Oh my garsh overwhelmed with what to do for my kids for each of their degrees?- HELP

[rebel100]

Sanatone or another TESC guru should detail the enrolled credit options....that might be a way to get the needed upper level credit and acquire the harder to get credit affordable.

[geissingert]

My kids are involved in planning this. They are right here with me. My son wants to complete in 2.5 years. My daughter wants 2-2.5 years. They are very bright. My children are MOTIVATED. They are discouraged because CP required them to take 4 classes that didn't receive college credits, which was a total waste of time. They started taking classes in May. They aren't thrilled with the 12 week courses and wanted to take classes that they could test out of first. They are the ones that are setting their goals each are a bit different. I am all for the kids taking responsibility for their goals and setting up which paths to take. They both know what they want to do. We however ARE NOT taking any loans out and we MUST be wise stewards with the money we have available, as we only have one income. WE DON'T have money to waste and want the kids to get their degrees the least expensive way. We know that much of their knowledge will come with HANDS on experience. One has already been working on a portfolio. The other is trying to get a biz to take him under their wings as an "apprentice" he wants the experience without the pay. @Prloko I should have gone into more detail with my kids taking the main part of their education so you could get the bigger picture.

[rebel100]

taking a non credit foundational class to set yourself up for later success is not a waste of time or money (though perhaps the CP courses were a waste). My 14 year old is taking two such courses this year. we live in Florida, starting next year she can access actual local CC courses for credit...if she can pass their placement exam and demonstrate an ability to do the work.

[sanantone]

At TESC, your son has three options: BSAST in IT, BA in Computer Science, and BSBA in Computer Information Systems. The BSBA in CIS will be mostly test friendly, but will have the least amount of IT/CS courses. The other two options will require several courses at TESC or somewhere else. A degree in computer science is preferred on the job market. A BSBA in CIS might check the box for any job asking for an IT-related degree, but it will help if he learned some programming languages and earned some certifications on his own. The cool thing about WGU is that they include the cost of certs in their programs. You can transfer CLEP, Straighterline, and DSST to WGU for general education requirements, but you have to have all of this done before you enroll. They will not let you transfer in anymore credits afterward. They have DSST listed as "DANTE."
Alternative Sources for Transferable Courses

This is my plan for the BSBA in CIS. What I don't have listed on there is Javaonline.org where you can earn up to 9 credits approved by NCCRS because I don't know the equivalencies for their courses.
Sanantone's BSBA in Computer Information Systems - Degree Forum Wiki

Sanantone's General Education Options - Degree Forum Wiki

[GoodYellowDogs]

I didn't see Jennifer chime in on this yet - here is her info:

Jennifer
Homeschooling for College Credit (Book)
Homeschooling for College Credit (Facebook Fan Page)

[cookderosa]

I like CP's foundation. The coaching is very helpful and helps the kids to stay motivated. It's just very expensive. The CP classes are expensive too. How did you know which classes to take for your degree?

Coaching here is free. I'll extend you the same offer I've posted about here since back before Brad Voeller started that business....when he was just a kid author: You get coaching here for free by me and those who generously donate their time daily, and you can redirect those funds into the charity of your choice. CP is like a travel agent charging commission for booking your airline ticket. Certainly something the average person, certainly a mom who has homeschooled her children up to this point, is more than capable of doing.

My advice is short and sweet-

1. You're going too fast because you're enrolling and paying before you've learned what/why/how. You've spent money on something you don't have any knowledge about. You've delegated out the process to CP, which is fine in some ways, but that has left you uneducated in the process. So now, by breaking away from CP, you're scared. Real teachers help you fly, they don't create dependence. I'm wondering what financial incentive CP has to keep customers dependant for some reason? That's rhetorical. I know why they keep their customers dependent.

2. You can do everything you're already doing- saving money, using test out options, earning college credit and or a degree in high school. All this and more at ANY college. You don't need TESC, they are only one option. Your children might be eligible to do all of this for free at your community college. See point #1.

3. Injecting credit into the high school plan you've created for your children that they then can use to fuel THEIR college plan is a winner. You've invested thousands of dollars; is earning a degree degree an idol? It is my OPINION that the parent plan the high school years (all 4 of them) with good credit options injected (classes, AP, CLEP, DSST). What if your child wants to aim higher than a TESC degree? A better school? A career that isn't facilitated by a degree at TESC? Will their education prepare them if they attend a school that doesn't accept any of this credit? Education trumps credit earning in high school in my opinion.

4. Keep caring. You're scoring an A+ in that area. Just take a moment, step back. It's not a race.

And finally, welcome to the board! You've found a great place!! Lest you think my objective is to sell you MY book, there is nothing in that book that I haven't said here- dozens of times- for free since 2007. I'm here every day, as are many of the very helpful forum members. They'll all help you for free.

[Prloko]

My kids are involved in planning this. They are right here with me. My son wants to complete in 2.5 years. My daughter wants 2-2.5 years. They are very bright. My children are MOTIVATED. They are discouraged because CP required them to take 4 classes that didn't receive college credits, which was a total waste of time. They started taking classes in May. They aren't thrilled with the 12 week courses and wanted to take classes that they could test out of first. They are the ones that are setting their goals each are a bit different. I am all for the kids taking responsibility for their goals and setting up which paths to take. They both know what they want to do. We however ARE NOT taking any loans out and we MUST be wise stewards with the money we have available, as we only have one income. WE DON'T have money to waste and want the kids to get their degrees the least expensive way. We know that much of their knowledge will come with HANDS on experience. One has already been working on a portfolio. The other is trying to get a biz to take him under their wings as an "apprentice" he wants the experience without the pay. @Prloko I should have gone into more detail with my kids taking the main part of their education so you could get the bigger picture.

I sincerely apologize for being presumptive.

With one income only, and depending where you live, your children may be able to get a grant and go to a local CC. They can then transfer to a 4 year program, this should reduce your cost. I always recommend that "traditional age" students go to schools for traditional age as schooling weighs so heavily on resumes of kids with little experience.

But if you are locked onto TESC, there is only one course they need to directly take with the school (non-business degree) which is the capstone. I myself took 4 TESC courses (+1 tecep) for my business degree and they blew by quickly. All the rest can be transferred in via cheaper options like CC, CLEP, TECEP, DSST, Saylor, Straighterline, etc.

[alleycat]

A lot of CC have graphic design programs. You should check it out in your area. Also your child could get a BA in Art at TESC. Also you should look at COSC at their BA in Art. The offer many different pathways.

[sanantone]

The problem is finding cheap UL credits for the art degrees, but at least one can earn an associate's at a community college. Keep in mind that graphic design is a slow-growth field with a lot of competition.

[SweetSecret]

Someone helped me last week with the Liberal arts for one of my children- her real desire is to be a graphic designer. We figured she could get the LA degree and take graphic courses for free, which we have found many. A lot of designers just need the experience. We were hoping she could build her portfolio

I'm not sure who told you that, but you have been extremely misinformed. Probably 95% of graphic design jobs still want someone with a college degree. I have a certificate in graphic design and have been passed over for jobs many times over for not having a bachelors, even though I have a stellar portfolio. I always get non-profits wanting free work, and I do use the skills sometimes for that. I've also had many administrative type of positions which allowed me to use the skills, but if she wants to use graphic design on a more regular basis - she'll probably need to either get a degree or go into business for herself.

Creating a portfolio IS a great thing though, and it's something solid that she can use to petition for credit under TESC's Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Another option might be to have her take workshops directly through Adobe for Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop which offer certificate and use the work she produces from these to petition for PLA credits.