Degree plan help for COSC Public Safety Admin.

[DrJohn]

No GenEd done yet, I'm busy trying to knock that out with CLEPS or maybe Straighterline courses. I'm planning on my first CLEP to be A&I Lit, we'll see how I score on the Petersons test first...

[Jonathan Whatley]

When I attended Austin Community College, the two year program was offered two different ways, a day program for college credit with a bunch of prereq or the evening program non-credit option. Same program, same course of study. Essentially you could do it for college credit and take it during the day along with the prereq courses or skip the prereq courses and take the program in the evening. I took it in the evening. I would have to call ACC to see if they could turn the Paramedic Courses into college credit since it is still the same course given in the credit program. Well see what they say.

I took Anatomy And Physiology with lab, but I was too busy being a young 20 something year old and was too interested in flirting with my lab partner to worry about grades. The D I made in the course does me no good now. Same thing with the Math for Health Sciences course I took. Funny how now I wish I would have studied harder and made a good passing grade.

You may be able to get credit from Charter Oak on the basis of a review of your course, or on the basis of your state (or possibly national registry) license.

• Here Charter Oak implies they award credit for a CT EMT license. Perhaps they would directly for TX EMT-P. Failing that, you might apply to CT for reciprocity and then send your CT license to Charter Oak. How to Obtain Non-traditional Transcripts

• There are two other ways Charter Oak might award credit: The best here is probably a Credential Evaluation, "For assessment of state or national credential, licensure, or professional certification not previously evaluated by an approved evaluation agency." This is currently 285 per credential for an enrolled student, 311 CT resident/420 non-resident non-enrolled.

The other option, more flexible and individualized but likely not necessary for something like a major mainstream health professions license, is a Portfolio Assessment. The student takes IDS 102 Prior Learning Portfolio Development, and can submit one 3 sh portfolio as part of that course. Additional portfolio reviews are 91 per sh for an enrolled student, 118 non-enrolled.

For both, see the Sources of Credit section of the Official Catalog, page 99 of the 2012-13 edition. Official Catalog [.pdf file]

• For evidence of how many credits Charter Oak's in-house review has awarded paramedic training in the past, here's their review for credit recommendation of the Hartford Hospital EMS training program. 3 sh for their A&P course, 3 sh for Clinical Experience, 19 sh for Principles of Paramedic Practice. (These recommendations were effective until February 2008; perhaps Hartford Hospital didn't renew, especially if Charter Oak started awarding similar credit for the state license directly.) Hartford Hospital Department of EMS Education Paramedic Program [Credit Review] [.doc file]

• Also for relevant background Thomas Edison State College awards 16 sh for an NJ EMT-P license. Earning Credit for What You Already Know: Licenses and Certifications.

Also: The Excelsior College Examination in Anatomy & Physiology is good for 6 sh. There are also ECEs in Microbiology (3 sh) and Pathophysiology (3 sh upper-level).

If you complete and submit an online FAFSA to show you could be eligible for federal student loans – it's free and should be easy, and you're not signing up to take a loan, just showing eligibility – and you're not, at the time you apply for this, "actively enrolled or attending college," you may be eligible for a free Introduction to Medical Terminology course from Test Drive College Online. Successful completion earns an ACE CREDIT recommendation (3 sh). Test Drive College Online is a loss leader from EducationDynamics, one of the larger companies that markets programs from accredited schools; they hope successful students will go on to pursue a degree program from one of their partnered schools, but this comes after taking the course, and its ACE CREDIT recommendation can be taken elsewhere.

[rebel100]

JW beat me to it. COSC should allow the "D" for your science requirement. I would submit the Medic coursework and licensure, especially if it's NREMT-P. As mentioned it should be good for 16 credits minimal, my transcript reflects about 12 hours EMT-B and another 30 or so for EMT-P. Let's tune out a plan though, if you don't need the credits there is not a lot of use jumping through hoops to get it....just ask your advisor if a copy of both the emt-b and p will suffice.

I have a getting started e-mail I put together for my boss, but it's in my e-mail at work, I'll post it up tomaorrow. There are a few courses that satisfy more than one gen-ed requirement, that would reduce your overall number of tests.

Are you fluent in a foreign language? The language CLEP's are good for up to 12 hours of credit and satysfy the global understanding requirement.


Here is a link to the courses available via CSU-Pueblo....you can peruse it for suitable courses. http://coned.colostate-pueblo.edu/Indepe...120222.pdf If you like just take courses that don't require a proctor, that way you just write papers for the grade...I managed straight A's if I can do it.....anyone can. I didn't spend more than a few weeks actual work time on any course. A motivated student that had a little time could do 2 courses every 4-6 weeks without breaking a sweat. Since I was using financial aid my MO was to wait till the last month and jump on each course with a vengence.

Here are a few CSU-Pueblo IS Course Reviews I did back in the day.
http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...eview.html
http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...eview.html
http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...lture.html
http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...oc432.html

[DrJohn]

Thanks guys this is awesome stuff, I just got to work so I don't have a lot of time to look it over at the moment. This sounds very doable. I need to look at changing my concentration at COSC since the Public Safety Admin requires that I complete a minimum of 27 of the 36 hrs via COSC courses. I like some of the courses that are required, but the idea of having to complete 36 hrs or 12 classes including the Capstone course is a bit time consuming and expensive.

I never did get nationally registered as an EMT-P. Texas at the time only required passing the Texas Department of Health state exam both written and skills assesment. Unfortunatly, I let my EMT-P license expire a few years ago since I stopped working EMS both paid and at the volunteer Fire Department level. I still have copies of my my Texas Department of Heath EMT-P license as well as the results of my State Exam. Not sure how much these credits will help in my degree plan. I have plenty for free electives, I just need to fulfill GenEd and the whatever Concentration. I will attach the degree plan COSC sent me later when I get a moment when work slows down.

[DrJohn]

I attached the Credit Transfer and degree plan summery that COSC sent me when I applied. Any thoughts?

What do you all recommend for GenEd? CLEP/DSST or Straighterline course? I have never taken either a CLEP or a DSST. Some of them I think I may do pretty well in, but a lot of others I have no background in the material. Is Straighterline a better option? I am studying for A&I Lit but it is kicking my butt, I have no background in reading and Poetry.

I am looking at Straighterline for A&P 1&2 without lab to fulfill the science requirement. Anyone have any feedback on that course? Although I took A&P with lab back in the day, I ended up with a D (what youth and woman will do for your grades!) I am just not willing to send any grade under a C into COSC to end up on my Transcript. I am currently carrying a 3.05 GPA. I really want to end up with a 3.5 or higher for grad school purposes.

[rebel100]

The A&P makes a lot of sense for you. If you do a search on this site there are a few threads on it. It's all quizes/tests that come from the book....all are open book. Many instances of folks completing both courses in less than 1 month.

Here are the gen eds...https://www.charteroak.edu/current/acade...ements.cfm

Here is the COSC list of master exams...note that some exams satisfy more than one category so are worthwhile to pursue. Charter Oak State College - List of Exams The DSST Human Cultural Geography for example satisfies 3 hours social science, global understanding, and non US history/culture.

freeclepprep.com helps to pick exams, and provides resources other than IC. You are a member here right? the Specific Exam Feedback available to paying members is invaluable in knocking out exams.

Here is how your Gen-Ed's could be satisfied:

A&I Literature CLEP 6 credits, satisfies: literature/fine arts (a) Don't strain yourself studying for this one, it's considered among the easiest of the CLEP's...brush up on terms over at freeclepprep.com and go take it...like this week!

Human Cultural Geography DSST 3 credits, satisfies: Social Science (b), Non US History (n), and Global Understanding (g) Not the easiest exam in the world, but satisfies so many requirements...well worth the effort, probably the hardest exam on this little list. Should be for a letter grade at COSC...it's an older exam.

Speech DSST 3 credits, satisfies Oral component of communications (o)
Straighterline Eng Comp 1 3, written communications (e) very straightforward...you can view the syllabus online and get a little jump start on a pretty easy 3 credits.
Technical Writing DSST 3, written communications (e) (an easy 3 credits, you can likely pass this one anytime, would be an excellent choice right after A&I Lit) COSC gives a letter grade for Tech Writing too...a pretty doable A-B exam.
(or the CLEP for all 6 credits, I think SL/DSST will be easier YMMV)

ALEKS or Straighterline College Algebra 3 credits, Math (q) self paced...get a tutor to help if need be...I completed SL CA in 28 days with a B.

US Government CLEP 3 credits, US History/Gov. (u) should be relatively easy considering your background.

Straighterline A&P 1 and 2 6 credits, Natural Sciences (s) should be relatively easy considering your background.

Either a LL Ethics exam or incorporate an UL ethics course in your concentration.

5 CLEP/DSST, 3-4 SL courses (one could be an ALEKS). You should be able to pull it off well under $1000 and it adds 30 credits. Get on it and easily have it completed by years end.

You might consider adding the DSST Substance Abuse when taking SL A&P...though you can likely handle Substance Abuse anytime with your background...it is UL and should fit somewhere.

[rebel100]

46 hours your bringing in.
30 Gen-Ed's
27 UL in Concentration/Dual Concentration
3 cornerstone
3 capstone
=109 credits

Looks like you have room for 11 more free electives to me...I would consider knocking out the FEMA PDS. It's free, adds 7 credits, you likely already know the subject matter, and it actually works as a nice resume/evaluation padding. My 17 YO daughter knocked these out in a weekend...did I mention they are FREE!!! http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/pds/PDS%20Brochure.pdf You can then add any 4 additional courses that are listed for credit with Frederick CC..essentially if FEMA indicates College Credit is available they should qualify. See the list here: Emergency Management Institute - FEMA Independent Study Program

[DrJohn]

Thanks for the link to freeclepprep.com, I have been kinda stressing over A&I Lit simply because I hate poetry and old english so much. I love to read, reading a good book is one of my favorite ways to pass some time. Chances are I am putting way more into this then I need to. So, tomorrow I am making the appointment to go take the A&I Lit test. I probably won't be able to get into the testing center till next week, but maybe they will let me go Saturday. This testing center has no sitting fee's, you only pay the cost of the exam, unfortunately it also has limited time slots available in some cases.

I did receive an email from my adviser letting me know that some of the courses in the Public Safety Administration concentration will satisfy portions of the GenEd requirements. They are:

Ethic for Public Safety - counts for the Ethical Decision making requirement (d) 3hrs UL
Group Dynamics - counts for the Social / Behavior Science requirement (b) 3hrs UL
Political & Legal Systems - Counts for the Global Understanding requirement (g) 3hrs UL

That will free things up a bit I think. She also said I could probably get a waiver for the oral communications requirement of the GenEd based on my experience as a Police Instructor as well as a First Aid / CPR / AED Instructor. I have enough background and professional credentials with verifiable teaching and public speaking experience that a waiver probably shouldn't be too difficult to get. She sent me all the paperwork I need to get that ball rolling.

On another note, my textbook for the Cornerstone course arrived in the mail today, course starts August 27th.

[DrJohn]

I'm considering using ALEKS for the math requirement since it is cheaper then Straighterline. I am looking at a few Straighterline courses namely the A&P already mentioned plus the Personal Finance since I have enough background in that it should be easy enough.

otherwise my plan is:

A&I Lit this weekend or early next week on first day off.
American Government by the end of the month. (I hear this is a hard CLEP, but with my background and using IC it shouldn't be that difficult I hope)
College Comp CLEP OR English Comp 1 from Straighterline and then the DSST Technical Writing exam. I could use some advise on this, what do ya'll feel is the better way of meeting the English requirement?
Intro to Criminal Justice DSST (should be very easy to pick up 3 credits in liberal arts)
Straighterline A&P 1&2 (hopefully knock them both out in a month or two at the longest)

From there I will have to think of how to proceed.

[DrJohn]

I did a little work on excel and created a degree plan for the Public Safety Administration degree from COSC. It doesn't take into account the courses I will need to change or add for the dual concentration of Public Safety Admin / Organizational Leadership because I am still waiting to hear back from my advisor about creating a custom plan that combines the elements of both concentrations. That is still a work in progress.

I currently have no general education credits, I'm taking the A&I Lit exam Thurs and then starting an English Comp 1 class next week and I start the cornerstone class on August 27th. I'm planning on taking the Techinical Writing DSST by the end of the cornerstone if not before. By the end of the semester, I hope to take the American Govt. & the Intro to Criminal Justice exams. That should net me a minimum of 21 hrs by Christmas if I took my time.

Here is the degree plan I created, I still have room for 3 more liberal arts exams to fulfill the 60hrs of liberal arts requirement I need for the degree. (I broke the sheet down to show the credit required for each area and then a small space for the credit I am earning for the exam next to it)