DSST Civil War is NOT on TESC's list any more. Mistake?

[IrishJohn]

John, I would bet you are grandfathered in since you took the course prior to the 2012-13 catalog.

Could be, I really don't know. However, I'm not actually enrolled now and haven't been since the end of 2010. I have plenty of other credits that could fit into the GenEd spot, it's jut weird they chose this one.

[Tabber222]

oh man. i was scheduled to take that next tuesday! had four left, now it five. also trying to get in by the october deadline. oh well

[HorseManiac]

Could be, I really don't know. However, I'm not actually enrolled now and haven't been since the end of 2010. I have plenty of other credits that could fit into the GenEd spot, it's jut weird they chose this one.

Hmmmm.....that's interesting that you aren't enrolled and that they picked that test if you had others available. I'm going to try sending my email to them again since they still haven't responded. I'm very curious if they would let us keep it if we've already taken it. You mentioned that I should try talking to a superior....who should I try and talk to and from what department?

Thanks!

[HorseManiac]

I just want to make sure that everyone is clear that I have NOT gotten any written documentation on this. I looked on their website and in the catalog and noticed it wasn't listed. I sent an email which they haven't responded to yet. Then I called the admissions office and whoever answered the phone said that if it wasn't listed then they probably aren't accepting it anymore. I just sent another email directly to admissions to hopefully get some documentation.

I don't anyone to lose out on credit because of me. I would call and double check just to make sure. Maybe if several people call then we will all get the same answer. If you are enrolled then definitely check with your advisor!

[Muricles]

I received "grandfathered" credit for the Civil War and Reconstruction DSST. However, just to confirm, TESC only accepts the exam as lower level credit. I tried to get it to count as upper level, but TESC would not budge.

The good news is that Introduction to the Modern Middle East (HIS-309) and History of the Vietnam War (HIS-351) are counted by TESC as upper level credits, even though they are recommended as lower level exams.

My advice is to be very careful when planning your History exams for TESC. Always check the course catalog. I know I ended up taking at least one extra exam, but don't feel bad if that happens to you. In the long run, even taking an extra exam, you are saving loads of time and money.

[IrishJohn]

I received "grandfathered" credit for the Civil War and Reconstruction DSST. However, just to confirm, TESC only accepts the exam as lower level credit. I tried to get it to count as upper level, but TESC would not budge.

The good news is that Introduction to the Modern Middle East (HIS-309) and History of the Vietnam War (HIS-351) are counted by TESC as upper level credits, even though they are recommended as lower level exams.

My advice is to be very careful when planning your History exams for TESC. Always check the course catalog. I know I ended up taking at least one extra exam, but don't feel bad if that happens to you. In the long run, even taking an extra exam, you are saving loads of time and money.

Yeah it was great back in 2010 when I was pursuing the BA in History that these options were available to me. I had already taken a Civil War class at the community college years before and they counted it at the 200 level along with the DSST, but not as a duplicate! I also took the TESC course The Middle East so I could have a GPA and it counted for credit just like the DSST exam yet both were almost identical in material IMO and counted as UL courses! So I essentially got a 2 for 1 special to finish 12 credits.

[IrishJohn]

You mentioned that I should try talking to a superior....who should I try and talk to and from what department?

Thanks!

That I couldn't tell you. I never had to do this myself. Perhaps cookederosa knows?

[HorseManiac]

I received "grandfathered" credit for the Civil War and Reconstruction DSST. However, just to confirm, TESC only accepts the exam as lower level credit. I tried to get it to count as upper level, but TESC would not budge.

The good news is that Introduction to the Modern Middle East (HIS-309) and History of the Vietnam War (HIS-351) are counted by TESC as upper level credits, even though they are recommended as lower level exams.

My advice is to be very careful when planning your History exams for TESC. Always check the course catalog. I know I ended up taking at least one extra exam, but don't feel bad if that happens to you. In the long run, even taking an extra exam, you are saving loads of time and money.

So when or what date did you actually take the Civil War DSST? And were you enrolled when you took it?

Thanks!

[cookderosa]

That I couldn't tell you. I never had to do this myself. Perhaps cookederosa knows?

My thoughts are that it's possibly a mistake, but if it's not, this is a policy change and everyone will know about it - so a supervisor discussion likely won't gain you an advantage. You could talk to Dr. Keel or Mr. Siben in advising. Both have been around a long time and will likely have the best information if there was a change/why.

[Muricles]

So when or what date did you actually take the Civil War DSST? And were you enrolled when you took it?

I took the test in June 2010. I wasn't enrolled at the time. I enrolled and transferred the credit in late 2011, which was well prior to the release of the new course catalog. The credit still appears for my in-progress second degree as shown below.

2 HIS-252 Civil War and Reconstruct 3.00 CR HIS-252 *NE

My guess is that this particular DSST was inadvertently omitted from the course catalog. Horsemaniac's advisor then checked the new course catalog and, not seeing the exam listed, assumed the DDST was no longer accepted. It simply doesn't make sense to allow every other DSST except the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Anyone who has taken the exam should try to transfer the credit to TESC. It doesn't hurt to try. If you have to challenge the decision, remember to stay calm. Although it is extremely frustrating when the rules change mid-game, losing your cool will not help get the answers. You can always share your frustrations here on the forum!