TESC degree plan help.

[smf6824]

Ok I plan on pursuing either my BSAST in Respiratory Care or Health Services Technology. Here is the link to the degree: Thomas Edison State College: Respiratory Care or BSAST Degree in Health Services Technology | Thomas Edison State College

Here is a list of what they want and I have:

A. Intellectual and Practical Skills:

(3cr) Eng 101 - I have Eng 101 from a 4 year RA college
(3cr)Eng 102 - I have Eng 102 from a 4 year RA college
(3cr)College algebra - I have college algebra from a RA community college and ALEKS
(3cr)Higher Level math above Algebra - I have trigonometry from ALEKS
(3cr)Computer Concepts (CIS 107 or above) - Hoping to use a combination of CIS 299 and CIS 341 from TEEX however they are 2 credits a piece not sure if this will work.

B. Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World

(3cr) psychology or sociology - I have psychology 101 and sociology 101 from a 4 year RA college
(3cr) Statistics - Will be taking this fall at a community college that is RA
(3cr) technical writing - Will be taking the DSST here in summer (wondering if business/technical writing from a community college will work)
(4cr) chemistry 1 - I have Chemistry 1 from RA community college
(4cr) chemistry 2- I have chemistry 2 from a RA community college
(4cr) physics 1 - Will be taking this fall at a community college that is RA

C. Personal and Social Responsibility

(3cr) Diversity/Global Literacy - I have intro to sociology from a 4 year RA college
(3cr) Responsible Ethical Leadership - NEED! Will an intro to philosophy course or logic course work?
(3cr) Ethics or Diversity Elective - Will be taking Sociology Marriage and Family at RA community college in fall.

D. General Education Electives

15 credits:

Courses I have that could be used:

(4cr) Biology 101
(3cr) Theatre Appreciation
(3cr) Intro to Business
(2cr) Personal Fitness
(4cr) Foundations of Chemistry (don't confuse with Chemistry 1 it is a different course)
(3cr) U.S. government 2
(3cr) U.S. history 2
(2cr) Intro to Word Processing
(1cr) Intro to Keyboarding Skills
(1cr) CPR and First Aid
(3cr) Principles of Management
(3cr) Fundamentals of Speech
(3cr) Human Relations (It is a Psychology Course)
(3cr) Intermediate Algebra (From Aleks)
(3cr) Beginning Algebra (From Aleks)
(2cr) Communications (ACE/JST)

II. Area of Study: Respiratory Care

RRT certification from the NBRC will cover the area of Study. (Refer to the link above)

If I pursue the Health Services Technology instead the Area of study is covered by the certification as well.

(3cr) Capstone Course - Obviously I have to do this at TESC

IV. Free Electives

15 more credits

Refer to above options, plus I have 6 fema courses



So after seeing what is required, what I need, and what I have this is my plan going forward. Tell me if it works:

In fall take Statistics, Physics, Marriage and Family, and Intro to Philosophy. Before then I will take the Technical Writing DSST in the summer. After I finish the courses and the subsequent capstone I should have everything necessary to graduate, correct? I realize the only definitive way to know for sure is to apply and have my transcripts reviewed and talk to TESC but I appreciate your insight as well. If you think other routes are better let me know. I realize I could use straighterline and clep/dsst's (I plan to do the technical writing one) but as of right now my education in the fall should be paid for without me paying a dime. So let me know your opinions. Thanks.

[sanantone]

TESC no longer accepts FEMA and never accepted Beginning Algebra from ALEKS. I would have to come back to further evaluate your plan, but somebody else will probably help you by then.

[smf6824]

Thanks for the info regarding FEMA credits. what do you think of the plan?

[Lindagerr]

I don't see you listing Anatomy & Physiology I & II among your current credits they appear as required for both degrees. Was your chemistry I & II listed as General Chem by your CC? Also was your college Algebra listed as MAT 121 or above? To me it looks like you would need a lot more science courses for the Respiratory Care degree.

I am not an authority on TESC since so much has changed but it would help to evaluate your plan if you put your credits into one area (you have Sociology in 2 places) and also if you gave course #'s sometimes TESC assigns strange #'s if a course does not exactly line up with their system.

I don't see any upper level requirements are they covered by your certification?

[alleycat]

Did you have an evaluation done by TESC? I would do it so you are sure what you exactly need. I do not believe the Phil course will cover Ethics. I did also see you mention Intro to Soc twice. It appears you are almost there.

[smf6824]

A&P 1 and 2 are under area of study that my RRT certification will cover. Either way I did take A&P 1 and 2. My chemistries were Gen. Chem 1 and 2. My sociology will cover one diversity course, the psychology will cover the psych or sociology requirement. College Algebra transcibes to TESC as MAT 121, either way I took it through ALEKS as well for fun. I am waiting to send my transcripts to TESC until I start school in the fall. From what I understand you only have six months to enroll after they evaluate your transcripts.

[alleycat]

Yes you do have a six month window to enroll. But I would personally want to know what my evaluation was so I didn't have any surprises later! But that's just me.

[bricabrac]

I agree with Alleycat's comment. The reason the evaluation is so important, each college evaluates courses by their own qualifiers. Therefore, some courses may not be accepted, some may not fit areas you thought they would, some may even be deemed developmental (ex beginning algebra). That's why it's best to apply and have an evaluation done as soon as possible as it locks you into a temporary 6 month contract of sorts (don't know how else to voice this). Any advice we offer is usually given by precedent and/or experience but as we have all now learned, decisions on course equivalencies are subject to change at any given time. (Another reason to jump on board as soon as possible.) As it is, a new catalog will be released in July which could mean changes to your program.

Any who, you're off to a fantastic start! I would just substitute exams for some of the college courses. Work on completing them now through the summer. Over the fall semester take: Physics at your local CC (Sep-Dec) and the TESC APS401 Capstone Sep 2014 (Sep 1-Nov 23) and your DONE! Good luck!!





Here are my comments on a few areas. I only looked at the first degree choice, Respiratory Care, as it is the outline you followed.

A. Intellectual and Practical Skills:
(3cr)Computer Concepts (CIS 107 or above) - Not sure if the TEEX courses will meet the computer requirement (they are security based).You would have to have that approved by TESC. The TECEP CIS107 Computer Concepts & Applications exam is easily doable.
Hoping to use a combination of CIS 299 and CIS 341 from TEEX however they are 2 credits a piece not sure if this will work.

B. Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World
(3cr) psychology or sociology - psychology 101
(3cr) Statistics - Could also use ALEKS Intro to Statistics.
Will be taking this fall at a community college that is RA
(3cr) technical writing - The DSST Technical Writing is very, very easy. Refer to the factsheet and visit this SITE to brush up.
Will be taking the DSST here in summer (wondering if business/technical writing from a community college will work)


C. Personal and Social Responsibility
(3cr) Diversity/Global Literacy - intro to sociology
(3cr) Responsible Ethical Leadership - DSST Business Ethics & Society, DSST Ethics in America, or SL Business Ethics
(3cr) Ethics or Diversity Elective - Simpler and less time if you take DSST Anthropology or DSST Human/Cultural Geography. Third option DSST Intro to World Religions or SL Intro to Religion. (From the feedback, the SL option seems to be easiest.) Will be taking Sociology Marriage and Family at RA community college in fall.

D. General Education Electives 15 credits: COMPLETED! whether all courses are used or not.
(4cr) Biology 101
(3cr) U.S. government 2
(3cr) U.S. history 2
(3cr) Fundamentals of Speech
(3cr) Intermediate Algebra (From Aleks)
(2cr) Communications (ACE/JST)

(3cr) Human Relations (It is a Psychology Course) could be transcribed as PSY or MAN, depends on course description.
(4cr) Foundations of Chemistry (don't confuse with Chemistry 1 it is a different course) <- doesnt matter if it's a different course. With foundations in the title could be seen as introductory or developmental. It depends on the course description. Would it be considered CHE101 (survey of chem)? Check out the PLA DATABASE LINK for course descriptions.

IV. Free Electives 15 more credits COMPLETED!
(3cr) Theatre Appreciation
(2cr) Intro to Word Processing
(1cr) Intro to Keyboarding Skills
(1cr) CPR and First Aid
(3cr) Principles of Management
(3cr) Intro to Business
(2cr) Personal Fitness



Developmental course = 0cr
Beginning Algebra (From Aleks)

[smf6824]

Thanks for the info and insight. I do plan on taking at least 12 credits at my local community college since it is already paid for, but only if I go full time. I have a combination of the GI Bill and State higher education grant. If I fall below full time hours I lose a lot of money.... so I will be full time in fall. I will enroll at TESC in the spring. My housing stipend will pay for TESC so I don't have to take out a loan.

[bricabrac]

You're welcome. Would have saved time if you disclosed your plan from the onset.

Good luck!