course, thus reducing the tuition to the student, but not the time.

Bridge Courses
Course designed specifically to fill any gaps between the PLTW courses and related program courses.

Retro-Credit Model
Students that successfully complete a higher level course in a sequence are granted program credit for a prerequisite course.

Test-out or Challenge Exam
Students are allowed to sit for a challenge exam, which upon successful completion will give them credit for the program course.

For more information, download the PLTW College Level Recognition Guide (8.5MB PDF will open in a new window).

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Scholarship Partner
These institutions allow scholarship opportunities to PLTW students.
Seeing increased performance and persistence from PLTW students, many institutions wish to offer scholarships to PLTW students attending their institution. The following are ways in which we see institutions offering scholarships or grants.
  • Students are awarded a scholarship or grant based upon their enrollment in PLTW programs or course(s)
  • Students are eligible to apply for scholarships, specifically designated for PLTW students.

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Admissions Preference Partner
These institutions award preference to PLTW students seeking admission.
Seeing increased performance and persistence from PLTW students, many institutions wish to offer preference to PLTW students seeking admission. The following are ways in which we see institutions offering admission preference to PLTW students.
  • PLTW courses act as one of the required courses for admissions, such as a science or math equivalency courses.
  • PLTW programs or courses are part of their weighted admissions requirements used when accepting students into the institution or degree program.
  • PLTW enrollment grants automatic enrollment into the institution or degree program.
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Professional Development Partner
These institutions provide Core Training to PLTW teachers as a PLTW Affiliate, or in association with a PLTW Affiliate.
As states continue to grow, it is imperative that the amount of training we offer grows proportionally. One way to accomplish this is by offering more training opportunities at our Affiliates. Another way to accomplish this is to develop more training locations. All training sites must have a signed agreement with PLTW, or an approved Affiliate.
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Pre-Service Teacher Training Partner
These institutions have an agreement with PLTW to teach students PLTW courses in such a way that successful students will be considered trained to teach specific middle and/or high school courses upon graduation of the institution and employment within a PLTW school.
PLTW takes great pride in our teacher professional development model. Over 15,000 strong, we have developed an empowered group of teachers that are ready to ignite the spark of ingenuity, creativity and imagination within all of their students. However, as opportunities present themselves or retirement approaches, our schools are sometimes at a loss for trained teachers. By expanding our teacher training network into the teacher training institutions across the nation, we are creating another pathway for schools to find trained, qualified PLTW teachers.
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Embedded Course Partner
These institutions teach PLTW courses directly to your postsecondary students, which count towards their graduation requirements.
PLTW is known for its rigorous and relevant curriculum, which more and more post-secondary institutions across the country are beginning to embed into their programs as required or elective courses for their students. All post-secondary sites must have a signed agreement with PLTW.