Questions about Excelsior classes

[nthydro]

Hey guys, I'm just mapping out my BS IT plan for EC and I had a question about the order you have to take the classes and exams. Can you choose to take the classes and exams in any order you want? Or do you have to take them in a specified order such as Gen Ed then Core classes? Thanks!

[creative]

I don't think it matters what order you take them. But for me, I took "Intro" lower level tests first before upper level tests-- for instance it makes sense to take something like Intro to Psych before something like Abnormal Psych. However, it is not set in stone. People kind of make up their own "order" of which tests to take. Keep in mind that also you can "group" tests which helps you study. For instance Adulthood and Aging, Fundamentals of Gerontology, and Human Growth and Dev all overlap and it makes sense to take them close together. I am using Psych examples because that is what I am studying. Not sure how IT would work out.

[TMW2010]

Some classes have prerequisites, but they're sometimes flexible on those, depending on your advisor.

[scarlet_bandit]

i think you can take whatever.
just pay them the money. lol

[nthydro]

Thanks a lot for the insights fellas!

Creative, great advice regarding the grouping of tests! I didn't think of that but it makes a lot of sense. I will have to rearrange my exams accordingly.

TMW, I've been reading these boards for a week now and I've learned a lot from your posts. You always provide good info, especially for newbies like me. Thank you! Now about pre-reqs, where would I be able to see them? Another thing I'm curious about is why are some classes listed as Core requirements but is not an actual class provided by Excelsior? Does Excelsior expect you to take them at another school? Seems kind of odd. I wish they had a list of courses/exams that would satisfy each requirement. I tried their course search function but it doesn't work too well. I'm planning to start off with Gen Ed exams mixed with Core classes. Would that be a good idea?

[nthydro]

i think you can take whatever.
just pay them the money. lol

Lol you make them sound like a diploma mill :p

[TMW2010]

Thanks a lot for the insights fellas!

Creative, great advice regarding the grouping of tests! I didn't think of that but it makes a lot of sense. I will have to rearrange my exams accordingly.

TMW, I've been reading these boards for a week now and I've learned a lot from your posts. You always provide good info, especially for newbies like me. Thank you! Now about pre-reqs, where would I be able to see them? Another thing I'm curious about is why are some classes listed as Core requirements but is not an actual class provided by Excelsior? Does Excelsior expect you to take them at another school? Seems kind of odd. I wish they had a list of courses/exams that would satisfy each requirement. I tried their course search function but it doesn't work too well. I'm planning to start off with Gen Ed exams mixed with Core classes. Would that be a good idea?

The search function works well if you're enrolled. It lists the areas that you need to fill and you can select that class and it provides courses that will fill it, from EC and its partner schools.

It is annoying that EC doesn't offer every class they require for their degrees, but it lets them strike a balance - they pretty much have to have all the courses they offer reviewed and certified first, and doing it this way saves them time & money while still being able to offer a wide variety of degrees which pass requirements of their accreditors.

The idea to knock out gen Ed & cores first is pretty good, it allows you to switch gears easier if something happens and you decide to change the direction of your degree.

Prereqs, if there are any, are listed on the info page of the course when you open it from the course search feature.

And TY for the compliment. This community has helped me a lot in the last year, and I try to give back when I can.

[nthydro]

The search function works well if you're enrolled. It lists the areas that you need to fill and you can select that class and it provides courses that will fill it, from EC and its partner schools.

It is annoying that EC doesn't offer every class they require for their degrees, but it lets them strike a balance - they pretty much have to have all the courses they offer reviewed and certified first, and doing it this way saves them time & money while still being able to offer a wide variety of degrees which pass requirements of their accreditors.

The idea to knock out gen Ed & cores first is pretty good, it allows you to switch gears easier if something happens and you decide to change the direction of your degree.

Prereqs, if there are any, are listed on the info page of the course when you open it from the course search feature.

And TY for the compliment. This community has helped me a lot in the last year, and I try to give back when I can.

Oh okay now I see. I didn't know you had to be enrolled to enjoy the true benefits of the search features LOL. And now that you explained why Excelsior doesn't offer all the classes, I can understand why they did that.

BTW, which degree did you earn?

I appreciate the help. Thanks a lot bro! It's members like yourself that makes this community proud! :hurray:

[TMW2010]

Oct 17th is the last day of my classes, which'll allow me to apply for graduation in November and have my BS in Psychology conferred in January. (barring any complications, of course.)

[nthydro]

Oct 17th is the last day of my classes, which'll allow me to apply for graduation in November and have my BS in Psychology conferred in January. (barring any complications, of course.)

Nice, congratulations on almost reaching the finish line. How long did it take you and how much (you don't have to answer) did it cost for your BS in Psychology? And are you planning to apply to graduate school after?

Okay dumb question but who decides where your classes get applies to? For example, if I took a CLEP Humanties exam, and it could satisfy Gen Ed, Art & Science Elective, or Free Elective...could I dictate which category to put it under? Or does Excelsior choose, and how do they determine which to put it under? Thanks!