Penn Foster vs. Ashworth

[rowan555]

I'm looking into these options for my younger, less academically inclined son. I know the pitfalls of a nationally accredited, for-profit school, so I mainly am interested in thoughts on which of these schools might be the better choice. Most likely going with an AS in Criminal Justice and then hopefully he will decide to continue on and get his BS.

[rebel100]

One could use Penn Foster courses that are ACE approved and transfer them to Charter Oak or TESC.....tun that NA to RA......that would be my advice.

[rowan555]

For the sake of this thread, I'm assuming he would graduate from Ashworth or Penn Foster. Not saying that's for sure what will happen, but I'm planning out the "path of least resistance" and hoping to get him started at 16. It might be his only hope for getting a degree, because I'm relatively certain once he leaves home around 19 or so he will not continue his education.

[videogamesrock]

For the sake of this thread, I'm assuming he would graduate from Ashworth or Penn Foster. Not saying that's for sure what will happen, but I'm planning out the "path of least resistance" and hoping to get him started at 16. It might be his only hope for getting a degree, because I'm relatively certain once he leaves home around 19 or so he will not continue his education.

Ashworth College is by far easy, so easy a caveman can do it. So if you are worried that challenging coursework is something that would hinder your child then Ashworth is the place. It is not very challenging. Most courses can be done within a few days work. An AS should be completed within a few months if using the AC challenge exams. The challenge of the coursework ranks right up there with StraighterLine, ethics course for insurance, kaplan, and any of those other joke for college credit courses.

[rowan555]

Haha, well that's pretty easy! My younger son is really bright when it comes to many things in life, but he just hates academics to the point that it's a daily struggle to get him to do his work (both my kids are/were homeschooled, my older son is about to attend WGU). I feel like if he sees he is working towards something concrete, it might motivate him a bit. He'll have to take some Straighterline courses first which we may start on in the spring. That's why I was trying to determine which college to enroll him in, as their curricula are a bit different and I want him to take the right courses. We'll start with math and composition and communications just to be on the safe side.

[bjcheung77]

I'm looking into these options for my younger, less academically inclined son. I know the pitfalls of a nationally accredited, for-profit school, so I mainly am interested in thoughts on which of these schools might be the better choice. Most likely going with an AS in Criminal Justice and then hopefully he will decide to continue on and get his BS.

Ah yes, the debate of Ashworth vs Penn Foster. For the cost, I think they're the same in price if not, Ashworth might be a tad cheaper.
My suggestion would be to use Penn Foster as a majority of courses from them are ACE recommended for credit, whereas Ashworth is not.
For ease of transfer to the Big 3 later or the competency based degree players, that would be my suggestion - Penn Foster.
Penn Foster maybe as easy as Ashworth (I've not taken anything from Ashworth yet, so can't really compare).

One recommendation is to see if you can complete the Penn Foster Associates by "moving/swapping courses" around that are NOT ACE recommended with ones that are... you may really want to reconsider taking a COSC/TESU associates with the FREE credit and SL courses.
They are the CHEAPEST/EASIEST/FASTEST courses you can get... and they will go to COSC/TESU RA Associates (just as easy as Penn Foster).
If your son is going to go to Ashworth or Penn Foster, he can transfer credits from Straighterline into the program...

Furthermore, if your son finds he likes Straighterline, he can use those ACE credits towards the COSC/TESU associates degree (45 credits).
He can take the 15 credits from the "Free/cheap" pile of courses that are non proctored and get the necessary credits for the degree.
Start with the free/cheap courses listed in the degreeforum.wikia.com and also start him with Straighterline, you can't go wrong with that.
Transfer to COSC/TESU when the time comes, or if you're adamant, finish it with a PENN FOSTER or ASHWORTH Associates Degree.