Warning - Criminal Justice DSST not transferring to TESC anymore

[AlmostGraduated]

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading through this forum almost religiously for the past couple of years trying to finish my degree from TESC. Yesterday I officially enrolled (hurrah!!) and received my academic evaluation today. I found out that they did not accept my Criminal Justice DSST which I took September 2014. I called the Office of the Registrar three times today and basically got told the same thing. Apparently, ACE Credit evaluated that DSST on January 1, 2013 and said it was worth 6 credits instead of three. And, if anyone takes that test between then and 12/31/15, they should receive 6 credits. I checked the ACE website and this was true, but that was the first I had heard of this! Long story short, DSST doesn't believe me that the test is worth 6 and TESC won't accept my test unless they receive papers from DSST that say it is worth 6 credits. What am I supposed to do?? Has anyone encountered this at TESC or any other school? I desperately need this test to be approved so I can graduate in June! Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,

AlmostGraduated

[bricabrac]

I'm sorry but I'm a little confused. Are you saying TESC won't accept the test at all, not even awarding the published three credits? Or they just won't give you six credits?

Please keep in mind Prometric, TESC, or any school for that matter, does not have to abide by what ACE has evaluated/published. If that were the case TESC would still accept Aleks Beginning Algebra, or both DSST Intro to LE and Criminal Justice. Each school dictates what they will/will not accept.


I just checked the ACE listings and have to say, I think the 6 credits is a typo. It is the only one and there are so many more difficult exams that are 3 credits. Seems they've now designated Intro to Law Enforcement as upper level? Wow, whoever evaluated that exam must have been smoking something pretty good that day. Guess folks are still sleepy after the holidays because the way things are listed seems a bit disorganized and messy. Maybe they brought in temp staff to handle the data entry, who knows? Hope this gets straightened out more sooner than later.

[AlmostGraduated]

Hi Bricabrac,

TESC said they will grant 0 credits unless they get official score papers from DSST matching ACE's credit recommendation. I tried to explain that I only needed three credits, not six, but they said they were bound by ACE (for this test at least) and couldn't do anything. It's either 0 or 6 credits to them. I have written the registrar to see if I get a different answer and I wrote Prometric as well. We will see what they tell me later. This could affect a lot of TESC students who want to take Criminal Justice. Why hasn't DSST updated their information about this test?

[cooperalex2004]

Hi Bricabrac,

TESC said they will grant 0 credits unless they get official score papers from DSST matching ACE's credit recommendation. I tried to explain that I only needed three credits, not six, but they said they were bound by ACE (for this test at least) and couldn't do anything. It's either 0 or 6 credits to them. I have written the registrar to see if I get a different answer and I wrote Prometric as well. We will see what they tell me later. This could affect a lot of TESC students who want to take Criminal Justice. Why hasn't DSST updated their information about this test?

Prometric is showing it as six credits on their factsheet and website (http://getcollegecredit.com/assets/pdf/d...ustice.pdf). The final decision on transfer is always up to the school though. TESC is still showing it on their site for three credits so I'd expect they would follow that at minimum (DANTES). I never took that exam but would add all of the DSST exams I took were three credits so this is new for me. Since it is on the TESC website I'd say you can point that out to them and then if they say no you can ask when this was changed and by whom. Talking anymore to Prometric won't help as they don't award credit.

As for my experience, I've seen TESC following their guide pretty closely and even making exceptions. If they insist on not following their own guide you can file an appeal. TESC's guide is likely based on the old exam (prior to 1/1/2013) which was graded with a 49 to pass and worth three credits. If you get the right person on the phone hopefully they can access the ACE guide and change between the two date periods to see this. Now that it has changed they are confused.

[bricabrac]

I agree iwth cooperalex2004, this may take an appeal. Send an email to the registrar requesting an evaluation of the exams awarded credits. I would attach a copy of the Prometric PDF cooperalex2004 provided as documented proof. I'm surprised no one has mentioned this before.

Not to worry, I'm sure the evaluations team will resolve this problem.

Take care.

[AlmostGraduated]

Thanks guys for the helpful information. I will definitely try all avenues until I get an answer Fortunately, I still have a little over three months until the April 1 graduation deadline, so hopefully I will still be able to finish up all of my credits by then.

[Christopher]

This is why I have personal doubts about testing out except for CLEPT or using whatever colleges personal testing system like TESC has. It seems outside of CLEPT some colleges will accept it, some wont, and other colleges might say this course is no longer accept as this test. Like with this DSST thing. I actually met with my CC counselor just today to talk about transferring into the university level. I have some free credits I also have to fill so I want to make sure certain classes are university accepted like "ART 01: Art History" or "SOC 01: Intro to Sociology" which is pretty much accepted everywhere but some courses dont even apply to an associate degree. Anyhow, she told me straight out to not take any tests accept for CLEPT. Now of course she's on the UC system mentality and we're in a world of our own going the non-traditional route. But seeing this tread really convinces me testing out at times is not worth taking the class instead.

[UptonSinclair]

You are no better off with CLEP than DSST. If by UC you mean University of California, they don't accept CLEP or DSST http://admission.universityofcalifornia....actice.pdf . It is always best to ignore your community college counselor and verify with the university you plan to attend directly regarding acceptance of exam credits.

[cookderosa]

Hi Bricabrac,

TESC said they will grant 0 credits unless they get official score papers from DSST matching ACE's credit recommendation. I tried to explain that I only needed three credits, not six, but they said they were bound by ACE (for this test at least) and couldn't do anything. It's either 0 or 6 credits to them. I have written the registrar to see if I get a different answer and I wrote Prometric as well. We will see what they tell me later. This could affect a lot of TESC students who want to take Criminal Justice. Why hasn't DSST updated their information about this test?

You need to go up the chain, you're dealing with people who have no power. Since you are now an enrolled student, take a deep breath, and schedule a phone apt with your advisor (take next available). This will be fixed.

[Prloko]

This is why I have personal doubts about testing out except for CLEPT or using whatever colleges personal testing system like TESC has. It seems outside of CLEPT some colleges will accept it, some wont, and other colleges might say this course is no longer accept as this test. Like with this DSST thing. I actually met with my CC counselor just today to talk about transferring into the university level. I have some free credits I also have to fill so I want to make sure certain classes are university accepted like "ART 01: Art History" or "SOC 01: Intro to Sociology" which is pretty much accepted everywhere but some courses dont even apply to an associate degree. Anyhow, she told me straight out to not take any tests accept for CLEPT. Now of course she's on the UC system mentality and we're in a world of our own going the non-traditional route. But seeing this tread really convinces me testing out at times is not worth taking the class instead.

Had I listened to your counselor, I would still be without a degree; instead of graduated, with a high paying job and starting a Master's program. Don't let one dispute between one student and one school regarding ONE test, discourage you from seeking credits. The best thing to do is to email your advisor, get their go ahead for an exam and then take that exam.