Just learned of the "BIG 3" and trying to decide

[JTP]

I'm currently an IT computer professional, but am looking to finish up a degree for advancement down the road. After googling "I have a bunch of credits and just want a degree," the "Big 3" came up.
I'm wanting an IT related degree, maybe Information Systems at COSC or IS OR MIS from TESC not really sure just looking for the most effective route. Any guidance would be EXTREMELY appreciated

Certifications
CompTIA A+
CompTIA Security+

Current College Credits
Wright State University


• CHE-151 General Chemistry 1
• CHE-157 Chemistry Lab
• SME-101 Mathematics for Engineering Applications
• MAT-142 Algebra & Data Analysis for Teachers
• ASE-145 Foundations in Problem Solving
• SOC-111 General Sociology
•HIS-111 Western Civilizations (0-1300)
•ART-101 Art Appreciation – Intro to Art
• HIS-112 Western Civilizations (1300-1815)
• EDU-103 Educational Technology
• COM-201 Intro to Mass Communication
• MAT-141 Number Concepts for Teachers
• PLS-200 Political Life, Systems & Issues (Political Science)
• HIS-113 Western Civilizations (1815 – Present)
• PED-238 Physical Education for Elementary Teachers
• ENG-111 English Composition 1
• ENG-112 English Composition 2

Sinclair Community College

• EGR-297 Intro to Robotics
• ETD-101 Intro to Engineering Design
• ETD-199 Intro to CAD Concepts
• ETD-128 Print and READ with GD&T
• CIS-130 Intro to WEB Development
• CIS-137 Intro to XHTML/JAVASCRIPT
• CIS-131 Intermediate Web Development
• MAN-205 Principles of Management
• CIS-111 Introduction to Computer Operating Systems
• ACC-121 Financial Accounting
• LAW-101 Business LAW
• COM-206 Interpersonal Communication
• CIS-230 Computer Networks
• CIS-2640 Network Security
• CIS-111 Introduction to problem solving and computer programing
• CIS-264 A+ Certification knowledge
• CIS-225 A+ Certification Troubleshooting
• CIS-238 PC Hardware Troubleshooting

Currently doing portfolio assessment class at Sinclair for the following classes:
• Enterprise Desktop Support technician
• Windows Client Operating System
• Information System Analysis & Design
• Database Management
• Internship/Capstone

[soliloquy]

COSC would give you credit for your certifications without having to do a portfolio. I don't know if TESC has that option.

Credential Evaluation - Charter Oak State College

My certified paralegal credential yielded 39 credits. I cannot express how delighted I was to find out I only had 5 classes to take after that assessment. You might want to contact Linda Wilder at COSC and see if she has the certifications you set forth above already in her system. If she does, then you would not have to do a new assessment, you would be given credit for whatever is already in their system. If that certification has never been assessed or if the assessment has expired, then you would have to pay a fee ($294.00) for the assessment and wait for them to send you the results. In my case, the assessment saved me more than $13,000.00.

[smf6824]

I got 40 something credits for my RRT exam, long story short: I don't have to do any upper level requirements at TESC. Unless of course the capstone is considered upper level.

[sanantone]

I think TESC might have stopped giving credits for COMPTIA exams, but they probably won't yield many credits at COSC or Excelsior either. At the most, they will be worth 3 credits each. TESC used to only give 2. Besides, your A+ courses would just overlap the COMPTIA A+ certification anyway. You should also know that none of the Big 3 will give you upper level credits for community college courses, so you could be wasting your time with all of those portfolio assessments.

[Devanna]

I recommend you apply to both TESC and COSC and let them evaluate your credits. You can then compare your evaluations and decide which option (I assume the one that takes less credits to complete?) is best for you.

[KayV]

I think a BA from TESC in Natural Science and Mathematics might work for you, but it's hard to tell exactly what you have without the course prefixes and numbers. For example, Algebra & Data Analysis for Teachers counts as a math class only if it has an MAT prefix. If you list the courses as "ENG 101 English Comp I," it will be easier to help you.

[JTP]

Ok thanks for the info so far?

Does anyone know where I can find the other non-concentration classes required for COSC? All I can find on the site is "120 credits, including 60 liberal arts*
A Concentration consisting of 36 credits" I just wandered how far away I was from some of the other requirements. I see people saying they used FEMA classes to fulfill some requirement, but I'm just having a hard time finding those other requirements.

In the meantime I think I will register with ALEK and start busting out College Algebra and Statistics.

[JTP]

@KayV I went back to the original post and wrote in all of the course numbers.

UPDATE 6/13 I went ahead and applied to both COSC and TESC so I can see which one will award more credits.

[tlashurst]

any updates on this?