Degree Planning: Please Help!

[Daniweav]

Hello,

I have 37 completed units from my local community college 'Mission College' in Santa Clara, CA. I was enrolled from 2009 through 2011, I'd like to finish my Associates at the least and fill in the gaps using credit by exam. I have access to my transcripts online and don't mind posting what I've already taken, Excelsior College wants me to apply and pay a $100 application fee in order to get "general help" with degree planning and $1,065 in order to get specific help with uexcel/clep credit by exam. I'd really just like to find out what CLEP/DSST..etc. exams I need to take in order to avoid taking CLEP exams for areas where I already have college courses which satisfy the requirements.

The position I'd like to go for at work requires at least a 2yr degree, 4yr preferred. I figure I'm already halfway to a 2yr degree so I should probably finish it up! I'm interested in the exams because I have 4 children and they require a lot of time, patience, care and money.. Anything you can do to help is certainly appreciated!

Cheers,

Daniel

[Photog]

Welcome Daniel.

What credits do you already have? it is probably best to list them so people can help you out.

There are other options available, not just Excelsior, so might be best to hold off making a decision just yet, and weigh up the options. Thomas Edison State College and Charter Oak State College are other options as well as some competency based programs.

There are also some free ways to get credit: TEEX, NFA and Kaplan.
Right now you can get a free course at Sophia if you hurry and start before the end of March.
Saylor has free courses online which have proctored finals for free or online for $25
If you don't have math credits Aleks is a good way to get them completed for $20 per month

It may be possible to complete your 2 year degree for very cheap depending on what credits you have now and what you want to study. It might be cheaper than you think to complete a 4 year degree.

[cookderosa]

Yep, what Photog said.

Don't pay anyone ANYTHING until you have a gameplan. You're right about duplicating credit, if you take an exam for a class you've already taken, you won't get to count it- so please share what you've already done and people will be able to offer more targeted help. Welcome to the board!!

PS You could have your associates by the end of summer.

[Prloko]

Also, if you haven't already done so. Be sure to google Degreeforum Wiki. Some very altruistic members of this forum, set up a free wiki site and shared their degree plans, and some extremely altruistic members went ahead and created degree plans for others. Its a good starting point to see where you're at.

After you find the degree plan you like, make yourself an excel spreadsheet and start plugging in your current credits and credits you plan in, and voila!

You can also share it on here and member here can let you know if you're on the right track or advise on better credit options.