Questions? Call 1-877-Str8erLine or email us

Students: Log into Class

StraighterLineStraighterLine

StraighterLine

General FAQ

  1. How do I get started?

    Click on the green "Get Started" button. Select the course that you would like to take.Pay for your course with a major credit card. Within 48 hours you will receive an e-mail giving you access to your selected course.

  2. 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.

  3. What do you mean by: "real college credit"?

    StraighterLine courses are real courses that receive real credit from accredited universities. StraighterLine courses are recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE). Most colleges will accept ACE recommended courses for credit. Check with the college in which you would like to eventually enroll. Or, you can save the ACE fee and choose one of StraighterLine's partner colleges who have agreed to award credit for StraighterLine courses directly. You could chose to, but do not need to, take an additional test -- like a CLEP or AP course -- after completing the course. After receiving credit at one of StraighterLine's partner colleges or another college of your choice, these creditswill be transferrable depending upon the credit transfer policies of the college to which you want to transfer. Your personal Course Advisor will help you with this if you have questions.

  4. How do I receive college credit?

    After completing and passing a course, we'll send you the information on how to apply to a Partner College of your choice. Or, you may create an account with the American Council of Education (ACE) Credit Recommendation system and request that a StraighterLine transcript be sent to any college in which you want to enroll. Students are responsible for paying any fees -- such as application or transcript fees, associated with enrollment at a partner college. Once enrolled in the college, you will receive credit for having taken courses.

  5. Can my college credits transfer?

    Yes. These credits are just like any other credits issued by a Partner College. All credits -- 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 Partner College that you have selected--your personal Course Advisor will help you with to better understand this process.

  6. How long will it take to be awarded credit?

    We cannot predict the timelines of other institutions; however, we will do everything we can to make the process as quick as possible. Before you finish your Course, we will help you get the Partner College enrollment process started. When you are close to finishing your course, you should notify your Course Advisor for instructions on how to apply to the Partner College you have chosen. Once finished, your grade will be sent to the Partner College, and they will work to award the credit for the course.

  7. Is StraighterLine accredited?

    StraighterLine is not a college, so it is not accredited. Accreditors will only review entities that provide full degree programs. However, StraighterLine's partners are regionally accredited -- the highest level of quality assurance. Also, the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) - an accreditor recognized by the federal Department of Education -- has reviewed Straighterline's courses and said that they meet or exceed their standards for online course quality. Lastly, the American Council of Education's (ACE) Credit Recommendation Service has approved all of Straighterline's courses.

  8. 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.

  9. How quickly can I complete a course

    As quickly as you are able.

  10. 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, a variety of entities and organizations have reviewed StraighterLine's courses. For instance, all partner colleges are given the opportunity to review the entire course experience before agreeing to be a partner college. The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends StraighterLine courses for college credit. The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) - an accreditor recognized by the federal Department of Education - has said that StraighterLine courses meet or exceed their standards for online course quality.

  11. How do I access my textbook?

    At StraighterLine, we do what we can to reduce the cost of textbooks. All StraighterLine courses come associated with textbooks that have e-book options, allowing students to save up to 50% on the cost of a book. Students may purchase a new book in print, an e-book or buy a used book. 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/ . Textbooks required for each course can be found on the course syllabus located on the website

  12. Can I take another a course while I am taking a first course?

    Absolutely! Either choose the $399 option for each course that you like. Or, if you are enrolled in the StraighterLine for $99 option, you pay $39 for each additional course you start.

  13. 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?

  14. I purchased a course, when can I start?

    You will receive an e-mail with access instructions within 48 hours.

  15. When will you have more courses?

    Please continue to check the website for course additions. 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.

  16. 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 transfer your credits to any college that awards credit for American Council of Education (ACE) approved courses.

  17. 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).

  18. 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: Click here for a full schedule.

  19. Do I talk to SMARTHINKING Online Educators on the phone? Via email?

    To get instructional help, click on the "SMARTHINKING" link within your course. Choose the subject and the type of help you would like. 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.

  20. 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, transfer credit to any college that accepts courses approved by the American Council of Education (ACE), 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.

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. What happens if I cancel the course before it is complete?

    If you cancel a course before you have completed all graded assignments, those incomplete assignments will be awarded a score of zero to then determine your final average in the course. If you choose to retake the course in the future, you will be subject to the retake policy outlined here.

    Retake Policy: Final grades for all course attempts will be averaged to determine a student's score in the course.

  25. Will my current school accept this course?

    That is up to your current school. StraighterLine does not award credit hours for courses. Credits come from our partner colleges or in the form of ACE credits. Depending on how you choose to earn credit (through a partner college or ACE), you will need to check with your current school to see if they will accept credits from that source.

    ACE descriptions of StraighterLine courses can be found here.

  26. Do I have to buy a textbook?

    StraighterLine courses use reading assignments and practice work from the textbook to supplement your material and provide additional instruction, but you will not be required to turn in work from your book. Though purchasing a textbook is up to you, StraighterLine recommends that you purchase the appropriate text so you are equipped with as many resources as possible. Should you decide to purchase a textbook, you can choose a new book, used book or e-book.

  27. Can high school students take your courses?

    Anyone may purchase and take a StraighterLine course. However, admission at most colleges, including StraighterLine’s partner colleges, requires a high school diploma or GED.

Academic FAQ

  1. Will I receive a grade?

    StraighterLine scores assessments are based upon a percentage of 100%.

  2. 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.

  3. Can I take a test more than once?

    At StraighterLine, graded assessments can only be taken once. However, if you are not satisfied with your final grade, you have the option of retaking the course. Contact your Course Advisor for more information.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Can I take a course again if I fail it?

    Students may retake a for-credit course as many times as they choose. Final grades for retakes will be averaged with the student's previous scores in the course. $399 students will need to repurchase the course. $99/month students will need to notify their Course Advisor and pay a new $39 fee. Developmental courses may be taken as many times as needed without averaging final scores.

  8. 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 the information is transferred to a partner college or a college awarding credit for American Council of Education (ACE) approved courses. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. What are ACE credits?

    StraighterLine courses have been approved by the American Council on Education (ACE). Thousands of colleges award credit for ACE approved courses. To be sure your current school will award credit, check their website or call the college and ask if they accept ACE recommended coursework. To learn more about ACE, click here. To learn how ACE awards credit for specific StraighterLine courses, click here.

  11. How do I earn credits through ACE?

    Click here for specifics on how ACE awards credit for StraighterLine courses.

    To use the ACE process:
    1. Be sure the college in which you want to enroll will accept ACE recommended courses. If not, consider one of Straighterline's partner colleges. A list of ACE affiliated schools can be found here.
    2. Successfully complete a Straighterline course (70% or higher final average).
    3. Alert the StraighterLine course advisor that you want your StraighterLine credit listed on an ACE transcript.

    4. ACE will send you a confirmation email with a link for you to follow to login. If you do not already have an ACE account, StraighterLine will provide you with a student ID that you will use to login. ACE charges $40 to create an account. If you already have an ACE account, you will use your Social Security Number to login. Please tell your Course Advisor your Social Security Number so they can send your course completion information to ACE. StraighterLine will not store your social security number.

Financial FAQ

  1. 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 college that you chose.

  2. Can I pay for this with money from my 529 plan?

    Not at this time.

  3. 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 any time before their next scheduled billing. Rebillings occur every 28 days. Refunds are not available once the monthly fee has been charged or for the $39 per course fee. Once charged, students are guaranteed access to a course for the next 28 day period.

  4. What are the application fees for?

    The majority of colleges and universities require potential students submit an application fee with their application. Our Partner Colleges are no different. These fees are charged by the Partner College, and StraighterLine has no control over them. Your Course Advisor can answer your questions about each Partner College's application fee.


McAfee Secure sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams