Need Advice

[CagedFatKid]

I am currently attending AMU (American Military University) on active duty. I want to get an associates in accounting, bachelors in accounting and masters in finance. I enrolled at AMU thinking I would only be able to get my AA done in my 4 years of active duty service. Then I learned about the CLEP tests and now I am reconsidering my options. Therefore I need and I have a few questions.

How long are the straightline courses, I don’t really understand how that works.

On the straightline website it says that AMU does not accept the credit from straightline, or its not on the list for colleges that accept it at least.
I am currently deployed and cannot take any tests till I get back and I have taken all the classes I can take at AMU because I don’t want to take classes that I can test out of. So I am kind of stuck. AMU won’t let me take classes outside my degree plan nor will TA. I am trying to look at other options of what I can do in the mean time besides just study.

Should I transfer to a different college that accepts straightline courses? Also could someone give me some more information on how exactly Excelsior works?

Thanks in advance.

[burbuja0512]

Hi there and welcome!

First of all, I don't want to give you advice about AMU because I simply don't know much about it, but I can help with some of your other questions.

First of all, Straighterline is a cheap and self-paced way to learn. (note I did not say easy) It's basically the same as taking an online class through a college except without the forum postings and teacher. I have only taken two online classes in my life, but Straighterline was definitely at par or above with the quality of classes I took. You can't beat the price - it's $99 per month plus $39 for each class. You DO need to have the book as many tests questions will come directly from the book, but you can buy an older version and spend 10-15 bucks or so. Some people here will work really hard and complete a SL class in a week or two. I don't remember how long I took to finish my three SL classes that I took, but it definitely was not longer than two months.

Regarding transfer, keep in mind that you are on a board where most of us want to spend as little time as possible at the undergraduate level, so the perspectives you'll hear are from people who are testing out of many classes, or who have already done so.

I know many people who have taken well beyond the traditional four years to complete an undergraduate. I have a friend that spent 20k and several years of her life to finish an AS and it made her sick of education and did absolutely nothing for her job prospects. I personally took years to gather 24 B&M (brick & mortar) credits but couldn't ever find the time to finish it up. Once I discovered that I like testing and am a good self-learner, I was able to graduate in 9 months from the time I began testing.

I would recommend that you at least look at your testing options such as CLEP and DSST and of course look at Straighterline. I personally don't think that years and years at the undergrad level are an enjoyable or efficient way to spend your time. I would much rather get the undergrad done as soon as possible and then spend my time and $$ on a graduate degree, which will really set you apart in the workforce.

However, my testing suggestion does imply a college transfer as you would need to go to one of the "Big 3", Excelsior, TESC, or COSC, to make this work, and this may not be best for your personal situation. I just bring it up because this is what most of us are doing and for many of us, the decision has worked out well. I took 9 months to complete my undergrad and have been accepted to the MBA program of my dreams! If I were going the traditional route, I would still be plodding along through classes. Only 27% or so of the US population has their bachelors, and it's because many people get frustrated and drop out of college. If you think this would happen to you, or if you just don't want to spend the next years of your life on a degree, definitely check out the forum and feel free to ask questions!!

[LaterBloomer]

In addition to Straighterline, there's Aleks (spelling?). (Sorry, I haven't used either.) You will probably hear from a lot of folks in the military - Clep101 comes to mind - who will be able to offer you advice regarding testing. I'm probably exagerating, but it seems that Uncle Sam tries to find ways for service members to take tests WHEREVER they are. (Often paper tests rather than computer-based tests.) Good luck with your testing, and thank-you for your service.

[at2nfo]

According to my unofficial transcript at TESC it says nothing about CLEP or DSST at all. When it shows all my credits all it shows next to the credits is CR under what the grade would be. So this would probably work for you. I'm unfamiliar with how TESC does credit banking but you could credit bank with them possibly and then show your college that they show it as credit and not as CLEP or DSST. Hope this helps.

[Potatoloco]

Straighterline will help reduce the cost and time on your journey to a degree. I've been able to get 18 credits from them in a 5 month span and that was with a 1 1/2 month break during that time. My total cost so far is around $1000, but if I took those same classes at my local B&M it would've approached $2500 just for classes alone w/o books, fees, etc.

In terms of class time. I usually would spend an average of two weeks per class.

[CagedFatKid]

I plan to try out Excelsior, while doing straighterline courses. I cannot take CLEP tests till I get back, but I will do so when I get back stateside.

With my orignial goals in mind I cannot decide which program to go for:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting (NYS CPA Track)
Bachelor of Science in Business with concentration in Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Business with concentration in Finance

Any insight?

[burbuja0512]

I plan to try out Excelsior, while doing straighterline courses. I cannot take CLEP tests till I get back, but I will do so when I get back stateside.

With my orignial goals in mind I cannot decide which program to go for:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting (NYS CPA Track)
Bachelor of Science in Business with concentration in Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Business with concentration in Finance

Any insight?

What are your career goals?

[CagedFatKid]

Well honestly, im not sure. I would just like to have a steady job right now. I would really like to start my own financial firm for families that need help managing their money and investments. I know that I will need to work for quite some time before I can accomplish that goal. But that is the direction id like to pursue.

[cookderosa]

Well honestly, im not sure. I would just like to have a steady job right now. I would really like to start my own financial firm for families that need help managing their money and investments. I know that I will need to work for quite some time before I can accomplish that goal. But that is the direction id like to pursue.

Please don't change schools or make any hard decisions just yet. Accounting is an area that, should you seek a CPA credential, I'm 99% sure you can't use CLEPs for those credits. I know there are threads here that address this topic, do a little digging first. I'd hate for you to get 3 degrees and it not do for you what you thought it would.

P.S. :patriot: Thank you for your service.

[CagedFatKid]

I do not plan to CPA certified.

In Excelsior, would I choose, Multi-Source Option or Excelsior Course Option. Will I be able to transfer courses from SL if I choose Excelsior Course Option?