• I finished my BS at Excelsior in August 2014 - 40 years (almost to the day) from when I originally started college I had an outstanding and attentive advisor at Excelsior and my experience was excellent. I tested out of about 50 credits through DSST, CLEP, TECEPs, and Uexcels. However, it took me a long time because that is relatively unstructured. I was never sure if I was studying the right thing, if I was ready, etc. I finally pounded out 4 tests in a month at the end when I figure out how to make it work for me.
  
• I'm a LVN and I've been in high-level positions in Healthcare Administration for over 30 years. However, as I've gotten older and the workforce more competitive, I needed more than my AS.
  
• I wanted to get my RN, but decided against it since there aren't very many good part-time programs in Northern CA and they run about $40K for 18 months of torture.
  
• I was going to go to WGU.edu for my masters, but stumbled onto Patten.edu. It's basically similar to the WGU program, competency based, but about half the cost. As you can see from this article, they actually based the programs on WGU. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/10/08/universitynows-unique-approach-accreditation-and-federal-financial-aid
  
• Because I have a good tuition reimbursement plan, it will be completely paid for through work.
  

• The support to sign up has been amazing. I was assigned an Advisor (Ashley) and she has been wonderful. I ask a question, I get a real answer in more more than 24 hours, in writing. YAY! In some cases she checked for answers while I was on the phone with her and then followed up with a confirmation by email. I really asked a lot of questions. It took me about 60 days to decide if it was the right move. There was never any pressure.
  
• As soon as I signed on the dotted line, I was assigned an "Onboarding Advisor" to help me through my initial program steps.
  
• I was originally going to start on 11/17, but then found I could do my undergrad prereq of Microeconomics through Straighterline which would save me some money. Then I found I could do my Masters Org Development through Straighterline and save more money. It will be one class done for my Masters before I actually start. I'm doing those now. I have signed on the dotted line and will start 1/20/15.
  
• When you start at Patten you have to complete an online orientation that helps you understand how the competency, tests, etc. work. Basically you can go from the pretest to the final pretest, to the final and (if required) project in each class without going through all the lessons, if you already know the subject well. I will probably do that with the healthcare specific courses. As with most Masters programs you have to get a final grade of 80 or above to pass the course.
  
• I did the orientation last night. I actually watched all the videos and read all the info, so it took about 90 minutes. However, that's 90 minutes I don't have to spend once I start my classes. From the info I got in orientation, I think I'm really going to like Patten. It has enough structure for me to feel comfortable (what to study, assessment, readiness for final), but it all about your own timing and motivation to complete the courses.
  
• Although I don't officially start until 1/20, the first four courses are "open" to me now. I can look at them and know what to study, do some of the work, etc. I just can't do the final and/or project until my start date. I was able to look at the syllubus for the first four courses and know what is ahead of me and know how I'll be graded.
  

GoodYellowDogs Wrote:Got sidetracked and I'm on hold. I'm doing 3 jobs at work and have absolutely no time in my life. Got really sick. I'll start up again in July.