COSC Degree Plans 2016-2017

[Prloko]

Has there been such a mass exodus? I know I personally haven't taken any straight exams (CLEP/DSST) myself yet, but I think I'm in a tiny minority, and that is going to change as I move from the ASBA to BSBA. For my part so far though, I'll directly address your points. Understand I'll be blunt, no offense intended.



Strongly disagree once you factor in study time. SL almost doesn't require any.



I doubt it. How can they be easier (to pass) than a course where 70% (or more, up to 100%) of your grade is based on open book exams? How can they be easier (to take) than sitting at your computer in your skivvies at midnight?



Not a concern for me personally.

No offense, taken. Everyone has their reasons for what works for them.

For "easy" let me provide more context. What I meant was more of approach. Me personally (again, not passing judgement), I used to read/listen to either a text-book or other study material when I was working out, traveling, in bed, etc. For me, this is a lot easier than going through SL exercises.

[Prloko]

Thanks for catching the 60 credits for a BS. I meant to type that and changed it above. A BA requires 90 credits in liberal arts and sciences, but even if you have that, you can still apply for a Bachelor of Science if you'd prefer.

I think the main reason people are talking about the new class-type credits (Saylor/ Straighterline/ Study.com etc.) is that they are a new option for people who do better in class situations rather than test situations. For some people, testing works well, but for others it's just not a good choice for whatever reason. The great part is that all the new options give more people a chance to complete their degree affordably from wherever they happen to be in the world.

I agree. I can easily see why someone would want to study and take exams from home rather than a test center. I don't have experience with Study.com, but I do like Saylor. ALEKS is also really good if you actually do the work and are not using an online equation solver.

[Prloko]

Those are my 2 reasons; with kids at home, I don't like to have to leave in the middle of the day to drive 1 1/2 hours RT to take a test; and I am a night owl, so taking a test/class here at home after everyone has gone to bed and it's nice and quiet is a great option for me. Once I found the options other than CLEP/DSST, I never even thought about taking one of those again.

Completely understandable.

[Prloko]

We have had several inquiries about Charter Oak State College recently, so I thought I would share some degree plans.

Before we begin, remember that COSC will "double dip" on requirements, so that upper level Business Ethics could fulfill both a general ed and a concentration area requirement.

We have to fulfill five general areas:
1. The general education requirements;
2. The concentration area requirements;
3. 30 hours of upper level credits;
4. At least 60 hours of liberal arts for a Bachelor of Science;
5. 120 hours total.

The "double dipping" of requirements is a tremendous advantage that COSC has over TESU. But just for clarification for any lurkers out there, as KayV stated, "double dipping" refers to graduation REQUIREMENTS only. Not credits.

So for example, for a degree in UnderWater Basket Weaving, you need an upper level in needle point, an upper level in Liberal Arts and a requirement for Fine Arts. That's 3 3-credt requirements. One course in Basket Weaving needle point may cover ALL three requirements, but you WILL NOT get 9 credits. It is still 3 credits. The remaining 6 have to still be taken in another area to have the required 120 in total, 60 LA, 30 UL, etc.

[alzee]

No offense, taken. Everyone has their reasons for what works for them.

For "easy" let me provide more context. What I meant was more of approach. Me personally (again, not passing judgement), I used to read/listen to either a text-book or other study material when I was working out, traveling, in bed, etc. For me, this is a lot easier than going through SL exercises.

This to me is only a difference between SL and "everyone else". The way your question was worded (CLEP/DSST and "everyone else") I took your position to be favoring in-person testing for some reason. Saylor (for example) is basically a "study as you like and then take an exam" approach basically the same as a CLEP or DSST, and TECEPs are even closer. The only real difference between any of them, other than perceived difficulty, is that the CLEPs & DSSTs are in person.

You can study for all of them however you like. With SL, you do have more exams to take, but I don't see this as a bad thing since it allows you to make measurable progress towards a particular set of credits and provides valuable feedback on your study habits as you go, with ample opportunity to correct/adjust.

I say this while still never having actually taken one of the in-person exams -- because why would I, if I can do it online instead? I only plan to take the College Comp CLEP in person right now, and only because I already paid for it. Otherwise for me those are going to serve as back-ups in the event that I fail some online method.

[KayV]

Prloko, thanks for explaining double-dipping more in-depth. I was just thinking about basket weaving yesterday when I was going through the COSC Applied Arts (Studio Arts) concentration. I have a bunch of baskets from my grandmother and great-aunts, along with some of my early efforts, and wondered if you could do a basket weaving PLA for upper level credits. They would have earned honors degrees in applied arts- myself, notsomuch lol.

[KayV]

Did we mention FEMA?

COSC will still accept FEMA credits without having to transcribe them through another paid source. This means that once you have planned out your general ed and concentration requirements, you can use free FEMA credits on your path to earning 120 total credits.
*
Here is the list of accepted courses:
https://em-study.com/emsfema/article.php...icle_id=62

But don't pay $82/ credit to get them on a transcript! COSC will take the "raw" FEMA transcript!

And this is how to enroll in them:
Emergency Management Institute | Independent Study Program (IS)


***NB: Excelsior will accept these credits if you pay the $82/ credit. TESU will not accept them at all any more.

[Prloko]

Did we mention FEMA?

COSC will still accept FEMA credits without having to transcribe them through another paid source. This means that once you have planned out your general ed and concentration requirements, you can use free FEMA credits on your path to earning 120 total credits.

Another benefit of COSC. This gives many an option to save a lot of money. COSC was actually my first choice (among the Big-3), but I changed my mind last minute when at the time (TESU doesn't do this anymore) TESU accepted my CCAF Contracting credits as UL Operations Management credit. I have no regrest, but with all the changes, had I begun my studies now, I think COSC would have been my choice.

[Prloko]

This to me is only a difference between SL and "everyone else". The way your question was worded (CLEP/DSST and "everyone else") I took your position to be favoring in-person testing for some reason. Saylor (for example) is basically a "study as you like and then take an exam" approach basically the same as a CLEP or DSST, and TECEPs are even closer. The only real difference between any of them, other than perceived difficulty, is that the CLEPs & DSSTs are in person.

You can study for all of them however you like. With SL, you do have more exams to take, but I don't see this as a bad thing since it allows you to make measurable progress towards a particular set of credits and provides valuable feedback on your study habits as you go, with ample opportunity to correct/adjust.

I say this while still never having actually taken one of the in-person exams -- because why would I, if I can do it online instead? I only plan to take the College Comp CLEP in person right now, and only because I already paid for it. Otherwise for me those are going to serve as back-ups in the event that I fail some online method.

I really am not advocating for one over the other. I just noticed that CLEP/DSST has earned mostly a passing mention recently.

In regards to your second paragraph, lets please call a duck a duck and agree that virtually no-one (on this forum) uses SL exams as feedback. A majority of the anecdotal examples have been along the lines of CTRL+F. Before you misread my comment, let me again state (and I have historically taken this position also) that CLEP by no means implies gained knowledge. People have taken and passed CLEPs with virtually no understanding of the material. So no, CLEP doesn't make you an A student.

[TrailRunr]

CLEP credits are far more portable than SL, saylor, and even DSST. What happens if you change schools, if the big 3 stop taking ACE credits, or if you try for another undergrad degree? Your credits at TESU can be deleted if you have to reapply and they change policies like what happened with FEMA credits. You have to balance the portability vs the ease with unproctored and ctrl f exams with SL.