StraighterLine Courses: How to Pass and Transfer Credits to Your Degree Program
StraighterLine is one of the most affordable and flexible ways to earn college credit online — but many students don't know how to use it strategically. At $59/month plus $49-99 per course, it's a fraction of traditional tuition. The catch: you need to actually pass the courses and ensure your target college accepts the credits. This guide walks you through everything — from choosing the right courses to passing every exam.
What Is StraighterLine and How Does It Work?
StraighterLine is an ACE (American Council on Education) credit-bearing online course provider. When you complete a StraighterLine course, you earn an ACE credit recommendation — which over 150 partner colleges accept for direct transfer. Non-partner colleges may also accept credits through individual transfer evaluations.
The platform is completely self-paced with no deadlines, no scheduled classes, and no set start dates. You can finish a course in a week or take months — whatever fits your schedule. Most courses include video lessons, reading assignments, quizzes, a midterm, and a final exam proctored through ProctorU.
Key Cost Breakdown
- Monthly membership: $59/month (cancel anytime)
- Per-course fee: $49–$99 (paid once per course)
- Proctoring fee: ~$10–$25 per proctored exam
- Transcript fee: $10 to send an official transcript to a partner school
- Total per 3-credit course: Roughly $120–$200 vs. $1,500–$5,000 at traditional colleges
Strategy Tip: Sign up, pay your first month, then complete as many courses as possible before your next billing date. Many students finish 2-4 courses in a single month for total costs under $350. Cancel before the next month if you're done.
Which Colleges Accept StraighterLine Credits?
StraighterLine's partner schools include major institutions across the US. Some notable partners include:
- American Public University (APUS) / American Military University
- Bellevue University
- Charter Oak State College
- Colorado State University Global
- Excelsior University
- Post University
- Thomas Edison State University
- University of the People
- Western Governors University (WGU)
Non-partner schools may also accept StraighterLine credits through ACE transcript evaluation — but this varies by institution and department. Always contact your college's registrar or transfer credit office before enrolling to confirm acceptance for your specific program.
The Most Popular StraighterLine Courses
Business Courses
- Introduction to Business: One of the easiest and most widely accepted. Covers fundamental business concepts, organizational structures, and management principles.
- Principles of Management: Broad overview of management theory and practice. Very manageable workload.
- Business Communication: Essay-heavy but straightforward. Strong writing skills give you a big advantage.
- Accounting I & II: More challenging. Requires genuine understanding of debits/credits, financial statements, and journal entries.
- Macroeconomics / Microeconomics: Moderate difficulty. Understanding supply/demand curves, market structures, and GDP is essential.
Science Courses (Often Required for Nursing Programs)
- Introduction to Biology: Covers cells, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Lab component included (virtual). Moderate difficulty.
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II: High workload, significant memorization. Essential for pre-nursing students. Plan 3-4 weeks minimum per course.
- Chemistry: Challenging. Requires math competency. Lab component is virtual but extensive.
- English Composition I & II: Essay-based. Strong grammar and argumentation skills required. Most widely accepted course at non-partner schools.
How StraighterLine Grading and Exams Work
Most StraighterLine courses follow this structure: lesson quizzes (15-25% of grade), a midterm exam (30-40%), and a final exam (30-40%). Some courses also include written assignments (essays, projects) worth 10-20%.
Proctored Exams: What to Expect
The midterm and final for most courses are proctored through ProctorU, which monitors you via webcam and screen share. You'll need:
- A reliable computer with webcam and microphone
- A government-issued photo ID
- A clean, private workspace with no extra monitors
- Strong internet connection (ProctorU tests this before your exam)
Schedule your proctored exams at least 72 hours in advance. Last-minute scheduling often leads to no available slots. You can reschedule with 72 hours notice without penalty.
Important: If you fail an exam, you can retake it — but each retake costs a fee. Study thoroughly before each proctored exam. Review all quiz questions and their explanations, re-read the chapter summaries, and complete the practice exams if available.
Proven Strategies to Pass Every StraighterLine Course
1. Front-Load Your Study Time
The biggest mistake students make is treating StraighterLine like a traditional semester course — spreading work evenly over weeks. Instead, dedicate intensive blocks of 4-6 hours/day for 5-10 days per course. You'll finish faster and retain the material better while it's still fresh.
2. Master the Quizzes Before Moving Forward
Every lesson quiz is scored and contributes to your final grade. Don't rush through them. Read each lesson fully, take notes, then attempt the quiz. If you score below 80%, review the lesson before moving on — the same concepts appear on the proctored exams.
3. Use the Course Outline as Your Study Guide
StraighterLine courses include a detailed course outline showing exactly which topics each exam covers. Before your midterm or final, create a checklist from this outline and ensure you can explain each concept confidently.
4. Find Supplemental Resources
YouTube, Khan Academy, and Quizlet are your friends. When a StraighterLine lesson explanation is unclear, find a YouTube tutorial on the same topic. For science courses especially, visual learning (diagrams, animations) makes complex concepts much easier to grasp.
When to Get Expert Help with StraighterLine
Some courses — particularly Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, and Accounting — are genuinely difficult even with good preparation. If you're struggling with a proctored exam or the course content is beyond your current knowledge level, Bigman Academic Services offers complete StraighterLine course assistance. Our experts can handle your coursework, quizzes, and exams — ensuring you pass every course with the grade your transfer requires.
With Bigman, you never risk wasting your monthly fee on a course you can't pass. Our team has completed hundreds of StraighterLine courses across every subject category, and we guarantee your required grade or your money back.