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SM������ Now Accepting ACT National Career Readiness Certificate for Elective Course Credits

ACT NCRC can help document students’ workplace skills and accelerate student progress 

Phoenix, June 1, 2015 –���մǻ岹��,��SM������ announced it will accept the  for up to three credits towards elective courses in select University undergraduate degree programs. The initiative is part of the University’s commitment to aligning degree programs with industry standards, and helping students more quickly and affordably achieve their education goals based on their relevant experience.

“The collaboration between SM������ and ACT contributes to our deep understanding of the needs of working adult students and employers,” said Timothy P. Slottow, SM������ president. “Career-relevant education is critical in this increasingly knowledge-based economy and SM������ is committed to aligning programs with industry needs. Today, the University offers more than 40 degree programs and more than 50 certificates that directly align with industry competencies and standards.”

The ACT NCRC is a nationally portable credential that demonstrates achievement and workplace employability skills in Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information and Locating Information. Achievement in these areas suggests a student has demonstrated the essential work readiness skills that employers indicate are critical to success. Since January 2006, more than 2.9 million certificates have been registered¹. More than 200 counties throughout the U.S. have announced their participation in the  initiative which uses the ACT NCRC to document the area’s workforce skill levels. More than 9,000 employers have also indicated they will recognize or recommend the ACT NCRC in their hiring and promotion practices².

“ACT has a long history of linking student learning assessment to college and workplace readiness,” said Debra Lyons, ACT vice president of community and economic development. “Linking the ACT NCRC to SM������ programs reflects marketplace needs as employers increase their use of skills-based assessments to better understand and evaluate candidates’ qualifications and growth potential.”

Credit will be considered based on the examinee’s level of achievement in the certificate program and the applicability of the certificate to the degree program. Learn more about ACT at  and SM������ degree programs at www.phoenix.edu.

About ACT
ACT is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people achieve education and workplace success. Headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa, ACT is trusted as the nation’s leader in college and career readiness, providing high-quality achievement assessments grounded in more than 50 years of research and experience. ACT offers a uniquely integrated set of solutions that help people succeed from elementary school through career, providing insights that unlock potential.

About SM������
SM������ is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of  Apollo Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ), SM������ serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.

¹ACT National Career Readiness Certificate™ (ACT NCRC®) ACT Work Ready Community site: 

²ACT Work Ready Communities: