How to get ACE credits such as Sophia on official college transcript

[Student3452]

I have several courses completed at Sophia and wanted them to be on an official college transcript. However, I am not intending to pursue a degree at that institution. What would be the best way to do this?

Also, would the courses I transfer from Sophia to an official transcript be equivalent to taking those courses directly at the institution that issued the official transcript? Meaning, would the transcript have the same accreditation as if I took the courses at that college?

Thanks so much.

[rachel83az]

I have several courses completed at Sophia and wanted them to be on an official college transcript. However, I am not intending to pursue a degree at that institution. What would be the best way to do this?

Why would you do this? There are a couple of good reasons and some bad reasons.

Also, would the courses I transfer from Sophia to an official transcript be equivalent to taking those courses directly at the institution that issued the official transcript? Meaning, would the transcript have the same accreditation as if I took the courses at that college?

This is one of the bad reasons. No, it will show as transfer credit. This may be sufficient for some schools, but will not work for others. They will almost certainly still want to see the original transcripts.

[davewill]

Ah, the old credit laundering idea. I'm afraid the answer is no, you can't trick schools that don't accept alternative credit into accepting it that way.

The idea can be useful for employers who want to see certain courses, and for some government or professional certifications which require credits like becoming a CPA.

As far as how to do it, some schools have a credit banking option for this purpose. You can also go ahead and enroll as a degree seeking student, even if you have no intention of pursuing the degree.

P.S. It's usually much easier to get help around here if you simply state what you are trying to do without beating around the bush.

[rachel83az]

Ah, the old credit laundering idea. I'm afraid the answer is no, you can't trick schools that don't accept alternative credit into accepting it that way.

The answer for that is actually kind of "it depends". South Texas College doesn't normally accept ACE credit. But they've been found to do so for some purposes if that credit is first put onto a TESU transcript. Similar to how students have been told that they need to get FEMA credits added to a Frederick Community College transcript for them to be accepted by Excelsior. (The FCC step may no longer be needed for Excelsior students.)

So, credit laundering is a bad idea and won't work. But there are some instances that appear, at first, to be credit laundering but are, instead, simply weird policies.

[bjcheung77]

@Student3452, What exactly are you trying to do? Could you provide more details? Most schools, if not all will take ACE or NCCRS credits as transfer credit. It will be placed on their transcripts and noted they were transferred in. These courses won't bump up your GPA or anything, all it will do is exempt you from needing to take the required course at the institution you want to finish at. Having these on a transcript will work if you are looking to get a pay raise or bump in position and they're asking to see an Associates or up to 60 credits. I would use a credit banking option for this...

[rachel83az]

Having these on a transcript will work if you are looking to get a pay raise or bump in position and they're asking to see an Associates or up to 60 credits.  I would use a credit banking option for this...

Instead of expensive credit banking, I'd go with the FREE Pierpont degree for US residents if an Associate degree is required and OP doesn't already have one.

[Student3452]

Ah, the old credit laundering idea. I'm afraid the answer is no, you can't trick schools that don't accept alternative credit into accepting it that way.

The idea can be useful for employers who want to see certain courses, and for some government or professional certifications which require credits like becoming a CPA.

As far as how to do it, some schools have a credit banking option for this purpose. You can also go ahead and enroll as a degree seeking student, even if you have no intention of pursuing the degree.

P.S. It's usually much easier to get help around here if you simply state what you are trying to do without beating around the bush.

My idea was to use my Sophia credits towards becoming a CPA. So I was thinking to get those credits on an official transcript so that I can use them. Would that work and if yes, what would be the best college to transfer them to? Thanks.

[rachel83az]

Whether that would work or not would depend on your state's rules & regulations regarding becoming a CPA. Some have much more strict requirements than others.

[Student3452]

I have several courses completed at Sophia and wanted them to be on an official college transcript so that I can use them towards the 150 credit requirement for becoming a CPA. If I get them on an official transcript, would they be accepted towards the 150 credit requirement? I don’t need to get a Bachelors degree at that college. I just need my Sophia credits on the transcripts so that I can use them towards the 150 credit CPA requirement. What would be the best college for me to transfer them to? State is California. 

Would this be the same idea as taking courses at FEMA and transferring them to Frederick College to use them towards the 150 credit requirement?

Thanks.

[davewill]

My idea was to use my Sophia credits towards becoming a CPA. So I was thinking to get those credits on an official transcript so that I can use them. Would that work and if yes, what would be the best college to transfer them to? Thanks.

Yes, that has worked for some people here. It depends on your state, as noted above. The cheapest way I know to do this is to enroll at TESU as a degree seeking student (could be an associates or a second bachelors) by signing up for a 1cr TECEP (which you don't have to take if you don't wish to). That will give you a year to add credits to your transcript. You will be under no obligation to actually take courses towards the degree. They also have a $300 credit banking option that does essentially the same thing.