Which Would You Choose? Have more than enough credits to make a BS I think...Costs?

[learn]

Well, I've done enough reading and research to at least ask at what may be the right sorts of questions...

After 24 years and two runs through two different large state universities, I am still lacking a BA or BS. I have at least, if not than 184 semester credits upper and lower level in such wonderfully diverse areas as math, elementary education, and psychology. I am thinking I would be able to go straight to a BA or BS. So, the issue then is one of credit transfer evaluation, probable satisifaction of graduation requirements, cost, and time.

I've read that TESU could transfer up to 120 credits, and possibly not require additional courses, while COSU and Excelsior may require keystone/capstone courses. Is that still correct?

Then there is the issue of cost. Assuming I am able to transfer 120 credits in the right areas, how would costs compare? Which one would be the cheapest?

Charter Oak looks like: $75 app fee + $205 grad fee + $220 semester fee? + the keystone/capstone courses?

Excelsior is: $80 app fee + $975 enrollment + $465 student services fee + keystone/capstone courses? + grad fee? + transcript service fee??

Using the TESU calculator, they gave the cost as: Estimated costs for degree $3,318

If I don't have to take the keystone/capstone courses, TESU is faster, but is it cheaper too?

Thanks for your help

[burbuja0512]

COSC would be exactly what you listed above, but the Capstone and Cornerstone would be $310 per credit, so a total of $1860 plus book costs for the Capstone/Cornerstone classes, so ~2k depending on text cost.

So, this means that COSC would be roughly $2500, but if you don't have all the cash at once, COSC allows you to spread it over a few months. You can make payments with COSC, I know that TESC does not offer this option and am unsure about EC.


With as many credits as you have, you may be able to get more for your money if you double major. Let's say you choose TESC and have to pay all of their fees, I believe (someone correct me on this) that for one fee you can get two degrees. Of course, this would only be if your credits fit neatly into two categories with all UL and LL falling perfectly in place, but I wanted to mention it as an option just in case.

Overall, I would say choose whichever option will allow you to finish quickest and easiest: you have already proven that you're good at school, now you need the degree to prove it. If ANYTHING would slow you down, whether that be a capstone course or lack of money to finish, you should avoid the choice that would be most likely to sidetrack you.

Lastly, look at the choices that each school offers for degrees. Would one of them benefit your career more? Business was beneficial to me, but I wasn't sure that I could pass the math requirements for TESC's BSBA, so COSC was a smarter choice. I got the degree that was best based for my career, but it fit well with my interests and skill sets. Don't just rush to get a Liberal Arts degree unless it's the right decision. Liberal Arts is great for some people and always better than nothing, but if taking a few CLEP or DSST tests could get you the exact degree you need to advance your career, it may be worth the time and a few hundred bucks more.

[learn]

Thanks for your great response. I actually have all the money at the moment, so that's fortunately not that large an issue. And the double major idea is quite interesting, I will explore it further. Like many of the folks coming here I presume, I have had quite an eclectic career and educational path - in legal field (computers), in business (owner, sales), teaching, etc. In fact, I am now living abroad wishing to begin teaching in other countries, hence my high need for a degree, preferably with an education focus. My grades were top-notch, and received many scholarships, but life (family, money) gets in the way sometimes as many know. Even if I didn't have all the credits fit neatly into the right areas (my problem with my attempts at the two large state universities after switching majors a few times!), I could likely test out or use a portfolio for many requirements. It's more work and time, so it's easier just to use the actual uni. credits.

So, looking at the degree options for each of them, here's what may work for me personally:

Excelsior: For this, need to add 80+975+465+495(grad fee)+capstone course $355+ maybe info literacy course=$2370 more or less

Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts
with major in Mathematics
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts with major in Psychology

For COSU: roughly the same cost as Excelsior, and degree options for me that may work:
Concentration: Individual Studies (far more flexible to design my degree including my diverse background)

For TESU:
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts with major in Psychology
Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies (usually combines two or more disciplines)
Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities
Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences (combining 3 or more disciplines)
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration LDAS
B.S Learner Designed Area of Study (LDAS) - sounds like it's for me!

Hmmm...lots to think about. So, assuming one undergrad degree...

Costs: COSU $2360 + books (~4 months until degree)
TESU $3318 (4 weeks until degree)
Excelsior: $2370 + books (~4 monts until degree)

Time factor...not that large a factor, but it is some. I could be living and working abroad sooner v. later for instance.

Excelsior doesn't seem to have the benefit of adding an individually designed major focus in education, so that's not as attractive.
Hmm...COSU and TESU have individually designed degree plans, which to choose? TESU seems like the process of transferring credits and designing a degree plan may be more efficient and faster, but it is $1,000 more...

Opinions?

[learn]

If I choose the BS LDAS at TESU, it looks like I may have to take the liberal arts capstone course LIB 495 project (3 credits) it looks fairly advanced as a type of college degree culmination...hmmm..I wonder if any of my courses or experiences could satisfy that...

AT COSU, the IDS 101 cornerstone seminar requirement (must be taken) for the Individual Studies is introductory in nature (to college) and seems far easier, to be frank.

Hmmm....

[bldclot2]

I think that Capstone at TESC is only strongly recommended but not an actual requirement. Maybe someone here can verify.

FYI: It would take longer than 4 weeks to be officially a grad, due in part to unofficial evaluation/official eval and other factors. I would say 3 months to officially be a graduate once you apply. You should know way before those three month if you have all the requirements to graduate. Good Luck.

[bricabrac]

The OP is correct, the capstone is required for an LDAS degree at TESC.

[NAP]

Excelsior would be a little over $2600 for you to finish.

$80 Application fee
$975 Enrollment fee
$355x3 Capstone Course (3 credits)
$495 Graduation fee

Info Lit is about $100 through other sources. The Student Service Annual Fee is for extending your enrollment past the first year. There would not be a transcript service fee.

Welcome to the forum!

[learn]

Well, given that my preference via TESU LDAS complicates things...then timelines for each three would be about equal more or less (4 months). Difficult to decide! Ay!
If I didn't want to do any capstone or keystone courses, then it's TESU but it's $900 more than the others.
If I wanted the LDAS, it's not only $900 more than the others, it's about $1800 with the capstone course, for around $4200, v. $2400-$2600 for COSU and Excelsior.

If I wanted a self-designed major for less, and graduate within about the same amount of time, it's COSU at about $2400 and with the B.A. (not too much distinction in my intended field with BS v BA degree ) and the Concentration: Individual Studies. But from what I've read, they seem a tad bit more restrictive in its design. Is that impression accurate? Anyone with experience in the Individual Studies concentration? The keystone course with COSU seems 'easier' (not that I'm looking for anything 'easy' but after 184 credits I'm a bit tired,

However, if I didn't care too much about the individualized degree (which is not certain), then probably TESU and either the BA in Liberal Arts in Liberal Studies or Social Studies. Then it's quicker, and not too much more, without having to take any keystone or capstone courses.

More thoughts or ideas?

After this degree, I am intending to see if it's possible to complete the 20 or so credits for one of the two big state universities I went too (maybe after a master's haha).

[Lindagerr]

Not to throw a wrench in the works, but if you are interested in an education degree have you looked into Western Governors University? They may be able to fit all your credits into some kind of degree. I am not totally sure on there undergrad degrees or transfer policy. I was only looking at a MAT there. They were willing to take all my credits from CLEP, TECEP, ALEKS etc.

[learn]

Well, it seems I am narrowing things down a bit...
but I have to ask...what actually do the degrees from each of these schools say? I heard sometimes it's only 'Bachelor of Science' then it's up to you to explain if further

But it seems like:
TESU for BA in Social Sciences. No capstone required. Cost: $3200. 3 months.
TESU for BS LDAS. (What would this degree actually say?) Cost: $4200. 4-5 months. Need to take capstone course.
COSU for BA or is it a BS? in Individual Studies. Cost $2400. Time 4 months. Keystone course required.

hmm.