* The institution: A course at Harvard will be evaluated differently than a course at a local community college. Even within a single university, different departments and colleges might have different standards.
* The program: A course that counts for credit in a Biology degree might not count for a History degree. Even within a single degree program, some electives might be more restrictive than others.
* Level of study: A high school course generally won't count for college credit, though some advanced placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses might. Similarly, undergraduate courses generally don't count for graduate credit without specific approval.
* Accreditation: The institution must be accredited for its courses to generally be accepted by other institutions.
Generally, courses that count towards academic credit are:
* Formal courses offered by accredited institutions: These are courses with a syllabus, assignments, assessments (exams, papers, projects), and a designated instructor. They usually have a set number of credit hours associated with them.
* Courses taken at an approved institution for transfer credit: If you take a course at one college and transfer to another, the receiving college will determine whether those credits are acceptable and will transfer.
* Certain AP or IB courses: High school courses that meet specific criteria can earn college credit.
* CLEP and DSST exams: These are standardized exams that can earn college credit in specific subject areas.
* Experiential learning: In some programs, experiential learning like internships or apprenticeships may count toward credit, often with structured learning components and evaluations.
Classes that generally *don't* count for academic credit:
* Workshops or seminars that aren't for credit: These are often shorter and less rigorous than college courses.
* Non-credit continuing education courses: These courses are typically designed for professional development or personal enrichment.
* Online courses from unaccredited providers: Unless the institution offering the course is accredited and the course meets specific standards, it's unlikely to count for credit.
* High school courses (generally): Unless it's an AP, IB, or dual enrollment program.
In short: To know if a class counts for academic credit, you *must* check with the specific institution and program where you intend to use the credit. Their registrar's office or academic advisor will be able to provide definitive answers.