May want to pursue new degree

[rockhead262]

First I want to say wow, thanks for everyone who has contributed to this site. I am 12 credits was from my BS in IT concentrating in networking, and wish I saw this site a year ago.

First I go to University of Phoenix, and started a long time ago. I am a full time professional and right when I thought I was going to be done my degree in 2011, I found out a previous adviser screwed up in my scheduling and I had 12 more credits with no more financial aid. So I couldn't afford it. Fast forward to today, and I found out my appeals went through and I can either re-register or test out. I wasn't told of the test out option before, which was available then as I was told today.

I am already using the flash cards for Manage information systems, and really nailed it in a short time, which gives me hope in knocking these credits out in what I hope to be 4 weeks. Just want to do a few more days of studying to see if I retained it before I schedule.

Thing is I know a lot of people now look down at UoP degrees, when at the time it was the only school I could go to with online courses readily available. So I am thinking of doing another degree and I see a lot people post about TESC and Excelsior College and how they completed their degree by testing mostly.

My goal is to probably become a teacher in New Jersey. I live in PA but read all the requirements for the CE and Praxis II and just have to get transcript approve after that. The only praxis I can take is the Technology Education. My real passion is history and science.

Has anyone finished a history or science degree through the method of testing?

[sanantone]

How long ago did you start University of Phoenix? Chances are you had plenty of other online options, but just didn't search hard enough for them. People often assume that schools like University of Phoenix, Devry, Walden, Capella, and Kaplan are their only options because these are the only schools they see advertising everywhere.

Here are some almost complete test out plans for natural science and mathematics and history. You might also want to look at the social science program which is easier to test out of.

http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...post137300
http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...post137309

[cookderosa]

I don't see the point of doing ANOTHER undergraduate degree and taking on MORE debt. Finish this degree, find out how to fill the teaching requirements for your state as cheaply and quickly as possible, and get a job teaching. AFTER you have a position, start your masters. You can do that online, and you can get a pay bump when you do. IF you get your masters now, you'll never find a job.

[OpenRoot]

Just wanted to second the post above. Schools (at least in MA) really prefer to hire hire teachers with fresh BA/BS degrees because they are legally required to pay more for teachers with masters to do the same job. Once you get hired, though, there is usually a tuition assistance program for grad school.

[rockhead262]

I started in 2005. And there were some other, but UoP was the only one that suited my needs at the time (I think Devry was the other option but the prices were much higher at the time, but still same stigma as UoP). I wanted to do Temple or Drexel, but they only offered one course online, unlike today they offer much more (at least Drexel does).

I just been wanting a History degree recently, and I see that testing out isn't really adding too much more debt. I really would like to get a masters in history rather than IT. I guess it depends on what the prerequisites are.

It is easy in NJ to go the alternate route, just in the end it will be a total of $3000 spent to get certified, but that is while working a year under a mentorship. I am just worried they may just deny my transcripts from UoP because of the stigma it has.


Edit: I should add, the reason why I want to get a Bachelors degree again, is because if I go the alternate route and want to teach history, I need either a Bachelors degree in history, or 30 credit hours in the subject. I doubt New Jersey will accept tests for that. I wouldn't mind being a computer teacher. My plan was to get my foot in the door as a computer teacher, and use the reimbursement program to get the history degree. Though it may be different once I am certified.

[NAP]

I'm sorry that you ran into that issue with school. I'm glad you have testing options to finish your degree. (This has been a pet peeve of mine lately. Why isn't testing mentioned by school advisors until the last minute when graduation is in jeopardy? It seems to happen at a lot of schools. Maybe students aren't hearing/understanding it earlier.)

Lindagerr did a lot of research about becoming a teacher in NJ before she had to move to NY. Be sure to read her posts.

[rockhead262]

thanks.

The plan is for a co-worker and I to do it together. Her fiance works for the school district, so we have been using her teacher friends as a resource. One did do the alternate route and is applying to become a mentor.

The only thing that scares me about the alternate route is that you are basically teaching for a school year with a mentor. You have 3 evaluations. The final evaluation decides if you can be certified. Well you can be teach for a year and be turned down still for certification. That kind of scares me a little bit. I will definitely look for those posts though, thank you.

[cookderosa]

thanks.

The plan is for a co-worker and I to do it together. Her fiance works for the school district, so we have been using her teacher friends as a resource. One did do the alternate route and is applying to become a mentor.

The only thing that scares me about the alternate route is that you are basically teaching for a school year with a mentor. You have 3 evaluations. The final evaluation decides if you can be certified. Well you can be teach for a year and be turned down still for certification. That kind of scares me a little bit. I will definitely look for those posts though, thank you.

Linda will be able to give you the best advice. She'll also be able to help you find any work-arounds, and she did alternative route. PM her if she doesn't see this thread tonight.