40 and need a degree ... where to begin?

[cframe]

I have the opportunity to present and help adults who have been displaced due to layoffs. Some are finding walls put up because they have worked in a field for 20 years, but can't get an interview without a degree on their resume.

My focus has been combining CLEP/Dual Enrollment and Homeschool Courses to facilitate a BA degree for my high schools through TESC. So I know that track well.

However, I need input on the route others can suggest for how to get an adult who has been out of education started and the "best" (fastest/cheapest/easiest) route to that BA/BS degree.

Since a lot of these folks are dealing with the issues of uncertainty, I wanted to lay out a simple doable "one-size-fits-all" approach for ease of understanding and then let them individualize once they grasp the potential.

Certainly Cleps and FEMA credits.
1. Are the Big 3 the "best" choice for the actual degree?
2. Would you recommend one over the other for adults going back to school?
3. Where are the "best" places to take online courses?

Your help is very much appreciated!

[martialartist]

I would suggest that you first take a look at bain4weeks.com, now a few things have changed since this site was last updated, but the site continues to be a source of wealth for many.

I'm sure others here will provide, more useful or at least additional information to help propel you to the right path.

Best wishes, from a fellow degree seeker.

[ShotoJuku]

Why TESC??

[NewJerseyWill]

What is your background?, and what are your immediate goals? Seems like this site is perfect for people like us. Lets get motivated and do this, it starts with you and your desire. Keep up the good work.

[cframe]

Why TESC??

I have just chosen TESC for my high school students, but not locked in to that as the best option for adult displaced workers. Is that what you're asking?

[bawhitsett]

1. Are the Big 3 the "best" choice for the actual degree?
2. Would you recommend one over the other for adults going back to school?
3. Where are the "best" places to take online courses?

1) The big 3 certainly offer a flexibility that no other schools offer. Their residency requirements are basically non-existant. Some require upper-level courses (COSC, EC) while others don't (TESC), they each put limits on the number of CC credits you can transfer in (for TESC it's 80), but with each giving different amounts of credit for FEMA exams, certs, etc., this can be worked around. All 3 are pretty generic and aren't going to get you a job on name alone, but they will allow you to check that "degree?" box.

2) All 3 offer different things. Only TESC and COSC are state schools. Only COSC and EC require upper level credit, and thus, the argument could be made that they're more rigorous. Only TESC and EC offer majors (COSC offers concentrations). Really is up to the individual. TESC served my needs best the first time around, now I'm considering going back for a second BS in accounting, and would ge to EC.

3) Testing out is the best option for most to rack up gen ed credits fast. For major-specific credits, CC's are great, there are other RA schools out there like LSU that offer continuing ed credits for dirt cheap ($250 a 3-credit class), and you could also use certs or ACE-reviewed credits from schools like Penn Foster to complete specific degree requirements.

[malcs]

I have the opportunity to present and help adults who have been displaced due to layoffs. Some are finding walls put up because they have worked in a field for 20 years, but can't get an interview without a degree on their resume.

My focus has been combining CLEP/Dual Enrollment and Homeschool Courses to facilitate a BA degree for my high schools through TESC. So I know that track well.

However, I need input on the route others can suggest for how to get an adult who has been out of education started and the "best" (fastest/cheapest/easiest) route to that BA/BS degree.

Since a lot of these folks are dealing with the issues of uncertainty, I wanted to lay out a simple doable "one-size-fits-all" approach for ease of understanding and then let them individualize once they grasp the potential.

Certainly Cleps and FEMA credits.
1. Are the Big 3 the "best" choice for the actual degree?
2. Would you recommend one over the other for adults going back to school?
3. Where are the "best" places to take online courses?

Your help is very much appreciated!

I don't see how a one-size-fits-all program could work. What would make sense would be for someone to start with one lower level course and try to ramp up from there. If they do well then get a bit more aggressive, if not then slow it down a bit. Depending upon a person's age, they may or may not be able to absorb things as quickly as they like.

As time goes on they will get better at rapid learning and test taking and be able to pick up the pace. After a 20+ year break from college I knocked out 30 UL credits in five weeks working at it full time.

The worse thing that could happen would be to suffer early burnout from being too aggressive.

[MISin08]

I don't see how a one-size-fits-all program could work. <snip...>

I've been thinking about this idea for a day or so and struggling to suggest something. There's a recent thread about relative costs of the big 3. That might help.

People embarking on a non-traditional degree need to be ready for the DIY aspect -- one has to be involved in the process to do this.
Average people test out of classes, but it takes persistence & willingness to spend lovely Saturdays in spring with your nose in a book to get it done.
It might be good to have a rough roadmap for "no credit at all, totally new to higher ed" and one for "some credit, but more than a year left".

[cookderosa]

I have a totally different suggestion. 40 year old displaced workers are "the" area of expertise for your local community college- so I wouldn't start with the big 3.

Since these workers are local, your local community college already has plans, many free, and are well established. ESPECIALLY if anyone in your population is collecting unemployment benefits. Many times, there is an existing partnership between the larger companies in your city that help funnel workers back into jobs after brief non-credit training. These are jobs earmarked specifically to "graduates" of these training agreements. Other programs are more generic and are essentially short term training without agreements- but your local CC will have a department called something like "(state name) Job Training Program."

For those workers who have never earned college credit before, they will also be able to provide free placement testing, and remediation where needed. Again, sometimes for free if they are collecting unemployment benefits. In addition, if any in the group don't yet have high school diplomas- they can often take GED training for free, and that would be a good first step.

This is an action plan to get laid off workers back to work as soon as possible. This should be a top priority with the 40 year old population. This is a group for which lay-offs can be devastating financially. People in this age group have families and mortgages. They need income ASAP.

Once the immediate emergency is being solved, this is where the CC will fall short is where you come in. The CC is crappy at exploiting the options of credit earning options like CLEP. (they have no real incentive to promote CLEP/DSST) Once the employee has been placed, then I would say you have a ripe opportunity to help them earn their AA/AS or AOS/AAS locally at the CC. Your CC accepts CLEP I'm sure - so for those who show interest, you can really help them shave time, money, and homework off of their schedule! If the CC allows 15 CLEP, then help them choose the best 15 credits. You can explain how they can later take additional CLEP as part of a bachelor's degree if they choose. I'd use an existing AA/AS/AOS/AAS degree plan through the CC in a field closely related to their own goals. If no exact plan matches, management or business are always a good fall back for anyone. I believe that the name recognition of the local community college will help this population 100% more than an obscure Jersey college.

For those working on an AAS or AOS, transferability is strict and limited- that will require your help. For those earning an AA/AS, transfer to TESC BA/BS programs will be smooth and painless. Keep in mind, your population will probably include tradesmen that an AOS/AAS just makes the most sense- but use caution that what seems faster in the front, can be longer on the back end if they want a bachelor's degree at some point.

Power to you!

[cframe]

The worse thing that could happen would be to suffer early burnout from being too aggressive.

Sound Advice.

Jennifer, I appreciate your specifics. Sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees. That's why the sharing on this board is so great.

Based on your advice, I think I will offer to be the Next Step to those choosing to seek out first what a Community College has to offer. A 10-minute "Did you know" schpeal will at least give them enough info to know an online-lowcost-accelerated degree is possible.

So my next specific question is if one gets an AA/AS from a RA CC, are all lower level courses automatically fulfilled at all the Big 3? Do they simply start with their specific major requirements?