TECEPs do not need ACE or NCCRS approval. Don't ask a school if they accept TECEPs.

[sanantone]

TECEPs do not need ACE or NCCRS approval because they earn one credit from a regionally accredited college. Regional accreditation trumps ACE and NCCRS approval. You don't transfer TECEPs; you transfer credits earned by passing a TECEP. TECEPs are just internal challenge exams with a fancy name. They are no different from Ohio University exams or any other college or university's challenge exams. When you earn credits from TECEPs, the courses are coded on a transcript just like an online, guided study, or ground course at TESC. The only difference is that you will see "CR" instead of a letter grade. This is the only problem one might have when transferring credits earned by TECEP. The school you're transferring to might be confused by the pass/fail designation. This is the same problem one can run into when transferring credits earned by courses taken at Western Governors University or even Brown University which gives students the option of taking courses pass/fail.

When you want to transfer credits earned by TECEPs, do not ask the school you're transferring to if they accept TECEPs. Ask them if they accept pass/fail credits earned at a regionally accredited college. If they are still confused because TESC's courses come with letter grades, tell them that their challenge exams are graded pass/fail. Challenge exams are usually graded pass/fail, so this should be easier for them to understand.

[Jonathan Whatley]

Also! TESC clearly and publicly documents that "CR" grades on TESC-source credit, including TECEPs, are equivalent to at least the letter grade of C. Besides posting this in numerous places on their website, text to this effect appears on the printed grade report they issue for successful TECEPs, and I expect that text to this effect probably also appears on TESC's official transcripts.

Some schools may want to know that incoming transfer credit is worth at least a C, as they may not accept a D, or a pass or "CR" that might represent a D. This can answer that.

[sanantone]

Also! TESC clearly and publicly documents that "CR" grades on TESC-source credit, including TECEPs, are equivalent to at least the letter grade of C. Besides posting this in numerous places on their website, text to this effect appears on the printed grade report they issue for successful TECEPs, and I expect that text to this effect probably also appears on TESC's official transcripts.

Some schools may want to know that incoming transfer credit is worth at least a C, as they may not accept a D, or a pass or "CR" that might represent a D. This can answer that.

Good point. It's like when WGU mentions that a pass for them is equal to a "B."

[Drakemoore]

In my case, when I try to contact schools in FL about it. I'm mostly fed a response like the following: "If the course is listed on the transcript as internally coded or credit by internal examination we most likely will not accept the credits even if they're from a regionally accredited institution." I still have to contact the Deans / VP of Academic affairs at these schools ( I think that's the other alternative name for dean?) to get a more higher branch response on it.

But it doesn't make any sense to me that they wouldn't accept the courses even if they're internal examinations because they accept CLEP. To me if they accept CLEP then they should have zero issues whatsoever with accepting credit by exam from another RA school because the school holds even greater integrity in my opinion.

[sanantone]

In my case, when I try to contact schools in FL about it. I'm mostly fed a response like the following: "If the course is listed on the transcript as internally coded or credit by internal examination we most likely will not accept the credits even if they're from a regionally accredited institution." I still have to contact the Deans / VP of Academic affairs at these schools ( I think that's the other alternative name for dean?) to get a more higher branch response on it.

But it doesn't make any sense to me that they wouldn't accept the courses even if they're internal examinations because they accept CLEP. To me if they accept CLEP then they should have zero issues whatsoever with accepting credit by exam from another RA school because the school holds even greater integrity in my opinion.

Someone talked about a similar issue when inquiring about the CSU-Global competency-based exams. I agree with you in that challenge exams should be accepted if a school accepts CLEP. TECEPs are more rigorous than CLEP and DSST. One can pass some of the CLEPs/DSSTs with getting less than half of the answers right. I've heard people describe TECEPs as being more like final exams for actual courses.

[cookderosa]

My TECEP is in the same section of the semester I took it, right along with my other TESC courses. My CLEP/DSST exams are in an entirely different section.

[cookderosa]

In my case, when I try to contact schools in FL about it. I'm mostly fed a response like the following: "If the course is listed on the transcript as internally coded or credit by internal examination we most likely will not accept the credits even if they're from a regionally accredited institution." I still have to contact the Deans / VP of Academic affairs at these schools ( I think that's the other alternative name for dean?) to get a more higher branch response on it.

But it doesn't make any sense to me that they wouldn't accept the courses even if they're internal examinations because they accept CLEP. To me if they accept CLEP then they should have zero issues whatsoever with accepting credit by exam from another RA school because the school holds even greater integrity in my opinion.

In my experience, your question is confusing them because it requires a sophisticated understanding of transfer policy. I'm completely serious. Likely the person you spoke to was confused or unsure; when in doubt, say no and get rid of the problem. I'd bet my nickle that if you mailed your official transcript to the FL school in question, that it would be recorded and accepted as transfer credit. It is not unusual for colleges to allow students the pass/fail option, which is listed on the TESC transcript in exactly the same way. So, unless the FL college SPECIFICALLY has a policy against non-graded credit (hey, they might) then you should be fine.

P.S. I believe that this is the same philosophy Sanantone shares, prompting the title of this thread.

[OfficerA]

The reps I've been in contact with from Southeast Missouri State University replied to me saying they have no idea at all how having a mix of CLEP/DSST/TECEPs will affect my acceptance into their MBA program; at best I will need to submit my transcripts and let their MBA department handle it when it gets there. They did state at least that they do not have a graded credit minimum for their general grad school admission requirements.

I'll keep everyone posted on here; I really want to sell my fellow Airmen on the alternate means I've pursued my education (as I'm on track to knock out a bachelor's degree in about 3 years), but for many of them all the challenges I've run into myself (including the POV that CLEPs/DSSTs are somehow "worthless" compared to B&M classes that's prevalent DoD-wide) is discouraging for them. This thread helps.

Edit: Just want to add, I'm pursuing SEMO due to the programmatic accreditation, cost, and online availability of their MBA program, the accreditation in particular required for service credit for a commissioning program I'm looking into. I don't have a problem otherwise with pursuing any other grad schools, even outside of an MBA.

[sanantone]

I'd like to add something to this thread. COSC's treatment of TECEPs vs. CSU Global CBEs demonstrates the difference between the two. TESU treats TECEPs as credits earned in residence; therefore, they fall under TESU's regional accreditation. This is why COSC will accept TECEPs. With CSU Global CBEs, however, COSC has explained that they will not accept them because CSU Global treats them as transfer credits rather than credits earned in residence. I'm assuming that COSC sees this as an accreditation issue and would want to see either ACE or NCCRS approval before accepting CSU Global CBEs (even though they accept FEMA credits without any type of accreditation or ACE or NCCRS approval). Keep in mind that this is just how COSC treats the exams. Some schools, like TESU, might not care and will accept them just because they come from a regionally accredited school.

[Mamasaphire]

TECEPs do not need ACE or NCCRS approval because they earn one credit from a regionally accredited college. Regional accreditation trumps ACE and NCCRS approval. You don't transfer TECEPs; you transfer credits earned by passing a TECEP. TECEPs are just internal challenge exams with a fancy name.
When you want to transfer credits earned by TECEPs, do not ask the school you're transferring to if they accept TECEPs. Ask them if they accept pass/fail credits earned at a regionally accredited college. If they are still confused because TESC's courses come with letter grades, tell them that their challenge exams are graded pass/fail. Challenge exams are usually graded pass/fail, so this should be easier for them to understand.

TESU treats TECEPs as credits earned in residence; therefore, they fall under TESU's regional accreditation.

Oops -- I had emailed the local CC earlier today asking about a TECEP approval for one of my children, and I might have made every mistake you said not to :p <sigh>
. I shot the advisor a follow-up email, hopefully clarifying based upon your explanation here (which, btw, is much appreciated!).