Please Lend me some Wisdom

[firstshadow]

Trying to avoid community college, I need an associates in arts or science degree. I've done a few clep in the past, englis,h college math, and (natural?) science. Besides that, I've done a few entry level law school classes I.e. torts, crim law, and contracts. Outside of these, I don't have any prior college credits.

I was looking into Excelsior and the advisor was telling me that it would take 1-3 years, that didn't sound right to me.

I'm looking for the cheapest and/or fastest way to that associates. Is it plausible to test my way through and get my associates in or under 6 months? Please lend me your advice, experience, and wisdom.

Thanks,
Samuel

[ironheadjack]

Depending on how much free time you have to dedicate to schoolwork, you could finish an AA in less then 6 months if you are willing to take CLEP/DSST tests and Straighterline courses.

With those three CLEP tests you mentioned you earned yourself 18 credits at TESC, you are nearly a 1/3 of the way towards an AA.

Thomas Edison State College: Associate in Arts


General Education Courses
CLEP - College-Level Exam Program

[sanantone]

You should be able to quickly test out of an associates degree at Excelsior College, Charter Oak State College, or Thomas Edison State College. Excelsior College will require an 8-week capstone course; Charter Oak will require an 8-week cornerstone course. Almost all of TESC's AAS programs require a 12-week capstone, but all of their other associates degrees (except for human services) don't require any course to be taken at TESC. EC and COSC should be cheaper than TESC unless you choose TESC's Per Credit Tuition Plan and include 4 TECEPs in your degree. TECEPs are TESC's in-house credit-by-exam that can be taken at home.

[firstshadow]

So what would be the best way to go about this, take all the required clep (or other) exams and then apply??

What is the difference between a capstone and cornerstone course?

[Saharapost]

So what would be the best way to go about this, take all the required clep (or other) exams and then apply??

What is the difference between a capstone and cornerstone course?

A capstone is usually taken in the senior year. It is a course where you, as a student demonstrate through writing- (sometimes through testing out?) all that you have learned in your major. According to: Capstone Courses | Office of Faculty and Organizational Development , "The capstone course is a method of summative evaluation in which the student is given an opportunity to demonstrate integrated knowledge and growth in the major. The course may assess a student's cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning in the major and also the overall collegiate learning experience."

On the other hand, a cornerstone course is often taken (depending on college) in the first year of college. It helps you, as a student, reflect on learning, your style of learning, work with advisers, and take the right steps in the right direction... FAQs :: St. Louis Community College defines cornerstone as a course that: "... introduces you to the demands and rewards of college education and helps you prepare to get the most from it. The cornerstone helps you see the goals of general education and how they fit into your college experience. It gives you the chance to explore moral and ethical values of a diverse society such as 21st century America."