Could use some help

[longtermstudent]

Just checking- did any of your science classes include a one-hour lab?

The geology and both of my biology courses had one hour labs.

I ended up applying to both EC and TESU as they waived their application fees since I am a veteran. I am uncertain if a $75 app and a $150 evaluation for COSC is worth it since I would be out $225 just for trying to figure out if I should go there. Going to get transcripts sent out right now.

I also edited my original post with a conversion to semester hours.

[sanantone]

I forgot about COSC charging that $150 deposit.

[nnahh]

I just started here myself so I can't offer much help, I just wanted to point out that because you are a veteran, TESU might just be the cheapest route. I'm a military spouse and was automatically placed in the
Military Degree Completion Program when I signed up despite choosing the per-credit plan. I'm not 100% sure if Vets qualify but it's worth checking out.

The Military Degree Completion Program is actually cheaper because it still allows students to earn residency hours using TECEP exams- so 24 hours/ 8 TECEP's to meet residency requirement and you don't have to pay the $2000 waiver. I believe exams are around $114 each plus $250 for the Cornerstone. (if you qualify for military rate, classes are charged at $250 per hour.) So if you decide to do the Capstone as a course instead of a TECEP it'll cost $750 plus $250 for Cornerstone and $114 each for 7 TECEP's.

[longtermstudent]

I just started here myself so I can't offer much help, I just wanted to point out that because you are a veteran, TESU might just be the cheapest route. I'm a military spouse and was automatically placed in the
Military Degree Completion Program when I signed up despite choosing the per-credit plan. I'm not 100% sure if Vets qualify but it's worth checking out.

The Military Degree Completion Program is actually cheaper because it still allows students to earn residency hours using TECEP exams- so 24 hours/ 8 TECEP's to meet residency requirement and you don't have to pay the $2000 waiver. I believe exams are around $114 each plus $250 for the Cornerstone. (if you qualify for military rate, classes are charged at $250 per hour.) So if you decide to do the Capstone as a course instead of a TECEP it'll cost $750 plus $250 for Cornerstone and $114 each for 7 TECEP's.

Interesting, it would be great if I could qualify for that. I'll have to ask about it when I call Monday. Thank you. Getting all my transcripts sorted at the moment.

Figured I would edit in this question to not double post: If my DSST test shows up on my Joint Service Transcript, do I need to send the DSST transcripts separately or will the JST cover it?

[bjcheung77]

+1 To applying to the Big 3. Since WGU is still having a waiver going on for their admissions fee, I would apply there too in order to see which school will take in the most credits you currently have. Since you're new to the board, my recommendation is to review the degreeforum.wikia.com materials, there are sample degree plans from the big 3 and also the Basic Approach - Online Education Guide

[longtermstudent]

Hey guys (and gals),

I figured I would do a little update about my plans. I decided to instead pursue a BA in liberal studies as it would best fit the prior coursework I have completed. I have signed up for the capstone that will start on September 1st. I have set a goal to petition to graduate before Janurary 1 of next year so I can have the degree conferred in March. I will then go on to WGU for my MBA. I sort of want to turn this into an accountability thread for myself.

Below is my academic evaluation. This is before transcripts reflecting my now completed 9 semester hours of Microeconomics, US History II, and Business Communication. I also want to get my ENGL 102 moved up to complete that requirement, my communication for speech to be completed, and for my Math 103 to count as my math requirement as it was not a dev course where I took it. (They have a whole DEV section at that school) I have also been informed multiple times (couldn't find it on the website, so I got in writing from both the registar and academic advising) that I do not have to take the cornerstone as I plan to pay the residency waiver fee.

Any advice on the fastest and cheapest options to complete my degree would be great. This forum has been a wealth of information so far and I appreciate every bit of it.

[longtermstudent]

S.H. S.H. Applied S.H. Comm Coll S.H to Overall TESU
Required to Degree Req Remaining S.H. Applied be Planned GPA Met GPA
120.00 82.96 37.04 56.96 34.04 YES
================================================================================


Source Institution Source Institution
1 Columbus State CC 4 Thomas Edison State Univ
2 Univ of Maryland Univ College 5 TESU-DSST
3 Sinclair CC 6 TESU-Army

BA General Education (60 SH)
Semester Hours Completed: 39.64
Complete all 5 subrequirements:
A: Intellectual Skills (In Progress)
> INTELLECTUAL AND PRACTICAL SKILLS (15)
> Complete 15 semester hours (SH) to include:
> *Written Communication (ENC-101 and ENC-102 w/grade of C or
> better), 6SH
> *Oral Communication, 3SH
> *Quantitative Literacy (College-Level Math), 3SH
> *Information Literacy, 3SH
Semester Hours Completed: 5.00
ENC-101 (Completed)
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESU # Notes
2.. ENGL101 Intro to Writing......... 3.00 C ENC-101 *TE
ENC-102 (Not Started)
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
Oral Communication (In Progress)
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESU # Notes
1.. COMM105 Speech................... 2.00 B COM-108 *CC *TE
_____________________________________________________________________ 1 credits
Quantitative Literacy (Not Started)
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
Information Literacy (Not Started)
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits

B: Civic Learning (In Progress)
> CIVIC AND GLOBAL LEARNING (9)
> Complete 9 semester hours (SH) to include:
> *Diversity, 3SH
> *Ethics, 3SH
> *Civic Engagement, 3SH
Semester Hours Completed: 3.33
Diversity (Completed)
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESU # Notes
1.. SOC101 Intro to Sociology....... 3.33 B SOC-101 *CC *TE
Ethics (Not Started)
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
Civic Engagement (Not Started)
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits

C: Human Cultures (Completed)
> KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN CULTURES (12)
> Complete 12 semester hours (SH) in Humanities and/or
> Social Sciences.
Semester Hours Completed: 12.66
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESU # Notes
2.. GVPT100 Princ of Govt & Pol...... 3.00 B POS-101 *TE

Student: Mr. Dustin W. Gibson Staff: svcollapp Date: 08/11/16 Page: 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.. GERM111 Elem German I............ 3.00 A GRM-101 *TE
1.. SSCI100 Globalization............ 3.33 B SOS-199 *CC *TE
1.. HUM151 Amer Civ to 1877......... 3.33 D HIS-113 *CC *TE

D: Natural World (Completed)
> UNDERSTANDING THE PHYSICAL AND NATURAL WORLD (4)
> Complete 4 semester hours in the Natural Sciences.
> Mathematics courses cannot be used to satisfy this
> requirement.
Semester Hours Completed: 6.66

Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESU # Notes
1.. BIO112 Intro Bio II Hum Bio..... 3.33 B BIO-112 *CC *TE
1.. ANTH200 Intro Phys Anthrop....... 3.33 C ANT-160 *CC *TE

E: GE Electives (In Progress)
> GENERAL EDUCATION ELECTIVES (20)
> Complete 1 semester hour(SH) of TES-100 Cornerstone:
> Lifelong Learning Strategies, and an additional 19 semester
> hours(SH) in General Education Electives.
Semester Hours Completed: 11.99
Group 1 (Not Started)
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESU # Notes
___ TES-100___ _________________________ ______________________ 1 course needed
Group 2 (In Progress)
!! Exception
Over in Other Areas of Gen Ed
14.35sh needed

Semester Hours Completed: 11.99 Required: 14.35 Remaining: 2.36
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESU # Notes
1.. PSY100 Intro to Psychology...... 3.33 B PSY-101 *CC *TE
1.. GEOL101 Earth Systems I.......... 3.33 C GEO-101 *CC *TE
1.. BIO111 Intro Biology I.......... 3.33 D BIO-111 *CC *TE
3.. HIS111 Western Civilization I... 2.00 A HIS-103 *CC *TE
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
================================================================================
Liberal Studies (30 SH: 15SH at upper level)
Semester Hours Completed: 16.32
GPA Achieved/Needed: 2.612 / 2.000
Complete both subrequirements:
A: Upper Level (15 SH) (Not Started)
> Complete 15 semester hours of 300 and/or 400 level Liberal
> Arts and Sciences coursework.
>
> At least TWO or more different areas must be included
> within the entire Concentration to provide breadth of
> knowledge in the Liberal Studies Area.
>
> A grade of C or better is required for all courses within
> the Area of Study.
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits
_____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits

B: Liberal Stud (15 SH) (Completed)
> Complete 15 semester hours (SH) of Liberal Arts and

Student: Mr. Dustin W. Gibson Staff: svcollapp Date: 08/11/16 Page: 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Sciences coursework.
>
> A maximum of SIX credits can be at the 100 level.
>
> A grade of C or better is required for all courses within
> the Area of Study.
Semester Hours Completed: 16.32
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESU # Notes
1.. POLS250 International Relatins... 3.33 A POS-232 *CC *TE
1.. ENGL235 Intro to Poetry.......... 3.33 B ENG-243 *CC *TE
1.. GEOG200 World Reg Geography...... 3.33 C GOG-230 *CC *TE
1.. ENGL251 American Identity........ 3.33 C LIT-299 *CC *TE
2.. GERM112 Elem German II........... 3.00 C GRM-102 *TE
================================================================================
Liberal Arts Capstone (3 SH)
> Complete course LIB-495 Liberal Arts Capstone for 3

> semester hours (SH). A grade of C or better is required in
> this course as well as within all courses that make up the
> Area of Study.
>
> This Capstone course must be taken at Thomas Edison State
> University or via an approved Thomas Edison State
> University Academic Program Review.
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESU # Notes
4.. LIB-495... Liberal Arts Capstone.... (3.00) ___ *PR
================================================================================
Electives (27SH)
> Complete 27 semester hours (SH) of college level coursework
> as Electives.
Semester Hours Completed: 27.00
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESU # Notes
2.. MGST162 Personnel Counseling..... 3.00 A HRM-299 *10Y *TE
1.. CMGT1153 Residential Constructon.. 3.00 C CET-150 *CC *TE
5.. BUS-101... Introduction to Business. 3.00 CR BUS-101 *NE
6.. ELM-171... Diagnosis & Troubleshooti 4.00 CR ELM-171 *NE
1.. REAL101 R E Prin & Prac.......... 2.67 A REE-103 *CC *TE
1.. REAL102 Real Estate Law.......... 2.67 A REE-221 *CC *TE
2.. MGST398I Comm Skills Super........ 1.00 A MAN-399 *10Y *TE
1.. REAL111 Real Estate Finance...... 1.33 B REE-199 *CC *TE
1.. REAL112 R E Appraisal............ 1.33 B REE-201 *CC *TE
1.. REAL275 Repair Restore Remodel... 2.00 B REE-299 *CC *TE
6.. HEA-195... First Aid................ 1.00 CR HEA-195 *NE
6.. MSC-131... Marksmanship............. 2.00 CR MSC-131 *NE
================================================================================
OTHER COURSES:
Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESU # Notes
--- ---------- ------------------------- ------- --- ---------- ---------

6 PEA-199 Special Topics in Physica 2.00 CR PEA-199 *NE
1 ENGL102 Essay & Research 2.00 B ENC-104 *TE*CC
1 MATH102 Beginning Algebra I 0.00 C DMT-002 *RI*TE*DEV*CC
1 MATH103 Beginning Algebra II 0.00 D DMT-002 *RI*TE*DEV*CC
(Credits in parentheses are anticipated earned)

[dfrecore]

1) I would ask them why ENGL102 Essay & Research 2.00 B ENC-104 *TE*CC won't fulfill English Comp II. That's an important one, and I would fight them on it - show them that it was considered English Comp II at the school you were at with the college catalog from there.

2) I would ask them why GVPT100 Princ of Govt & Pol...... 3.00 B POS-101 *TE isn't counting in the Civic Engagement section - it should.

3) each school gets to decide how they're going to count courses at their own school. So, they get to decide that Beginning Algebra is a DEV course at TESU, whether it's DEV at the school you took it at or not. TESU won't count Beginning Algebra from any school at all, BTW. So you're not going to win that argument.

4) speech is already completed.

5) You should stop taking any more lower level courses, as most of the requirements are fulfilled. You really need to concentrate on UL courses now. There isn't anywhere to put anything after they move the few items around and you finish Microecon & US History. At least, it doesn't look that way to me.

6) The residency waiver fee and the cornerstone have nothing to do with each other at all, so I can't see why you don't have to take it. If that's true, great, but I wouldn't count on it. Sounds like some people there are confused.

[jsd]

I have also been informed multiple times (couldn't find it on the website, so I got in writing from both the registar and academic advising) that I do not have to take the cornerstone as I plan to pay the residency waiver fee.

Would you be willing to share the wording of the question you asked and their response in writing to this question?

This doesn't make any sense, and I think they're confused. Cornerstone/Residency are two very unrelated things.

[davewill]

... Cornerstone/Residency are two very unrelated things.

In general, although it does make a certain amount of sense that if you weren't taking many/any classes at TESU, the cornerstone would be a pretty useless class. It will be interesting to hear the details of the conversation.