CLEPPING OUT AND MASTER's PROGRAMS

[JDSmith]

Do most Master's programs require a GPA? and if so, when I finish my Bachelor's degree through testing will I receive a GPA from TESC from my combined exam scores? I'm just curious because I have been looking into a Master's degree in Historical preservation.

Thanks,
JD

[cookderosa]

Do most Master's programs require a GPA?

Too many variables to answer- does the one your looking at require a GPA?

and if so, when I finish my Bachelor's degree through testing will I receive a GPA from TESC from my combined exam scores?

No, TESC will only issue grades on courses you take with them. If you transfer in courses, they will (like tests) be "credit."


Make testing work for you, don't work for testing. In my case, I wanted classes inside my major (for grad school) but I also took advantage of about 51 credits through testing. It's not an "all or nothing" deal- take tests if you can, and use classes if needed. It's all about finding the best plan for YOUR plan.

[cookderosa]

Do most Master's programs require a GPA?

Too many variables to answer- does the one your looking at require a GPA?

and if so, when I finish my Bachelor's degree through testing will I receive a GPA from TESC from my combined exam scores?

No, TESC will only issue grades on courses you take with them. If you transfer in courses, they will (like tests) be "credit."
Make testing work for you, don't work for testing. In my case, I wanted [B]classes inside my major (for grad school) but I also took advantage of about 51 credits through testing. It's not an "all or nothing" deal- take tests if you can, and use classes if needed. It's all about finding the best plan for YOUR plan.[/B]

[mongoose65]

I like Jennifer's advice. I am hoping to test out of most of my credits but the original ones I transferred in were mostly C's. They dropped my D's so I lost any credits but my GPA went up but it's still around a 2.5. My plan is that if a grad program requires 3.0 or better (which most seem to do), I will then take a few online courses and work hard for A's, hopefully dragging my GPA up over the 3.0 mark.

It's "one man's plan" but it's funny that I was thinking about this just yesterday and lo and behold there are posts about it on the board today. How cool is this thing!

[learflyer]

still don't understand. How does taking the cleps translate to a GPA? I'm clepping out throught EC. Obviously in the early stages of it.

[cookderosa]

still don't understand. How does taking the cleps translate to a GPA? I'm clepping out throught EC. Obviously in the early stages of it.

>>

CLEPs don't give you a grade. Here is a sample:

CLASS 1, grade A
CLASS 2, grade A
CLEP, just barely passing score: credit
CLEP, just barely passing score: credit
CLEP, just barely passing score: credit
CLEP, just barely passing score: credit
GPA: 4.0

So, as you can see, there is some amount of strategy that can be applied. For example, say you are a "straight A" student, but not so hot at math. You can use classes to keep your beautiful GPA and CLEP the math. A "just barely passing" score doesn't + or - your GPA.

Here is an example where you can work your butt off for good scores on your tests but still end up in a bad situation because where you may have taken classes to up your GPA, an exam doesn't do that:
CLEP, excellent score: credit
CLEP, excellent score: credit
CLEP, excellent score: credit
CLEP, excellent score: credit
CLASS 1, grade C
CLASS 2, grade C
GPA: 2.0

Lastly, since you are at EC, you will be able to use DSST/DANTES exams for grades I think- someone here can confirm that. I know they used to have a list with scores and grades- but CLEP doesn't.

[PatsGirl1]

Jennifer’s last example is me in a nutshell lol

I decided to take online classes at TESC to get a good GPA, thinking that it would help me get into grad school. Instead, all of the classes I’ve taken at TESC have been ridiculous and my grades for the classes are mediocre. My CLEP scores are pretty good, but I’ll (most likely) end up at about a 3.0 GPA for TESC. It’s not that bad, but it’s sure not the 3.5+ I thought I’d get by taking classes. Meanwhile, my testing scores are great, but don’t count for GPA.

[Epiphany]

still don't understand. How does taking the cleps translate to a GPA? I'm clepping out throught EC. Obviously in the early stages of it.

Most DSST's provide a grade at EC. The 2008 beta's do not. CLEP's do not. If your going for a high GPA then plan accordingly, pass all the CLEP's and get an A on all the DSST and ECE's. Remember if you are interested in EC's honors program you need 60 graded credits (mix of 20 DSST's, ECE's, Classes).

[Joel]

Remember if you are interested in EC's honors program you need 60 graded credits (mix of 20 DSST's, ECE's, Classes).

I'm fully aware of the 60 graded credits requirement for graduating with honors, but I don't think the last part is true.

Unless I'm misunderstanding you, you're say that those 60 credits must be a mix of 20 DSST credits, 20 ECE credits, and 20 class credits. Apart from the fact that it is impossible to get exactly 20 DSST credits, why would someone who took 60(+) credits of classes through Excelsior (or any other school for that matter) not be able to graduate with honors? Excelsior's Honors Webpage doesn't mention anything about a mix of credits either.

Hopefully I misunderstood or you miswrote what you meant.

[SimonTam]

Hopefully I misunderstood or you miswrote what you meant.

I think you did misunderstand a little. I believe he meant was a total of 20 three credit hour courses made up from some combination of DSST, ECE, and regular classes.