Alternative Credit Project

[cookderosa]

Hello all. I've been away from the forum for a while. I recently received an email concerning Alternative Credit Project, which prompted me to check-in here.

Both COSC's and TESC's websites concerning ACP have the same courses Jen listed in her original post. Both COSC & TESC still appear to accept ACE-approved and NCCRS-approved courses which have an accredited college course equivalent. It seems that's quiet a large number of courses. The courses enumerated in the ACP list are amongst the many ACE and NCCRS approved courses.

Consequently, I don't really understand the Alternative Credit Project. What's the purpose of it? It simply appears to be a sampling of mostly general education courses, taught in a non-traditional setting, which should be acquired in the first and second years of college ... and, which are collected and displayed on ACP website along with vendors which are approved. This has value as not everyone possesses this information. But it simply seems to a repeat of what most degreeforum.net members already know.

Does it impact other ACE=approved and NCCRS-approved courses in relation to what COSC, TESC (and other uni's discussed here) will accept as transfer credit?

Thanks
Robin

So in a nutshell, all of these participants are already providers of non-credit, ACE credit, and NCCRS approved courses. Each provider has their own business model, and though some schools ALWAYS accept ACE credit (like the big 3) the real hook they are offering individually is that they have created partnerships with some schools. (for instance, if you go on Straighterline's page, they have a big list). Beyond a partnership, it's really just "hope" that your credit transfers. I know ACE likes to believe their credit transfers easily, but in fact it doesn't. I have direct experience with many colleges on the ACE list that don't accept ACE credit! As such, when you browse around these companies, you'll see them copy/paste the same party line, the same list of schools, etc. and no one is accountable for the the fact that ACE credits hardly ever transfer into traditional community colleges or public colleges/universities. (yes, they are 100/200 level)

So- this Alternative Credit Project is a big deal because ACE has actually entered into written agreements with public colleges/universities and community colleges that guarantee transfer of SPECIFIC courses. The link in the first post actually lists equivalencies. This was non-existent before. For example, I KNOW if I take ABC class from Straighterline that XYZ College will award me 3 credits as English 101 (or whatever). This is the magic list I've been waiting for actually! I haven't shared my enthusiasm for ACE on my Facebook page or book because it's too risky for parents when they have no idea where their 9th graders are going to college! But, this list means a lot more security (at least in taking specific courses) and that's worth talking about.

An example that is really great news- Colorado, as a state, has included every one of their public community colleges in the project! So, anyone from anywhere could use ACP to earn an AA degree through one of those community colleges in high school without ever having to formally "dual enroll" or take entrance exams! (8th grader? No problem. No free dual enrollment in your state? No problem) Hope that helps!