Key Takeaways:
- Portage Learning courses transfer to more than 2,800 colleges and universities across the country.
- Partnerships with Geneva College and Bushnell University, regionally accredited institutions give Portage Learning courses a stronger transfer pathway than those that carry only ACE credit recommendations.
You can earn college credit in a lot of ways.
By taking the traditional path. Or by charting your own.
Portage Learning courses, CLEP exams, dual enrollment, and other options all allow you to obtain credit that can then be transferred to the school where you want to complete your degree – creating an educational journey that works for your unique goals, budget, and timeline.
But how do you know if a university will accept your credit? And what does the transfer process entail?
Read on to learn more about the challenges students may face and what can be done to overcome them.
What Is Transfer Credit?
Transfer credit refers to coursework completed at one institution and accepted by another college or university to apply toward a degree program.
You can earn it through:
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams
- Online courses
- Dual enrollment programs
- Community colleges
Transfer credit allows you to reduce the number of classes you need to finish your undergraduate education, potentially saving you time and money.
How Credit Transferability Is Determined
Institutions set their own policies that outline the criteria for accepting credit obtained elsewhere. In general, to be considered transferable, a course must:
- Be completed at a regionally accredited institution
- Be completed within the last 10 years
- Be completed with a grade of C or higher
Colleges and universities typically let you bring 60 credits – or two years of courses – if they match their curriculum.
The amount allowed may be more in some instances. For example, Duquesne University accepts 90 transfer credits if you earn them at a four-year institution.
How to Easily Transfer College Credits (Step-by-Step)
No student wants to waste time and money on college credit that won’t transfer to their new university.
Here’s how to ensure that doesn’t happen to you:
- Identify your target school
Determine where you want to finish your degree and research the college’s transfer policy.
Set up a call with the registrar’s office so you fully understand how your courses will be evaluated and which degree requirements you can satisfy. - Apply
Universities won’t evaluate your transfer credit until you submit an application for admission.
Mark the deadline to do so in your calendar; however, applying sooner rather than later will be beneficial.
You will likely need to submit the following materials:
- Demographic information, such as your date of birth and Social Security number
- Personal essay
- Letters of recommendation
- Standardized test scores
- Resume or activity list
- Send your official transcripts
Once you apply, reach out to the schools that you previously attended and ask them to send an official, sealed copy of your transcripts to your new college for credit evaluation. Institutions usually charge a processing fee to do this.
You may also need to submit a syllabus for each course you took. - Await and review your assessment
It takes colleges about four to six weeks to evaluate the credits that you would like to transfer.
They usually share their decision via email. Once you receive it, look over the report and contact your admissions advisor with any questions or concerns.
Do Portage Learning Credits Transfer?
Credits earned from Portage Learning courses transfer to more than 2,800 schools across the country, including:
- University of Arizona
- Baylor University
- University of Kentucky
- Duquesne University
- Youngstown State University
- And more
Partnerships with Geneva College and Bushnell University, regionally accredited institutions, give its courses a stronger transfer pathway than those that carry only ACE credit recommendations.
Regional accreditation represents the gold standard in U.S. higher education and indicates to colleges and universities that the program meets acceptable levels of quality related to curriculum, faculty, and more.
Online platforms with ACE recommended courses, meanwhile, don’t fulfill the same criteria for institutional quality assurance, academic oversight, and external accountability. Therefore, schools don’t view these types of courses as worthy of college credit.
Additionally, Portage Learning itself maintains full accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education-recognized Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools, the highest level available for nondegree-awarding institutions.
Portage Learning issues transcripts at no cost to students.
Most Popular Portage Learning Courses
Portage Learning offers more than 30 online courses that allow you to earn the transferable credit that helps you finish your degree.
Its self-directed format lets you start at any time and affordably learn from anywhere.
Some of the Portage Learning courses students most frequently transfer to colleges and universities include:
Nutrition
This course equips you with the fundamentals of nutrition, including the digestion, absorption, and functional importance of nutrients.
Upon completion, you’ll earn three credits and be able to make informed choices about your diet.
“It was concise and helped me understand what foods I need to avoid in order to maintain good health,” Adebisi Gbenga, a former student, writes in a Google review. “The professor answered difficult concepts in a timely manner, and the exams reflected the concepts taught in the course.”
Foundations of Public Speaking
No matter your career, you must understand how to effectively communicate.
Foundations of Public Speaking explores topics such as ethics and public speaking, speech design, and the power of language to help you develop effective skills that will impress every audience.
English Composition I
You also need to know how to write and comprehend information well to succeed professionally.
At the end of the eight module course, you’ll be able to:
- Utilize reading and research for critical thinking, analysis, and communication
- Think, organize, and share your ideas clearly and objectively
- Write well-developed, thoughtful content
Students, on average, finish English Composition I within eight to 10 weeks.
American History II 1877-Present
This three-credit course traces the historical development of the United States of America from post-Reconstruction through the early 2020s.
By examining the country’s political, social, and cultural history, you’ll be able to connect past events to modern society and understand diverse viewpoints.
You can also register for American History through 1877 to learn about the birth of the U.S.
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology teaches you how to:
- Develop a thoughtful and useful framework for understanding social life
- Articulate ways in which various aspects of social life shape how you see yourself and others
- Become more cognizant of current conversations about various aspects of social life
The transferable credits earned create the transferable skills that employers look for in job candidates.
College Algebra
This course covers basic mathematical principles, including:
- Exponents
- Radical expressions
- Conversions
- Equations
- And more
Most colleges require students to take algebra – even if you major in the arts or humanities. For example, a musician can use algebra to calculate royalty splits and project concert ticket revenue.
Introduction to Statistics
Statistics teaches you how to collect, analyze, and interpret data used to inform predictions and make decisions. Examples include:
- Forecasting weather
- Tracking unemployment rates
- Understanding disease spread
On average, students finish the course in two months and learn:
- How to develop outcome probabilities
- The difference between discrete and continuous probability distributions
- Type I and II errors
Anyone who took algebra II in high school, or the college equivalent, may register for Introduction to Statistics at Portage Learning.
General Psychology
Ever wonder why you do what you do?
This course teaches basic psychology concepts and principles. You'll analyze and critique the field's major theories too.
Learning about human behavior develops critical thinking and communication skills needed for your career – no matter the industry.
Still looking for answers?
Check out the FAQs about this article below.
