When you're considering online education, one of the first questions that comes up is whether a platform is accredited. Accreditation ensures that courses meet recognized academic standards and that the credits you earn will hold value at accredited colleges and universities.
Study.com is not an accredited college, but many of its courses are reviewed and recommended for credit by national organizations that partner with accredited institutions. In this article, you'll learn what accreditation means, how Study.com's credit system works, and how you can use it to earn credit that transfers to your degree program.
What Accreditation Means in Higher Education
Accreditation is a process used to verify that colleges, universities, and programs meet established standards of quality. In the United States, accreditation is handled by recognized accrediting agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
There are two primary types of accreditation. Institutional accreditation applies to colleges and universities as a whole, confirming that their degree programs meet academic and administrative standards. Programmatic accreditation focuses on specific fields, such as nursing or business. Study.com falls into a different category: it offers credit-recommended courses, not accredited degrees.
Is Study.com Accredited?
Study.com is not accredited as a college or university, meaning it does not award degrees or qualify for federal financial aid. However, its college-level courses are reviewed and recommended for credit by two respected organizations: the American Council on Education (ACE) and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS).
These organizations independently evaluate Study.com's courses to confirm that they meet college-level academic standards. Many accredited colleges and universities accept these credit recommendations, allowing you to apply Study.com coursework toward your degree.
How Study.com's Credit Recommendation System Works
When you complete one of Study.com's online college courses for credit you've earned credit for the course!
Thousands of accredited colleges and universities accept Study.com credits through this system. This allows you to complete general education or elective courses online at your own pace, often at a fraction of traditional tuition costs.
Accreditation Bodies That Recognize Study.com Courses
Study.com works with nationally recognized credit-evaluation organizations that review its courses for academic quality and college-level rigor. These partnerships ensure that your completed coursework can be evaluated and accepted by accredited colleges and universities.
American Council on Education (ACE)
The American Council on Education is the major coordinating body for U.S. higher education institutions. Through its ACE Credit® program, ACE evaluates non-college learning experiences, including Study.com courses, to determine whether they meet the standards for college-level instruction. Students can search the ACE Credit® database to find Study.com courses recommended for transfer.
National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS)
The National College Credit Recommendation Service, established by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, also reviews Study.com courses. NCCRS recommendations help colleges assess the rigor of nontraditional coursework and decide whether to award credit for it. Both organizations play an important role in connecting Study.com learners to accredited degree programs.
Transferring Study.com Credits to Accredited Colleges
Once you complete a Study.com course that has an ACE or NCCRS recommendation, transferring your credit is a straightforward process. You can transfer that credit to your school by requesting Study.com to send a transcript to your school. You can also see all of your credits on an online badging platform called Credly.
Each accredited institution decides how these credits apply to its degree programs, but many colleges accept Study.com coursework for general education, major, or elective requirements. Over 2,000 colleges and universities have accepted Study.com credits, including both community colleges and four-year schools.
Benefits of Study.com's Credit-Recognition System
Study.com's partnerships with ACE and NCCRS create a bridge between online learning and traditional college credit. This system allows you to take high-quality, college-level courses that can transfer to accredited institutions, without the higher cost or time commitment of enrolling full-time.
Advantages of Using Study.com for College Credit
Study.com's approach makes earning recognized college credit more accessible than ever. Students can learn on their own schedule while building academic progress that counts toward an accredited degree.
- Courses are independently reviewed by ACE and NCCRS for academic quality.
- You can complete coursework fully online at your own pace.
- Study.com's College Saver plan costs much less than per-credit tuition rates. Monthly subscriptions start at $95 per month, and students can take multiple courses in the month.
- Credits can be transferred to a large network of accredited colleges and universities.
Things To Keep in Mind
Because Study.com is not a degree-granting institution, you'll need to plan ahead to ensure your credits transfer smoothly. Understanding each school's transfer policy can help you make the most of your coursework.
- Study.com does not award degrees or institutional transcripts.
- Each college determines which ACE/NCCRS credits it accepts.
- Financial aid cannot be applied directly to Study.com subscriptions.
FAQs About Study.com and Accreditation
Students often have questions about how Study.com's credit recommendations fit into traditional accreditation. The FAQs below explain how legitimacy, transfer, and cost all work together.
Is Study.com Accredited?
Study.com is not accredited as a college or university, but its courses are reviewed and recommended for credit by ACE and NCCRS. These recommendations allow accredited colleges to recognize Study.com coursework for transfer credit.
This system ensures that your completed classes meet recognized academic standards. It also gives you a pathway to earn affordable, transferable credit without enrolling in a full degree program.
Can I Earn a Degree Directly Through Study.com?
No, Study.com does not confer degrees or diplomas. However, you can complete credit-eligible courses that apply toward degree programs at accredited partner colleges.
This option works well for students who want to complete general education or elective requirements before transferring. By combining Study.com courses with an accredited program, you can shorten your time to graduation.
Are Study.com Credits Accepted by All Colleges?
Each college or university makes its own decision about accepting transfer credits. Many accredited institutions recognize ACE and NCCRS recommendations, but always confirm with your advisor before enrolling.
Since policies vary, checking in advance helps ensure your credits will apply toward your degree plan. Taking this extra step saves time and prevents potential transfer issues later.
Is Study.com Legitimate for College Credit?
Yes, Study.com is a legitimate and well-established online learning platform. It has worked with ACE and NCCRS for years to ensure its courses meet recognized college-level standards.
Thousands of students have successfully transferred Study.com credits to accredited colleges and universities. The platform's reputation for transparency and verified credit pathways supports its credibility in higher education.
Explore Online Learning Options
Learn how Study.com's credit-eligible courses can help you earn college credit toward an accredited online degree. Visit BestAccreditedColleges.org to compare partner schools, tuition savings, and programs that recognize Study.com coursework.
