College Prep

Accredited Course Providers - by Patricia Nehme, CEP

Students taking courses outside of their school environment, or as an independent learner / homeschooled student, should be very careful about selecting your coursework providers – with some universities, obtaining non-accredited coursework can impact the student’s admission process and, even limit the particular majors in which you can apply to.

While we know this already, what may need to be stressed is that this is true even for AP coursework, approved by College Board, if the course is taken from a non-accredited (or not recognized accreditation) provider.

We know homeschoolers will usually need to take more tests like the APs and Subject Exams, but for a senior taking an AP Course from a non-accredited provider, they will not have the benefit of the AP Exam Score prior to applying for admissions.

As more providers crop up initially without preferred accreditations, they may think and tell their students / families that because the coursework is AP - College Board approved, the accreditation does not matter. But, in fact, students need to know that recognizable accreditations or lack of them, can impact their college lists and they should plan accordingly.

If a school is awarded accreditation, it means that the institution meets certain standards of educational quality. The most widely accepted institutional accrediting bodies in the United States are six regional agencies:

  1. New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
  2. Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  3. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  4. North Central Association (NCA)
  5. Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
  6. Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

 

College Board AP Exams - First two weeks of May

Good luck to the many Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors taking COLLEGE BOARD AP Exams for the next two weeks.

Here in Texas, you have reason to be even more hopeful in gaining college credit - In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a law (HB 1992) that affects the way that public colleges and universities award credit for AP tests. The intent was to increase access to college credit and improve retention and graduation rates for students across the state by requiring credit for AP scores of 3 or higher.

Find colleges and universities that offer credit or placement for AP scores. Begin your search by entering the name of the institution - Search Credit Policies

AP Exams not only offer possible opportunities to strength your college application and gain college credit, but to also receive special recognition such as AP Scholar - see AP Scholar Awards for more information.

College Board does provide a means to cancel and even delete a score - see Other AP Score Report Services

“Your AP Exam Score Reports will be online in July - check your College Board Account. ”
— College Board