Newbie questions: Enrolling in TESC, Strayer Challenges, getting a pile of credits.

[smrt]

I've spent two days reading this forum, and I've got a few questions I haven't seen clear answers on.

1. If I plan to graduate from TESC, do I need to enroll before I take tests that I can use for credit? (I have 0 credits right now, so I don't have to worry about what will transfer, since I need all the generic basics.)

2. I've also read a bunch about the Strayer Challenge exams, and for $20 a pop, it seems like a fairly low-risk way of testing the waters and seeing how many credits I can potentially BS my way through. Does anyone have experience in transferring Strayer credit to TESC?

3. My main goal right now is to amass as many credits as quickly as I can, as cheaply as I can. (Really though, isn't that what we're all here for?) I'm trying to A, help motivate myself by having a pile of credits to pat myself on the back for, and B, prove to my SO that I can do this quickly without breaking the bank. The two things highest on my list are Strayer Challenges and the Saylor credit classes. Are there any other low-cost ways to earn credits that I've missed?

If it helps to know this to answer my questions, I'm looking to bolster my experience as a corporate writer, so anything business-ish, communications, marketing, project management would be a good degree for me, but I'm ultimately choosing whatever's quickest/cheapest.

Thank you all in advance!

[swalke321]

1. If I plan to graduate from TESC, do I need to enroll before I take tests that I can use for credit? (I have 0 credits right now, so I don't have to worry about what will transfer, since I need all the generic basics.)
You can take tests for credit any time, you do not have to be enrolled. One good starting point is the DSST and CLEP tests. CLEP tests are a good option to consider since some of them are worth 6 credits or more. If you do plan to graduate from TESC you can have your score reports sent to TESC. When you take CLEP and DSST tests you have the option of including a school code to have your score sent to. TESC will hold onto the scores for 6 months. If you apply within six months, you do not have to send a transcript. If you apply after 6 months then you would have to request a transcript from DSST and CLEP for a small fee.

3. My main goal right now is to amass as many credits as quickly as I can, as cheaply as I can. (Really though, isn't that what we're all here for?) I'm trying to A, help motivate myself by having a pile of credits to pat myself on the back for, and B, prove to my SO that I can do this quickly without breaking the bank. The two things highest on my list are Strayer Challenges and the Saylor credit classes. Are there any other low-cost ways to earn credits that I've missed?
ACE or NCCRS accredited courses/exams such as DSST, CLEP, study.com, Straighterline, Sophia, Tor College Credits, Propero, Penn Foster. The prices vary for each option but are usually cheaper then taking college courses. Community Colleges are another option but most are based on traditional semesters and can't be completed as quickly. (Some offer low cost tuition). DSST/CLEP require testing centers. study.com, Tor College Credits, and Straighterline use online proctoring. Some Penn Foster courses do not require a proctored exam. For ACE or NCCRS sources you have to check the dates the courses/tests are approved for.

Charter Oak State College and Excelsior are similar to TESC. For TESC a few options would be the BSBA with marketing, or BA programs such as Communications, English, or Humanities (more general degree, can use any humanities electives in area of study such as English/lit, journalism, communications, etc.) The BSBA programs are fairly easy to complete quickly and cheaply. The ASBA can be completed fairly easily, quickly, cheaply. The BA programs require a capstone that must be completed at TESC.

[smrt]

Thank you for the info! That means I can hold off on registering with TESC until I have a bunch of credits.

Also, I got an answer about the Strayer challenge exams, which I'll share just in case anyone . Strayer says I need to officially enroll in order to take their exams, and they're a one shot deal, pass or fail. Strayer says their credits probably won't be good anywhere else, but TESC says they'd accept them. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, though. $20 a credit is a nice idea, but there's easier stuff I can work on in the meantime.

[sanantone]

Did they tell you what enrolling entails? Another member took Strayer challenge exams without enrolling in a class, and they gave him or her a hard time about getting a transcript. The person eventually got the transcript, but I don't think they are going to let a lot of people get away with taking exams without taking a course.

[smrt]

That's a very good point - I'm in love with the idea of 3 credits for $25, but if it were easy, I'm sure more people would be doing it. I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle of saving for the Strayer challenges, because talking to them was really, really frustrating. To get one question answered, I had to spend twenty minutes talking to someone in admissions about "who I have rooting for me as an adult student" and all sorts of schmoozy, salesy stuff that left such a bad taste in my mouth.

[hightecrebel]

And there are the ACE/NCCRS otions available from Saylor Academy, with only the ProctorU fee required. Most overlap with other sources, but the price is much cheaper.

[smrt]

Thanks! I'm actually taking my first test this Friday - Principles of Marketing from Saylor. I wouldn't be doing it without the good advice of this forum.

[dfrecore]

Regarding Strayer, I called to get that same info, and they were not exactly helpful. They hemmed and hawed, and I wouldn't be surprised if they changed/clarified their policy so that you had to actually enroll and take a course there before giving anyone a transcript.

My husband may enroll and take a bunch of computer-related exams there, just to see if they will give him the transcript. If not, he will take an easy online course, and his work will pay the $1500 fee for that, so he is fine with the high cost. Plus, with his 45 units he's hoping to get through Strayer, it works out to $40/unit - so totally worth it for him.

Once he decides to go forward, I will repost to let everyone know if we can get those units through testing only.