Switching Gears from Excelsior BLS to Kaplan University Open College

[futuremrsmlb]

Hello again,

Over the weekend while searching for a cost effective way to complete my degree, I came across Kaplan University's Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies program. I am a former student of Kaplan. The program does require 45 quarter credits to be earned in order to graduate. It is basically a self designed program where you pay $195 a month that allows you to prepare for assessments. These assessments are similar to credit by exam. These are either multiple choice exams or a series of assignments depending on the courses

Overall, this sounds like a great deal for me as a former student. There is a Capstone required. It costs about $2200.
From the looks of it I can finish my degree with $2500. That'sabout $1500 less than finishing at EC.
Has anyone heard of this program?

[the_cure]

I am currently enrolled at OC@KU and I like it. I like the program as it allows me to choose the subjects. I am planning to go for my MBA in about 2 years time so I selected subjects that will prepare me well for MBA such as Human Resources, etc. I do hold M.Ed already so I could technically go straight for my MBA but I want to be well prepared, hence studying at OC@KU. I am not from the States, so I am taking pretty much all the courses and should be able to get about 30 credits for my PLA.

The assignments are challenging, though (required score is 80% on each assessment not just overall but also for each part; 70% for SL courses and there are plenty you can transfer to OC@KU). You pay $150 per month PLUS $100 for each course assessment taken with Kaplan. It is not as cheap as I initially thought but I like it and I am hoping to complete it quite quickly. I am now completing SL courses and should be able to transfer 50 credits from SL alone.

[futuremrsmlb]

I am currently enrolled at OC@KU and I like it. I like the program as it allows me to choose the subjects. I am planning to go for my MBA in about 2 years time so I selected subjects that will prepare me well for MBA such as Human Resources, etc. I do hold M.Ed already so I could technically go straight for my MBA but I want to be well prepared, hence studying at OC@KU. I am not from the States, so I am taking pretty much all the courses and should be able to get about 30 credits for my PLA.

The assignments are challenging, though (required score is 80% on each assessment not just overall but also for each part; 70% for SL courses and there are plenty you can transfer to OC@KU). You pay $150 per month PLUS $100 for each course assessment taken with Kaplan. It is not as cheap as I initially thought but I like it and I am hoping to complete it quite quickly. I am now completing SL courses and should be able to transfer 50 credits from SL alone.

Thanks for your reply.
I have 120+ semester credits including 30 quarter credits earned at Kaplan. I am hoping to just take 3 assessments and the capstone. The advisor I am working with just submitted my unofficial transcripts to the registrar for an unofficial audit of my previous course work.

I am also looking forward to beginning an online MBA program by Summer 2016. That is my present goal.
I enrolled at Excelsior College in September in the BLS program. According to my official evaluation I needed about 34 credits to finish. I have completed about 15 of those since then. However, the out of pocket cost for the capstone, info lit, and graduation fees had me reconsider and look at OC @KC. Overall, it will be cheaper and faster for me to finish with KU.

Do you mind sharing how you worked out your individual study plan? What are the upper level credit requirements? Does Kaplan offer credit for open learning?

[the_cure]

Do you mind sharing how you worked out your individual study plan? What are the upper level credit requirements? Does Kaplan offer credit for open learning?

Hi, your advisor will work out your ILP. They will tell you what courses you need to take in order to complete your degree. I think it would be best if you contact them directly and ask them those questions. If you need, I can put you in touch with my advisor and she will guide you through the process. Send me a PM if you would like her email.

[futuremrsmlb]

Hi, your advisor will work out your ILP. They will tell you what courses you need to take in order to complete your degree. I think it would be best if you contact them directly and ask them those questions. If you need, I can put you in touch with my advisor and she will guide you through the process. Send me a PM if you would like her email.

Thanks! I am actually working with an advisor I was just curious to know about your personal experience. I am waiting for an unofficial review of my credits. I should hear back next week.
Good luck to you!

[futuremrsmlb]

Just wanted to update:

I have decided to enroll at Kaplan University under the Open College program. The program requirements are extremely FLEXIBLE. Much more flexible that EC's Liberal Arts programs. The upper level requirements much easier to meet and they offer various options that you can choose from to fill them. At Excelsior, I had about 20 SH remaining including Info Lit and the capstone. At OC@KU I have to complete 2 assessments and the capstone to receive a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies.
There is a residency requirement (45 Quarter Hrs) that can been meet by taking assessments or regular KU courses. Since I am a former student, I only need 2 assessments (1 3cr and 1 5 cr) to finish.

I am grateful to have found this program. I initially thought that the Big 3 was my only hope to finishing my degree. With over 120 SH (mostly LL) under my belt I could not see myself taking another year to finish. So, this professional studies program will put me back on track with finishing my undergrad and starting an graduate program next summer or spring.

:coolgleam:

ADD: the program is $195 a month; in addition, course assessment cost $100. My advisor informed me that KU is waiving the 1st four months for new students who enroll in the program. So it cost me nothing to enroll. Right now, the total cost to finish my degree is $2400...not bad compared to the $3840 I would have to pay to finish at Excelsior.