Question - Can not find answer anywhere!

[vcv]

Hello fine folks,

I am 46 years old and about to go back to school! I have reached a point in my life where I am ready to commit. I travel with work a lot, so online self paced classes are a must. I have also read a TON here on this site and want to pursue as much of the DIY credits as I can. And this brings me to my question...

First, my employer has a credit agreement with American Public University (APU). I have received extensive training on the job and have confirmed APU will offer me 28 to 30 credits for my work training portfolio. However APU will ONLY allow a total of 30 "Non Traditional" credits to be transferred. This includes ACE credits, as APU considers these as "non traditional". So this drastically limits any ACE transfer credits (and on top of that I am already getting the 30 non traditional on the job credits, so none of the ACE credits would transfer).

My thoughts... (and will this work): Enroll with Thomas Edison University (now, or later date) and peruse ACE credit courses and submit to them for credit. I would eventually build a transcript with them as they accept the ACE courses. And when I reach a certain point, transfer my Thomas Edison transcript to APU as "Traditional" credits (APU will take up to 90 traditional credits I think - or a combination of).

To sum it up... Will APU have anyway of knowing (or care) that my transcript at Thomas Edison was built-up by "non traditional" credits?

(another way to ask... Can I use Thomas Edison to launder ACE credits into traditional credits

Thanks in advance to all who replies!

Take care,

vcv.

[rebel100]

Schools usually want the credit from the original source. What your asking for is "laundering" credit and it's unlikely to work.

I believe APU will see CLEP and DSST as credit by exam. It probably won't count in the 30 credit limit.....But it's been awhile since I looked at APU....So I could be wrong.

[mednat]

I agree with rebel. I would be shocked if it works. Schools evaluate the original sources. 30 credits is alot, but if it were my money/time, i'd still go with TESU in this scenario, because of the massive amount of ACE options out there.

[dfrecore]

APU specifically says that non-traditional credits include CLEP, DSST, PLA, etc. And that they will bring in a total of 30cr of non-trad. So while it would be great to have them bring in all of those other credits for you, you're stuck getting the remaining 90cr in the traditional manner (courses at a school).

If I were you, I would think about doing this in reverse. Enroll at APU, and get those 30cr of PLA on a transcript. Then, transfer THOSE credits over to TESU and see what happens.

If TESU takes them, then you're ahead 30cr. If TESU will not, then you could opt to do the PLA courses at TESU instead, since it's a great price to do so.

BTW - you didn't say what degree you're wanting to get, or what kinds of credits these are. That would probably help.

[rebel100]

APU specifically says that non-traditional credits include CLEP, DSST, PLA, etc. And that they will bring in a total of 30cr of non-trad. So while it would be great to have them bring in all of those other credits for you, you're stuck getting the remaining 90cr in the traditional manner (courses at a school).

I would look elsewhere then. One might be abe to get some cheap credits at Luna CC or New Mexico CC though, that would be readilly acceptble and traditional without breaking the bank.

[cookderosa]

Hello fine folks,

I am 46 years old and about to go back to school! I have reached a point in my life where I am ready to commit. I travel with work a lot, so online self paced classes are a must. I have also read a TON here on this site and want to pursue as much of the DIY credits as I can. And this brings me to my question...

First, my employer has a credit agreement with American Public University (APU). I have received extensive training on the job and have confirmed APU will offer me 28 to 30 credits for my work training portfolio. However APU will ONLY allow a total of 30 "Non Traditional" credits to be transferred. This includes ACE credits, as APU considers these as "non traditional". So this drastically limits any ACE transfer credits (and on top of that I am already getting the 30 non traditional on the job credits, so none of the ACE credits would transfer).

My thoughts... (and will this work): Enroll with Thomas Edison University (now, or later date) and peruse ACE credit courses and submit to them for credit. I would eventually build a transcript with them as they accept the ACE courses. And when I reach a certain point, transfer my Thomas Edison transcript to APU as "Traditional" credits (APU will take up to 90 traditional credits I think - or a combination of).

To sum it up... Will APU have anyway of knowing (or care) that my transcript at Thomas Edison was built-up by "non traditional" credits?

(another way to ask... Can I use Thomas Edison to launder ACE credits into traditional credits

Thanks in advance to all who replies!

Take care,

vcv.

The whole APUS system caps undergrad degree alternative credit at 30 (I think it used to be higher, this might be a new development).

APUS defines *Nontraditional Transfer Credit as:

Non-Academic - earned based on an assessment, competency testing, experience, and/or determination of knowledge.

Military Occupation - earned through experience.

Acceptable Sources of Nontraditional Transfer Credit:

American Council on Education (ACE)
National Guide - corporate/agency training
Military Guide - military occupations
Career Portfolios
College Level Exams (ALEKS/CLEP/DSST/AP/Excelsior Exams)
Internal Credit Recommendations (IRs) not evaluated by ACE
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) that have been evaluated by ACE and
recommended for undergraduate level credit
Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) not evaluated by ACE
National College Credit Recommendation Service (National CCRS)
formerly known as National PONSI
Prior Learning Assessment
StraighterLine

What's Accepted-Undergraduate

My opinion, which you're not going to believe, is that you should leave the 30 credits from your job on the table. Don't even pursue them. They are a tremendous distraction.

(and no, you can't launder credit.)

Earning 30 credits through a company like Straighterline or via testing like CLEP will take you somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 months or less. It will cost something between $500-$1500. In other words, to get to the same place where APUS is putting you would take very little cash or time, it's not the advantage you think it is.

After they award you the 30 job credits, you're still left with earning 90 more- and doing that at APUS is going to be expensive and time consuming. EVEN IF you were able to transfer in from your community college, you're trying to construct a degree in a way that is using a dozen moving parts for 3x the cost.

Credit for Prior Learning is a wonderful marketing tool that universities use. It has huge enticement value, and makes you feel like your work history is really being validated- a huge ego boost to those who may have felt underemployed by not having a degree, or beat out for promotions by some kid who doesn't know squat but has a piece of paper. Don't fall for it. This is a "coupon" for an otherwise very expensive, over-priced product that you can do elsewhere for the same results AND pennies on the dollar.

EDIT to add: there are COMMUNITY COLLEGES that allow more alternative credit than this. Scott Community College, my employer for 18 years, allows students to bring in 45 toward a 60 credit degree. APUS isn't a deal.

[dfrecore]

My opinion, which you're not going to believe, is that you should leave the 30 credits from your job on the table. Don't even pursue them. They are a tremendous distraction. (and no, you can't launder credit.)

I was not suggesting trying to launder credits, but to see if TESU would honor the PLA credits that APU will give. There was just a thread on here about how TESU worked with COSC in getting a CISSP certification (which COSC gives credit for but TESU does not) to give the guy a bunch of credit for the cert. So, it certainly can't hurt to see if TESU will work with APU to bring in those PLA credits.

If not, I agree, leave them behind and move on.

[cookderosa]

I was not suggesting trying to launder credits, but to see if TESU would honor the PLA credits that APU will give. There was just a thread on here about how TESU worked with COSC in getting a CISSP certification (which COSC gives credit for but TESU does not) to give the guy a bunch of credit for the cert. So, it certainly can't hurt to see if TESU will work with APU to bring in those PLA credits.

If not, I agree, leave them behind and move on.

I read your post after I wrote mine. I agree, if he can roll together a PLA through APUS and it is transferred to TESU, that's a win. I wouldn't throw any time or money at this option though. I have a feeling APUS isn't going to do that for free.

[vcv]

Thank you everyone for your advice. After reading replies and reading other info, I will prob not go with APU. With wanting/needing to study on my own at my own pace, APU does not seem to be the place. COCS looks appealing, as does TESU (I am leaning towards COCS). However not decided. One thing is for sure, I am starting a plan to get credits. I am starting with math and getting it out of the way. I signed up for ALEKS tonight and started the Beginners Algebra (the lowest level ACE they have). So far I am enjoying it. I spend a couple of hours on it tonight. It is amazing what I have forgotten in math over the many years, however just as amazing how fast I am picking it back up (so far). I love the fact ALEKS forces you to learn. I am hoping to take this one beginners algebra and then go straight info Business Statistics. I am very good with stats, percentages and data in general. We will see...

Again... Thank you MUCH to all the input. It really helped me.

vcv.

[High_Order1]

Hi VCV!

I think I've been here long enough to offer you a hearty welcome!

I too am in your age range.

I'll say this up front; I'd never seriously have started back to school without the input of this place.

I also wanted to go to APU; I liked the idea of an AS in explosive ordnance disposal.

My suggestion to you is this:

throttle back on the college selection for now. Really pore over this site. Go to a school that will maximize your credits. Just because APU will offer direct credits, you may be able to do the same thing, but better with the portfolio / prior learning assessment paths at the so-called Big 3 schools.

Your biggest thing besides figuring out a credit path is financing. Will your employer help you with paying for the degree? If so, the options broaden.

At any rate, I am a poor college student in both financing and aptitude. I will be coming up on a year now, and I am well over 50 percent of the way to a BACHELORS from an accredited college, thanks to this place. Only thing I can tell you is get to it; faster you start, faster you'll be finished.

Good luck!