Is the BS in Business degree path on bain4weeks still valid? extreme newbie here

[tonywantsadegree]

Hello resourceful people! My name is Tony, I'm 38 years old, I manage 60 people on a help desk and I have 0 college credits! It's time for me to change that and I want to take the smartest straight-line path that I can. I googled "how to get a degree quickly' a few days ago and it led me to bain4weeks.com. I guess I was different than some I've read about where I didn't a get smart quick scheme, but I was fascinated by the wealth of information that was given out for free. After hours browsing through the site I click the "BS in Business" link and was in awe at how Lawrie detailed the test that I needed to take as well as directed me to the necessary resources need to prepare for the exams. What I also noticed was the copyright on the site being up until 2004 so I started wondering if the information is still accurate? I'm actually looking at Excelsior's Bachelor of Science in Business with concentration in Marketing as the degree that I want to pursue. I know it's far from what I'm doing now and that's because I'm over IT.

I've seen a few people on here post their Degree plan, but honestly I'm still completely lost when it comes to putting together the exact exams that I will need to take to complete my degree. I would like to accumulate a GPA, but again I'm still not clear if it's completely necessary to swap certain exams just for the two digit grade. Lastly, my ultimate goal is to test out of this degree and go right into my MBA which is put me close to being on track at my age. Can someone offer me remedial education on how/where I start putting my degree plan together? Do I have to enroll in Excelsior before an advisor will advise me on this plan?

Thanks a million and you guys are a huge inspiration to those of us that thought we had to attend College for 6 years to get a degree while working.

[NAP]

Welcome to the forum!

Yes, there have been changes to the degree requirements.

Start by downloading the Business catalog and the Student Guide to Credit by Exam:

https://www.excelsior.edu/469

According to this thread some things have changed since JackBanta posted a degree plan (for a different major), but it may still be helpful for some of your questions:

http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...post111034

Don't hesitate to ask more questions.

[rebel100]

I would take a good look at the BSBA at Thomas Edison BSBA in General Management Degree Program just match up the CLEP/DSST's here CLEP - College-Level Exam Program DANTES TESC BSBA is a really well worn path around here, they offer upper level credit for a tests that Excelsior and Charter Oak only view as lower level. You can also use FEMA for free electives for...FREE!!! (EC costs to use FEMA)

Read through the wiki here: TESC Degree Plans - Degree Forum Wiki several folks have done this specific degree via credit by exam.

Here are the Gen Eds at TESC Thomas Edison State College: Associate in Arts

With all that said, Excelsior is a great option too.

[tonywantsadegree]

Thanks Nap! I will study this information and I noticed JackBanta's plan was very detailed, but a different major.

[Publius]

There are some changes and NAP has already shown that. Of course, results are up to the individual (how fast they can test, how well they can study, how dedicated they are) and sometimes by their local testing center (how flexible it is).
As far as a specific plan, I recommend you find one on here and tweak it. Otherwise, find the degree requirements (for example, here: BSBA in General Management Degree Program), and then fill it in (you could make a spreadsheet to keep track of things).
Credit by examination (Includes things like CLEPs, DSSTs, TECEPs, and ECEs): Thomas Edison State College: Thomas Edison State College is a national leader in the assessment of adult and experiential learning and offers students a variety of ways to earn credit for knowledge acquired outside the classroom.
Straighterline. All of the big 3 are partner colleges with 'SL' and they're self paced courses. I wouldn't recommend going through them because of their recent policy change, but they're still an option. Here's how their courses transfer to TESC (you can get one of these for all of their partner colleges) Transfer College Credits To Thomas Edison State College (TESC) - StraighterLine
FEMA: These are free courses and can be taken over and over again till passed. Catch? they only fit into Free Electives. It only takes a couple hours to complete a course and it is free, not bad.
ALEKs: A company that offers math courses that can be transferred. Self-paced, cheap ($20 a month) and a viable alternative for people who don't like math that much.
Then you have your other courses from places like Penn Foster or LSU, etc. that can be used.

Those are some major points. I'd like to add if you want GPA (and if you're going through TESC) a very nice way to get a GPA (and a high one) is too take Managerial Communications, MAN-373, instead of the SL course. Keep in mind, generally transfer credits and exams do not affect your GPA, usually the only thing that does are the courses you take with that school. Anyway, MAN-373 and if he's still around, with Dr. Jim Young is excellent.

Another note, sometimes people make the mistake of enrolling in one of the Big 3 right off. Wait a bit and stock up on some tests like CLEPs and DSSTs. Then, you can enroll with a whole bunch of credits and only have to pay for one year of tuition.

Some helpful sites:
IC of course
Degree Forum Wiki
Free Clep Prep.com ('FCP' is a great, great, resource)
CLEP - College Level Examination Program (CLEP) -Save Time. Save Money. Take CLEP | College Board CLEP Site (For CLEPs)
DSST | Get College Credit (For DSSTs)
Online Courses - Distance Learning Courses - Online Classes for College Credit - StraighterLine (Straighterline)
ALEKS -- Assessment and Learning, K-12, Higher Education, Automated Tutor, Math (ALEKs)


And then some decent threads:
http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...sking.html
Clep Study Guide

As for your next step, if you don't have a subject where you're highly knowledgeable or enjoy, start studying for the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature test. Basically, it's a reading comprehension test with some occasional literary terms. An all time favorite, and one renown for it's ease (not to mention it's worth 6 credits). Okay, so start studying for that, scheduled it with your local testing center, keep studying and take at least one PT (practice test), read through the Specific Exam Feedback (for subscribing IC members only), go in and take the test, put the 6 credits in your pocket, enjoy that great feeling, then get cracking on your next test.

Hope this helped and enjoy the journey! Any questions, don't ever hesitate to ask on here.

[tonywantsadegree]

I would take a good look at the BSBA at Thomas Edison BSBA in General Management Degree Program just match up the CLEP/DSST's here CLEP - College-Level Exam Program DANTES TESC BSBA is a really well worn path around here, they offer upper level credit for a tests that Excelsior and Charter Oak only view as lower level. You can also use FEMA for free electives for...FREE!!! (EC costs to use FEMA)

Read through the wiki here: TESC Degree Plans - Degree Forum Wiki several folks have done this specific degree via credit by exam.

Here are the Gen Eds at TESC Thomas Edison State College: Associate in Arts

With all that said, Excelsior is a great option too.

Thanks Rebel. Honestly I haven't looked at Thomas Edison at all so this is great information as well. Overwhelming, but I'll keep reading until I get more comfortable and knowledgeable of the process.

[sanantone]

http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...grees.html

[LaterBloomer]

Tony. Times a wastin'. You ain't getting any younger. Jump in and take a test. Also, why do you want a GPA? No one but honor societies and many masters programs care about one. BAIN is out of date, but helpful for all of that. Justin at Free Clep Prep.com also has helpful suggestions on test taking. Try some of the general education tests. Those will probably transfer many places. If you're still hesitant, take FEMA courses. If you go to TESC, you can get credit for knowing what to do when a biological emergency kills your cow. Or something like that FEMA covers a lot of ground. Some of it weirdly interesting.

[tonywantsadegree]

Also, why do you want a GPA? No one but honor societies and many masters programs care about one.

I plan to go right into a Masters program after obtaining this degree.

[tonywantsadegree]

http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...grees.html

Thanks Sanantone! In the post you mentioned that you needed to update the BSBA doc back in June so I'm wondering if what I downloaded is your most recent update? This degree plan will it garner me a GPA?