How do I get started?
Click on the green "Get Started" button. Select the course that you would like to take and the institution that you would like to award your credit. Pay for your course and textbook with a major credit card. Within 48 hours you will receive an e-mail giving you access to your selected course.
What are "required college courses"?
Required college courses are the courses that most students must take early in their college careers in order to receive their degree. Most colleges will require math, writing, science and humanities courses.
What do you mean by: "real college credit"?
StraighterLine courses are real courses that receive real credit from accredited universities. You could chose to, but do not need to take an additional test -- like a CLEP or AP course -- after completing the course. If you chose to receive credit from a Partner College, these credits may be transferable to other colleges if the receiving college will accept it. Your personal Course Advisor will help you with this if you have questions.
How do I receive college credit?
After completing and passing a course, we'll send your information to the college that you selected. Once you enroll in the college, you will receive credit from the college for having taken StraighterLine courses.
Can my college credits transfer?
Yes. These credits are just like any other credits issued by a StraighterLine partner college. All credits -- StraighterLine's or any other college -- are subject to the receiving college's credit transfer policies. If you intend to transfer your credits, ask the institution that you will eventually transfer to whether they will accept credits from the StraighterLine Partner College that you have selected--your personal Course Advisor will help you with to better understand this process.
Is StraighterLine accredited?
StraighterLine is not a college, so it is not accredited. However, StraighterLine's partners are regionally accredited -- the highest level of quality assurance (http://distancelearn.about.com/od/accreditationinfo/a/regional.htm).
How long do I have to complete the course?
StraighterLine for $99 allows you unlimited access to a course. Individual courses purchased for $399 give you up to six months from the date you enroll to complete the course.
How quickly can I complete a course
As quickly as you are able.
How do you ensure quality?
At StraighterLine, quality assurance has many layers. First, all the elements of the course -- the course content, the textbook, the technical infrastructure and the instruction -- are provided by companies that already serve hundreds of colleges. Second, all student work -- such as tests, instructional sessions, and even which web pages are clicked -- are available to review for quality control purposes. Third, course development and the SMARTHINKING instruction is overseen by former college professors. Lastly, partner colleges are given the opportunity to review the entire course experience before agreeing to be a partner college.
How do I access my textbook?
StraighterLine textbooks are sold separately by our official bookstore partner EDMAP. You can purchase either an ebook or a physical textbook by going to: http://www.shop-edmap.biz/sln/
Can I take another a course while I am taking a first course?
Absolutely! If you would like to take multiple courses at the same time, purchase them individually for $399. In fact, this is a great way to complete the beginning of your college career more quickly and affordably than if you enrolled directly in a college. StraighterLine for $99 allows access to 1 course at a time, multiple courses are currently not available under this program.
Which partner college should I choose?
You should pick the partner college that best matches your educational goals. For instance, does the partner college offer the degree program that you want? Do you want to finish your college education online, in-person, or both? Do you plan to transfer your credits to another institution that is not one of the partner colleges? What are the partner college's tuition and fees for courses after StraighterLine?
I purchased a course, when can I start?
You will receive an e-mail with access instructions within 48 hours.
When will you have more courses?
New courses will be available by Fall of 2008. StraighterLine will continue to add more courses as quickly as we can build them. If you do not see a course listed and you would like us to create it--let us know! Visit Suggest A Course here.
Do you offer degrees?
StraighterLine does not offer degrees. It offers the first courses that you must take in just about every degree. To complete your degree, you can enroll in a StraighterLine partner college or you may be able to transfer your credits to a different college.
What is a Course Advisor?
A Course Advisor is a StraighterLine employee that can personally answer your questions and help you as you complete your course(s).
Can I get academic support 24/7?
Academic and instructional support is provided by SMARTHINKING. During the fall and spring, math instruction is available 24/7. Other subjects are available up to 16 hours per day. For a full schedule, see here: http://www.smarthinking.com/static/pub_common/hours.cfm?st=1
Do I talk to SMARTHINKING Online Educators on the phone? Via email?
To get instructional help, click on the "SMARTHINKING" link within your course. If a SMARTHINKING instructor is available, a "whiteboard" will open allowing you to submit a question to the instructor. When ready, the instructor will initiate a conversation with you within the "whiteboard" environment.
How is this different than other online degree programs--like University of Phoenix, for example?
With StraighterLine, you can take just the general courses you will need during the first few years of a degree program. We focus our program on the courses, not the degree. You can chose to receive real college credit from a Partner College, prepare for a CLEP test, or take the course as a refresher--at StraighterLine, your options are open. Take one or several courses--it is your choice.
Who do I call if I have technical problems?
Technical support is available via phone--the contact information is provided to StraighterLine students once they begin a course--please feel free to click on the green "Get Started" button to begin the process of becoming a student.
My friend and I want to take a class together--can we do that here?
You and your friend can each sign up for a StraighterLine course. StraighterLine courses are self-directed, which means that you work through them as a one person class. But, you and your friend can create your own study group and support each other as you both progress through the course.
How many students are in a StraighterLine class?
One. You work at your own pace. When you need help, you are able to work one-on-one with a SMARTHINKING instructor.
Will I receive a grade?
StraighterLine scores assessments are based upon a percentage of 100%.
How am I graded?
Each course has tests during the course and a final test. For English composition, you must submit original essays to SMARTHINKING's Online Educators for grading.
Can I take a test more than once?
No. Like in any school, tests may only be taken once.
Why can't I get access to a SMARTHINKING instructor?
There are several possible reasons. First, you may be trying to get an instructor when none is available. Check the available times here: http://www.smarthinking.com/static/pub_common/hours.cfm?st=1. Second, you may have used all of your SMARTHINKING instruction time. Each course comes with up to 10 hours of instruction available for the duration of the course. If you need more, you may purchase more with a credit card.
Who are the SMARTHINKING Online Educators?
SMARTHINKING Online Educators are rigorously screened and trained. Over 90% have a masters degree or PhD in the subject in which they are teaching.
What kind of training do SMARTHINKING Online Educators receive?
Visit: http://smarthinking.com/static/e-structors/training/ to learn about the extensive training process conducted by SMARTHINKING.
Can I take a course again if I fail it?
Yes, you can take a course as many times as you like. However, you will need to purchase the course again.
Does a failing grade affect my college transcripts?
This is a great aspect of StraighterLine--because StraighterLine is not a college, your work is not a part of your academic record until we transfer the information to one of our Partner Colleges. Because failing grades will not earn you credit at a Partner College, StraighterLine recommends retaking the course until you pass and then transferring your successfully completed coursework to a Partner College.
Does a failing grade affect my GPA?
No. Your GPA is not affected by work done at StraighterLine. Once you are awarded credit by a Partner College, your cumulative GPA will be affected as it would for taking any college course.
Can I apply for financial aid?
No. StraighterLine does not offer financial aid. However, once you complete your StraighterLine experience, you may apply for financial aid at the partner school that you chose.
Can I pay for this with money from my 529 plan?
Not at this time.
What is your refund policy?
Single courses purchased for $399 may receive a 100% refund within 2 weeks of purchase or before the completion of the first course assessment, whichever comes first.
Students who select the $99/month option may cancel the plan at anytime with 30 days notice. Refunds are not available once the monthly fee has been charged. Once charged, students are guaranteed access to a course for the next 30 day period.
What are the application fees for?
Each school has different policies regarding enrollment. These fees are charged by the school. StraighterLine simply collects them and passes them over to the Partner College--allowing for a smooth transition between StraighterLine courses and the awarding of credit by the chosen partner school.
