Learningcounts.org

[bsinsc]

For those of you with considerable college level learning looking to get college credit to transfer to TESC or a number of other colleges, please check into learningcounts.org. This is a new program through CAEL. You take their CAEL-100 course which teaches you to write a portfolio for credit. The course is 6 weeks long and you can work ahead if you have time. You will get 3 credits for the course itself and each portfolio covers 6 credits or 2 classes. It costs $500, but there are scholarships available. I took this course this summer and was able to get 12 credits by submitting 2 portfolios. These transferred into TESC and now I am done with my degree!!!!

[ShotoJuku]

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...It costs [COLOR="Red"]$500..

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[bsinsc]

Yes, it costs $500.....but you get 3 credits for the course itself and it covers the cost of the portfolio for an additional 6 credits. So, 9 credits for $500.....not too bad.....After that, you can submit portfolios for more credit at $250 per 6......It's a great thing for someone like myself with a lot of college level learning, certificates, etc that need college credit......they are trying to launch.....I can't say enough good things about them......Please check them out and give them a chance.....they were a godsend for me!

[cookderosa]

Ok, spent some time at their website. I'm not loving the site. Not hating it, but not loving it. They are not doing anything wrong, but what they are helping you do is offered free elsewhere (and a PITA no matter who helps you do it)

Here's what I don't like:

specifically, I hate PLAs. I don't know how it happens, but a lot of people find our forum and find their way into online education through the golden carrot of PLAs. "I" started my degree hoping to earn credit through PLAs! But, PLAs are an awful way to earn credit. Sorry, but it's true. They are time consuming, they are expensive, and only "really" are worth it if you're getting upper level IN MAJOR credit.

(which is possible btw- so if someone grabbed 6 credits in major by using PLA, then they have something to celebrate- of course, they paid well over $500 per course to make it happen....)

Even with the services offered through these counselors, there is NO GUARANTEE that TESC or anyone else will accept your portfolio. None. Zero. Hell, I'll help you write a portfolio for $20. Just kidding- you can do this on your own for free. TESC has a step by step guide.

Learning counts has found a way "kinda" around the full cost of tuition PLA option. They have had their PLA class evaluated by ACE. Brilliant actually (as a business model) because there are a lot of people who will buy into this concept. TESC charges full tuition for a PLA eval, that's going to run you about $500. Learning counts has done this for you for $500. Learning counts, however, can't promise that you're PLA will be accepted. They can promise you credit for THEIR PLA COURSE since it's ACE evaluated, but what if that lands in your free electives? Ouch.

27 FEMA credits $0
60 CLEP credits (100/200 level gen eds) $770-1540
33 credits in major - zillions of options for classes/exams

So, unless you're using a PLA in your major, there really isn't any kind of cost savings. Even taking 3 credit cleps, you're still only paying 25 bucks a credit (far cheaper than the learning counts folks) Heck, if you know a foreign language, your CLEPs can yield you 12 credits a pop for about $6 per credit!! Top that ANYWHERE!

Did I mention that PLAs require a lot of written work? In fact, it's all portfolio. At TESC, you can complete 81/120 credits without writing a single thing...just sayin...

So, PLAs might work for some folks, but really, to pay $500 for an usher is like...well....a little like using a travel agent in 2011.

[bsinsc]

I know.....I know the $500 is a lot......however I was awarded UL credit for 6 credits. The others did get thrown in the free electives. I was skeptical at first, too but it really is a good thing, I think. Yes, you can use IC and study your butt off for some credits and I love IC. There are other credits you can get if you are like me with a bunch of certificates that you might want to get some credit for. No, they don't guarantee credit but it is another avenue to pursue. I, for one, and very thankful for what they have done for me. As long as it's on the ACE transcript, the pilot colleges will give you credit for it.

[valsacar]

And Jennifer didn't even get into things like SL and ALEKS... 60 bucks I did 12 credits (9 math + 3 Stats), all told it took about 50 hours of work.

[bsinsc]

Right, but TESC will only take those 12 credits for Aleks......then what.....I know the price is freaking ya'll out but again I said there are scholarships available which will cost nothing