by YouTube announced today that it is partnering with Arizona State University and educational video company Crash Course to launch a new program that enables students to earn college credit. The Google-owned company says the new program, called College Foundations, is designed to create an affordable and accessible way to earn college credit.
Starting today, students can enroll in four courses starting March 7, 2023, and are eligible for transfer credits. The program does not require applications or a minimum GPA for enrollment. It includes regular first-year college courses, including Introduction to Human Communication, Rhetoric and Composition, Real World College Math, and American History to 1865.
The program is expected to expand to 12 available courses by January 2025 to give students a chance to receive credit for an entire first year of college. There is a $25 fee if a student chooses to register and begin classes, and a $400 fee to receive credit for each course. Those who register before March 7th will receive a $50 discount. Courses can be taken as often as necessary until the student is satisfied with the grade. The credit can then be used at institutions that accept credits from Arizona State University.
College Foundations is an extension of an existing Study Hall partnership between Arizona State University, YouTube and Crash Course, an educational channel with over 14 million subscribers and founded by John and Hank Green.
Image credit: YouTube
“Developed and taught by the same faculty who conduct research and teach students on ASU’s campus, the lessons combine ASU’s academic excellence with Crash Course’s compelling storytelling — all on YouTube’s far-reaching platform,” the company said in a blog post.
To get started, students can take a free course preview and then enroll in a course of their choice, after which they can start earning credits. When you are on a course, you can contact a success coach via e-mail to get help with assignments. You can complete your courses at your convenience, but you will have weekly due dates for most courses. If you would like to access additional support, some instructors have optional office hours.
YouTube has been home to educational content for quite some time now, and the ability to earn credits takes this content focus even further by giving users a direct path to formal education.
The announcement comes as YouTube recently unveiled Courses, a feature that will attempt to bring structured learning experience to YouTube in India. Teachers will be able to publish and organize their videos and provide reading material and questions directly in the video app.
