Help me with the path to get a degree

[topdog98]

It is a good idea for you to start on your general education credits since you are not completely sure of your major.

Here are my suggestions:

Written Communication (6 credits) - College Composition CLEP, OR Straighterline English Composition 1 and 2, OR Penn Foster English Composition and Advanced Composition. You can also replace Composition 2 with a technical writing test (DSST) or course.

Oral Communication (3 credits) - Straighterline Intro to Communication

Information Literacy (1-3 credits) This requirement is satisfied by the Cornerstone Seminar and/or the Capstone course from COSC

Ethical Decision-Making (3 credits) Business Ethics & Society DSST. This will also give you upper level credit.

U.S. History/Government (3 credits) You can use one of the U.S. history or government CLEPs here, but I suggest Civil War and Reconstruction DSST because you will also get upper level credit.

Non-U.S. History or Culture (3 credits) You can use one of the Wester Civ. CLEPs for this, but I suggest the Soviet Union DSST OR the World Population UExcel because you will get upper level credit.

Global Understanding (3 credits) Soviet Union DSST OR the World Population UExcel will also meet this requirement.

Literature and Fine Arts (3 credits) Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP OR Penn Foster Art Appreciation

Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 credits) Macroeconomics CLEP. This will also meet a Business Major pre-requisite if you go that route.

Mathematics (3 credits) ALEKS College Algebra. ALEKS Business Statistics OR Straighterline Business Statistics is also a good choice since it fulfills a Business Major pre-requisite.

Natural Sciences (7-8 credits) You can take two science courses from Straighterline plus one lab. Alternately, you can take the Natural Sciences CLEP and one Straigherline lab.

For FEMA credits, it depends, but you can take as many as 20+ credits, and they will count as free electives. Be sure to use this list when choosing your FEMA courses: https://em-study.com/emsfema/article.php...icle_id=62
Take your FEMA courses here: https://training.fema.gov/is/ceus.aspx?all=true

[zyf]

Hi topdog98:
Thanks very much, that really helped me.
One more questions:
For FEMA credit, the process will looks like this?
test with FEMA -> use em-study to convert credit -> send to ACE -> send to COSC

Regards
zyf

[topdog98]

Hi topdog98:
Thanks very much, that really helped me.
One more questions:
For FEMA credit, the process will looks like this?
test with FEMA -> use em-study to convert credit -> send to ACE -> send to COSC

Regards
zyf

No, you only take the test from FEMA here https://training.fema.gov/is/ceus.aspx?all=true and then send the transcript directly from FEMA to COSC after you have applied for enrollment. The other link I gave was only for reference as to which FEMA credits will give college credit.

I hope that clarifies things.

[bjcheung77]

Hi topdog98:
Thanks very much, that really helped me.
One more questions:
For FEMA credit, the process will looks like this?
test with FEMA -> use em-study to convert credit -> send to ACE -> send to COSC

Regards
zyf

Haha, no. That's a cash grab from FCC, you skip that step from em-study.
As per my previous post, create an ACE Credit Registry account.

You can finish the Gen Ed Requirements and FEMA requirements, along with the other ACE Recommended courses, then one course at a time, when you're done each one, send them to ACE. There is no fee for the registry service until you send transcripts over to COSC.

If you are living close to a CLEP or DSST Center, I would recommend the route provided by TopDog98.
My suggestion is to do the following, for ease/cost effectiveness, is to use ALEKS for your required math courses, and to use Straighterline if you can cram 5 or more courses in a month, otherwise, the testing would be cheaper. If you want the cheapest route, substitute those same courses for Saylor.

You can compare the info here with the info on the wikia page below. It's got lots of info, I would skim through it all until you reach the bottom so you can compare with what TopDog and I have recommended.
COSC Degree Plans - Degree Forum Wiki - Wikia

Side Notes: Elective Credits only account for about 20 credits or so. I like to maximize the utility and get free Certs along the way to getting a degree. Something like hitting two targets with one arrow.

You should take only a few FEMA courses only as its recognized now by a few colleges, with the loss of TESU and Excelsior accepting them. I was also looking at COSC Cybersecurity or Business Admin and using them.

You might want to take other FREE courses that are of better value and usage later, see here.
Free Sources of Credit - Degree Forum Wiki - Wikia

These are the FEMA courses I would recommend, you can get a PDS certificate after completing them.
Emergency Management Institute | Professional Development Series (PDS) Courses

[zyf]

Thanks bjcheung77,topdog98:

Less time spend and ease if my top priority to knock down credits.

My first milestone will be 12 credits
1. FEMA (3 Credits)
2. Straighterline- English Composition 1
3. Soviet Union DSST
4. ALEKS College Algebra

I will spend at least 42hrs/week, is it doable in 4-6weeks?

Do you have suggestion on above plan?

Regards

zyf

[topdog98]

Thanks bjcheung77,topdog98:

Less time spend and ease if my top priority to knock down credits.

My first milestone will be 12 credits
1. FEMA (3 Credits)
2. Straighterline- English Composition 1
3. Soviet Union DSST
4. ALEKS College Algebra

I will spend at least 42hrs/week, is it doable in 4-6weeks?

Do you have suggestion on above plan?

Regards

zyf

The plan looks good. I can't really answer the question about the time frame because everyone is different.

[bjcheung77]

Thanks bjcheung77,topdog98:

Less time spend and ease if my top priority to knock down credits.

My first milestone will be 12 credits
1. FEMA (3 Credits)
2. Straighterline- English Composition 1
3. Soviet Union DSST
4. ALEKS College Algebra

I will spend at least 42hrs/week, is it doable in 4-6weeks?

Do you have suggestion on above plan?

Regards

zyf

Wow! You've got time on your hands, that's great! Just go for it, you can do it...
...with some guidance and a plan/study strategy, you should be able to get more credits in that time.
That's a great starting plan, but my recommendations still stand as follows, per my previous posts.

I think you're still a bit cautious and not sure how to start. However, this is getting repetitive...
Before you ask any further questions, you need to answer Yes to each, if no, then you need to complete the following.

1) Did you create an ACE Credit Registry account for storing your credits? This is the first baby step.
2) Since you like FEMA, as per my previous post, do the PDS Cert for 7 credits to begin instead of 3.
3) Also, as per previous post, complete the free general elective courses for 14 credits.
My suggestion is do them in this order: Kaplan PLA LCR 100, NFA, Institute Ethics 312, TEEX courses.

4) Start your ALEKS College Algebra, it's $20/month, if you can finish quickly do the Intro to Stats.
These two are the most recommended courses, if you want more, you can go for Intermediate Algebra and PreCalc.
For me, I am taking all 8 for a max of 12-18 credits total, it depends on the school accepting the credits.

Guess what? You're at 24 credits, it cost you just $20, and you are pumped up to do more! It's more than the 12 you were looking for. Oh, and you have the exact same credits as I do on my signature, it will transfer to COSC and TESU which you will not do until you finish more.

When you are done these, again, start updating this thread. You can then start your Saylor or Straighterline courses.
If you happen to finish these before the 4 weeks you have mentioned, as I am guessing, update this or PM (private message) me and I'll send you your fifth task to get you started with your second batch of 24 credits.

My friend, if I were in your shoes, I won't delay and keep asking questions and be told the same thing. Just do it.
The board members here are a very helpful bunch, and it delights us to see people like you succeed. Thanks,
BJ

[zyf]

Hi bjcheung77, again thanks so much for your reply.
I just register ACE tonight and start College Algebra today.
I have 300 unfinished topics my pie, I wish I can finish these 300 topics soon.
I will keep update my progress and questions on this thread.


Regards
zyf

[topdog98]

Wow! You've got time on your hands, that's great! Just go for it, you can do it...
...with some guidance and a plan/study strategy, you should be able to get more credits in that time.
That's a great starting plan, but my recommendations still stand as follows, per my previous posts.

I think you're still a bit cautious and not sure how to start. However, this is getting repetitive...
Before you ask any further questions, you need to answer Yes to each, if no, then you need to complete the following.

1) Did you create an ACE Credit Registry account for storing your credits? This is the first baby step.
2) Since you like FEMA, as per my previous post, do the PDS Cert for 7 credits to begin instead of 3.
3) Also, as per previous post, complete the free general elective courses for 14 credits.
My suggestion is do them in this order: Kaplan PLA LCR 100, NFA, Institute Ethics 312, TEEX courses.

4) Start your ALEKS College Algebra, it's $20/month, if you can finish quickly do the Intro to Stats.
These two are the most recommended courses, if you want more, you can go for Intermediate Algebra and PreCalc.
For me, I am taking all 8 for a max of 12-18 credits total, it depends on the school accepting the credits.

Guess what? You're at 24 credits, it cost you just $20, and you are pumped up to do more! It's more than the 12 you were looking for. Oh, and you have the exact same credits as I do on my signature, it will transfer to COSC and TESU which you will not do until you finish more.

When you are done these, again, start updating this thread. You can then start your Saylor or Straighterline courses.
If you happen to finish these before the 4 weeks you have mentioned, as I am guessing, update this or PM (private message) me and I'll send you your fifth task to get you started with your second batch of 24 credits.

My friend, if I were in your shoes, I won't delay and keep asking questions and be told the same thing. Just do it.
The board members here are a very helpful bunch, and it delights us to see people like you succeed. Thanks,
BJ

These is great advice. I only have a few different suggestions, since I have experience with COSC specifically. Since you can take all of your free electives with FEMA, I didn't bother with the other free credits, such as "Kaplan PLA LCR 100, NFA, Institute Ethics312, TEEX courses." If you are good at math, maximizing ALEKS credits is a great idea. COSC even gives credit for Beginning Algebra (but it doesn't fulfill the Math requirement.) So IF you are good at math, you could take Beginning Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Trigonometry, and Business Statistics through ALEKS. I do NOT suggest that you take Intro to Stats because IF there is a good chance that you will go with the Business Major route, you will need Business Stats and not Intro to Stats. COSC will NOT give credit for both, and Intro will not fulfill the Business Stats pre-requisite in the Business Major.

[KayV]

Zyf, if you have 300 unfinished topics in your pie, you should very much consider changing your ALEKS course to Intermediate Algebra and working through it first. Search through the forum about method of work for taking ALEKS classes.

Remember that you can get credit for the course when you reach 70% in assessments, so you will not have to complete every topic.

Also, some people find Trigonometry easier to complete than Pre-Calculus because there are considerably fewer topics in the course.

Good luck!