The Sophia Experience

Sophia is proud to announce that we have once again been named one of Newsweek’s “America’s Top Online Learning Providers” for 2025! It’s our mission to make education more accessible and affordable for all students, whether helping them pursue a degree or professional development. Receiving this honor again validates our efforts and demonstrates our commitment to providing affordable and accessible options for students to realize their dreams of higher education. 

What Is Newsweek’s “Top Colleges and Top Online Learning Providers” Award? 

The “Top Colleges and Top Online Learning Providers” award is a collaborative effort between Newsweek and Statista to evaluate and rank the top online learning providers in the United States. The publication, which has been running for over 80 years, is a trusted resource for independent rankings to help students plan for higher education. 

The award is in its fourth consecutive year and compiles data from a survey of over 9,000 online learners and internal research to develop comprehensive rankings of online learning institutions and platforms. Like the previous year, the 2025 rankings include 200 colleges and universities that offer online undergraduate and graduate programs, assigning each a star rating. 

“Top Learning Providers” are ranked as well. For 2025, Newsweek evaluated and selected 50 organizations that offer online courses and certificate and non-certificate educational programs for continuing education. Similarly, these organizations are given a star rating to compare options. 

The rankings and ratings are based on a range of criteria, including the organization itself, the cost for education, its reputation, the support it provides for students, and its relevance in the current job climate. Survey participants are also asked to share their success, satisfaction, and likelihood of recommending the institution to others. 

A Message from Our CEO 

Being ranked as one of the top providers out of so many institutions is truly an honor and highlights Sophia’s dedication to helping students reach their goals through flexible, intuitive, and relevant online learning. 

Dr. Shawna Thayer, CEO of Sophia, shared her excitement about this recognition: 

“We take great pride in the learning platform we’ve built at Sophia and the impact we continue to make in the education space. Being recognized by Newsweek again is an incredible honor and reinforces our mission of helping students progress toward their degrees with confidence.” 

About Sophia Learning 

Sophia is an innovative online learning platform designed to support students at all stages of their educational journey. Whether you’re just starting college, looking to earn credit for courses designed to transfer, or seeking professional development opportunities for career advancement or a career change, Sophia offers affordable and flexible general education courses that are ACE®-recommended for college credit. 

To date, Sophia students have saved more than $820M in tuition dollars*, completed more than 850k courses, and have been awarded more than 2.4M transfer credits. With 70+ online courses and 80+ partner schools that accept transfer courses for credits, we can help you realize your dream of higher education. 

*Savings based on average annual tuition at public four-year in-state institutions; Source: College Board Trends in College Pricing Report (2022) 

See Where Sophia Can Take You 

If you want to see for yourself why Sophia has been named one of the top online learning providers for 2025, sign up for a free trial today – no credit card required!  

From the start, Sophia’s goal has been to help make education affordable and accessible to every learner, regardless of their individual journeys. 

Since then, we’ve seen high school students, adult learners, and ambitious career veterans leverage our courses to further their education – getting a jump on college, earning a degree, and transitioning to a dream career. 

Today, we’d like to highlight some of the 2024 graduates, their unique stories, and how Sophia helped them reach their educational goals. 

Introducing Our 2024 Ambassador Graduates 

Anna Daley – Excelsior University 

Beginning her college journey in 2021, Anna Daley earned her Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2024 from Excelsior University. She was able to use Sophia to finish over 20 courses at her own pace, finish her degree fast, and take steps toward her career future. 

For Anna, Sophia has been a phenomenal resource in her educational journey. With affordable, flexible, and self-paced courses, she’s been able to complete her coursework on her own time and – in her words – accomplish things she didn’t know she could do. 

Because Excelsior University is partnered with Sophia, she was able to transfer many of her gen ed courses– and with prayer and encouragement from family – persevere and make it through any barrier to reach her educational goals. She even had some fun along the way learning about US history. 

With a bachelor’s under her belt, Anna is planning to apply for a part-time job at a library and work towards her master’s in the fall. She’s already applied for a part-time job at her dream location! 

Favorite Courses: US History I and II

Best Tips for Success at Sophia: 

• If you’re looking to graduate soon, start planning now. 
• Research the degree you may want and the best way to accomplish it. 
• Consider taking Sophia courses in high school to earn transfer credits toward your future degree. 
• With Sophia courses, read the necessary chapters and send in the assignments that need to be graded. While waiting for a grade, you can study and take every other milestone in the course. 

Jarod McCloskey – Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) 

Jarod McClosky finished an Associate Degree in Marketing in March of 2024. He started his educational journey toward the end of December 2022 using Sophia to “get back into the swing of things” before his first term at Southern New Hampshire University in January 2023. 

For Jarod, Sophia was a vital tool to overcome mental health barriers in education. As a person who self-identifies with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AuDHD) and struggles around math, Jarod was able to leverage Sophia’s self-paced courses to learn and retain information without the stress and anxiety of missing deadlines. 

“I could step back in a week without any issues to my grade and didn’t have to worry about the ‘what if’ with my GPA because of the pass/fail system” says Jarod. Over two months, Jarod completed seven courses with Sophia for transfer credit. 

From here, Jarod plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, then take some time off to figure out the next steps in his career. 

Favorite Course: Workplace Writing I

Best Tips for Success at Sophia: 

• Use Sophia when you can. It can help lower the cost of college and it’s great for those with learning disabilities like me. 
• With different learning styles between your college and Sophia, the platform can help you understand what college layout works or doesn’t work for you. 

Jason T. Haynes – Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) 

In just 3 ½ years, Jason T. Haynes completed his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Southern New Hampshire University. With Sophia, he completed 16 courses in 1 ½ years working at his own pace to complete his degree as an adult. 

Some Sophia courses were complements to the traditional university courses, giving Jason an experience like working with a “tutor.” These courses built a foundational understanding of a subject that he could leverage in other courses. For example, Intro to Statistics gave him an opportunity to revisit complex material at his leisure – as often as he needed – and switch things up if he felt he was becoming complacent to keep learning fresh and interesting. 

After experiencing an unhealthy and unsupportive environment for secondary education, Jason had evaluated his higher education opportunities “unfairly.” As an adult, he realized the lack of a college degree not only held him back from specific opportunities but negatively impacted his self-worth. 

Now, Jason is a proud first-generation college student. “To some degree (pun intended), I think it honors my family, but most importantly, it mitigates so many barriers for my children. My university is amazing, but Sophia offered me an affordable path to play ‘catch up’ by providing various courses from refreshers to correspondence courses,” says Jason. 

For Jason, Sophia deserves much of the credit for fostering an environment to build self-confidence and freedom to design the stepping stones he needed for his educational journey. In fact, Jason concurrently enrolled as a non-matriculating student for a master’s in public administration in his last term. 

Favorite Course: Intro to Statistics

Best Tips for Success at Sophia: 

• Congratulations! If you’re reading this, the hardest part is over, as you have found Sophia. 
• Absorb as much as you can from the courses or consider expanding your list with courses that may seem repetitive or take courses for pure enjoyment. I am always shocked to find the interconnectivity that I can see within a diverse course load. This is your time, savor it! 
• Slow down. Purchase the affordable multiple-month package and really unlock Sophia’s full potential. For many of us, this may be the only opportunity to study a particular subject, and it may be some time later that we see how mastery or command of a seemingly unrelated matter can further your success in another course or even your career. 

What Does Your Future Hold? 

Congratulations to Anna, Jarod, and Jason and all of our Sophia Learners on earning their degrees! If you’re ready to take the next step on the path to higher education, see how Sophia’s flexible, affordable courses can help. Start your free trial today! 

Nurses are a crucial part of the healthcare system and make up the largest section of the health profession. Based on data from the World Health Statistics Report, there are about 29 million nurses and midwives globally, 3.9 million in the United States. 

As baby boomers age and the need for healthcare grows, the already in-demand field of nursing is expected to rise in the coming years. Together, healthcare systems, policymakers, and academic leaders are developing solutions to strengthen the nursing workforce – and that includes Sophia with our new Nursing Pathway. 

Why Sophia Built a Nursing Pathway 

Nursing is a constantly growing field. At Sophia, we’re committed to helping prospective nursing students get a start on their nursing education with our Nursing Pathway. 

Sophia learners have always had the opportunity to take our self-paced health and science courses designed to transfer towards their chosen degree path, but it was largely up to them to determine which courses are most appropriate. 

According to Bobby Wilson, Senior Product Manager at Sophia, “We have a lot of courses that relate to certain majors, but we haven’t yet packaged them in a way that allows learners to meaningfully plan their degree” 

“Until now, it’s been ‘self-service’, and they’ve had to plot the courses for their major on their own.” 

With this Nursing Pathway, courses can be packaged in such a way to help students determine not only which courses they need, but in what order, to help them plan their academic journey. 

For example, students may complete Human Biology, then auto-enroll in Introduction to Chemistry. Following that, they can take Anatomy and Physiology I and II. If they need guidance, Sophia partner colleges are available to help with planning and mapping. 

This is not to say that Sophia learners are restricted to the pathway, however. As Hunter Davis, Head of Product, illustrates, “Sophia is a facilitator, not an enforcer.” The goal is to contextualize these courses and provide a linear path, not to force students into courses they don’t need or at a time that isn’t ideal.” 

According to Davis, “We want to provide a point of view on the courses that we think would be helpful and meaningful, but we’re not removing the student’s autonomy in the process. We believe in student choice over their experience.” 

What Courses Are Included in the Nursing Pathway? 

Nursing courses may differ from institution to institution, but they generally cover the hard sciences like biology, chemistry, microbiology, anatomy, and physiology. Nursing students also have similar requirements to other degree paths, such as gen ed courses. 

Sophia offers an array of courses that may align with the core courses necessary for a nursing student, including: 

• Human Biology Lecture and Lab
• Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Lab
• Anatomy and Physiology I Lecture and Lab
• Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture and Lab
• Microbiology Lecture and Lab
• Introduction to Psychology
• Lifespan Development
• Introduction to Nutrition

Like all Sophia courses, the individual courses and Nursing Pathway are provided within the self-paced subscription format. 

It’s important to discuss your preferred courses and transferable credits with your academic advisor at your chosen school, however. 

Get Started! 

Our nation is experiencing a major nursing shortage that may significantly impact healthcare. As lawmakers and healthcare systems seek opportunities to proactively address the shortage, Sophia is aspiring to expand our impact on learners and curate a more meaningful experience for nursing students. 

According to Davis, gratitude is at the heart of the Nursing Pathway: “Our initiative is not only to benefit students, but to show our appreciation for the dedicated healthcare workers that serve our nation and communities daily. We’re hopeful that Nursing Pathways will have a profound impact and allow prospective nursing students to not only earn their degree for less money but make a positive contribution to the industry as a whole.” 

Head over to the new Nursing Pathway page and start a free trial today - no credit card required! 

At Sophia, we strive to provide affordable and accessible advancement opportunities to students at every stage of the educational career – and that mission extends to our employees. 

The Sophia Employee Spotlight highlights employees at Sophia who are using our platform to further their own journey – or their family member’s journey – to higher education. 

For this spotlight, we’d like to introduce Anaice Babic, our Account Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Sophia and one of our proud learners. Learn more about how Anaice’s determination – combined with accessible education – helped her continue on her journey of personal and professional success.   

What Is Your Role at Sophia? 

I’ve been working at Sophia for one year as an Account Manager of Strategic Partnerships. 

What Attracted You to Sophia? 

I was drawn to Sophia after doing some research and discovered their ability to help students achieve academic and career goals in a fast and efficient way. It was an alternative way to accomplish the mission of earning a degree in higher education. I found this very intriguing and I became very passionate about wanting to be a part of Sophia’s mission and getting the word out there.  

Tell Us More About Yourself. 

I am a highly motivated and determined mother of four wonderful children ages thirteen, nine, seven, and five. They are always full of energy and constantly pushing me to go beyond my limits. 

Through motherhood, I have learned to embrace the chaos and strive to lay a strong foundation that my children will be proud of. I am passionate about my work and I’m always eager to enhance my skills and add value wherever I can. When I am not working or tackling school, I enjoy spending time with my children, exercising, reading, and meeting new people. 

Can You Share Your Education Journey? What Challenges Have You Had to Overcome While Pursuing Your Degree and How Did Sophia Help You? 

I’ve persevered through many challenges and obstacles to become the woman I am today. At eighteen, I became a mother and decided to focus on being a new mom. I never graduated from high school. However, I was determined to succeed and earned my general education diploma (GED) during that same time frame. I then enrolled in community college, but the demands of being a student and a mom proved to be tricky to manage, so again I stopped pursuing my degree.  

After working as a certified nurse assistant (CNA), I felt inspired to help others even more. I decided to pursue a nursing degree at a four-year university. I completed 45 undergraduate credits toward my degree before transferring to Capella University to earn my Bachelors in Business. 

Here, I utilized Sophia, which allowed me to take classes when it was most convenient for my schedule. With juggling multiple responsibilities as a mother of four and working full-time this was very helpful and allowed me to manage my time more efficiently. I’ve taken two Sophia courses, earning credits in Human Biology and Intro to Ethics in just two months. Being able to complete college-level courses in such a short amount of time was a liberating experience and it didn't compromise my sanity. For the first time in a long time I thought to myself "I can do this!" 

Do You Have Any Education Goals for 2024? 

My goals are to continue to pursue my degree at Capella University, expand upon my current skills as an Account Manager for Strategic Partnerships, and begin to write my book which will provide more details on how I have overcome my personal challenges in life. 

How Are You Sharing Your Story with Others? 

I have yet to share my educational journey with many. Still, I am open to exploring ideas to expand my reach with hopes of inspiring others along the way. Additionally, I would be interested in sharing my story as part of a Sophia presentation at the 2024 University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) Annual Conference. 

Get Started at Sophia 

Anaice’s story of perseverance and determination is one of many. Will yours be next? If you’re managing a busy schedule of your own and want to make higher education a reality, Sophia can help. Start your free trial today! 

Online learning, whether as a new student or a returning student, can be overwhelming. Choosing the right institution and program is a big decision and investment, but platforms like Sophia are hoping to make access to higher education less daunting. 

And now, we’ve been named one of Newsweek’s “America’s Top Online Colleges and America’s Top Online Learning Providers 2024.” Sophia earned a five-star rating – the highest possible ranking – demonstrating our commitment to providing quality education options to the students who need them most. 

For Dr. Shawna Thayer, CEO of Sophia, the award validates our mission and gets us closer to our goal of making a college degree within reach. 

“At Sophia, we strive to remove some of the barriers to higher education and provide accessible, affordable education options to assist students in their pursuit of a degree or professional development,” said Thayer. 

“It’s an honor to be recognized for our efforts. Our goal has been to support our students with an intuitive, high-quality, online learning platform that helps students at any stage of their education journey.  We’re very proud of the integrated experience we’ve created for our students, and earning a spot in the ‘Top Online Learning Platforms’ is a wonderful acknowledgement of our efforts.” 

What Is Newsweek’s “Top Colleges and Top Online Learning Providers” Award? 

Newsweek, a revered staple of American media and journalism for over 80 years, is a trusted source for information and rankings for universities and colleges as students navigate higher education. 

Now in its third consecutive year, Newsweek’s “America’s Top Colleges and Top Online Learning Providers” is a collaboration between the publication and Statista, the respected global data firm. Rankings are based on a survey of over 9,000 online learners and internal research for a comprehensive overview. 

In 2024, Newsweek evaluated and ranked 200 colleges and universities that offer online undergraduate and graduate programs. Each awarded institution has been given a star rating for comparison. 

For “Top Online Learning Providers,” Newsweek evaluated and selected 50 esteemed organizations that provide online courses and certificate and non-certificate programs to help aspiring students reach their personal and professional goals. These organizations are given a star rating for comparison and valuable data to assist with the decision-making process. 

How Are Schools and Learning Platforms Evaluated? 

The ratings and rankings for Newsweek are evaluated with support by Statista, which surveyed more than 9,000 online students. They were asked to identify their schools or online learning platforms, then share their experiences by rating institutions according to the following criteria: 

• Organization 
• Support 
• Cost 
• Reputation 
• Success 
• Practical relevance 
• Satisfaction 
• Likelihood to recommend the institution to others 

All colleges, universities, and platforms received star awards. Institutions needed a minimum rating to receive an award, with five stars showing an aggregate score that surpasses the median of all recognized institutions. 

About Sophia 

Sophia is an online learning platform that allows students to get started or continue their education – no matter the stage in their journey. Our affordable and flexible college-level general education courses are ACE®-recommended for college credit. 

Since our start, Sophia has helped students complete over 500,000 courses, earning more than 1.5M+ credits and saving over $500 million tuition dollars!* For more information about Sophia, visit Sophia.org.  

*Savings based on average annual tuition at in-state, 4-year institutions, as reported by IPEDS, 2020." 

Sophia Learning is a subsidiary of Strategic Education, Inc.   

Continue Your Path to Higher Education 

Ready to take the next step? See for yourself why we were named one of the top providers by signing up for a free trial today – no credit card required! 

Today’s educational landscape offers a number of opportunities for non-traditional and independent learners, including transfer credits and self-paced course options. The downside, however, is that students may not know what courses to take to help with their chosen degree path. 

To help, Houston Community College and the University of Phoenix partnered to develop new degree pathways and assist students in planning and optimizing their educational journey. 

The Value of Degree Pathways 

Sophia and institutions like Houston Community College and University of Phoenix are designed to help students access education more affordably and save time and money on their degree. Students can take equivalent gen ed courses at a lower cost – often on a schedule that works for them – and prepare to transfer to a four-year institution. 

While some gen ed courses can be applied to virtually any degree as part of core learning, planning gen eds strategically may offer an advantage to students to get their degree faster (and possibly cheaper). However, students can be on their own in determining which courses they should be taking to get the most value out of their experience. 

Houston Community College, the University of Phoenix, and Sophia worked together to develop and improve degree pathways. With a linear path, students understand exactly what courses will transfer into which programs, increase awareness about the benefits of transfer courses, and support students with their degree plans. 

Degree pathways address this issue by packaging courses to help them plan their linear academic journey and take the most important courses in the right order. This is designed to enable seamless academic progression and a streamlined transfer process that promotes higher completion rates. Students have affordable options with transfer pathways to not only save time and money but reduce the likelihood of credit loss and wasted coursework. 

For example, students can begin their education at Houston Community College, and with the help from Sophia to complete gen ed courses they can graduate with an associates degree before transferring to a four-year institution like the University of Phoenix. 

Together, these schools and Sophia are removing barriers for adult learners, enhancing educational accessibility, and helping students realize their education and career goals. 

What Degrees Are Available with Degree Pathways? 

The current degree pathways include Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM), Bachelor of Science and Information Technology (BSIT), and Bachelor of Science in Health Management (BSHM) from University of Phoenix. 

Students can now follow a clear, defined transfer credit pathway for these degrees, complete gen ed coursework at Sophia and Houston Community College, and transfer into University of Phoenix to become part of the school’s career-focused alumni.   

From collaboration with Houston Community College, Sophia offers gen ed courses as part of this degree pathway. Gen ed courses like humanities, college-level math, and foundational science courses may be part of these timely, structured, and seamless pathways to prepare for the degree programs at University of Phoenix. 

Students have the option to enroll in Houston Community College full- or part-time, supplement coursework with self-paced Sophia courses, maximize their summer learning, and approach their education with more flexibility and control. 

If you’re interested in learning more about these pathways, you can download the curricula from Houston Community College and the University of Phoenix. 

While these pathways have been rigorously developed to assist students, it’s important to talk to your advisor or reach out to our Sophia learning coaches to discuss your education plans. 

Explore the Degree Pathways! 

At Sophia, we’re excited to be a part of this program to enhance educational accessibility and provide more meaningful experiences to students. For more information on the degree pathways and our partnership with these institutions, check out these details from Houston Community College and University of Phoenix! 

*Students who complete Sophia courses and seek HCC transfer credit for such courses must (I) be enrolled at HCC as students in good standing and (II) meet course and program requirements. HCC will then award transfer credit under these conditions. 

Students transfer colleges for several reasons, from financial challenges to changes in majors to job changes. While there are excellent opportunities as a transfer student, the process is not without its challenges in financial aid, maximizing transfer credits, and staying on track to graduate. 

With National Transfer Student Week upon us, let’s take a look at how transfer students can create a smooth transfer process and hit the ground running at a new school. 

What Is National Transfer Student Week? 

The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) has declared the third week of October as National Transfer Student Week. This week celebrates transfer students and their advocates who helped them navigate the transition from one institution to another and highlights the common struggles and successes. 

This year, National Transfer Student Week falls from October 16 to 20 with the theme of Full Steam Ahead. The transfer process is lengthy and includes some barriers along the way, but the goal of Full Steam Ahead is to clear the path and provide tools and support to empower students in their transfer journey. 

How Hard Is It to Transfer Colleges? 

While transferring colleges offers new opportunities, it can come with barriers and obstacles for the student, including: 

New Responsibilities 

Transfer students may struggle to balance their academic workload with personal responsibilities, such as work or family obligations. It’s important to prioritize tasks, create a schedule to balance responsibilities, and build a strong support system of academic advisors, family, and friends. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships 

Navigating financial aid and scholarships can be stressful and frustrating. Students can connect with the financial aid office to explore what options are available, apply for financial aid, understand important deadlines, and research scholarship opportunities. 

New Environments 

Transferring to a new school may mean a new living environment, whether that’s a dorm, off-campus housing, or at home, as well as new academic rigor, courses, and disciplinary policies. Schools offer resources to enable student success, including the housing office, orientation, academic advisors, and peer support. 

Transfer Credits 

A transfer student may have challenges transferring credits and fulfilling degree requirements at a new school. In some cases, it’s caused by a delay in the decision to transfer or errors in the process. When this happens, it could negatively impact the available courses. It’s important to meet with academic advisors, review transfer credit policies, and understand degree requirements to ensure you’re on track to graduate. 

Things to Consider When Transferring 

Though transferring schools comes with some unique challenges, the process isn’t too different from applying to college as a first-year student. Here’s what to consider as a transfer student: 

Meeting with Your Academic Advisor 

Your academic advisor is your greatest asset in facilitating a smooth transition from your current school to your new school. They’re invested in your success, so be sure to ask questions about the transfer process and get more insight into whether that move is right for you. 

Another benefit of speaking to your advisor is to learn how to transfer college credits. Your advisor can help you fill out the correct forms, request transcripts, and provide information about transfer agreements the school has with other institutions. 

Evaluating Learning Environments 

Transferring schools is a big change. In addition to adjusting to the new course structure and school culture, you may have a dramatic shift in the learning environment. There are generally two types of learning environments: 

On-Campus 

In-person learning is still a common choice for many students. With this option, you can attend part- or full-time and choose from the institution’s available programs, typically within certain degree tracks. Most, if not all, of those courses will be in person according to a set schedule. 

There are benefits to in-person attendance, such as interacting with peers and professors in person. For some students, on-campus courses are the best option to stay on track with a structured program and accessible campus resources. 

Online 

Online education is growing in popularity. Depending on the structure, online courses may offer more flexibility for self-starters and allow students to balance their day-to-day responsibilities without neglecting coursework. Traditional colleges often offer similar degree tracks and schedules as on-campus courses, simulating the in-person experience with class participation forums, video chats, and interactive course materials. 

For students with a tight schedule, online courses are often easier to align with your routine – but they’re no less rigorous. The online environment requires organization and focus to stay on task and keep up with coursework. 

Creating a Plan 

One of the biggest concerns for transfer students is whether their college credits will transfer to their new institution. Typically, this process is easier between schools with articulation agreements, which facilitate college credit transfers, but the ultimate decision to accept or reject transfer credits lies with the institution receiving them. 

It’s generally simpler to transfer credits from lower-level courses than specialized major-specific courses. Direct course equivalency is more common with gen ed or core courses, which may count toward to your gen eds or as a general elective. 

If some of your courses don’t transfer, it can be more difficult to satisfy the credits you need in your schedule. Classes can fill up quickly, leaving you at a disadvantage with strategically planning your college path. 

Your advisor is a good resource to help you determine what options you have to prepare for the transfer, such as taking gen ed courses with a platform like Sophia in advance. 

Get Support with Sophia 

If you’re running into barriers with your transfer credits or with getting the courses you need into your schedule, Sophia can help you fill gaps in your schedule. With over 60 college-level courses designed to transfer, you can complete your gen ed courses to save time and money and stay on track with your degree. 

Sophia also helps with prerequisites for your degree-specific courses to ensure you can maximize your course schedule, especially if you’re struggling to get into the courses you need when you need them. 

Ready to get ahead pre-transfer? Explore our courses and start a free trial with Sophia! 

The Sophia Learning team is proud to announce a new partnership with the University of the People (UoPeople) to provide UoPeople students with an affordable option to complete online general education courses. UoPeople’s 126,000 students will have immediate access to Sophia’s catalog of courses for $99 per month, and this partnership will help ensure Sophia courses are seamlessly transferred to UoPeople to help students complete an associate or bachelor’s degree.

About the Partnership

“With a partnership focused on offering low-cost educational alternatives, Sophia students can continue with their studies at UoPeople and earn their undergraduate degree from a quality, accredited online institution tuition-free,” said UoPeople founder and President Shai Reshef. UoPeople students can take advantage of Sophia’s subscription model of on-demand learning to increase their choices of flexible and affordable learning options. “This innovative pathway to earning a college credential at an affordable cost is the future of higher education.”

 

UoPeople is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American, accredited online university. Since its founding in 2009, UoPeople has significantly expanded both its academic programs and diverse student body. Today, the university enrolls more than 126,000 students from over 200 countries and territories. UoPeople was founded on the belief that quality education must be accessible and affordable for all. In particular, the university strives to offer programs to marginalized communities and regions around the world, and more than 16,500 of its students are refugees.

 

“I am excited to welcome University of the People to Sophia’s growing list of impressive university partners,” said Dr. Shawna Thayer, CEO of Sophia. “Our mission at Sophia is to provide accessible, affordable general education options to all – especially those in need – and to partner with another organization whose mission is so aligned with ours is inspiring.”

 

Sophia will offer UoPeople students access to more than 70 high-quality, college-level courses through an affordable monthly subscription that includes learning coaches and integrated course materials. Students can move through courses at their own speed, and Sophia courses are recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education. UoPeople students can take as many Sophia courses in a month as they wish – on their own time – and can be actively enrolled in two courses at a time.

About Sophia 

Sophia is an online learning platform that allows students at any stage of their higher education journey to get started on or continue their education by taking affordable and flexible college-level general education courses that are ACE®-recommended for college credit. Sophia students have completed more than 250,000 courses, earning more than 750,000 credits and saving more than $200 million dollars. For more information about Sophia, visit Sophia.org. Sophia Learning is a subsidiary of Strategic Education, Inc.

About University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American, accredited online university. Currently there are over 126,000 students from more than 200 countries and territories. Designed to open access to higher education globally, UoPeople helps qualified high school graduates overcome financial, geographic, political, and personal constraints keeping them from collegiate studies. The university offers associate and bachelor’s degree programs in business administration, computer science, and health science, as well as MBA, M.Ed. and MSIT programs. Graduates of UoPeople can be found working at such companies as Deloitte, Amazon, Apple, Pfizer, Google, Microsoft and IBM. UoPeople collaborates with Harvard Business School Online, New York University, McGill University, and the University of Edinburgh and has been supported by foundations such as the Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation and Hewlett Foundation. Learn more at www.uopeople.edu.

Interested in learning more about our exciting new partnership? 

Head to the dedicated UofPeople partnership page to learn about which courses transfer and get started today!

 

Whether you’re just starting your degree, returning to school after a break, or looking to accelerate your degree program, taking online courses for college credits is a great way to knock out your general education credits.

Sophia Learning offers a range of self-paced, college-level general education courses that may transfer to other institutions. You can complete your gen ed courses online, at your leisure, to save time and money on your degree.

What’s it like to take online transferable college-level courses at Sophia? Let’s find out!

Getting Started

Starting your education journey at Sophia couldn’t be easier. Start by signing up for a free trial to become a member, which gives you access to the first challenge of your chosen course.

After the trial, you can choose the membership option that works best for you, including one-, four-, and 12-month options. Once you have a membership, you’ll get access to 50+ on-demand courses that cover a range of general education subjects. All courses are included in your membership, and you’re welcome to take as many as you like during your membership period (with a two-course limit at one time).

Sophia courses are transferable to partner colleges and universities, as well as hundreds of additional institutions that reviewed Sophia courses for credit. However, it’s important to confirm that your courses will transfer to your chosen institution. 

Sophia Courses

Sophia courses are designed to be self-paced, so you can start at any time and work through the material at the speed you’re most comfortable. There are no formal classes to attend or weekly assignments on deadlines.

Each course consists of Challenges, Milestones, and Touchstones:

Challenges

Sophia courses use a problem-based learning model with real-world scenarios to enhance critical thinking. Each Challenge has an average of 5-10 practical problems to solve.

You have multiple attempts to solve the problems, and you may stop and start as you wish to continue learning and improve your score. All Challenge questions must be attempted at least once to advance to the Milestone.

Milestones

Milestones test your understanding of the course concepts with 20-30 questions. You will have a set time limit to complete the Milestones, which is displayed on the Course Dashboard.

While there is no minimum score required for individual Milestones, they contribute to your overall course average. Milestones carry a weight three times that of Challenges for your final score. You will have an opportunity to retake each Milestone once, as well as a Practice option to check your preparedness before taking the scored version.

The Final Milestone is offered after you complete all the Challenges and Milestones. One-unit courses and some other courses may not have a Final Milestone. You may need to verify your identity with a photo ID before taking the Final Milestone.

Touchstones

In some courses, Touchstones are used to apply mastery of concepts. These are project-based assessments with a deliverable, which is submitted for manual grading and originality. All Touchstone submissions must be original and unique to the course, rather than repurposed from other courses.

You can work on Touchstones at any time, but you have to pass the Unit Milestone before you can submit the Touchstone for grading. You must earn at least 50% overall on each touchstone to pass, but that grade also contributes to your course average. If you fail a Touchstone, you can resubmit it once for a better score.

To recieve a Sophia transcript:

• Complete Challenges by attempting the questions

• Achieve an average score of 70% or better across all Challenges, Milestones, and Touchstones

• Complete each Touchstone with a score of at least 50%

Online Lab Components and Courses

Sophia also has brand-new lab components to accompany lecture courses. Like on-campus learning, having lab work creates a more robust journey into the natural sciences for a firm grasp of the scientific method and real-world relevance.

Labs are available for Human Biology and Introduction to Chemistry. All labs are performed online without the need for specialized science equipment. To meet the requirement, you will need to write lab reports and answer quiz questions pertaining to the information in the course.

With a Sophia subscription, you are only permitted to be active in two courses at one time. Because labs are used in conjunction with the course lectures, taking a science course with a lab reaches the two-course limit.

Other Sophia Learning Pathway Benefits

We’re invested in your success with our courses. Our learning environment has an array of tools to support your educational experience, including:

• Learning Coaches via a Live Chat feature

• A Progress Bar with a recommended schedule to complete your course

• Score indicators for real-time feedback and your current score

• A View Report page with detailed activity and progress indicators

• Third-party tutoring options for select courses from Pearson SmarThinking

Transferring Courses

A transfer credit represents a course you’ve successfully completed at Sophia that is applied at another school. Earning general education credits is a great way to accelerate your degree program – and save some money in the process. Sophia partners with 40 colleges and universities, and over 1,000 institutions have reviewed Sophia courses.

Once you complete a course successfully, you can request an official transcript through Parchment or Credly for ACE transcripts. Most Sophia partner institutions have automated transcription.

Always contact your advisor or registrar to be sure a Sophia course will transfer for college-level credit at your chosen institution. Our Learning Coaches can also help you determine which courses are ideal for your program or how to send your Sophia transcript.

Let’s Get Started!

Are you ready to accelerate your learning experience with Sophia Learning? Take the first step by exploring our courses, browsing partner schools, or signing up for a free trial!

Sophia Learning offers students an opportunity to complete college-level courses that may then be transferred for credit at their college or university. But how does a college-credit transfer work? What happens after you complete a course with Sophia, and how can you ensure your completed coursework will be accepted for credit? 

The answer primarily depends on whether or not your school is one of Sophia’s college and university partners. Here’s what this means for you. 

If Your School Is Partnered with Sophia . . . 

We’ve partnered with over 40 colleges and universities that have agreed to accept transfer credits from Sophia. If your school is on our list of partners, you may not need to complete any additional steps to ensure your completed Sophia coursework is accepted for transfer credit at your school. For most partner universities, your transcript is submitted automatically once you successfully complete a course, and you will receive an email confirming the details of your transferred credits. 

If Your School Is Not Partnered with Sophia . . . 

First and foremost, it’s important that you check with your school’s registrar or with your college advisor to determine transfer eligibility before enrolling in a course. But you certainly don’t need to be enrolled at a partner school to earn credits. In fact, more than 290 schools have reviewed transcripts from Sophia. 

Once you successfully complete a course, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your transcript via Parchment. The process is as simple as creating a Parchment account, following the guided steps to order a transcript, and paying a small delivery fee to have the transcript sent to your school.  

If It’s Been a While Since You Took a Sophia Course . . . 

Students who transfer schools, take time off, or take Sophia courses prior to enrolling in an accredited program may wonder: Do college credits expire? And how long are college credits good for? Good news: the courses you take with Sophia do not expire and may be transferred to your college or university at any time. It is still important for students to check with their university registrar to ensure that there are no timing restrictions.  

The process for doing so is similar to the steps outlined above. Simply contact us, and we will send you links to Parchment so you can access your official Sophia transcript and request it to be transferred to your school. 

Our mission is to help make education more accessible and affordable for students, which is why we strive to make the process for transferring Sophia credits as clear-cut as possible. Students love that our transfer process, like our courses, is straightforward, and schools love that our 70+ college-level courses are ACE® recommended. That’s why Sophia courses have been accepted for credit at hundreds of colleges and universities. 

Learn more about transferring credits with Sophia. 

At Sophia Learning, we believe you should always try before you buy. That’s why we offer one free trial to any student interested in taking an online college-level course with us. All you need to do to start your free trial with Sophia is create an account by providing your first name, last name, and email address—no credit card required.

But then what? What happens once you’re in? Why do we think you’ll love the opportunity to give Sophia a test run? Here are the top three benefits to signing up for a free trial:

1. Take All the Time You Need

Unlike many other trials, you don’t have to complete your free trial with Sophia in 14 days or on any kind of limited time frame. We know life gets busy, so we won’t limit your time or access to our courses. You just won’t be able to move past the first unit of any course until you sign up to pay your $99 monthly membership fee.

This allows you to try out courses whenever it’s convenient for you and may offer valuable insights about the amount of time it will take you to complete the lessons. It also allows you the opportunity to contact your school’s registrar and confirm whether Sophia’s ACE recommended courses meet their requirements for transfer credit.

2. Find a Course That’s Right for You

Just like we don’t limit your time frame to take the free trial, we also don’t limit the number of courses you can try out. That’s right: you can try all of Sophia’s 70+ on-demand college-level courses for free.

We know you’ll enjoy exploring Sophia’s unique and intuitive course room structure, trying out different content, and getting to know any of our course instructors before you pay a single cent. That way, when you’re ready to move past the free trial, you already know which courses will be the best fit for you.

Not sure where to start? Some of our most popular online courses include Introduction to Business, College Algebra, and Human Biology.

3. Simplify the Membership Process

Once you’ve signed up for the free trial, it’s easy to begin paying your $99 monthly subscription fee and complete your courses. Simply click begin membership in your account profile and provide a credit or debit card.

Plus, any work you complete during the free trial is saved, so you can pick up right where you left off once you become a member. After you finish a course, you’ll receive a transcript that allows you to submit your courses for transfer credit whenever you’re ready.

What’s the catch? There isn’t one! We want to set you up for success, and that means giving you the opportunity to try Sophia’s courses with no strings attached before you commit to a paid membership. 

Start your free trial today.