BALTIMORE, Sept. 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StraighterLine (www.straighterline.com) announced today that the largest public university in the United States, University of Maryland University College (UMUC), has joined their rapidly expanding network of partner colleges. With over 92,000 students, most of them working adults, UMUC is a formidable addition to StraighterLine's partner school network, which now includes many of the leading adult-focused institutions of higher learning.
Founded in 1947, UMUC is a virtual university that offers a broad range of cutting-edge classes and an unparalleled breadth of programs tailored to the needs of the marketplace. Courses are continually updated to reflect the latest information, concepts and practices in a variety of fields, and to provide students with in-demand skills and expertise. In addition, UMUC courses are taught by experienced professionals who hold high-level positions within the fields they teach.
Both UMUC and StraighterLine are focused on the unique educational needs of adult students, including working parents and active duty military personnel. This partnership offers working adults the opportunity to get a quality education online, flexibly and conveniently, at a substantially lower cost than most traditional degree programs. Students can take freshman and introductory-level classes through StraighterLine and save thousands of dollars on the cost of their college degree. With StraighterLine's affordable subscription pricing plan, students can save up to 90% on their first year of college and can move through the material as quickly or slowly as they like.
Currently, StraighterLine offers forty two entry-level college courses online, including College Algebra, Precalculus, Calculus I, Calculus II, Business Communication, Introduction to Biology, Introduction to Biology with lab, General Chemistry I, General Chemistry I with lab, English Comp I, English Comp II, Accounting I, Accounting II, Managerial Accounting, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Business Ethics, Organizational Behavior, Business Statistics, Anatomy & Physiology I & II, each with a lab option, Medical Terminology, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Business, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Nutrition, Introduction to Sociology, Western Civilization I & II, Personal Finance, Pharmacology I, Pharmacology II, United States History I & II, Physics I with lab option and two developmental courses.
"UMUC has been the standard setter for public, online education – especially for military students," says Burck Smith, CEO of StraighterLine. "UMUC's commitment to affordable pathways to college is evident in its partnership with us."
"UMUC has always been proud to recognize student learning from a variety of carefully evaluated sources," said UMUC Acting Provost Marie Cini. "This relationship with StraighterLine allows us to reach more students and let them know about this opportunity to advance their educational goals."
About UMUC
University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is the largest public university in the United States. As one of the 11 degree-granting institutions of the University System of Maryland, this global university specializes in high-quality academic programs tailored to working adults. UMUC has earned a worldwide reputation for excellence as a comprehensive virtual university and through a combination of classroom and distance-learning formats, provides educational opportunities to more than 92,000 students.
The university is proud to offer highly acclaimed faculty and world-class student services to educate students online, throughout Maryland, across the United States, and in more than 25 countries and territories around the world. UMUC serves its students through undergraduate and graduate programs, noncredit leadership development, and customized programs. For more information regarding UMUC and its programs, visit www.umuc.edu.
About StraighterLine
StraighterLine has been recognized as a revolutionizing force in education by major news organizations and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for offering students online courses that earn real college credit for just $99 a month. Fast Company named StraighterLine one of the "10 Most Innovative Companies in Education."
In order to facilitate the award of credit, StraighterLine has forged partnerships with leading accredited online colleges and universities. A student ultimately earns a degree from those institutions but realizes tremendous savings and convenience by starting with StraighterLine.
StraighterLine's courses are evaluated and recommended by the American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT). In addition to the institutions with which StraighterLine has a direct relationship, more than 300 other schools are reported to have accepted StraighterLine coursework for transfer credit.
Currently, StraighterLine offers 42 entry-level college courses online in the Sciences, Humanities, English, Math and Business. 5 StraighterLine courses have been approved by The College Board to be listed as AP courses: AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP English Language and Composition, AP Calculus AB and AP Psychology. And dozens of StraighterLine courses cover the same subject areas as CLEP exams, making them acceptable alternatives to or preparations for those tests.
For information, visit www.straighterline.com or call 1-877-str8erline (1-877-787-8375).
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