For a young student just starting out, which of the top three is the best choice?

[sanantone]

TESC does not require portfolio assessments for CLEPs.

[AquaDragonfly]

Thanks for clearing that up! Whenever I look at the big 3 websites, I keep seeing the portfolio assessment, so I thought it was required for all of them. So, do COSC and Excelsior require one then or not? I think I'll need to make some more calls to clarify a few things.

[sanantone]

I don't think there is any school that requires portfolio assessments for CLEPs. They either accept them or they don't. Some schools have been known to require an additional essay to be administered by them, but this is not the case at the Big 3.

[EI2HCB]

You're referring to reciprocity and practice mobility, and you're right that it is much simpler than initial licensing and is becoming moreso as time goes on. AICPA and NASBA have brought most states to at least admit substantial equivalency and are greasing those wheels with only a few states that have not yet brought themselves up to the bare minimum standard.

My prediction is that the next step - because the standardization of the field is slow to develop, but it does happen - is that individual state requirements will be brought to the same level. This might mean some states will need to step up their game while others will be made to loosen up, or it might mean all states will be brought up to make the same high-end standards. Given the ethical standard the profession holds itself to (they are the ones who control all the money, so one would hope it's got high ethical standards), I do not ever see them reducing all states' requirements to include the easy roads.

Let's be honest - one of the common discussions here is "what is the easiest class to meet this requirement," not "where will I learn the most while meeting this requirement." The two questions will generally have dramatically different answers. (Yes, there is the argument that any learning opportunity will yield good results of the learner puts effort into it, but most seeking the easy route are putting in the bare minimum for a pass. In fact, that's also a common saying here: "A pass is a pass." That's not a line of thinking that mixes well with the particular field under discussion.) Straighterline and other non-RA course forms usually comes up in answer to the first question. If my prediction holds true and AICPA and NASBA do continue their standardization trend to reach update the initial licensing requirements of all states, I do not see those types of credit sources making the cut. Planning for that eventuality seems prudent.

Mrs B has some valuable nuggets in the statement above. I'm at Excelsior my degree is in Business with a focus on Human Resources. In the real world I work for a CPA, have my own business and work for Starbucks. The requirements in each state have some common denominators which include a BS/BA in Business and a Masters in accounting. Since I currently work for a CPA my focus is on attaining my business degree and then working on the additional credits required to take the CPA test. Its a costly pursuit but the return on initial investment for someone who wants to own a business with repeat customers every month, quarter and year can be rewarding. I'm currently taking Financial Accounting at my local community College so that I have "butt in the seat" classes for my accounting credit. I'm not aware of state boards rejecting people for General Education credits attained through CLEP or DSST.
Since Excelsior is located in NY you may qualify for both Federal Financial aid and State Financial Aid which wouldn't apply to the rest of the Big Three. Accounting has a continual requirement for CE credits so thinking that once you get the CPA nailed down that's the end of school is not wise. The CPA test itself costs around $4000 plus prep courses in many states so it a significant financial outlay.
Your son my benefit from taking an introductory course in bookkeeping at a local community College to see if it the field is something he wants to really do.

edit: http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...cleps.html This post in the past addressed issues around the CPA

[sanantone]

That's another bonus for Excelsior or any New York school. One can get federal and state grants.

[AquaDragonfly]

Well, all these responses have helped tremendously! We also discussed his options and are not totally set on an Accounting degree (could go for BSBA or Finance) and don't know that he'll need a CPA license. I also found out that the CLEP credit transcripts are not $20 PER TEST!! Whew! However, CLEP tests are more expensive to take in the lovely state of NY due to the fact there is a $30 proctoring fee, ugh....

I didn't like some of what I read about the EC online classes, they're more expensive, and I don't believe we'd qualify for any grants, so no benefit to choosing them. My son would also like more than just the "General Studies" degree offered at COSC.

So, with a bit more thinking and some intense digging around on the site, we are now leaning towards TESC. (I love all the TESC degree plans laid out here - quite useful!!) If I'm not mistaken about the process, he can accumulate some CLEP credits this year, send them to TESC, apply for admission and write the letter to be accepted as a younger student. Then we could enroll now, do the Per Credit Tuition Plan and not really pay them anything until he is ready to take a TECEP. If there's no yearly tuition fee, I want to lock in his degree requirements and have the benefit of academic advising by them. Plus, there *is* a bit of a coolness factor to being enrolled in college as a high school junior....

At any rate, my son seems to be pretty motivated about studying this way and he could have a chunk of his LL credits out of the way by the time he graduates high school!

Anyway, if I got any of the above wrong, please feel free to correct me!

Have a great week!

Lori in NY
:coolgleam:

[UptonSinclair]

There is a proctor fee wherever you take CLEPs.

[sanantone]

I know that TESC will allow those who are under 21 to enroll after approval, but will they let you enroll before you earn a high school diploma or GED?

COSC technically does have concentrations in general studies in place of majors (they do have 3 majors now, but in healthcare and cybersecurity), but their concentrations are practically the equivalent of majors.

Most places charge a $20-30 test fee for CLEP/DSST. Devry doesn't charge a fee if you live near a campus.

[topdog98]

I know that TESC will allow those who are under 21 to enroll after approval, but will they let you enroll before you earn a high school diploma or GED?

I have the same question. I don't think TESC will let a student enroll without a high school diploma or GED. All those that I have heard of getting the under 21 waiver had finished high school. He could still take the credits and enroll after high school graduation, but the downside is there may be changes in the requirements in the meantime.

[AquaDragonfly]

OK, I have a call into TESC to find out if he can enroll before he graduates. Even if he can't it's not expensive to send all the transcripts when he graduates. If he's just doing the Gen Ed. requirements, I probably won't have too much trouble with TESC changing what's necessary. He should have about 30 credits when he graduates if all goes well.

I realize that COSC has those concentrations, but it's more the cachet of the whole thing (it was kinda a badge of honor way back when I went to school to have a good answer to, "So, what's your major?"). My son didn't think "General Studies" was that great of an answer, and he's the one who gets to choose. Oh well.