Gpa??

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Hi all,

Ended up re-registering with a similar username. Previous password didn't work.

Question:

The most flexible degree possible (Excelsior).

What is the maximum number of CLEPs that can be taken without affecting GPA to the point of risking further studies on degree completion?

In other words, what is the minimum number of DANTES + Excelsior college exams that should be taken so that further studying is possible on degree completion?

Or, are there universities that will accept a masters student with a degree from Excelsior indifferent to the number of CLEPS in such degree?

[gcalvin]

You will have a GPA if you take any ECE or DSST exams at all. You need at least 30 graded credits (ECE or DSST or courses) to qualify for academic honors. You will need at least 30 upper-level credits to get your degree anyway, and since none of the CLEPs qualify for upper-level credits, you'll end up taking ECEs or DSSTs or courses for all of them. I don't see how you can go wrong.

-Gary-

[mjno]

You will have a GPA if you take any ECE or DSST exams at all. You need at least 30 graded credits (ECE or DSST or courses) to qualify for academic honors. You will need at least 30 upper-level credits to get your degree anyway, and since none of the CLEPs qualify for upper-level credits, you'll end up taking ECEs or DSSTs or courses for all of them. I don't see how you can go wrong.

-Gary-

I was told by Excelsior (as of Jan 08) that you now need 60 graded credits for any of the academic honors (something to do with federal requirements to obtain student loans).

[gcalvin]

I was told by Excelsior (as of Jan 08) that you now need 60 graded credits for any of the academic honors (something to do with federal requirements to obtain student loans).

Wow, that's news to me. I wonder if I got grandfathered in because I enrolled in December. I'm close, but I will only have 57 graded credits. I supposed I could go take one more DSST to replace one of my CLEPs. Maybe I will talk to an advisor about it tomorrow.

-Gary-

[1-more]

You will have a GPA if you take any ECE or DSST exams at all. You need at least 30 graded credits (ECE or DSST or courses) to qualify for academic honors. You will need at least 30 upper-level credits to get your degree anyway, and since none of the CLEPs qualify for upper-level credits, you'll end up taking ECEs or DSSTs or courses for all of them. I don't see how you can go wrong.

-Gary-

So, if the expenses are more when travelling to a DSST testing centre, one could theoretically take 10 exams (ECEs + DSSTs) for the 30 upper level credits and clep out of all the remaining credits for the degree at a nearer CLEP centre. Correct?

Or, if the minimum requirement is 60 graded credits, as mentioned by mjno, then 20 exams (ECEs +DSSTs) would be needed, 10 of these being upper level. These graded exams would be taking care of the GPA. All the other credits can be CLEPs. Can one say this is correct?

[gcalvin]

So, if the expenses are more when travelling to a DSST testing centre, one could theoretically take 10 exams (ECEs + DSSTs) for the 30 upper level credits and clep out of all the remaining credits for the degree at a nearer CLEP centre. Correct?

Or, if the minimum requirement is 60 graded credits, as mentioned by mjno, then 20 exams (ECEs +DSSTs) would be needed, 10 of these being upper level. These graded exams would be taking care of the GPA. All the other credits can be CLEPs. Can one say this is correct?

Actually, the 30 or 60 credit discussion is about academic honors -- cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude. You will have a GPA as soon as you take one ECE or DSST. In fact, your transcript will show one GPA for Excelsior-only exams and courses, and another GPA that includes DSSTs and transferred-in courses. But definitely discuss this with your advisor, and double-check it with the admissions dept. of whatever schools you are interested in.

-Gary-

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Agree, an advisor may have the best answers to our questions. Still, I am glad I asked. Thank you both for the replies.