Straighterline or CLEP?

[Daithi]

I actually like the StraighterLine courses. The SL courses are really convenient, because I can do the whole thing from home. So far, they've only taken me about a week to 10 days per course (I've taken their easy courses). Same with ALEKS. They're very convenient. Where I live, CLEP testing is only done one Saturday a month. I can schedule a CLEP test on Friday or Wednesday but then I need to take off work. So, I like StraighterLine. Since I'm going to enroll at TESC the ACE accreditation isn't problem for me either. On the other hand, if I could take a CLEP test every Saturday, I'd probably do that instead.

[corpsole2]

I have taken 24 (and thinking of taking my 25th and final course) through Straighterline. It was highly convenient for me, because the nearest CLEP testing facility was over an hour away, and it would have cost me much more overall than doing it through SL.

Prior to enrolling in Straighterline, I had only done two CLEPs and one DSST, and five FEMA courses. But now, because of 72 credits via SL, I am closing in on 105 credits. This is including taking a course at TESC and fulfilling the math requirement through ALEKs' Intermediate Algebra.

What I generally did was send all my courses through ACE, simply because I wanted an independent agency accrediting my work. It was also just in case I wanted to send a transcript anywhere else. Also, ACE accepted many of Straighterline's new courses which had been added over the winter, even before TESC had evaluated them. But because they were on my ACE transcript, TESC accepted those new courses for credit. As a result, I have more than enough for an A.A., but decided to bypass that and shoot for the B.A. in History.

I would say definitely try Straighterline, especially if you are thinking of Sociology and Psychology. I didn't know a thing about either subject, so it was a good thing I went through the courses and learned them. It generally took me two weeks to go through a hard course like Psychology and MacroEconomics. For easy subjects like American History I and II and Anthropology, I generally took a week. Also, rely heavily on the book. Straighterline has an open book policy for exams, where you are allowed to bring the textbook to the exams to use as reference.

As far as a cost saving measure, I'd say it had a huge advantage over CLEPs. I would complete about three to four SL courses a month. Multiply that times the $49 per course plus $99 per month subscription, and you get about $2300 over the last 18 months for 72 college credits. I'd roughly estimate what my local CLEP center would charge me, and it would be around $2700. So I still saved over taking CLEP.

[IrishJohn]

I actually like the StraighterLine courses. The SL courses are really convenient, because I can do the whole thing from home. So far, they've only taken me about a week to 10 days per course (I've taken their easy courses). Same with ALEKS. They're very convenient. Where I live, CLEP testing is only done one Saturday a month. I can schedule a CLEP test on Friday or Wednesday but then I need to take off work. So, I like StraighterLine. Since I'm going to enroll at TESC the ACE accreditation isn't problem for me either. On the other hand, if I could take a CLEP test every Saturday, I'd probably do that instead.

In that case, check out the 3 NCCRS-approved courses at Saylor.org. They're even cheaper than SL and if they fit into your degree, why not?

[scryedrulz]

What are the so called "easy" straighterline courses you are speaking of? I of course have to take a lot of courses, but I do like the ability to do it all from my house.

[Daithi]

What are the so called "easy" straighterline courses you are speaking of? I of course have to take a lot of courses, but I do like the ability to do it all from my house.

Your mileage may vary, but Criminal Justice, Introduction to Religion, Sociology, Psychology, Business Ethics, Organizational Behavior (TBD), and United States History I & II (TBD). These were all pretty easy, but a couple are still To Be Done (TBD). However, I've already bought the courses and have the books and don't think they'll be too hard. There are several other courses in their humanities section that look pretty easy too. Mostly I just read the book and then take the quizzes/tests.

The ones that I don't think would be easy are their Calculus courses, Physics courses (they're Calc based), and some of the other hard sciences (e.g. Chemistry). I also understand that the Macro/Micro Economics courses are not necessarily hard but are very time consuming with lots of quizzes. The English I & II are also time consuming with lots of papers to write (I'd definitely CLEP that one).

[scryedrulz]

Your mileage may vary, but Criminal Justice, Introduction to Religion, Sociology, Psychology, Business Ethics, Organizational Behavior (TBD), and United States History I & II (TBD). These were all pretty easy, but a couple are still To Be Done (TBD). However, I've already bought the courses and have the books and don't think they'll be too hard. There are several other courses in their humanities section that look pretty easy too. Mostly I just read the book and then take the quizzes/tests.

The ones that I don't think would be easy are their Calculus courses, Physics courses (they're Calc based), and some of the other hard sciences (e.g. Chemistry). I also understand that the Macro/Micro Economics courses are not necessarily hard but are very time consuming with lots of quizzes. The English I & II are also time consuming with lots of papers to write (I'd definitely CLEP that one).

Thanks! Ya, I've noticed a few people mentione the english 1 and 2 totally going to CLEP that one. I actually like sociology and all that, so taking those classes would probably be fun for me. Thanks for the help! My math credits are already knocked out too, so no worries there,

[dewisant]

I would start nailing CLEP tests if I were you, but I prefer DSST tests. It's your choice...just DO something!

[scryedrulz]

I would start nailing CLEP tests if I were you, but I prefer DSST tests. It's your choice...just DO something!

Well I am going to be doing some of both. Right now I am knocking out FEMA courses and working on statistics on ALEKS. I was doing behavioral stats, but switched to intro. Not like the courses are much different and they duplicate anyways. (Pretty sure I read that somewhere)

[askmo24]

Have you taken Intro to Philosophy through SL?

[scryedrulz]

Have you taken Intro to Philosophy through SL?

Don't know if you are asking me or not, but I haven't taken any SL courses yet.