Please Help Where To Go What to Do ...So Confused...

[Togradumuc]

I have been reading all of the posts and It is apparent you all , are the experts. I have looked at all the Big 3 and reviewed their literature and I'm still confused .

So here's the deal .. I'm attending a Brick & Mortar and I am about 1.5 years from completing a degree in Public Safety .... Little did I realize all of this stuff was out there sooo. If I can pick an extra degree up along the way ..it wont hurt ..in fact it will help my company is now focusing more on simply having a degree rather than the classes that it encompasses.. this is what I have so far

CLEP - American Government (3)
CLEP- Information Systems and Computer Applications (3)
CLEP- Analyzing and Interpreting Literature (6)
CLEP- Natural Sciences (6)
CLEP- College Mathematics (6)
CLEP - US History II (3)
CLEP- College Comp Modular (W/o) Essay (3)

Brick and Mortar - Writing 101 (3)
Brick and Mortar - Econ 103 (3)
Brick and Motor Libs 150 (1)

FEMA / ACE - 32 Classes ---32 Credits ---- I paid for these through Frederic Community College -- They Show up on a Frederick Transcript

US Navy - Basic Training / 3 Credits

Maryland Fire Rescue Institute / ACE 42 Credits -
Advanced Medical Life Support (1)
Aerial Apparatus Operator (1)
Emergency Medical Technician Refresher (2)
Emergency Medical Technician (6)
Emergency Vehicle Operator (2)
Fire Department Safety Officer (2)
Fire Officer I (4)
Fir Officer II (3) UL
Fire Officer III (4) UL
Firefighter I (3)
Firefighter II (2)
Hazardous Materials Technician (3)
Incident Safety Officer (1) UL
Instructor II (3) UL
Pre Hospital Life Support (1)
Pump Operator (1)
Rescue Technician (3)


If need be I can List out the Fire Classes and Fema Classes .. Im just looking for the easiest and cheapest to get me by until i finish my other degree ....

Looking Primary for a AA/AS Thanks SOOOOOOOOO Much !!!

[KayV]

You have everything you need to finish an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts at Excelsior beyond their 2 required classes, a 1-hour Information Literacy and 3-hour Associate Capstone.

For TESC, you would need to take TECEPs in English Composition II and Psychology or Sociology, as well as their Associate Capstone course for an AAS in Military Technology Leadership. If you took one more TECEP (Environmental Ethics, for example), you could get a reduction in fees with their Pay Per Credit plan.

Charter Oak would require a Cornerstone class, and also English Composition II, Ethics, a science class with a lab, College Algebra, and I think a Fine Arts class. Fine Arts might be covered by A&I Lit, though.

Good luck and thank you for your service!

[KayV]

Also, I should point out that TESC no longer accepts FEMA classes, even if on a transcript from FCC. At this writing, COSC accepts those credits "raw" and Excelsior accepts them if they are on an FCC transcript. So if you are interested in using the FEMA in a bachelor's degree, COSC and EC would work better for you in the long run. For TESC, though, you would have enough credits for the AAS even without the FEMA credits.

[Togradumuc]

So Here is a dumb question ..what is a TECEP ?

Does excelsior not accept the LIBS (1) from B & M ?

IF I apply with they automatically do an evaluation or do you have to enroll before they will do that ?

I'm surprised the FEMA classes don't count ...The university of Maryland took them ..

Do they accept FEMA credits that were earned several years ago ....... and not just the current ones or is it a negative on FEMA completely

[laughter]

So Here is a dumb question ..what is a TECEP ?

A TECEP is an internal credit-by-exam administered by TESC. Sort of like a UExcel is an EC exam, except that a TECEP is generally harder to transfer to other colleges.

IF I apply with they automatically do an evaluation or do you have to enroll before they will do that ?

If you apply to TESC or EC and send in your transcripts, they will have it evaluated right away. However, your ability to update the transcript with new credits is limited until you enroll.

[Togradumuc]

Will they make recommendations on the programs that are best suited ...for do I indicate what I am interested in ..
I have 42 credits from MFRI / ACE recognized in Fire DEPT alot are Management ...do those count as a Concentration ?

Do any of the Big 3 ...not require Cornerstones or Capstones or do thy all have them now ?

[laughter]

Will they make recommendations on the programs that are best suited ...for do I indicate what I am interested in ..

When you enroll with TESC, you will have an academic advising call where the advisor will discuss with you suitable courses/tests to fit into the degree plan. It is highly recommended that you work out your own degree plan first (with help from this forum) then discuss it with the academic advisor.

I have 42 credits from MFRI / ACE recognized in Fire DEPT alot are Management ...do those count as a Concentration ?

This depends a lot on 1) Which college you plan to enroll in and 2) what degree you'd like to take.

Do any of the Big 3 ...not require Cornerstones or Capstones or do thy all have them now ?

All TESC bachelor degrees require a Capstone course, except for the BSBA whose Capstone may be completed with a TECEP. (Note: Please correct me if I'm wrong :p)

I think Excelsior also requires a capstone; not sure about COSC.

[soliloquy]

COSC requires a cornerstone and a capstone. I know some people avoid schools that have those requirements and I was not happy about it at first either, but I found that my cornerstone was extremely helpful in preparing me for other courses that required scholarly research. I also found that my capstone gave me a broader understanding of my concentration in general and gave me confidence which will hopefully translate to grad school.