Alternative Credits
At UMass Global, we understand that pursuing a higher education is an investment of both time and resources, which is why we have partnered with other organizations so you can earn transferrable credits while fulfilling your full-time commitments.
Ways to Earn Undergraduate Credits Prior to Admission
All of our partners offer online courses with many that count toward an undergraduate degree at UMass Global. The ACE National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training provides ACE credit recommendations for formal courses or examinations offered by various organizations, from businesses and unions to the government and military, and may count for classes and University of Massachusetts Global accepts ACE recommendations.
Alternative Credit Project
The Alternative Credit Project (ACP) provides a pool of online courses that University of Massachusetts Global will accept towards your degree. A national program of the American Council on Education, supported by a generous grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the ACP is designed to help adults finish what they started - a two- or four-year degree, or a post-secondary certificate.
view a complete list of courses
Distance Learning Systems
Distance Learning Systems offers a high-quality, low-cost path for students to earn their degrees. Courses are completed 100% on-line and provide college-level courses that allow students to earn transferrable college credits. Distance Learning Systems is accredited by ASIC, and courses are recognized by ACE ®, The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service. For more information, visit: www.dlsii.com or call toll free 1-888-955-3276. NOTE: The decision to accept specific credit recommendations is at the sole discretion of each college or university.
View Distance Learning Systems
Other ACE Institutions
The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends credit for formal courses or examinations offered by various organizations. University of Massachusetts Global accepts ACE recommendations for awarding academic credit. The recommendation is inclusive of level and discipline, subject to residency requirements and other limitations as set forth in specific degree programs. For the latest information on courses that have been evaluated, click on the recommendations link below or contact the UMass Global Admissions department. *Note, courses may have been updated since listing.
View all ACE approved organizations & credit recommendations
Outlier.org
Winner | TIME Best Inventions 2020
Outlier.org courses are 100% online and Zoom-free, offering a cinematic, interactive learning experience. Built by game designers to be engaging, entertaining, and flexible to fit the active lives of modern students.Outlier, from the co-founder of MasterClass, has hand-picked the world’s best instructors and uses evidence-based teaching tools to give you an entirely new way to master foundational knowledge before starting your graduate degree programs.
Outlier is building the future of online education and is designed to complement students’ busy lives, with on-demand lectures, weeklong exam windows, and a choice of 14-week or 7-week intensive courses.
Saylor Academy
Saylor’s mission is to enable a fast-track to the future with on-demand education that is flexible and convenient. Created by credentialed educators, Saylor offers tuition-free courses that are ready when and where you are. Saylor partners with colleges, universities, and businesses to make affordable credentials a reality. Students share the conviction that owning their education is one of the surest paths to success, recognizing that what they do is as important as where and how they learn to do it.
View a complete list of courses
StraighterLine
StraighterLine offers more than 60 low-cost, online courses and has helped 40,000+ students from diverse backgrounds meet their college degree goals over the past year. Trusted by colleges and universities, StraighterLine offers high-quality courses that have been reviewed by faculty at over 150 of our partner schools and accrediting entities such as the American Council on Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
StraighterLine courses offer best in class academic content partners, including: McGraw Hill Education, Rosetta Stone, SmartThinking, eScience Labs, and Acrobatiq.
UMass Global students can expect:- Extremely affordable prices. StraighterLine are a monthly membership and eTextbooks and online tutoring are included for free.
- Incredible flexibility. Courses are always available, mobile-friendly, and 100% online. Students can start, stop, or pause their membership at any time and restart where they left off when they are ready to return.
- A student-paced approach. In our courses, students can go as fast as they want or take as much time as they need.
- Quality student experience. Our Student Support team is available by phone or chat seven days a week and provides individualized support to students. UMass Global's high alumni referral rate is proof of the value our students receive
view a complete list of courses
Study.com
Study.com partners with UMass Global to offer over 220 lower-level and upper-level courses that can transfer towards your degree. With our $199.99 no-hassle monthly membership, we’ll help you earn your degree in a manner that’s fast, affordable, and fits into your everyday life. As a Study.com member, you’ll complete courses by watching fun video lessons, taking short quizzes, and completing a final exam, all from home. Start and stop your courses any time and use our mobile app to study on the go. When you’re done, simply request a transcript with the click of a button, and we’ll send your credit directly to UMass Global.