Newbie...just saying Hello and wishing everyone best wises on their journey!

[DIGDAG]

Hi,

I am 43 and have tried and failed at multiple attempts at finishing my undergrad. How I found this forum will take too long to type and no one wants to hear it, but I am here and super excited.hilarious

My goal is to finish a BSBA in Finance at TESU. I am not giving myself some crazy time frame, because I have done this in the past and failed. I figure if it takes less time than going to regular classes I will be happy. Obviously, sooner is better than later.

I did a lot of research and came up with a general game plan on how to proceed. I have 30 credits from previous schools (haven't applied to TESU yet). I also have my FINRA Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 registrations. I am currently completing The American College's ChFC designation. This will count for an additional 15 credits. I am unsure how the FINRA and American College credits will be applied towards the degree. I spoke to TESU and was informed, after I apply, I will be assigned an academic advisor that will assist with this information.

TESU ChFC Designation Credits

TESU FINRA Registration Credits

Given I still have a ton of General Education credits that need to be completed, I figure I will just continue with the ChFC and one regular college course at the same time. Currently, I am scheduled for the first module of the ChFC next Saturday @ Pearson and enrolled in ALEKS today for College Algebra (oh Joy!) I will apply/enroll when I have more classes under my belt.

I was able to find a link at TESU (through this forum), that allowed me to see where to find certain courses that will fulfill the requirements for the general education. I have attached my starting point spreadsheet. ACP ID and Provider come directly from TESU's website. Anywhere you see blanks, I was unable to figure out what or where to go. The second tab has my current credits and credits from FINRA as well as expected credits from completing the ChFC designation.

TESU Alternative Credit Project

I am also confused about the providers listed on their website. Does this mean, you have to take the courses there? For example, College Algebra lists four places to go (JumpCourse, Saylor, StraighterLine, and Pearson). Does this mean I can't use ALEKS? I hope not given I have already started.

Not sure if anyone cares to comment, but I could use some help on understanding where you find the specific courses that will satisfy the Area of Study Courses and the potential to take them online through one of the various channels. I am also unsure how many courses you have to take from TESU in order to get a degree from them.

Anyway, thanks for the motivation and I hope everyone here completes their educational dreams whatever they may be.



Sincerely,
DIGDAG

[Catalytic]

According to the links you posted, the ChFC courses had to be completed a couple of years ago. You may want to press TESU about that and see if those dates are going to be renewed.

[dfrecore]

The link you posted said the ChFC courses had to be completed by 6/30/14. So you will want to double-check those.

For FINRA, it looks like TESU will accept those for ACC-101 and LAW-201. COSC has a date of 3/31/14, so that's something you might want to check as well.

Unfortunately, for the English Comp I "D" grade, TESU will not accept that. You will have to retake that course. But they will accept the Sociology "D".


So, first, I can help with TESU. I'm including a spreadsheet showing what you've taken. I am not including the ChFC courses, in case they aren't accepted by TESU. It's ok though, because honestly, most won't fit into a BSBA degree. The INS courses won't, neither will the BUS courses. Even the ACC course won't fit into a FIN degree. They would at best come in as free electives.

I put in sample courses, but most can be replaced by alternatives. So if you opt not to take SL, you could replace many of the courses with Saylor or Study.com. It's totally up to you how you do that.

If you do get those credits accepted by TESU, then you might want to look at the BS in Professional Studies (BSPS), because that's a little more flexible. But a BSBA, while being very test-out-able, is not at all flexible. There are just a lot of set courses you must take.

Regarding getting your credits, you don't really want to look at the Alternative Credit Project listing. That is very limited. You will want to look at Sanantone's list of courses that show all of the different ways you can get your requirements met: Sanantone's TESU General Education Options After July 1, 2015 - Degree Forum Wiki - Wikia

Also, the Beginner's Guide is a very good place to start researching getting a degree (start at the beginning and read through it): http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...llege.html

One thing to note - even if you were to get the 3cr of FIN-361, you will not be able to test out of the FIN degree, because there just aren't enough FIN courses available. ACC, MAR, HR, yet - FIN, no. So you may want to look at General Management. If you are set on FIN, then you will want to find some ways of getting the additional FIN course(s) you need.

[DIGDAG]

Thank you Catalytic and dfrecore. I really appreciate your taking the time to look my post over.

I am disappointed that I didn't catch the dates on the ChFc, but I am doing it for my job either way.

After creating my sheet, I thought what you said "I am not including the ChFC courses, in case they aren't accepted by TESU. It's ok though, because honestly, most won't fit into a BSBA degree. The INS courses won't, neither will the BUS courses. Even the ACC course won't fit into a FIN degree. They would at best come in as free electives." would be the case.

Unfortunately, you can't know this until after you apply and get accepted by TESU and get assigned an academic advisor.

I really appreciate the spreadsheet as well. I am unfamiliar with Shmoop, but free is for me. Out of curiosity, you listed Finite Math and Geometry under General Education Electives. Do I need these in addition to College Algebra, Intermediate Algebra and Stats? I ask because I would rather not take any more math courses than necessary.

Your help is appreciated.

Sincerely,
D

[dfrecore]

After creating my sheet, I thought what you said "I am not including the ChFC courses, in case they aren't accepted by TESU. It's ok though, because honestly, most won't fit into a BSBA degree. The INS courses won't, neither will the BUS courses. Even the ACC course won't fit into a FIN degree. They would at best come in as free electives." would be the case.

Unfortunately, you can't know this until after you apply and get accepted by TESU and get assigned an academic advisor.

You're right - no one knows 100% here - but you are on a forum where we are going by experience. Many of us have been on here for years, and have seen what is and isn't accepted. Just know that they are pretty inflexible about what they will take in the Area of Study - for FIN, they want FIN courses only. Accounting is also strict. HR is less so. General Management is the most flexible, but even then, Insurance is not one of the concentrations, and I highly doubt they will take them at all (except as free electives).

Also, just to let you know, when you apply to TESU, you're not "assigned an academic advisor." You will get an academic advisor who will do your evaluation, but it's not like this awesome person who knows everything backwards and forwards is going to really take some time to look at what you have and really give it some thought. Or that you will be talking to them from now until you get your degree. No, you will be unpleasantly surprised by the lack of knowledge most of the TESU employees have, the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing, there is constant miscommunication between departments, you will never talk to the same person twice, etc. Most of us aren't there because of the great customer service.

Just a heads-up, but you really can expect better service here on this forum than you can from TESU. I'm sure there will be plenty of people here who will back me up on this one.

BTW - I'm still going to graduate from TESU, so I'm not knocking the degree. Just the system they have in place there.

[DIGDAG]

Can't thank you enough for the help.

In your personal opinion, should I just get through as much as I can from your sheet before even applying?

I have so far to go, I figure there is no rush.

[dfrecore]

Can't thank you enough for the help.

In your personal opinion, should I just get through as much as I can from your sheet before even applying?

I have so far to go, I figure there is no rush.

It's totally up to you. Some say apply now and lock it in, others say wait. I'm of a mind to wait a while, because you may change your mind or change schools or whatever, and then it's $75 wasted.

Then again, with the credits you have (FINRA and ChFC), you might want to go ahead and apply and see what they do with those. Better to know now then think you have something and find out that it's not what you thought. I think in your case, I would apply after getting the ChFC and then see what they do with everything. In the meantime, keep plugging away at ALEKS...get the Intermediate Algebra credits first, they're easier...then College Algebra...then Intro to Stats.