EC? TESC? COSC? Could really use some help/guidence..

[merolpn]

Personally I chose COSC after starting school at a regular "drive to class and sit" school. My adviser at that school told me that after 27 months of school for my Bachelor's I would still need 6 credits but that I can test out of them and not to worry, I almost threw up. I am a REALLY impatient person and spending over 2 years was out of the question. Once I looked into the testing option and took 2 tests within a couple weeks I thought "I wonder if I could just test out of the WHOLE degree?" I looked into TESC a couple years ago but for some reason I thought it was too expensive (I also did not consider CLEP/DSST/ECE testing at that time either). To tell you the truth I never compared them side by side. In your case I would do just that. COSC does have a decent payment plan and everyone there is quick to reply to emails. TESC was also quick to reply, others will be better suited to tell you about TESC's payment plan.

Just for some insight COSC has a $75 application/credit evaluation fee good for 6 months. After that you have to pay $175 to matriculate. When you matriculate the first time you are automatically enrolled in a "Cornerstone" class for around (I believe) $750 and you can pay it over payments (The payment plan costs money itself and there is a small charge for every CC payment). The $175 actually is due every every semester (maybe 8 weeks) and maintains you as a student even if you are just taking tests. I figured that just maintaining a student standing and taking the required cornerstone and capstone is way cheaper than my old school.

For a BS in Business Administration they require 120 credits (just like the others) The only 2 courses you must take at COSC are the cornerstone and capstone for a total of 6 credits. For everything else you can most likely find a test on their website that they will accept.

You also will need to fill free electives.

Here is their link: http://www.charteroak.edu/Current/Academ...r-list.pdf

36 credits of General Education including
Literature/Fine arts 3cr
Social/Behavior Science 3cr
Ethical Decision Making 3cr
Written Communication 6cr
Global Understanding 3cr
Mathematics 3cr
Non-U.S. history/culture 3cr
Oral Communication 3cr
Natural Science 6cr
US History/Gov't 3cr

42 credits in concentration

Micreconomics 3cr
Macroeconomics 3cr
financial accounting 3cr
managerial accounting 3 cr
principles of finance 3cr
management info systems 3cr
principles of management 3cr
organizational behavior 3cr
principles of marketing 3cr
business electives (upper level) 12cr

One thing you should remember is that the test scores stay on file for many years. You can sign up for instantcert, start studying, pass a bunch of tests in the subject areas above then have the transcript sent to one of the schools to be evaluated. (I think someone already mentioned that you have to pay to maintain status so most only apply when they are close to avoid paying for years) Your credits may take care of some or all of the Gen ed requirements.

I happened to choose COSC but I have met many people at the testing center that are doing their degrees at Excelsior and TESC also.

If anyone else needs to correct my info, please do! I won't take it personally!

You are in the right place. I knew about CLEPs and DSST along time ago but always thought there was some catch and heard (from school faculty) that they were REALLY hard so you might as well sit in a class. Total garbage, it isn't for everyone but if you are already looking into it, it is probably for you

Good luck

[rebel100]

Good post merolpn!

Here is a link to Burbuja's COSC degree plan over on the degree info wiki. COSC Degree Plans - Degree Forum Wiki

[Riley2012]

Whew. Thanks for all the great advice guys. I did check on testing facilities and the local university/library/and my drilling base all offer services. I will not be using my TA for this particular degree for future reasons, so the COSC payment plan is a plus. (Planned to use work/mil. bonuses) But I do remember reading about that in a an older post though, so thanks for the reminder.

Jennifer, I'll take your advice on the planning and strategy. I don't want to jump in too fast and fall face first.

I am considering the evaluations just to see who will accept what I have and how it will be utilized. I assumed that Liberal Studies would be the quickest route but I figured out a long time ago what assuming can do.

Merolpn has put COSC back on the table. With that said I am looking at all 3 and will begin working on a mock degree plan using templates around here. I should be able to narrow it down to one school. I am still non biased on what/which degree/concentration. A BA with plenty free electives would seem like my best bet when it comes to quickness, on the other hand a degree with several test options is appealing. Decisions Decisions.

My goal is to plug in my current credits and then plug in credits needed for a degree with Clep and DSST credit. (rather it be liberal studies/business/history etc).

This should prove to be an interesting journey.

[OE800_85]

I suppose they all said this already, but the BSBA from TESC can be completely tested out on, great value and very good program.

[Riley2012]

I decided to go with TESC. Military friendliness just seemed top notch. I also am pretty sure I will be going with the BALS degree. Today I decided to put together a mock degree while I prep for an official evaluation. If anyone has a minute to read through what I have come up with that would be awesome. Critique is very welcome.

I plugged in my credit where I thought they may land. Using the degree template and Clep/Dantes (since they will be free except for the proctor fee ($15-$20 at local college)
options (except for the capstone) is the road I took.




BA – Liberal Studies (Degree Plan)
General Education Requirements: 33/60 Credits
A: English Composition – 6/6 Credits [complete]
1. WRTG 1310 - Intro to College Writing – 3 Credits - CC
2. WRTG 1320 - Academic Writing & Research - 3 Credits - CC

B: Humanities – 9/12 Credits (two subject areas)
1. ENGL 1350 - Intro to Lit - 3 Credits - CC
2. SPCH 1300 - Oral Communication - 3 Credits - CC
3. ENGL 2306 - World Lit II - 3 Credits – CC
4. Pick one from Humanities option list (Dantes/Clep)

C: Social Sciences – 9/12 Credits (two subject areas)
1. HIST 2301 - American Nation - 3 Credits - CC
2. PSCI 1300 - Intro to Pol. Science - 3 Credits - CC
3. HIST 1320 - World History II - 3 Credits – CC
4. Pick one from Social Sciences option list (DANTES/CLEP)

D: Natural Sciences & Mathematics – 3/12 Credits (two subject areas)
1. College Level Math
a. College Algebra – 3 Credits - CC
2. One computer science course
b. COS-101-CE Information Systems & Computer Applications (3 Credits) CLEP
OR COS-101-DE Introduction to Computing (3 Credits) DANTES
3. Other natural science or mathematics
c. AST-101-DE Astronomy (3 Credits) DANTES
d. ENS-201-DE Environment and Humanity: Race to Save the Planet (3 Credits) DANTES


E: General Education Electives – 6/18 Credits
1. MCOM 2310 - Film Appreciation - 3 Credits – CC
2. H ED 1320 - Conc Lifetime Health/Fitness - 3 Credits - CC
Pick the rest from Clep/Dantes options below.



AREA OF STUDY: Liberal Studies – 33 Credits
A: LIB-495 Liberal Arts Capstone – 3 Credits
(Will enroll once close to finishing all tests)

Humanities: 24 Credits
Options:
1. HUM-101/102-CE Humanities (General) - 6 Credits (CLEP)
2. LIT-111/112-CE American Literature - 6 Credits (CLEP)
3. LIT-208/209-CE English Literature – 6 Credits (CLEP)
4. SPA-101/102-CE Spanish Language-Level 1 - 6 Credits (CLEP)
5. PHI-287-DE Ethics in America – 3 Credits (DANTES)
6. REL-405-DE Introduction to World Religions - 3 Credits (DANTES)
7. ENG-201-DE Technical Writing – 3 (DANTES)

Social Sciences: 6 Credits
Options:
1. PSY-361-DE Organizational Behavior - 3 Credits (DANTES)
2. GOG-120-DE Human/Cultural Geography - 3 Credits (DANTES)
3. SOS-305-DE Substance Abuse - 3 Credits (DANTES)
4. PSY-101-CE Introductory Psychology - 3 Credits (CLEP)



FREE ELECTIVES: 6/27
If any of the below credits don’t apply “Free Electives” will be completed through Fema.
1. Semester Hours in Physical Conditioning - 2 Credits - Army
2. Marksmanship - 1 Credit Army
3. First Aid - 1 Credit - Army
4. Military Sciences - 2 Credits - Army

[NAP]

I believe TESC requires a few more upper-level credits in the area of study (18 total?). When you find their UL list, you can use this UL list I made for EC to compare the requirements at each school.

http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...post131112

[Riley2012]

Duplicate Post.

[Riley2012]

Thanks for the heads up Nap. I guessed based off other post these would be good to use as ULs leaving me to find 2 more.

LIB-495 Liberal Arts Capstone – 3 Credits (TESC)
REL-405-DE Introduction to World Religions - 3 Credits (DANTES)
PSY-361-DE Organizational Behavior - 3 Credits (DANTES)
SOS-305-DE Substance Abuse - 3 Credits (DANTES)

If not please let me know. I have seen several other Dantes/Clep options for a UL(s) but I did not find the ones others used previously on the TESC site. Can unlisted credits be used here?

[NAP]

Which ones have you seen mentioned, but weren't able to confirm?

Also, this list should help. What about adding some history UL exams?

DANTES

[Riley2012]

Yup, that's the page I have been using. I think I just realized where I am confused. Using my template, specifically in the area of study (24 credits - Humanities and 6 Credits Social Science), I was trying to stick strictly with that. With only the DSST/Clep courses listed on the website. I see some have mentioned you can deviate from that as in 15 credits Hum and 15 Social Science. If that's the case, that make things simpler.