Key Takeaways:
- Colleges accept Portage Learning courses for credit because of its accreditation status among other factors.
- More than 2,800 institutions allow students to apply Portage Learning courses toward their degree.
- To send your Portage Learning transcripts to another school, click on the transcripts tab within my.PortageLearning.edu.
Nearly 3,000 colleges and universities across the country accept Portage Learning courses for credit.
But why?
It’s a fair question.
After all, not every institution recognizes courses taken at another one.
So, what makes online, self-directed courses a legitimate option for earning college credit?
The answer includes several factors:
- Accreditation
- Content
- Transfer policies
- And more
Let’s break down what each of them means – and why they matter as you plan your education.
What Is Portage Learning?
Portage Learning – an accredited institution – provides online, self-directed college courses, including science labs, in subjects such as:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Neuroscience
- Physics
- American history
- Sociology
- Abnormal psychology
- Biochemistry
- And more
Its format allows you to start at any time and learn from anywhere, rather than be constrained by a semester system, making it a good option for those balancing heavy schedules, including:
- Career switchers supplementing current courses
- Working professionals accelerating toward an advanced degree
- Motivated high schoolers building a foundation
What Makes a College Course Transferable?
The following factors drive most decisions on whether a university allows you to transfer credits:
- Accreditation
Did you take the course through a regionally accredited program?
Accreditation represents the gold standard in U.S. higher education and means a school meets the highest level of quality related to curriculum, faculty, resources, and more. It doesn’t guarantee your credits can be taken to your new college, but it increases the chances significantly. - Grades
You typically need a “C” or better to apply it toward your degree at another institution. This requirement could vary if you want to transfer credits specific to your field of study.
For example, some nursing programs stipulate that you must finish all prerequisite courses with no less than an 80 percent to be admitted. - Time
College credits don’t expire but school policies may limit whether an institution accepts them.
The ones earned from general education courses usually hold their transferability the longest.
Most institutions don’t accept STEM courses taken more than five to 10 years earlier. - Course alignment
If the course you enrolled in doesn’t match the level, information, and purpose of the course offered at your new college, it will generally be denied.
Universities want to ensure you succeed in their programs, and if they feel you lack foundational knowledge for a subject, you’ll need to retake the course.
The decision whether to accept credits ultimately lies with the receiving institution, and they all set their own unique policies.
You could bring a course to one college and be denied the ability to apply it toward your degree at another.
Why Do Colleges Accept Portage Learning Courses?
Schools accept courses from Portage Learning because of its accreditation status.
Partnerships with Geneva College and Bushnell University, both regionally accredited institutions, allow Portage Learning to issue transcripts for earned credit.
It also maintains full accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education-recognized Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools (MSA-CSS).
“It can be tough to get applicants into our accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program because of the parameters of our accreditation, but Portage Learning helps us out with that,” Joshua Pruitt, director of online and hybrid undergraduate admissions and advising at Anderson University, states.
He adds, “I think one of the things our students value most about Portage Learning is the preparedness. It equips them well. They’re getting courses from real professors. There’s labs in these courses. There’s coaches for them in these courses. It’s preparing them to be successful at Anderson.”
Scott Copley, an assistant dean for Duquesne University’s School of Nursing, echoes Joshua. Some of the other reasons institutions accept Portage Learning’s courses for credit include:
- The one-on-one relationship learners enjoy with their professor.
- The support offered by the Student Success team, which helps learners with time management, study skills, grade calculations, and more.
- The detailed documentation provided with completed courses.
- The affordable price point, with tuition set at $230 per credit.
“There is a standard for Portage Learning courses, and they’re equal to, if not better than, some of the courses they could take at a brick-and-mortar school,” Scott explains.
What Colleges Accept Portage Learning Courses?
More than 2,800 colleges and universities across the country accept Portage Learning courses, including:
- Baylor University
- University of Arizona
- Duquesne University
- Youngstown State University
- University of Kentucky
- And more
Courses taken through other online learning platforms often only carry ACE recommendation, which doesn’t meet the same criteria for quality, academic oversight, and external accountability as an accredited university. Therefore, schools don’t view these types of courses as worthy of college credit.
How Do You Transfer Portage Learning Courses to Another College?
No student wants to waste time or money on a course that won’t apply to their new college.
Here’s how to make sure that doesn’t happen to you.
- Identify your target school
Determine where you want to finish your degree and research its transfer credit policy.
Set up a call with the college’s registrar’s office so you fully understand how your Portage Learning course will be evaluated and which graduation requirements you can satisfy. - Apply
Universities won’t evaluate your credit until you submit an application for admission.
Mark the deadline to do so in your calendar. Applying sooner, rather than later, will be beneficial.
Some of the materials you’ll likely need to submit include:
- 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
To request your records, click on the transcripts tab within my.PortageLearning.edu.
Portage Learning issues them electronically or via first-class mail at no cost to you. - Await and review your assessment
It takes colleges four to six weeks to evaluate the credits that you would like to transfer.
They usually share their decision via email. Once received, look it over and contact your admissions advisor with any questions or concerns.
What Types of Portage Learning Courses Can Transfer
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 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.
“College Algebra was excellent,” Joao Almeida says. “Professor (Steven) Lippold was very timely, and the option to start whenever possible is a massive plus compared to other alternatives.”
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.
Making the Most of Portage Learning Courses
Colleges and universities don’t accept Portage Learning courses for credit simply because of the online, self-directed format.
They allow students to apply them toward their degree because of factors such as:
- Accreditation status
- Course content
- Academic and faculty support
- Affordability
The delivery method just happens to be a nice bonus.
No two schools follow exactly the same policies when evaluating credit, so before enrolling in a Portage Learning course, check with your target college to confirm how it may transfer.
But when their requirements align with your goals, Portage Learning can give you a flexible way to advance your education.
Still looking for answers?
Check out the FAQs about this article below.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Portage Learning?
Portage Learning – an accredited institution – provides online, self-directed college courses, including science labs, in subjects such as Anatomy and Physiology, Neuroscience, Physics, and more. Its format allows you to start at any time and learn from anywhere, rather than be constrained by a semester system.What Makes a College Course Transferable?
The factors that drive most decisions on whether a university allows you to transfer credits are accreditation, grades, time, and course alignment. The decision whether to accept credits ultimately lies with the receiving institution, and they all set their own unique policies.Why Do Colleges Accept Portage Learning Courses?
Schools accept courses from Portage Learning because of its accreditation status. Partnerships with Geneva College and Bushnell University, both regionally accredited institutions, allow Portage Learning to issue transcripts for earned credit. It also maintains full accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education-recognized Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools (MSA-CSS).How Do You Transfer Portage Learning Courses to Another College?
To transfer Portage Learning courses to another college, you need to identify your target school, apply, send your official transcripts, await and review your assessment. It takes colleges four to six weeks to evaluate the credits that you would like to transfer. They usually share their decision via email. Once received, look it over and contact your admissions advisor with any questions or concerns.
