First attempt at a degree plan... help!!

[Pmccullough03]

I've been working to put together a degree plan for our 17 year old who wants to start earning his degree in accounting. I found the credit requirements for TESC (I think this is where he decided to end) and tried to match up possible exams to figure out which actual classes he will need.

That said, I have -no idea- what I'm doing. I don't understand the what or why of upper level or lower level, what exams/classes might apply if they are not obvious and what are "recommended subjects" if not mandatory??

Is there a way to attach my plan so you smarties on here could look it over? I have it in excel but could re-type it in a post if needed I guess.

We're excited to get started but still feel mostly clueless, any help is appreciated!!

[bethanynash]

I'm getting ready to take my last two tests for this degree. The tests I took are listed in my signature line. I took as many tests as I possibly could, so that I could finish the degree in one year. The only thing I could have tested out of and didn't was Pre-Calc.

For classes at TESC, I took Managerial Accounting, Managerial Communications, Intermediate Accounting I & II, Federal Income Taxation, Business Policy, Advanced Accounting I & II, Pre-Calculus, and Auditing, in that order. It made a HUGE difference for me who the mentor was for the accounting classes. I even dropped auditing the first time specifically to switch mentors.

[Pmccullough03]

This is immensely helpful!! I will be going over what you have listed to see how well we match up... do you mind me asking what you started with and when?

You're the first we've heard from who has earned this degree from TESC so it's exciting to know it can be done as we hoped!! Any other tips (good to know about the mentors!) or directions (what might you have done differently?) would be wonderful.

I'm just thrilled to hear from someone at the end of the journey we're about to begin, my future accountant will be thrilled as well

Thank you!!!!
Chani & Jacob

[bethanynash]

For tests I started with Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, English Lit, and English Comp, because that's where my strengths were. I didn't study for any of those, or for Humanities. I also took the CLEP for Financial Accounting pretty early, since my first classes were Managerial Accounting and Managerial Communications.

I started taking tests in September of last year, and I start classes in November of last year. I took four terms of classes at TESC... I probably could have finished my tests during that time period, but I ended up filing an enrollment extension to complete these last two, since I had a ton of morning sickness in the early part of the year, and had a baby the end of last month!

Other tips: If you can get David Medved as a mentor for any of the accounting classes, do. I would even change the order of my classes in order to have him teach, honestly. For Managerial Accounting I had Brandy Havens, who is also excellent. For Federal Income Taxation I had Dr. Weinberger, and I would recommend him as well.

If I had it to do over, I might use one of my free elective slots to take Cost Accounting, because I'll have to take that at some point if I want to go for a CPA certification. Oh, also, the Western Civ. I and II are what I used for free elecs, although there are plenty of other options for that, obviously. I took those because I thought I could pass with minimal study.

There is a fair amount of overlap in the business DANTES, so it definitely pays to study for them all at once. If I had it to do over, I would take Managerial Communications and Business Policy while I was going through those tests, since they all have elements that go well together.

Also, I don't necessarily recommend taking Intermediate Accounting I and II simultaneously Since I was trying to cram everything into one year, that's what I did... knowing what I do now, I would've probably taken Advanced Accounting I and II together instead... they were easier in some ways than the Intermediate.

One other thing to note: Advanced Accounting I and II and Auditing have double the amount of discussion assignments as the lower level courses, so be prepared for a heavier workload and plan accordingly.

That's all I can think of right now, but let me know if there's anything else I might be able to help you with.

[Pmccullough03]

You are a God-send, I mean that!!

Congratulations on your new baby!! That's an impressive accomplishment all on it's own

I'll be going over all this with Jacob once he's home from work. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate you sharing your experience, especially all the tips.

It still seems a tad overwhelming (just a tad?!) but knowing where to start is the first step forward. I have a feeling we'll be in touch, haha!!