A little rusty at this.. some help?

[burbuja0512]

Wow thanks for the great replies so far!

@dfrecore - Glad to hear from someone in HR. I agree that Biz admin is a good option, but I'm not sure how well he'll like some of them. I got bored in many of the biz classes and didn't actually enjoy them until the Masters, so I think that's why I thought HR might be "lighter" or at the very least more interesting.

@KayV - WAIT? COSC requires Algebra now??? I need to look into this as I swear I passed mine with just the 6-credit math CLEP. Math is really not his strong suit, though he has the brains to do it. He just hates it, which makes it more challenging.

@Jen - I think he needs to do some classes. He's not very self-motivated and the only way he passes tests is if I'm studying with him. However, he'll follow along in a class and do what he's told without any complaining. He also likes the social aspect of the in-person class, but I'm so sick of financing my local CC. He's aware that it will be a combination of tests, alternatives like SL, and online classes. Thank you for the info on study dot com. I'll need to check it out.

BTW, I don't mean to be hard on my son. He has a very high IQ and will be very successful.. but just needs some pushing right now. He had a terrible run in public school due to ADHD that was undiagnosed until he was in high school, at which time I pulled him out and home-schooled him so he could actually learn. Needless to say, his confidence in his academic abilities is still shaken and contributes to the lack of interest in school. It's party fear of failure.

[rebel100]

First off, welcome back! Missed you around here.

I would be aware as mentioned above that earning a bachelors now will affect financial aid later, but knowing that and the implications you seem to be looking for how to, so here is my $.02...

Since he does better with classes over testing out I would recommend our alma mater COSC, I would look first to straighterline for the completion of general education then to FEMA to turbo charge the completion of an AA. So long as he finishes 45 liberal arts credits he will be eligible for the AA, 30 liberal arts will make an AS possible, either is OK, but the added liberal arts credits may be worthwhile a little later. Note he will need a science with a lab plus an additional 3 credit natural science course for a total of 7 natural science credits. I suggest SL biology with a lab plus anything that looks interesting. If a foreign language CLEP is possieble do that for the 12 credits it provides, likewise the Analyzing and Interpreting Lit CLEP is still 6 credits I believe. Gen Eds: General Education Requirements - Charter Oak State College Catalog note the math requirement says "Mathematics (3 credits)
Students will have an understanding of mathematics beyond the entry-level requirements for college.
Examples: College-level Algebra or higher, Statistics." Since the CLEP College Math is beyond entry level (it's called college math) that should suffice if that's your choice and he can manage it, also worth 6 credits as always. Note that its listed this way on the COSC Master List https://www.charteroak.edu/exams/exams-master-list.pdf I would consider just completing the SL College Algebra or ALEKS with a tutor...but whatever he's comfortable with.

The more liberal arts credits he earns, the more room there will be to use FEMA (free, short, easyish) to complete the remainder of his bachelors. Imagine 45-60 or so credits from SL (plus the 3 credit cornerstone...a liberal arts credit), 30 FEMA, so essentially 90 doable "courses", with a smattering of CLEP/DSST/ALEKS thrown in. If he averages 4 weeks/SL course and knocks out CBE and FEMA on the way its a reasonable year or less to knock these out for the associates (60-90 credits), could be much quicker. This portion could be done for around $2000-2500, plus $1000 or so for the cornerstone.

I would then look at bringing in 9 UL course (27 credits) from a low stress school. University of Idaho, BYU, or CSU-Pueblo come to mind. I really like CSU-P. All of these have self paced independent studies options that can be completed over a year (low stress), or much much quicker. I completed some CSU-P course over a couple long weekends and their customer service was second to none. A major in sociology/psychology seems like it might be a good choice with lots of those available at the upper level through U of Idaho or CSU-Pueblo. Sociology > Division of Extended Studies > Colorado State University-Pueblo Psychology These would be transferred back to COSC of course. This would cost $4500 plus COSC fees for Capstone, so the whole degree from start to finish is well under $8-10K over a year or two...and I hope the plan would play to his strengths/interests. you could even combine the Psych/Sociology in a dual concentration, and there is room for electives if he needs to meet certain prereqs for work or a future masters degree. I think if nothing else, the sociology would complement short term goals of teaching oversees and checking the "has bachelors" box on an employment application.

If you wanted to take a bit longer but still use CC/CLEP, CSU-P has a couple programs to earn your BS/BA online self paced using those independent studies courses, it follows a more traditional pattern, but is federal aid eligible Undergraduate Degree Program > Division of Extended Studies > Colorado State University-Pueblo

Best, and great to chat with you here again....

Edited to add: I want to say that some of the instructors I had at CSU-P took a lot of interest in me as a student. I think that is the sort of interaction your hoping for. Anything by Donna Nivens Arragone is particularly recommended. (she teaches mostly psych). You can read specific course descriptions for CSU-P here http://extendedstudies.csupueblo.edu/Ind...tfacts.pdf

[burbuja0512]

Hey there Reb!!! I had no idea that you were a moderator now!! That is so cool and we couldn't have a better person!!

I really hope that he decides to like exams, but if not, we will do SL with only a few exams sprinkled in. Now that he's been going to CC, he appreciates how much time/effort goes into 3 credits, so hopefully it will make the exam more appealing.

I had been wondering what to do for the UL credits and I think he'll like CSU Pueblo. I think you might know that we moved from Denver to Chicago for my job a couple of years ago. He's still not happy about this, so I think that CSU will have some appeal.

Oh and the good news is that we just logged into his old DSST account and he does have 9 credits, including 3 UL from Substance Abuse. We're going to start back up easy with Analyzing & Interpreting Lit so hoping to get off to a good start!

Thanks!!

[rebel100]

Yeah, CSU seems like an obvious choice for you guys. And the price on the IS courses won't break the bank!

If he completed SA DSST you might consider the Here's to your health next. Freeclepprep.com has fantastic resources for this exam, their $15 guide on this exam is spot on. Of course, the flashcards here are pretty great to. HTYH is probably one of the easiest DSST's

[rebel100]

Loosely constructed guide, just substitute a straighterline course wherever possible: http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...total.html

[burbuja0512]

Thanks!!!!!!

[NAP]

Hi!

If I remember correctly, your son was interested in pharmacy a few years ago. What happened with that? Is there anything else that he has expressed an interest in which could be explored further now?

[burbuja0512]

Hello NAP!!!! Long time no see!! I am really impressed with your memory - holy cow!

Yes, you are correct. He really felt like he was a good fit for the medical field, first for pharmacy and then for nursing. (then emergency response, then teaching, which he still hasn't totally ruled out..) He started off well, but fizzled quickly and unfortunately has never really gotten his ADHD meds quite right. I think that's what's caused his apathy towards school, but I guess I'm lucky. He's willing to do what I ask and is still interested in studying. The medical field has been ruled out and he's been plodding along slowly since I last posted about him.

I guess it could be worse - I do love having him at home and the lengthy study time pretty much guarantees he'll be here for a while. In spite of the issues, he is highly intelligent, so as long as we find something that he doesn't hate, he has the ability to do well.

I hope all is going well with you!!!!

[Inteljustice2]

This can backfire on you. My (then 20) son took a warehouse job and I thought "great! He can pay off his car and see how hard it is to work 40 hours...etc." he came home and told me he was going to earn $24/hour. He just finished his first year and "loves" this job. He has way too much money for a kid his age and is in no way interested in returning to school. The problem du jour is helping him plan to move up in this company or into a less-physically demanding position, but the point is that even though we have all of this in our brain, at the end of the day, our kids make their own choices. My son's choice -imo- isn't the best, but it's also not immoral, unethical, irresponsible- in fact, he works for a great company. It's not what "I" saw for him, but how many of us are doing what our parents thought was in our best interests as a young person? Not me.

I'm kind of in the situation that your son is, I make $23 an hr with plenty of OT, average 60K a year in a warehouse job with great benefits. I've been doing this for almost 10 yrs now in my mid 30s and quite honestly, I've grown tired of it as it is only physically demanding but not mentally challenging in anyway. That is why I am now in a classic Golden Handcuffs scenario. I have decided to finally commit fully to getting a bachelors degree so I can either A. Move up in my Company (not likely) or B. Move on to a Company that might pay less, but offers greater advancement opportunities that offers mental challenges over just physical.

I feel as we grow older, our needs and perspectives tend to change. I have financial security but I don't love my job or really have any passion for it, and that means time to move on as scary as it can be.