StraighterLine is an online provider of self-paced, college-level courses. It's well known for two things: a large network of partner colleges that publish how they accept StraighterLine courses, and a strong catalog of science and health prerequisites, which makes it a common choice for pre-nursing and allied-health students.
This guide explains how StraighterLine credit transfers and how to plan your courses so every one of them counts.
How StraighterLine credit works
StraighterLine courses are evaluated by ACE Learning Evaluations, which recommends how many credits each course is worth. Colleges can accept those recommendations, and many have gone further by signing partner agreements with StraighterLine that list exactly which courses they accept and what they count as.
That gives you three possible situations:
- Your college is a partner. Look for its published course list. This is the most reliable route.
- Your college accepts ACE credit. Credit is likely, but the exact equivalency is usually decided when your transcript is evaluated.
- Your college accepts neither. StraighterLine won't help with that degree, so check before you enroll.
Even partner lists change. Always confirm with the current version on your college's website or with an advisor, and note which catalog year applies to you.
What a StraighterLine course includes
Courses are self-paced and typically include:
- Readings from a digital textbook, plus videos and practice activities.
- Graded quizzes and, in some courses, written assignments.
- A proctored final exam taken online.
- For lab sciences, lab components: virtual labs or at-home lab kits, depending on the course.
Each course lists its graded components and weighting. You must reach the passing grade for credit eligibility.
Pricing: membership plus course fees
StraighterLine has historically charged a monthly membership plus a separate fee for each course you start, with lab kits and some materials extra. Pricing has changed recently, so check StraighterLine's official pricing page for current numbers. To compare honestly, work out the total cost per accepted credit: membership months plus course fees plus extras, divided by the credits your college will award.
Why nursing students use StraighterLine
Nursing programs typically require a set of prerequisites before admission, such as:
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II (often with labs)
- Microbiology (often with lab)
- General or introductory chemistry
- Statistics
- English composition
- Introductory psychology and lifespan or developmental psychology
- Nutrition
StraighterLine offers versions of many of these. But nursing programs are often stricter than general admissions about prerequisites:
- Lab requirements: some programs require in-person labs and won't accept virtual or at-home labs.
- Recency: science prerequisites may need to be completed within a set number of years, commonly five.
- Minimum grades: some programs require a B or higher in each science prerequisite, and some calculate a separate prerequisite GPA.
- Outside-credit restrictions: some programs only accept prerequisites from regionally accredited colleges, not alternative providers.
Check the nursing program's admissions page, not just the college's general transfer policy. Read more in our guide to planning nursing prerequisites.
Planning your StraighterLine courses
- Get your requirements. Use your degree audit or the nursing program's prerequisite list.
- Match courses. Find the partner equivalency or compare descriptions.
- Confirm anything uncertain in writing. Email the transfer office or admissions advisor with the course name and description.
- Check limits. Residency requirements, caps on alternative credit, and recency rules.
- Sequence sensibly. Take Anatomy and Physiology I before II, and chemistry before microbiology if your program recommends it.
- Budget time for labs. Lab courses take longer than lecture-only courses.
Because each course has a fee, avoid starting several at once unless you can genuinely progress in all of them.
Preparing for the final exam
- Read the proctoring rules before you schedule: ID, room set-up, allowed materials.
- Test your computer, webcam and connection in advance.
- Use the course's practice quizzes and review every question you got wrong.
- For science courses, practice applying concepts (case-style questions), not just memorizing terms.
We offer tutoring and study support for StraighterLine courses, including science subjects. All coursework and exams must be your own. See our academic integrity policy.
Sending your transcript
StraighterLine sends transcripts to partner colleges on request. For non-partner colleges that use ACE recommendations, ask whether they want a StraighterLine transcript or an ACE transcript (issued through ACE's online learner-transcript system). Allow several weeks before admission or registration deadlines.
After transfer
Check your degree audit or admissions file to confirm that each course arrived, was applied to the right requirement, and carries the correct credits. For nursing applications, confirm that the program has accepted each prerequisite, not just the college.
Frequently asked questions
Is StraighterLine accredited?
StraighterLine is not a degree-granting college. Its courses carry ACE credit recommendations, and many accredited colleges accept them, either through partnerships or ACE review.
Will StraighterLine labs count for nursing school?
Sometimes. It depends entirely on the nursing program. Some accept virtual or at-home labs; others require in-person labs. Confirm with the program before enrolling.
How long does a StraighterLine course take?
Students commonly finish a lecture course in a few weeks if they study regularly. Lab sciences usually take longer.
Can I take StraighterLine courses while enrolled elsewhere?
Often yes, but your college may require pre-approval. Ask your advisor first.
Get help planning
We'll compare your degree audit or nursing prerequisite list with StraighterLine and other providers, and show you which courses could fill each requirement and how certain each match is.