Big three Alternatives?

[rubbersoul]

:nopity: Hello all.

I’m wondering if there are any Regionally Accredited schools (Other than the Big 3, I know they do not cap the CBE) that have a high cap for Credit by Examination. Now that Excelsior has implemented a capstone course for their Liberal Studies degree, and Penn Foster is making you take a minimum of 3 credits (Can no longer take just the 1 credit ENG 103 course to satisfy ECs Info Lit requirement), I am finding EC less appealing. So I am just trying to see what other options are available. I have 51 credits from CLEP/DSST. Are there any schools out there that will accept at least 50 credits towards a Bachelors degree?

[andy3000]

Empire State College - accepts 96 credits towards a bachelors
http://www.esc.edu/

[Mechanix26]

Excelsior is less appealing because they make you take ONE class with them? Pretty much any other alternative will require many more. Penn Foster has so many ACE reviewed class that I don't really believe it to be a big deal to just take 3 or 4 credits with them. Also, have a look at this thread: http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...tions.html

[rubbersoul]

Just seeing what other options there are. I went from being able to test out of all of my remaining credits towards a BS in Liberal Studies to now having to take an extra class through Penn Foster, and the extra Capstone from Excelsior. I originally chose EC because of the cost and convience. But if that is no longer that advantage and there is a school out there with a better name than Excelsior that I can finish up my degree with, and close to the same cost, then I may consider them over Excelsior.

[Maniac Craniac]

Columbia College (of Missouri) allows up to half of your degree to be from non-traditional sources like CLEP, DSST, etc. They also allow more transfer credits than other colleges. You only need 24 credits from Columbia to get a degree from them.

[Shawn A]

:nopity: Hello all.

I’m wondering if there are any Regionally Accredited schools (Other than the Big 3, I know they do not cap the CBE) that have a high cap for Credit by Examination. Now that Excelsior has implemented a capstone course for their Liberal Studies degree, and Penn Foster is making you take a minimum of 3 credits (Can no longer take just the 1 credit ENG 103 course to satisfy ECs Info Lit requirement), I am finding EC less appealing. So I am just trying to see what other options are available. I have 51 credits from CLEP/DSST. Are there any schools out there that will accept at least 50 credits towards a Bachelors degree?

I have a very strong suspicion that the reason why EC has a capstone course is due to program outcomes assessment. The regional accrediting bodies are requiring schools to have program outcomes, along with a method to assess the results. Thus for a degree where you can transfer the "entire degree", EC needs to have documentation that a student can demonstrate program outcomes proficiency; thus the capstone project.

You can use LSU Independent Study for the Info Lit requirement, and complete the EC Capstone. Good luck!

[NAP]

I think that Shawn’s insight is likely the reason that the capstone course has become a requirement.

I am sorry Rubbersoul that you are just finding out about this now. We were told by another member of the forum a few months ago.

I also think that your reaction to the new requirement is and will be a common one, especially for those who knew about being able to use only exams to get a degree. (Plus, for some people, taking exams for credit is more of a necessity than a convenience. Having to take a course would be difficult in those cases.)

For some people, the capstone could replace one ECE in their degree plan at EC.

I was just looking at this degree option with another member of the forum last week:
Thomas Edison State College | BA in Liberal Studies Credit Distribution

Maybe it will be a good fit for you. They count exams as UL credit differently than EC does.

Please keep us updated on your progress with this.

[TMW2010]

I have a very strong suspicion that the reason why EC has a capstone course is due to program outcomes assessment. The regional accrediting bodies are requiring schools to have program outcomes, along with a method to assess the results. Thus for a degree where you can transfer the "entire degree", EC needs to have documentation that a student can demonstrate program outcomes proficiency; thus the capstone project.

You can use LSU Independent Study for the Info Lit requirement, and complete the EC Capstone. Good luck!

Between the capstone & the new student absenteeism policy (You've got to post to a discussion question, turn in an assignment, or communicate with your teacher in some form at least once a week) I think the accreditors are trying to push to increase the perceived quality, credibility, and value on distance learning degrees. The same thing with the issue about EC taking the GRE Subject exam for credits. I think they're at least trying to up the bar for the online based schools. I honestly don't think its a bad thing, either.

[PonyGirl93]

Just out of curiousity, why aren't these schools big 3 (big 5, 8, 10? haha)? If they're just as flexible & have just as good of classes, why doesn't anyone know about them?

[TMW2010]

Just out of curiousity, why aren't these schools big 3 (big 5, 8, 10? haha)? If they're just as flexible & have just as good of classes, why doesn't anyone know about them?

What made the big three the 'big three' was the fact that one could get all of their credits from various sources and transfer them in to complete the degree through the schools - IE No residency requirement. But this is changing with the capstone and other requirements, so people want options other than the three if they're going to have to take courses anyway.