Penn Foster Courses

[BMWGuinness]

Has anyone taken the following courses for credit?

Computer Literacy and Programming in BASIC
ACE Transcript Data: ICS-0040
Organization: Penn Foster College
Location: Self-study.
Length: Correspondence program.
Dates: March 1983 – December 2000

Description: (SELF-STUDY) STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND FUNDAMENTAL COMPUTER CONCEPTS, FLOWCHARTING AND PROGRAMMING USING BASIC LANGUAGE. Objective: To provide fundamental computer concepts, flowcharting, and BASIC programming, including graphs, arrays, functions, and file handling techniques. Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to understand fundamental computer concepts, flowcharting, and programming using BASIC language. Instruction: Major topics covered in the course are a general introduction to computers including parts and components, learning extensive programming in BASIC, and the use of microcomputers. Methods of instruction include self-study, texts, study guides, and a proctored final examination. Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in BASIC Programming and 2 semester hours in Computer Literacy (5/84) (4/89) (6/94). NOTE: Credit cannot be granted for both this course and Computer Science I and Computer Science II.

Structured Systems Analysis
ACE Transcript Data: ICS-0028
Organization: Penn Foster College
Location: Self-study.
Length: Correspondence program.
Dates: April 1991 – Present

Description: (SELF-STUDY) STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND BASIC DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFORMATION SYSTEM LIFE CYCLE; DESCRIBE ROLES OF SYSTEMS ANALYST AND PROJECT MANAGER. Objective: To provide knowledge of the System Development Life Cycle and the role of the system analyst and project manager with emphasis on documentation, scheduling, monitoring, and control. Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to understand the basic development of an Information System Life Cycle; and describe the roles of the systems analyst and project manager. Instruction: Major topics covered in the course are feasibility studies and needs assessment, systems planning, systems analysis, and project management. Methods of instruction include self-study, texts, study guides, and a proctored final examination. Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Management Information Systems or Information Technology (6/94) (12/00).

[skyfall123]

Ah....good thinking. Knock off some Excelsior MIS courses through PF. If you look at the DATES heading, that lets you know the time period that the course was ACE approved, so I think that the first one is out, but the second course is still current and could/should qualify.

If you write the Excelsior Business advisor and ask if the class below...

Structured Systems Analysis
ACE Transcript Data: ICS-0028
Organization: Penn Foster College
Location: Self-study.
Length: Correspondence program.
Dates: April 1991 – Present

...qualifies as a Systems Analysis core course for the Excelsior Business MIS degree, then you could be on to something.

BTW if you need to knock off the programming requirement, Excelsior takes the Game Institute's C++ course. It's 10 weeks and looks extremely doable. I signed up just to have an interesting method for learning a programming language. Currently the C++ course runs $119 and a second course which also gives 4 credits at Excelsior as electives runs $99. I'll post as I progress through it. Game Programming, Video Game Design, Video Game Programming

[BMWGuinness]

Ah....good thinking. Knock off some Excelsior MIS courses through PF. If you look at the DATES heading, that lets you know the time period that the course was ACE approved, so I think that the first one is out, but the second course is still current and could/should qualify.

If you write the Excelsior Business advisor and ask if the class below...

Structured Systems Analysis
ACE Transcript Data: ICS-0028
Organization: Penn Foster College
Location: Self-study.
Length: Correspondence program.
Dates: April 1991 – Present

...qualifies as a Systems Analysis core course for the Excelsior Business MIS degree, then you could be on to something.

BTW if you need to knock off the programming requirement, Excelsior takes the Game Institute's C++ course. It's 10 weeks and looks extremely doable. I signed up just to have an interesting method for learning a programming language. Currently the C++ course runs $119 and a second course which also gives 4 credits at Excelsior as electives runs $99. I'll post as I progress through it. Game Programming, Video Game Design, Video Game Programming

That's pretty sweet, I know TESC counts the first PF course as a 5 credit course, I double checked with them today. cbrchris mentioned ICS-0031 as counting toward Systems Analysis core (4 credits).

[cbrchris]

I asked EC and got approval for these classes to be used towards the MIS requirement.

Satisfies the Systems Analysis and Design requirement
CIS240 - Systems Design (3 credits) - ACE Course Number: ICS-0031
Role of the systems analyst in developing business applications; hierarchy charts; IPO; decision tables; structured English.

Satisfies the Business Programming Language
CSC218 - Visual Basic® .NET (3 credits) - ACE Course Number: ICS-0164
Introduction to Visual Basic® and managing controls; dialog boxes and controls; nature of Visual Basic® programs; Visual Basic® forms, files, and output; graphics, multimedia, and form templates; ActiveX and ADO controls; Internet access, Help files, and distributing programs; multidimensional arrays and the Windows® API.


I originally asked if either or both ICS-0028 and ICS-0031 would satisfy the System Analysis and Design but my advisor only responded with ICS-0031 as being able to satisfy. She did not say no to ICS-0028 but didnt say yes either.

CIS235 - Structured Systems Analysis (3 credits) - ACE Course Number: ICS-0028
The system development cycle; information gathering and reporting activities on the analysis phase; interaction of various participants in the systems process.


I went ahead and asked about the Database course thru penn Foster even though I could not find the ACE evaluation. The advisor was unable to find anything on it either, so would not approve it.

INT225 - Introduction to Database Technology (3 credits) -
Offers an overview of essential database concepts, with a focus on the relational model of database management; covers Structured Query Language (SQL), design methodology, functions of a database management system, and database administration; includes advanced topics such as object-oriented (OO) databases, data warehouses, and client server systems.



edit - removed duplicated course. All info is still the same. I think it would have caused confusion and I originally did not mean to post it twice.

[skyfall123]

Wow...great work you two! This makes the MIS component a lot more doable. Penn Foster is affordable, you can fly through the modules using open book tests and the ability to retake the final almost guarentees success.

[BMWGuinness]

Wow...great work you two! This makes the MIS component a lot more doable. Penn Foster is affordable, you can fly through the modules using open book tests and the ability to retake the final almost guarentees success.

It's also helpful as a GPA Booster!

[BMWGuinness]

I asked EC and got approval for these classes to be used towards the MIS requirement.

Can you inquire about ICS-0040 and see if it fulfills both the programming requirement AND the Information Literacy requirement at the same time?

[cbrchris]

Can you inquire about ICS-0040 and see if it fulfills both the programming requirement AND the Information Literacy requirement at the same time?

Response from EC:

The Penn Foster College courses ICS-0028: Structured Systems Analysis and Design would satisfy the Systems Analysis and Design requirement, and the ICS-0040: Computer Literacy and Basic would satisfy the Business Programming requirement. Neither of these course would also satisfy Information Literacy. Computer courses do not satisfy the Information Literacy requirement.

[BMWGuinness]

INT225 - Introduction to Database Technology (3 credits) -
Offers an overview of essential database concepts, with a focus on the relational model of database management; covers Structured Query Language (SQL), design methodology, functions of a database management system, and database administration; includes advanced topics such as object-oriented (OO) databases, data warehouses, and client server systems.

I could not find the ACE equivalent either, so this would not work.

However, I believe certain Oracle Certification examinations would fulfill the requirement.

http://www.instantcertonline.com/forums/...ost11.html

[BMWGuinness]

cbrchris,

From what I remember, you signed up for the Systems Design course, can you tell us a little about it?

I'm deciding between that and Structured Systems Analysis, and I wonder which would be better suited toward Business MIS.

Computer Information Systems Degree - Training Outline - Penn Foster College

CIS235 - Structured Systems Analysis (3 credits)
The system development cycle; information gathering and reporting activities on the analysis phase; interaction of various participants in the systems process.

CIS240 - Systems Design (3 credits)
Role of the systems analyst in developing business applications; hierarchy charts; IPO; decision tables; structured English.