Does Charter Oak grant 3rd degrees?

[sanantone]

Re: DSST and CLEP exams, another reason they may not be as popular is that they aren't as available as the online classes are. I have to travel 30 min each way to take a TECEP or Uexcel test, and I have to go an hour each way to take a CLEP or DSST. There is a college in my town that for whatever reason doesn't proctor any of that, and the one 30 min away doesn't proctor CLEP or DSST's. No idea why, but as a result I have barely done any of any of those four tests.

TECEPs are offered through ProctorU, so you can take them at home. Before TESU partnered with ProctorU, a student would have to set up his or her own proctor. People usually chose libraries or local colleges.

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There's a difference between the BALS with a natural science concentration at TESU and a BS in General Studies with a concentration in physics or chemistry at COSC.

What's most notable is that you'll have to put natural science on your resume instead of chemistry or physics. Also, TESU's concentration is only 18 credits. You can choose to take more natural science courses, but the degree does not force you to take the courses typically seen in a chemistry or physics program.

Charter Oak makes you take 36 math and science courses, and you have to take lab courses. You also have to take calculus. COSC's concentrations are almost the equivalent of majors, TESU's concentrations are not.

If you ever decide to complete a master's program, TESU's natural science concentration will likely not meet the prerequisites. You also won't have all the skills to be successful in a hard science position.

Good points Sanantone, I was wondering if you have a program to recommend 4dog.  The reason is, even if he decides on either school, neither school actually offer the courses required to get the degree in Chem or Physics, 4dog has to take it from another 4-year college or university then transfer it in...  

If that is the case, wouldn't it be wiser to either complete a "BALS/BAGS" with some courses he would like in Chem/Physics and call it a day OR if they have the cash flow, take it at a local college/univ?  If 4dog is going to think of a Masters down the road, would it be better just getting a BA/BS Chem or Physics at another college/university instead?

I was looking into a TESU BA/BS Biology, but because of the courses required, it wasn't feasible for me, too expensive as most courses I had to take weren't available at the Big 3 or other ACE test-out providers or out of my $ range at the local uni, I pay for my education without tuition assistance and that's too much $ I don't have.

Yes, 24 credits would come from the GRE, and the other 12 credits would have to come from another school. For biology, it's easy to find the 12 additional credits cheaply online, but it isn't for chemistry and physics. Oregon State University does offer many online chemistry courses. 

Ideally, someone who is serious about studying chemistry at the graduate level will take chemistry I and II with lab and organic chemistry I and II with lab. I think these are waived when you take the GRE, but you still have to take two UL lab courses. 

The only online chemistry programs I know of are the chemistry program at OSU and the biochemistry program at ASU. I don't think I've seen any online bachelor's programs in physics. If 4dog decided to blend chemistry and physics, where is he going to find the UL credits without the GRE? Where would he get LL credits beyond intro to chemistry and intro to physics?

[4dog]

sanantone and bjcheung77, having read your opinions and concerns, I think it would be wiser to earn my Concentration in chemistry/physics degree from COSC as I most definitely want to complete a Master's program in future. If I had to choose between chemistry and physics, I choose physics.

The question is still "how am I going to get into COSC and earn my English and Computer Science degree?"? I might want to do a Masters in Computer Science too one day and then that door is closed.
Would it be ignorant or arrogant to contact COSC and ask if I would be granted admission for a Concentration in Physics after I've earned my double major or 2nd degree from TESU? Maybe they can give me some form of assurance in writing if they're willing to take me after completion of these 2 bachelor's degrees or double major degree. I don't mind the 36 extra credits, but I'm or rather my parents are not millionaires; the reason I've chosen the testing-out route. Not only that, but I'm a bit of an introvert and get severe headaches if there are too many people around.
SL offers Physics I lab and I saw Study.com now has many separate physics labs I might be able to use. I'll ask them for advice. Physics will be easier than chemistry I imagine.

Here are the courses I've completed at Shmoop, Study.com, TEEX and Saylor:
WRITTEN COMM - English Composition I (College Composition With Essay)                    3
WRITTEN COMM - English Composition II (Advanced English Comp)
ORAL COMM – Public Speaking        3
QUANTITATIVE LITERACY – College Algebra    3
INFO LITERACY - World Religions        3
DIVERSITY - Sociology            3
Intro to Philosophy            3
Intro to Psychology            3
Criminology                3
American Literature            3
Intro to Biology            3
Database Management            3
Pragramming in C++            3
Programming in Java            3
Network and System Security        3
Introduction to Operating Systems    3
Introduction to Computer Science I    3
Introduction to Computer Science II    3
Software Engineering            3
Holocaust Literature            3
Literature in the Media            3
Modernist Literature            3
Shakespeare's Plays            3
Introduction to Poetry            3
Introduction to Film Studies        3
English Literature            3
Cybesecurity for IT Professionals    2
Cybesecurity for Everyone        2

[mysonx3]

Be aware that the ones taken at Shmoop will not be accepted at TESU. That might change your plans.

[sanantone]

COSC may or may not still be offering the physics concentration. The page is down, so I can't see what it requires. Finding UL physics credits is going to be a lot harder than finding UL chemistry credits.

[MNomadic]

 I saw Study.com now has many separate physics labs I might be able to use

They don't have any physics labs for credit. They've basically got intro to physics, physics 1 and physics 2. None of which have labs and I believe none of which are calculus based. If you want to go far in the field of physics(or chemistry) study.com and the other alternative course providers won't get you there. As mentioned, the GRE is one option but you will at some point need to take courses with a college or university whether online(very limited options) or in person. 

Testing and alternative credit providers currently have limited options for hard sciences(this may change in the future). If you do a dual area of study(similar to double major) for English and computer science, it will be just 1 degree, which would negate the worry of trying to get a 3rd degree. I say focus on finishing your first degree(in english & CS) at TESU first, then see where you want to go whether you want to go for that second science degree, pursue a graduate program or just pursue a career. It's good that you're planning for the long term but try not to overwhelm yourself with 3 bachelor's degrees and multiple master's degree. 1 step at a time, get the first degree then go from there.

Best of luck!

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Btw, since you mentioned the limited finances, have you looked into scholarships, grants, and financial aid? That can open up some possibilities for you.

[natshar]

Another thing. Is it possible to do an English degree at TESU solely through alternative credit options without Shmoop?

[MNomadic]

Another thing. Is it possible to do an English degree at TESU solely through alternative credit options without Shmoop?

Maybe if those HES poetry in America courses keep running every semester.

[jsh1138]

My local library does not proctor tests, I checked with them.

it's good to know i can take TECEP's through ProctorU though, I might explore that option. Thanks

[davewill]

Another thing. Is it possible to do an English degree at TESU solely through alternative credit options without Shmoop?

It actually wasn't possible even WITH Shmoop. The non-western lit requirement isn't available as alternative credit. There are online choices, but they are all from regular schools with significant tuition.

[jsh1138]

Yeah I am currently finishing an English degree at TESU and you have to take the non-western lit there, unfortunately. TESU only offers 1 UL English course and Study.com only offers three, counting the two options for non-western courses, so you might end up taking 2 non-western courses just to get your UL credits, unless you want to take midieval Jewish poetry at Coopersmith or something like that