CheapCredits
Natural SciencesSophia Learning·Self-pacedACE-approved

Environmental Science

Introductory science course covering the scientific method, foundational concepts, and current applications. Check whether your school requires a lab component.

What you'll learn

  • ✓Apply the core concepts of natural sciences to real-world scenarios.
  • ✓Analyze primary and secondary sources relevant to Environmental Science.
  • ✓Communicate reasoning clearly in writing and, where relevant, orally.
  • ✓Meet ACE-aligned lower-division baccalaureate outcomes.

Prerequisites

  • • High-school biology or chemistry recommended

Syllabus at a glance

WhenTopic
Week 1Orientation & foundations — Environmental Science
Week 2Unit 1: core concepts in natural sciences
Week 3Unit 2: core concepts in natural sciences
Week 4Final assessment / Touchstone project

Assessment & proctoring

How you're graded

Milestone quizzes (unlimited retakes) + short Touchstone written assignments. Pass threshold 70%.

Proctoring

One remote-proctored Touchstone final via ProctorU. No exam center required.

Time commitment

About 24–40 hours total (~6–10 hrs/week for 4 weeks).

Format

Self-paced · 4 weeks typical pace

Accreditation & transferability

Accrediting body

American Council on Education (ACE CREDIT)

ACE-recommended for lower-division baccalaureate credit

ACE reference ID: SOPH-XXXX

Transferability★★★★★

Registrar note: Popular non-lab science GE.

Watch out for

  • !This section does not include a wet lab. If your degree requires a lab science, pair with a separate lab (e.g. StraighterLine +$70).
  • !Always request the syllabus and email your registrar for pre-approval before enrolling — approvals in writing supersede catalog policy.

Universities that accept this credit

Because this course is ace-recommended for lower-division baccalaureate credit, it transfers into hundreds of U.S. colleges. Filter by state, acceptance path, or school name.

Showing 16 of 16 listed schools.

Sophia Learning partner colleges

10 schools

These schools have signed articulation agreements — this course is pre-approved and lands on your transcript as equivalent credit.

  • Southern New Hampshire University

    NH

    Sophia + StraighterLine partner. Pre-approved course-by-course guide.

    Policy note: Credit-transfer gotcha: SNHU has a 30-credit residency requirement; external credit stops at 90 credits.

  • Arizona State University (Universal Learner)

    AZ

    Sophia partner for select GE substitutions.

    Policy note: Credit-transfer gotcha: only specific courses map to ASU equivalents; check the Universal Learner course list.

  • Purdue Global

    IN

    Sophia / StraighterLine ACE partner.

    Policy note: Residency gotcha: 25% of degree credits must be completed at Purdue Global.

  • Colorado State University Global

    CO

    Accepts ACE credit from Sophia and StraighterLine.

    Policy note: Credit-transfer gotcha: CSU Global requires a minimum of 30 credits completed through CSU Global.

  • Liberty University

    VA

    StraighterLine partner; up to 75% of degree can transfer.

    Policy note: Residency gotcha: final 25% of credits (usually 30) must be Liberty courses.

  • Grand Canyon University

    AZ

    Sophia + StraighterLine articulated GE credits.

    Policy note: Residency gotcha: at least 24 credits must be completed at GCU.

  • Post University

    CT

    StraighterLine partner college.

    Policy note: Credit-transfer gotcha: StraighterLine credit is capped at a percentage of the degree; confirm with advisor.

  • Ashford / University of Arizona Global

    AZ

    Sophia and StraighterLine ACE-articulated.

    Policy note: Residency gotcha: 30 credits must be completed at UAGC, including the final credits.

  • American Public University System

    WV

    Sophia + StraighterLine + DSST/CLEP friendly.

    Policy note: Credit-transfer gotcha: APUS allows generous transfer but requires 30 credits at APUS for the degree.

  • Franklin University

    OH

    Sophia + StraighterLine partner via Community College Alliance.

    Policy note: Residency gotcha: 30 credits must be Franklin courses, including the final 12.

Degree-completion universities (lowest residency)

6 schools

The classic transfer-friendly schools — accept the widest range of external credit and only require a handful of residency credits.

  • Thomas Edison State University

    NJ

    Accepts up to 80 credits from ACE, CLEP, and DSST. Residency: 16 credits.

    Policy note: Residency gotcha: 16 of your final credits must be TESU courses or TECEP exams — plan those last.

  • Excelsior University

    NY

    Up to 117 transferable credits. Residency requirement: 7 credits.

    Policy note: Residency gotcha: the 7 residency credits are usually the capstone + info literacy — easy to satisfy late.

  • Charter Oak State College

    CT

    Accepts ACE, CLEP, DSST, and PLA credit up to 87 hours.

    Policy note: Credit-transfer gotcha: max 87 transfer credits; the remaining 33 must come from Charter Oak or approved sources.

  • University of Maryland Global Campus

    MD

    90 transfer credits; standing ACE / CLEP articulation.

    Policy note: Residency gotcha: at least 30 credits must be completed at UMGC, including half the major and the final credits.

  • Western Governors University

    UT

    Competency-based transfer review of ACE and CLEP credits.

    Policy note: Residency gotcha: WGU has no fixed residency hour rule, but you must complete at least one term (minimum 12 CU) at WGU.

  • University of Maine at Presque Isle (YourPace)

    ME

    Flat-rate CBE program; accepts ACE and CLEP as prior learning.

    Policy note: Residency gotcha: 30 credits must be earned through UMPI, including the final 12 credits of the degree.

Policies change. Confirm this course's acceptance on your target school's transfer-credit or CLEP policy page before enrolling.

Residency alternatives that pair with this course

Even after transferring this credit, most colleges require 25–30 credits "in residence." Here's how to satisfy those cheaply after banking this course.

Thomas Edison State University

~$1,600 vs. taking the equivalent at a traditional 4-year

Transfer this course in as GE credit, then use TECEP exams ($50 each) to knock out remaining residency credits.

Excelsior University

~$1,300 saved by avoiding a residency retake

Only 7 residency credits required — accept this course as GE, complete only capstone + info literacy in residence.

WGU / UMPI YourPace

Effective cost drops to ~$130/credit at WGU

Competency-based: transfer this course, then test out of overlapping residency courses inside a single flat-rate term.

Charter Oak State College

Up to $10,000 vs. paying residency tuition

Combine this ACE credit with a Prior Learning Assessment portfolio to substitute up to 30 residency credits.

See the full residency playbook →