Distance Learning | News
Partnership Lets Some NY College Students Begin Online
Students who enroll in Paul Smith's College will be able to take certain freshman-level courses through an online course provider at a lower rate.
Through this collaboration, students can take entry-level classes through StraighterLine, and the credits will transfer to the school, located in Paul Smiths, NY, near Lake Placid.
StraighterLine provides self-paced online-only courses in math, science, English, business, the humanities, and languages. Courses use text, audio, video, and interactive games. Initial tuition includes access to personal tutors. These courses cost $99/month plus $49 per course, and they transfer to more than 250 partner colleges and universities, including Paul Smith's College. They are evaluated by the American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service.
According to a news release from StraighterLine, "This new partnership between Paul Smith's College and StraighterLine will allow even more students the opportunity to begin their college education online, at their convenience, at a substantially lower cost than most traditional degree programs. Students can take freshman and introductory-level classes through StraighterLine and save thousands of dollars on the cost of their college degree."
Paul Smith's College, located in the Adirondack Park, offers two- and four-year degrees in the sciences, hospitality, culinary arts, natural resources, forestry, and entrepreneurship. Approximately 1,000 students take courses in seven on-campus buildings. According to the college Web site, tuition costs $21,930 per academic year, not including room and board, books and supplies, and other fees.
For more information about Paul Smith's College, visit paulsmiths.edu. For additional information about StraighterLine, go to straighterline.com.
About the Author
Tim Sohn is a 10-year veteran of the news business, having served in capacities from reporter to editor-in-chief of a variety of publications including Web sites, daily and weekly newspapers, consumer and trade magazines, and wire services. He can be reached at timothyjsohn@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @editortim.