COSC degree plan arrived but I am still full of questions.

[burbuja0512]

COSC sends you a degree plan? I went with TESC and it's like pulling teeth trying to figure out what classes I need. I may switch teams...decisions...

DB

COSC will help you with a concentration plan of study, or CPS. For an example of a CPS, see their site Business Administration Concentration (Major) at Charter Oak State College AND I've attached the one that I used.

The CPS covers the area of your concentration and your advisor works with you to create it, though I hear that they also help you with it in the Cornerstone class. (I don't know as the Cornerstone wasn't a requirement when I matriculated)

Anyhow.. my advisor knew I was trying to test out of as much as possible and helped me create the CPS that best suited my needs and interests. When I switched from a psych major to business, she even helped me re-create one for the new major.

You are 'on your own' a little bit for the general requirements, but that part is really easy. You just have to look at this chart to see what the requirements are: General Education Requirements at Charter Oak State College
And then you can use their "master list" of tests to see which test will correspond to which general requirement. The master list is here:http://www.charteroak.edu/Current/Academ...r-list.pdf Look at the column with the general ed letter code. The code will match with the list of the requirements. I have attached a spreadsheet of a possible way to complete the COSC requirements that I made for a forum member and I've posted it here before, but thought it might be helpful.

So... you have your area of concentration and your general requirements. Once you complete all of these, you will still need to get around 38 credits or so to graduate if you start from 0. You'll just need to make sure that your electives include enough UL credits so that you have a total of 30 when you finish. (15 come from your CPS)

Hope this helps!

[CMOS]

I received a response back from the COSC Admissions Counselor and as I anticipated, none of my previous credits are considered upper level. As a result I have to complete the same number of tests in order to complete my degree at either COSC or TESC and I will be graduating with more than 120 credits. Not surprising really since I have changed schools and majors so many times. After I complete 3 more DSST tests (Business Law II, Money and Banking, Business Ethics & Society) I will be forced to make the decision between TESC and COSC since those are the only tests that will overlap for me.

COSC decision.
Advantages:
-Lower total remaining cost to completion.
-Better support from the school.
Disadvantages:
-2 3 credit hour classes that I cannot get out of and that are not flexible to my schedule.
-The non business DSST exams that COSC gives UL credit for are not ones I would want to take if given the choice and if I take ECE exams instead than I will come close to wiping out the price advantage for COSC.

TESC decision.
Advantages:
-The remaining tests will be easier for me to complete.
-No Classes to get in the way of planed and spontaneous travel.
Disadvantages:
-Higher price.
-No support from TESC. (Offset by the wonderful support that exists here.)
-No GPA since I will not be taking TESC classes. I am only concerned with this because it may limit my options for getting a masters some day but that is several years down the road if ever.

[burbuja0512]

Wow.. what a bummer than you have no UL credits. Keep in mind that COSC will require a total of 30, 15 in the area of concentration and 15 other. I'm not sure about TESC.

I also want to mention that if you are a TESC student, TECEPs are available. They're still going to cost more than a CLEP/DSST, however at least you would have a few more UL options.

Speaking of cost, if that is your main concern and you don't have a big savings account waiting to spend on college, COSC's huge advantage is that they allow you to break up the payments. I was really upset when I learned that TESC doesn't allow payment plans. Of course if you're looking at overall cost and don't mind paying the tuition all at once, this advantage is irrelevant.

It sounds like a lot to think about and I don't think either decision is a bad choice. I can't wait to hear what you decide!!

P.S. This thread has gotten long and I can't remember if I'm starting to repeat myself on the COSC info so my apologies if I've already talked about the points I listed above