(03-11-2019, 11:44 AM)sharsharky Wrote: I've been checking out the forums for years, but don't have super up-to-date info and would appreciate absolutely any help in making a plan!    I have read through the wiki, etc., but I am going through a LOT medically and emotionally and am overwhelmed and afraid that I'll make a dumb mistake in planning that will derail everything. I'm an unemployed, recently divorced (due to domestic violence) single mom with 3 children w/ special needs. I've been out of the workforce for the past 15 yrs raising children, so a degree is necessary for me to secure a job that pays me enough to even afford childcare for my youngest child. 

Here's my situation. Basically, because I changed majors a few times, I feel like I have a lot of random credits. Because of that, I can't tell what degree would be the least expensive/easiest for me to obtain.I have a full $6000 Pell Grant. I just applied to NMJC so I can earn credits there, but am expecting to get additional leftover funds that can go towards testing, etc for my other credits needed. Like many others, my hope is to earn a bachelors degree in the least amount of time possible for the least amount of out of pocket expense. I am hoping to get a degree from either TESC or Charter Oak. I just haven't figured out which one makes more sense for me financially and credit-wise. If it effects anything, I should add that I would love to go for a masters degree in Public Health one day. If anyone could help me put together a roadmap to a degree, I'd even happily pay you something. I'm so desperate. Thanks again!     
Here are the credits I have:

*71 credits from regular colleges for courses taken back in 1998-2001 (listed below)
*9 Clep Credits (6 credits math, 3 credits english I I believe)
* 6 FEMA Credits 


SS151- Principals of Macroeconomics (3)
SS152- Principals of Microeconomics (3)
SS271- Abnormal Psychology (3)
PSY100- Intro to Psychology (3)
SOC101- Sociological Imagination (3)
ENG152- English II (3)
SC161- Biology I (4)
SC181- General Chemistry I (4)
SC232- Microbiology (4)
BIO100- Life Science: Human Emphasis (3)
BIO116- Principles of Biology- Evolution to Ecology (4, but only got a D in this class)
BIO116L- Principles of Biology Lab II 
HPE110- Applied Modern Health I (2)
NU169- Success In Nursing (1)
HIS150- World History to 1500 (3)
H172- Western Civilization II (3)
COM104- Speech Communication (3)
COM100- Mass Media Communications (3)
BU134- Principals of Marketing (3)
MCOM214- Principles of Advertising (3)
MCOM411- Comm Process (3)
GER200- German III (3)
PHL101- Logic and Language (3)
THE199- The Arts in Contemporary Civilization (3)
MUS127- Instrumental Ensemble- Band (1 credit)

(03-11-2019, 04:37 PM)dfrecore Wrote: Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for such a detailed response! I don't even know what to say. You are so amazing!!!  
So, it seems like TESU would take me a bit longer (because of the 2 12 week classes) and cost a couple thousand more, but be easier to complete... humm.. how do you all choose?! lol   I suppose TESU has a better "name"? I'm from NJ originally and had heard about TESU, but don't know if a degree from there would be more valuable than one from COSC.

Thanks again!
I'm endlessly appreciative!



First, be careful taking advice on here from someone who's pretty new, and has only posted a few times.  You do NOT need to have an advisor to help you - that's what we are here for.

Second, you need to list your CLEP credits, as well as if any of the credits you have (above) are UL or not.

Third on cost:
TESU requires 2 courses at the school (cornerstone and capstone), at $1,125 each.  That plus the fees will put you at $4,857, plus 38 courses/114cr. (*incl. the Study.com disc.)
COSC requires 2 courses at the school (cornerstone and capstone), at $1,102 each.  That plus the fees will put you at $2,774, plus 38 courses/114cr. (*incl. the SL/Study.com 10% disc.)

So, you may be better off at COSC if money is an issue (which it sounds like it is).

COSC does require more UL credits, but at this point, UL is so much easier to get than it used to be that you should definitely consider it.

You could also look at cheap/free credits that are available.

For COSC, I show that you need Ethics, US History/Govt, Global Understanding, & Math (depending on which math course you took) - and then all your requirements are met.  You also need 30cr of UL, and to determine your major.  Like, I'm willing to be that you could do a bunch of UL courses in Healthcare Management through Study.com, and combine those with your science courses to make a degree.  Or take UL Psych courses at Study.com, and combine that with some marketing courses you've taken and some additional ones and do a major of Psych & Marketing.  Stuff like that.  It should cost less than $4000 to do all of this.

For TESU, I show that you need Ethics, a Diversity Course, and a Civic Engagement course - and then your requirements are met.  You then need 15cr of UL in the major (so Liberal Studies courses like History, Psych, Comm, etc.), and some Free Electives.  Easier, I think, to meet the requirements - but more expensive too. $6000 to finish the degree.

I'm not sure which will take longer. I'm under the impression that you can do COSC's Cornerstone in the first half of the term, and the Capstone in the 2nd half (8 weeks each) and be done in 1 term.  TESU is going to require 2 12-week courses (although they can be taken concurrently, with the amount of writing to be done, that might be hard to pull off).

Here are degree plans for both, you can check it out and see.  I might take the free Ethics course, and free Sophia courses, along with American Government, and then see what you think (those will work for both degrees).

(03-11-2019, 04:37 PM)dfrecore Wrote: Quick question- I seemed to have adequately confused myself. lol So, a degree from TESU in Business Administration- Management would require more credits than a degree in Liberal Studies- Psychology correct? Was just weighing my options before going full steam into my plan. Again, thanks so much for your help! 

First, be careful taking advice on here from someone who's pretty new, and has only posted a few times.  You do NOT need to have an advisor to help you - that's what we are here for.

Second, you need to list your CLEP credits, as well as if any of the credits you have (above) are UL or not.

Third on cost:
TESU requires 2 courses at the school (cornerstone and capstone), at $1,125 each.  That plus the fees will put you at $4,857, plus 38 courses/114cr. (*incl. the Study.com disc.)
COSC requires 2 courses at the school (cornerstone and capstone), at $1,102 each.  That plus the fees will put you at $2,774, plus 38 courses/114cr. (*incl. the SL/Study.com 10% disc.)

So, you may be better off at COSC if money is an issue (which it sounds like it is).

COSC does require more UL credits, but at this point, UL is so much easier to get than it used to be that you should definitely consider it.

You could also look at cheap/free credits that are available.

For COSC, I show that you need Ethics, US History/Govt, Global Understanding, & Math (depending on which math course you took) - and then all your requirements are met.  You also need 30cr of UL, and to determine your major.  Like, I'm willing to be that you could do a bunch of UL courses in Healthcare Management through Study.com, and combine those with your science courses to make a degree.  Or take UL Psych courses at Study.com, and combine that with some marketing courses you've taken and some additional ones and do a major of Psych & Marketing.  Stuff like that.  It should cost less than $4000 to do all of this.

For TESU, I show that you need Ethics, a Diversity Course, and a Civic Engagement course - and then your requirements are met.  You then need 15cr of UL in the major (so Liberal Studies courses like History, Psych, Comm, etc.), and some Free Electives.  Easier, I think, to meet the requirements - but more expensive too. $6000 to finish the degree.

I'm not sure which will take longer. I'm under the impression that you can do COSC's Cornerstone in the first half of the term, and the Capstone in the 2nd half (8 weeks each) and be done in 1 term.  TESU is going to require 2 12-week courses (although they can be taken concurrently, with the amount of writing to be done, that might be hard to pull off).

Here are degree plans for both, you can check it out and see.  I might take the free Ethics course, and free Sophia courses, along with American Government, and then see what you think (those will work for both degrees).