Planning For The Future

[ctlw83]

Hi All,

First off, thank you so much for these forums. There is a ton of information on test-to-degree stuff out there and it can be VERY confusing. I have been searching and exploring these forums finding old information, new information, and everything in-between. Most of all, I am finding hope. Hope that I might have a pathway to a degree without student loans and without having to totally take up all of my family time.

My story is likely like many others, went to community college when I was 19, didn't care, passed a few courses but flunked the rest by just not going to class. banghead Not smart but, at 19 I knew everything and also got burned out between work and school. Now at 32, with a family and a job that pays decently, I want to get a degree to have more flexibility in future career paths. However, I've also decided I don't want to get a degree in something I don't care about. A buddy of mine suggested business management because it will "help me get ahead". I have no interest in that. I don't just want to "get ahead" but, want to learn more about something I care about. I tend to be good with people, communication is the art of dealing with people, so, it seems to make sense.

I'm leaning toward attempting a BA in Communications from TESC. Out of the "big 3" TESC seems to have the best Communications options for testing and such. That is, unless someone has a good reason why Excelsior is the better option. COSC seems to be the least favorable towards Communications.

I did some searching and found this handy guide for tests:
Sanantone's BA in Communications - Degree Forum Wiki

It doesn't cover the Gen Ed. stuff and TESC seems to be very generalized in their requirements on that. Any suggestions in that regard, minus the obvious English, Math, and Humanities requirements which I can take care of, would be appreciated. I would love to have a minor focus on Philosophy/Theology because if/when I do get my BA in Communications I would someday want to go on to a MA in Theology(not because it is practical but, because I like it).

Another question I had was regarding enrollment timing and the like. I know CLEP lets you hold on to your test scores for up to 20 years before transferring to a school so, that is fine. What about the DSST, UExcel, and other tests? Also, in the BA course list linked above, there were some courses like Align or Sophia. Has anyone had any luck transferring those to TESC or having them count for credit?

Thank you in advance for all of your help. I will be glad to let people know once I have officially "started" gathering/hording my credits.

[plaidwandering]

check out the other link in the same section for Sanantone's general education options

[ctlw83]

OH, Great! I didn't realize that it was kept in a different area. I found it.

[hightecrebel]

Yeah, it got me too. Sanantone's plans are great, and the reasoning behind splitting the GenEd stuff off into their own makes sense, but it seems to trip up people on a semi-regular basis.

As far as transferring in from Sophia, TESC seems to have no issue with it. It goes on your ACE transcript, and then when you have that sent to them they enter it in. I have the Sophia Microeconomics course on my plan, but haven't transferred it in yet because I'm waiting until I've completed everything that will be on the ACE transcript before I have it sent.

[Prloko]

My wife is doing a BA in communication. She is utilizing a lot of TESC courses, but there are ways to test out of or use SL/Sophia.

I can show you a few courses if you need help filling in your plan.

[ctlw83]

My wife is doing a BA in communication. She is utilizing a lot of TESC courses, but there are ways to test out of or use SL/Sophia.

I can show you a few courses if you need help filling in your plan.

Cool, Thanks!

I think I am just going to start with Gen Ed stuff and work my way up to the others. Might as well get the necessities out of the way through DSST, TESC, and CLEP first, then start looking at the specifics for Communications. Too bad the FEMA stuff was terminated/reduced as of last year and wouldn't apply to my degree anyway...

[Prloko]

Cool, Thanks!

I think I am just going to start with Gen Ed stuff and work my way up to the others. Might as well get the necessities out of the way through DSST, TESC, and CLEP first, then start looking at the specifics for Communications. Too bad the FEMA stuff was terminated/reduced as of last year and wouldn't apply to my degree anyway...

To be honest, its probably a blessing in disguise. You can fill those in with other courses which will look better on an application if you ever decide to get a grad degree.

[LaterBloomer]

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we knew at 19 what we knew now? I suppose we'd just find a whole new set of mistakes me make.

It's wonderful that you've decided to finish your journey, and I wish you the best of luck.

[ctlw83]

I'll just have to figure out what my pacing will look like on average and such. I know some tests/courses will be harder than others and some cost more than others. It will also be about consolidating courses from places like StraighterLine into as small a time frame as possible so as to reduce monthly costs. Some of the CLEP 6-credit courses, though difficult, seem VERY attractive.

My other problem is personal fortitude. I tend to get excited about something and then the energy disappears. I will have to be fully dedicated to this for as long as it takes. That is hard for me.

[sanantone]

I separated gen ed from the rest of the plans because it would be tedious updating all of the plans every time a new gen ed option was found.