Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for delivering a customized and responsive learning pathway. In one embodiment, a profile service receives an objective related to a course of study, receives information to represent prior learning related to the course of study, and tracks progress related to the course of study. A prior learning assessment (PLA) engine conducts an assessment based on the prior learning related to the course of study, conducts a strength of fit analysis to align the assessment with a plurality of competencies and courses in a learning institution catalog and associated with the course of study, maps at least one of the plurality of competencies and courses to the assessment, and grants a credit for the at least one of the plurality of competencies and courses based on the assessment. A recommendation engine generates a customized and responsive learning pathway.