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+--- Thread: HELP! setting up an exam/ degree program plan. (/Thread-HELP-setting-up-an-exam-degree-program-plan)
HELP! setting up an exam/ degree program plan. - ecicentral - 11-09-2015
I am looking to earn my bachelors degree in the most quick and cost efficient way possible. I am new to the forum and very intrigued by the degree by exam concept.
Is there anyone that is willing to help design me a specific degree exam course plan? I am 41 years old, with loads of business and real world experience, just no degree yet.
The path to the bachelors doesn't matter to me, I just need help with designing a killer plan. If your an expert at this, please reply.
Thanks,
Corey
HELP! setting up an exam/ degree program plan. - clep3705 - 11-09-2015
Start here: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree Program Pick an area of concentration that you will find interesting.
Also look here CLEP - College-Level Exam Program and here DANTES for the most common tests.
If you choose this school, you also need to look here Thomas Edison State College: All TECEP® Tests. If you pass 8 of these tests, you will greatly reduce the total cost of obtaining your degree. If there is a TECEP covering the same subject as a CLEP or DSST exam, then you should probably take the TECEP instead until you reach the magic 8 TECEPs passed threshold.
HELP! setting up an exam/ degree program plan. - ecicentral - 11-09-2015
Thank you for your reply. So do I study for those courses at Thomas Edison first, before enrolling in the school? I also spoke to Excelsior College today, and they were recommending there liberal Arts program, why do you suggest going this path first? I also how do I study for these 8 tests? do I buy the flash cards and study guides from Instant Cert or something else?
HELP! setting up an exam/ degree program plan. - cookderosa - 11-09-2015
welcome to the forum ecicentral! I'm not an expert at degree planning- so I'll back out of that, but I did want to give you some tips that will work through any of the plans.
1- consider spending a good deal of time reading the archived posts. Not to discourage you from asking questions, but because most people have questions like yours and you'll cover a ton of ground in a short amount of time just reading.
2- don't do anything until you fully understand how to do your own degree plan. Missteps cost time and money, and really are unnecessary! Everyone here (including you) are just volunteer contributors- no one is paid to lay out a bullet proof plan, but most of the members that have been here after they earned their degree are doing it to give back. That said, the process is worth learning, and it's not hard- if you've been successful in business, you absolutely have the brains to figure out one little degree plan.
3- the majority of people do all their testing up front. The testing is self paced, self-study, and self directed. If you're going to putz out, it happens early before you've invested too much time or money (tests cost under $100) If you enroll, or heaven forbid take out a student loan, before you've gained any traction you're headed for trouble. My speed was considered pretty slow by most people's standards- but I did all my AA degree tests in 6 months and then did the rest of my BA degree in 12 months. I did that because I wanted to take classes and use my Pell Grant. So, from 0-120 in 18 months. Motivated people with deeper pockets can go much faster. All in,my degree was just under $10k
HELP! setting up an exam/ degree program plan. - ecicentral - 11-09-2015
Thank you Jennifer for your reply. So there is no one here that I can pay to help me put this together correctly. Speaking of the older posts which ones are relevant today?
I have been reading various different forums over the last month and a lot of it is outdated, after doing some targeted word play in google I ran across this forum.
I don't want to spend monies at the different schools without understanding the best paths first? so I would rather pay an expert here to help me through this, any suggestions on who is the expert? or do I just study through Instant Cert and start taking Clep tests? because I'm new I'm trying to avoid pitfalls, both financially and time consuming.
HELP! setting up an exam/ degree program plan. - dfrecore - 11-09-2015
There are people here who will be happy to help you for free! But, I agree with cookderosa, it's much easier to start with doing some research here, so that you understand all of your options. When we start talking about SL (Straighterline), Saylor, CSU-Global, ACE, etc., you will be so confused because you don't know what any of those options are, and what they can do for you. Here's the best thing to do:
1) Read, read, read! Don't go crazy for 6 hours a day, but an hour a day for a month or two can really help you start to figure out what it going on. I consider myself pretty good at creating TESC degree plans at this point, but it took me at least 2 months to really understand what was going on, and then months to continue learning what the different options were. Start with new stuff every day, and go back to the beginning of posts to read all the way through.
2) Oh, and just when you figure out something, there are changes!!! FEMA went away for TESC & EC, but Kaplan, TEEX, DreamDegree and an Ethics course all came along to offer new free options. TESC changes something every year on July 1. CLEP exams starting downgrading the number of credits you could get. So read, but keep in mind that it's evolving! This is why older posts start to get outdated. Again, that's why it's good to read from start to finish on a post. You will see what changes start to happen.
3) There are so many fantastic, helpful people here that know tons about anything you might ask! Some people have experience taking particular courses, some have done the exact degree you want, some have had good/bad experiences with an exam or school...it's all helpful to read.
4) Once you start to get comfortable with the different options out there, and know the difference between the 3 schools and what they offer, THEN come and ask for more info. Like, "I want to get my BSBA in General Management at TESC, please help!" Many of us will be happy to give you pointers or even give you an actual plan. I'm one of those (especially BSBA at TESC). I LOVE doing degree plans!
5) I would recommend looking at the Business Degree at all 3 schools, because you already have business experience. Why do a liberal arts degree when you could probably have a much easier time taking and passing business courses? My husband is a computer guy, why would he study for weeks to take Psychology or History courses when he could take the Network Technology TECEP in his sleep?!? Go with your strengths.
6) This all seems very complicated, but once you start doing the research, it all starts to fall into place. So don't get discouraged! With a few weeks of research, you can get a plan, get started, and have your degree in a year or two (obviously less if you want, but I think 1-2 years is realistic for most people), and only a few thousand dollars (even starting from no credits at all).
Good luck!!
HELP! setting up an exam/ degree program plan. - clep3705 - 11-09-2015
You will be better off not paying for advice. Be patient and educate yourself to save time later. Learn enough to know what to ask.
HELP! setting up an exam/ degree program plan. - rebel100 - 11-09-2015
The free market capitalist in me wants to take his money!
But I'll help too...for free.
HELP! setting up an exam/ degree program plan. - rebel100 - 11-09-2015
Are you starting with zero credits? If not please list all that you have along with course numbers. What's the end goal? Why pursue the degree now? What's the financial situation look like? Planning on using any financial aid?
HELP! setting up an exam/ degree program plan. - ecicentral - 11-10-2015
rebel100 Wrote:Are you starting with zero credits? If not please list all that you have along with course numbers. What's the end goal? Why pursue the degree now? What's the financial situation look like? Planning on using any financial aid?
I am very grateful for all the responses I received thus far, I will definitely read the various pages and threads throughout this forum, I am not opposed to that.
As to your questions Rebel 100, I have been in business for myself for 20+ years and have had many different career lessons good and bad. The end goal would be a doctoral degree in short order. The reason why I'm pursuing the degree now, is a lot of higher end potential clients are interested in working me and giving me bigger opportunities but they keep asking about degrees etc, my 20 + years isn't enough. No financial goal as of yet, just need to become a degree holder or holder of multiple degrees in short order, another goal of mines is to start speaking from the stage, after I write my book, the book should lead to speaking opportunities etc. I may or may not use financial aid, it depends on if it makes since or not. I am starting from scratch with 0 credits so I would like to use some of my work experience to get me some credits by creating a portfolio if that's the best way to go. I am very appreciative for everyone willing to show me around the forum. Thank you .