Straighterline March expiring courses likely to be renewed?

[Mamalady]

Hi All!

I'm looking at Straighterline courses. I noticed that many are expiring on 3/31 of this year on the official ACE credit site. Any experienced SL users have an opinion on how likely it is that they'll be renewed based on earlier recertifications? Thanks so much.

[bjcheung77]

Most of their courses have been renewed, your best bet is to email them to verify they've applied to have those courses renewed. They may just be in the process of updating the information on ACE's end. Once it's verified, you can take the courses you want.
Another option is if the course is open book, speed through it before the expiration date... I only recall a couple of courses that were not renewed as the enrollment for them were way down or non-existent. TLDR - Email SL to verify you should be fine.

[Mamalady]

Most of their courses have been renewed, your best bet is to email them to verify they've applied to have those courses renewed. They may just be in the process of updating the information on ACE's end. Once it's verified, you can take the courses you want.
Another option is if the course is open book, speed through it before the expiration date... I only recall a couple of courses that were not renewed as the enrollment for them were way down or non-existent. TLDR - Email SL to verify you should be fine.

Thanks so much!

[dfrecore]

In all of the years I've been on this forum, SL has only not renewed General Chem II w/Lab and General Physics II w/Lab (unfortunately).

They haven't added many, unfortunately, but they tend to be very consistent with their offerings over the years.

[Sapientes]

Am I correct in thinking that any current course bought between now and 03/31/18 would have to be completed before then to get credit even if the course is later renewed by ACE? This would only be for courses that are set to expire on 03/31/18. Also, what if the course were completed after that date but directly transferred to a partner school (specifically TESU.) Has anyone ran into that situation? Is it likely the partner school would still accept it for credit even if it technically no longer qualified for ACE credit?

[dfrecore]

Am I correct in thinking that any current course bought between now and 03/31/18 would have to be completed before then to get credit even if the course is later renewed by ACE? This would only be for courses that are set to expire on 03/31/18. Also, what if the course were completed after that date but directly transferred to a partner school (specifically TESU.) Has anyone ran into that situation? Is it likely the partner school would still accept it for credit even if it technically no longer qualified for ACE credit?

No, they would not take it after the expiration date.  They check to make sure before they bring in ACE stuff.

If a course is renewed by ACE, it's continued on.  So it will just have a changed expiration date, as if it never was going to expire on the date it's at now.  If you look at some courses, they will show that they've been approved by ACE for a long time (some are more than 10 years old).  For example, look at Straighterline's American Government course.  It shows that it's been approved from 10/1/2012 - 3/31/2018.  In that time, there has been at least 1 re-approval (they normally last 3 years).  If they don't change the course, and just get it reapproved, then when you check after the reapproval date, you will see 10/1/2012 - 3/31/2021.  There will be no lapse in date.

For courses where there's some sort of change to the content, you will see multiple dates.  For example, look at their Accounting I course.  It shows 10/1/2012 - 3/31/2018.  But there's a drop-down menu, and it shows 5/1/2008 - 9/30/2012.  So for those dates, the course content was different, and it tells you the info in the summary.  But there is no lapse in date.

I would just contact SL directly, they will normally tell you what's going on with a course, and whether they're in the process of approval at ACE.  If you don't feel comfortable with the process, you either need to take and finish a course before expiration, or don't take it until/unless it gets renewed.

[Sapientes]

Am I correct in thinking that any current course bought between now and 03/31/18 would have to be completed before then to get credit even if the course is later renewed by ACE? This would only be for courses that are set to expire on 03/31/18. Also, what if the course were completed after that date but directly transferred to a partner school (specifically TESU.) Has anyone ran into that situation? Is it likely the partner school would still accept it for credit even if it technically no longer qualified for ACE credit?

No, they would not take it after the expiration date.  They check to make sure before they bring in ACE stuff.

If a course is renewed by ACE, it's continued on.  So it will just have a changed expiration date, as if it never was going to expire on the date it's at now.  If you look at some courses, they will show that they've been approved by ACE for a long time (some are more than 10 years old).  For example, look at Straighterline's American Government course.  It shows that it's been approved from 10/1/2012 - 3/31/2018.  In that time, there has been at least 1 re-approval (they normally last 3 years).  If they don't change the course, and just get it reapproved, then when you check after the reapproval date, you will see 10/1/2012 - 3/31/2021.  There will be no lapse in date.

For courses where there's some sort of change to the content, you will see multiple dates.  For example, look at their Accounting I course.  It shows 10/1/2012 - 3/31/2018.  But there's a drop-down menu, and it shows 5/1/2008 - 9/30/2012.  So for those dates, the course content was different, and it tells you the info in the summary.  But there is no lapse in date.

I would just contact SL directly, they will normally tell you what's going on with a course, and whether they're in the process of approval at ACE.  If you don't feel comfortable with the process, you either need to take and finish a course before expiration, or don't take it until/unless it gets renewed.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I looked all over for an answer before posting but came up empty-handed. 

[studyandpass5]

Am I understanding this correctly?

If I take a course through SL and it's ACE accreditation has expired, my school will NOT accept it. Right?

What if I take a course through SL, but then the ACE accreditation is renewed, and then I transfer it to my school, they'll accept it then, right?

If I take a course, and the ACE accreditation has expired, but I wait to transfer it until it's been renewed, will my school accept it? (I'm guessing yes since the ACE has been renewed) 

Thanks in advance! I'm on a pretty tight deadline for June enrollment, and need 3-4 more classes, so I just want to make sure I have enough time to finish these courses. Does anyone know how long it usually takes for renewals to happen?

[Merlin]

Am I understanding this correctly?

If I take a course through SL and it's ACE accreditation has expired, my school will NOT accept it. Right?

What if I take a course through SL, but then the ACE accreditation is renewed, and then I transfer it to my school, they'll accept it then, right?

If I take a course, and the ACE accreditation has expired, but I wait to transfer it until it's been renewed, will my school accept it? (I'm guessing yes since the ACE has been renewed) 

Thanks in advance! I'm on a pretty tight deadline for June enrollment, and need 3-4 more classes, so I just want to make sure I have enough time to finish these courses. Does anyone know how long it usually takes for renewals to happen?

It is my understanding that technically the ACE recommendation must be active at the time you complete the course to receive credit recommendation. However, if a course briefly loses its recommendation but it is later extended/renewed, ACE will generally backdate the renewal to avoid a gap in coverage. This may not apply when there is a large lapse. In either case, ACE will not add a course to your transcript unless the credit recommendation was active at the time of course completion (or had been backdated to include that date.)

Keep in mind, when a course is new or has had its content changed/replaced this will often require a new ACE/NCCRS assessment, and if you complete the course before that is completed, you may not be covered. When in doubt, ask the course provider to confirm.

Keep in mind that just because ACE is recommending a course doesn't guarantee your school will accept it for credit.

[allvia]

Am I understanding this correctly?

If I take a course through SL and it's ACE accreditation has expired, my school will NOT accept it. Right?

What if I take a course through SL, but then the ACE accreditation is renewed, and then I transfer it to my school, they'll accept it then, right?

If I take a course, and the ACE accreditation has expired, but I wait to transfer it until it's been renewed, will my school accept it? (I'm guessing yes since the ACE has been renewed) 

Thanks in advance! I'm on a pretty tight deadline for June enrollment, and need 3-4 more classes, so I just want to make sure I have enough time to finish these courses. Does anyone know how long it usually takes for renewals to happen?

It is not about when you transfer it. It is when you complete it that counts. In example - I have a few Aleks math credits on my ACE transcript, they still count and transfer because I finished them while the course was still actively accredited by ACE. It is most likely that the SL course(s) will be renewed, however if you want a guarantee of credit with ACE you need to finish it before the expiration date.