Distance Learning

American Council on Ed Offers Alternative Credits for Non-Traditional Students

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 11/17/15

The American Council on Education (ACE) has selected several non-accredited education providers to offer courses for its Alternative Credit Project (ACP), an initiative designed to help nontraditional students earn college degrees.

As part of the initiative, 40 colleges and universities have agreed to grant credit for select courses offered by ACP's non-accredited education providers. Courses cover topics such as " business, critical thinking and writing, foreign language, humanities, mathematics and natural and physical sciences," according to a news release from Pearson, a newly approved provider.

Pearson will be offering Propero, a collection of online courses designed to be completed at the student's own pace. Other course providers include Ed4Online, edX, JumpCourse, Saylor Academy, Sophia Learning and StraighterLine.

Funded in part by a $1.89 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the ACP will also collect anonymous data from partner institutions about how many credits they accept and student progress and success following completion of courses approved by the consortium.

"Nontraditional students who often are balancing multiple family and career demands now know where they can turn to take courses that will help them reduce the time and expense required to gain a postsecondary degree or credential at a number of outstanding institutions," said Deborah Seymour, ACE chief academic innovation officer, in a prepared statement.

"We are proud to collaborate with the American Council on Education's on this innovative initiative," said David Daniels, managing director of higher education at Pearson, in a press release. "This program will increase access to higher education opportunities that will help adult learners make measurable progress necessary for their long-term success."

More information about the Alternative Credit Project is available at acenet.edu.