Eligibility and Transfer Credits for Pierpont’s AAS Program

[akr680]

 I recently learned that Pierpont Community & Technical College now accepts international students, although visa sponsorship is not available. As someone who has been residing in the United States for the past 10 years, I am keen to explore educational opportunities.


Here’s a bit about my background:

• I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from India.
  
  
• Over the years, I’ve accumulated approximately 90 ACE credits through various learning experiences.
  
  
  

Now, I have a few questions regarding the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program at Pierpont:

1. Eligibility Requirements:
   
   • Could someone please clarify the eligibility criteria for the AAS program? Specifically, what are the prerequisites for admission?
     
   • I understand that the AAS degree is available only to students who have not completed any prior college degree at the Associate level or higher. Is this correct?
     
2. [size=undefined]Transfer Credits:[/size]
   • I’m interested in transferring my prior coursework (BBA, MBA, and ACE credits) toward the AAS program. Are there any restrictions or guidelines for credit transfer?
     
   • How can I ensure that my existing credits align with the AAS requirements?
     
3. [size=undefined]Making Use of ACE Credits:[/size]
   • I’d like to maximize the use of my ACE credits. Could someone provide guidance on how to do so effectively within the AAS program?
     
4. [size=undefined]BS CIS Capstone:[/size]
   • Currently, I’m just one course (the capstone) away from completing my BS in Computer Information Systems (CIS) from Thomas Edison State University (TESU). However, I’m hesitant to spend the additional $6,000 for that single course. Is there a way to leverage my existing credits or explore alternative options?
     

[rachel83az]

1. You need to be ~20 and have a HS diploma or be ~20 and have at least 30 (IIRC) credits. These credits can be ACE or from other colleges and universities. Yes, you are not eligible for the AAS once you have a degree.
2. I would not get your Indian degrees evaluated for Pierpont. If you had them evaluated for TESU, I wouldn't send those evaluations to Pierpont. If Pierpont knows about them, you'll be ineligible. For the ACE credits, you can list them out here and we can confirm if you have met the 15 credit gen ed requirement. At 90 credits, it'd be kind of hard not to have met them, but it's impossible to say without a specific list. Are you hoping for a specific AoE?
3. Just transfer in all ACE credit. Anything that goes over the 60 credit minimum will still be listed on the transcript.
4. Do you have any other RA credit? If not, you need to take the 1-credit $25 ASU course for the 1 graded RA credit.

[akr680]

Thanks a lot!

Please find the ACE credits attached.

[rachel83az]

The gen eds for Pierpont are:

3 credits in English/Communication - Met with Straighterline Intro to Communication and/or SDC College Composition I/II
6 credits in Math/Science - Calculus, CSM, Human Biology, Physics
3 credits in Social Science - American Government (maybe), US History (definitely)
3 credits in Computer Literacy - Met with Straighterline Information Technology Fundamentals and/or any Study.com Comp Sci classes.

Whichever classes aren't being used to meet gen ed requirements will go to electives. Electives are also where the AoE classes come from. If you want an AoE in Information Systems, I think you have sufficient credits there. If you want something else for more keywords on your resume, you might have to take other classes.

[akr680]

Thanks a lot for your time. 

I am interested in pursuing Information Systems. I hold a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and a Postgraduate Computer Systems Certificate(2002) from India. Could you please advise whether I should submit these qualifications for evaluation, or if it’s advisable to skip them?

Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[rachel83az]

I'm not familiar with the Indian system. In some countries, a "diploma" and a "degree" are essentially the same thing. If these are in any way equivalent to American degrees, skip them. If they're certificates that could (theoretically) be applied to the completion of a degree, they might be worth something. If they're from the Indian equivalent of ENEB (university-level studies from a non-university entity), I wouldn't bother.

[akr680]

It is 10 (High school) + 3 (DME) + 1 (Certificate), so it is not a degree.

Even the BBA is a 3-year degree, and it is not equivalent to a 4-year American degree. That’s when I started acquiring ACE credits and came close to completing BSBA-CIS from TESU. Later, I learned about a 2-year online program from India and completed it.

Do I need to complete Coursera Google certificates to complete AoE in Information Systems?

[bjcheung77]

For reference, you may want to review this thread here, especially my post #10 and bluebooger's post #11. https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...te-degrees

[rachel83az]

It is 10 (High school) + 3 (DME) + 1 (Certificate), so it is not a degree.

Even the BBA is a 3-year degree, and it is not equivalent to a 4-year American degree. That’s when I started acquiring ACE credits and came close to completing BSBA-CIS from TESU. Later, I learned about a 2-year online program from India and completed it.

Pierpont may still count the BBA, depending on what the evaluation says. But there's really no need to include any of this unless you really want it, for some reason. If you need RA credit, the $25 ASU class is cheaper than any evaluation and you otherwise have more than enough credits to get the degree.

Do I need to complete Coursera Google certificates to complete AoE in Information Systems?

You need at least 15 credits in computer science and/or information technology. If you have at least 5 IT/Comp Sci classes, you should be good. Otherwise, a Google certificate is a pretty cheap and easy way to get the necessary credits.

[davewill]

From what I can see, there is little point to using your Indian credits for Pierpont. You already have plenty of ACE credit, so I'd just fill in whatever is left and get the degree. Worry about having your foreign credits evaluated when and if you decide to persue a higher degree.