Online Degrees and CLEP and DSST Exam Prep Discussion
I'm ready, but overwhelmed! - Printable Version

+- Online Degrees and CLEP and DSST Exam Prep Discussion (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb)
+-- Forum: Main Category (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-Main-Category)
+--- Forum: General Education-Related Discussion (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-General-Education-Related-Discussion)
+--- Thread: I'm ready, but overwhelmed! (/Thread-I-m-ready-but-overwhelmed)

Pages: 1 2 3 4


I'm ready, but overwhelmed! - sony732 - 05-31-2018

I've done a lot of searching and in the meantime I just found out that the school district I work for actually gives us a reimbursement for education! If I'm able to achieve a bachelor's they not only will promote me in district, but will also provide a hefty stipend check for completing a degree. I'm finding out how much that is, but in the meantime, can someone point me to the FASTEST PLAN POSSIBLE? I suck at math, but usually learn fast and do GREAT on tests. Itd be great if someone just literally told me what to do, because I'm stuck at choosing from all the options available. Cheap is great, but right now my priority is speed, due to a recent life changing diagnosis, and impending necessary career change. I'll add my current credits below. I'm currently working on the modernstates intro to marketing. I was student at tesu, but had to stop and failed all my classes becausr my computer crashed and i mistakenly thought I had canceled my classes in time. I'll have to pay for those classes, before i can move forward i think, but I want to get started on more credits to transfer in. That was a few years ago. Thanks everyone!


My current credits:

English 1 &2 (6)
Western civ 1&2 (6)
public speaking (3)
gen. Psych (3)
Sociology (3)
human life span development (3)
macroeconomics (3)
world religions (3)
small business management (3)
intro to paralegal studies (3)
FEMA: active shooter
FEMA: needs of children in disaster


RE: I'm ready, but overwhelmed! - Johmford - 05-31-2018

Step 1: pick a degree. You said fast so go with TESU BALS.
Step 2: apply and send all your transcripts.

Step 3:
Start with CLEP &DSST. If you fail a CLEP or DSST you have to wait a period of time to retake it, so if you do fail you can work on other items in the interim. I did all of my UL classes for the BALS using DSST.

Once you have completed your CLEP & DSST apply for the study.com scholarship and work on Study.com courses to complete what you could not do through CLEP & DSST.

Somewhere in between work on the free sources of credit, these may be pointless after your evaluation determines how many electives you have.

Step 4: Do the capstone
Step 5: Graduate
Step 6: ???????
Step 7: Profit


RE: I'm ready, but overwhelmed! - sony732 - 05-31-2018

Okay i took a screenshot of that so I don't lose it! Maybe I should set that as my background! Thanks for everything I'm on it!


RE: I'm ready, but overwhelmed! - dfrecore - 05-31-2018

Here are degree plans for TESU's BALS and COSC's BALS.  As far as speed, I'm not sure either one is faster.  But COSC is definitely cheaper at this point.

If you're a good test-taker, I would look at CLEP/DSST, but then also Saylor, UExcel, Davar, Coopersmith & CSU-Global CBE's.  Anything where you don't have to go through a course sounds like it's up your alley, rather than Study.com or SL.  Obviously those are good options for some people, but if you're looking for speed and testing, then skip those for now.


RE: I'm ready, but overwhelmed! - davewill - 05-31-2018

Find out how your reimbursement works. We usually try to keep all tuition and fees to a minimum. If they are just paying you a fixed stipend at the end, that's what you'll want. Luckily that goes hand in hand with going fast.

However, if they are covering actual tuition spent, they may not cover the cost of alternative credit sources we usually recommend or some of the other fees (residency waiver, etc...) that most of our plans have. In that case, you may want to do things a bit differently.


RE: I'm ready, but overwhelmed! - dfrecore - 05-31-2018

(05-31-2018, 05:06 PM)davewill Wrote: Find out how your reimbursement works. We usually try to keep all tuition and fees to a minimum. If they are just paying you a fixed stipend at the end, that's what you'll want. Luckily that goes hand in hand with going fast.

However, if they are covering actual tuition spent, they may not cover the cost of alternative credit sources we usually recommend or some of the other fees (residency waiver, etc...) that most of our plans have. In that case, you may want to do things a bit differently.

Yes, I forgot about this.

My husband's tuition reimbursement, for example, DOES include the costs for exams like CLEP & DSST, but won't include any "membership" costs like SL and Study.com.  Nor will they pay for anything like Shmoop (a monthly fee).  So I planned his degree out using CLEP, DSST, UExcel, TECEP, Davar, Ed4Credit, Sophia, CSU-Global, etc.


RE: I'm ready, but overwhelmed! - Lindagerr - 05-31-2018

I have been out of the game for a while so I can't help much with the suggestions on classes, but I just wanted to say I agree with jjsafari as far as the first step. If it doesn't matter what degree you have for your district just pick one don't let the information overload slow you down. When I first heard about CLEP many years ago I bought the book to study and tried one practice exam on one cold try I got only 30% correct I thought I am never going to be able to do this and gave up I didn't know that I only needed 50% so I was doing fine for a cold start. I wasted many more years and then tried again, I found this forum and so much information that I was able to figure things out. People were giving and willing to help in so many ways. Eventually I was able to get my degree and it helped me feel better about myself and have more options in life. Life changed and I had to move and I never did do much with my degree, BUT I know I have it and now I am retired and don't need to work, my husband has a good job so life is good, BUT I know life could change again in a flash so I know with the degree much better options are much better should I need to go back to work.

Making a long story shorter (in case you were getting bored) Don't delay any longer just pick a degree and get started even if you are moving a little off course at least you are headed in the right direction. Don't delay because you are overwhelmed just take one step at a time and start moving it will get easier and seem faster once you get the momentum started.


RE: I'm ready, but overwhelmed! - sony732 - 05-31-2018

(05-31-2018, 05:03 PM)dfrecore Wrote: Here are degree plans for TESU's BALS and COSC's BALS.  As far as speed, I'm not sure either one is faster.  But COSC is definitely cheaper at this point.

If you're a good test-taker, I would look at CLEP/DSST, but then also Saylor, UExcel, Davar, Coopersmith & CSU-Global CBE's.  Anything where you don't have to go through a course sounds like it's up your alley, rather than Study.com or SL.  Obviously those are good options for some people, but if you're looking for speed and testing, then skip those for now.

Do you know which one of those might have comp sci or technology credits? I can get those out of the way now!


RE: I'm ready, but overwhelmed! - alexf.1990 - 05-31-2018

(05-31-2018, 07:49 PM)sony732 Wrote:
(05-31-2018, 05:03 PM)dfrecore Wrote: Here are degree plans for TESU's BALS and COSC's BALS.  As far as speed, I'm not sure either one is faster.  But COSC is definitely cheaper at this point.

If you're a good test-taker, I would look at CLEP/DSST, but then also Saylor, UExcel, Davar, Coopersmith & CSU-Global CBE's.  Anything where you don't have to go through a course sounds like it's up your alley, rather than Study.com or SL.  Obviously those are good options for some people, but if you're looking for speed and testing, then skip those for now.

Do you know which one of those might have comp sci or technology credits? I can get those out of the way now!

If you want a computer science degree, WGU is the way to go. They integrate alot of industry certificates into the program, so you'll have both a degree and the certs to back up your competency.


RE: I'm ready, but overwhelmed! - sony732 - 06-01-2018

From what I heard from a teacher it's a yearly stipend that comes with our checks in December, but I'd have to be finished Before September. I looked at the degree plans and i think i can do the work on time, but not sure about the graduation date. I'm calling tesu today. Since they already have my other credits on board it might be the fastest option!

(05-31-2018, 03:18 PM)jjsafari Wrote: Step 1: pick a degree. You said fast so go with TESU BALS.
Step 2: apply and send all your transcripts.

Step 3:
Start with CLEP &DSST. If you fail a CLEP or DSST you have to wait a period of time to retake it, so if you do fail you can work on other items in the interim. I did all of my UL classes for the BALS using DSST.

Once you have completed your CLEP & DSST apply for the study.com scholarship and work on Study.com courses to complete what you could not do through CLEP & DSST.

Somewhere in between work on the free sources of credit, these may be pointless after your evaluation determines how many electives you have.

Step 4: Do the capstone
Step 5: Graduate
Step 6: ???????
Step 7: Profit
Which dsst tests did you use for your ul credits?