Need some advice, looking to finish degree

[RA808]

A little background: I did some college out of high school and decided it wasn't for me at the time. I had started my own business and was successful. I later applied that experience and worked a few jobs at larger companies and have worked my way up to a managerial position. I'm now doing very well for myself and manage a team and do work for Fortune 500 clients.

I would like to complete a degree more for my own achievement and peace-of-mind. The majority of my colleagues have degrees as well. I consider myself highly intelligent, and the reason I have become successful in my field is my ability to self-learn. I've always been good at tests. Discovering the CLEP program has renewed my faith in my ability to finish a degree, despite having a very demanding job.

I started my education at a local state university. It's been a while, but I know I have no more than 10 credits there. However, I'm only interested in completing a Liberal Arts AS at this time. The only catch: the school only allows for 30 credits via CLEP for an AS, and the specific classes that translate to credits are somewhat limited. Each CLEP test is worth 3 credits.

Should I pursue the degree at the state university, it would mean that I would need to attend roughly 20 credits worth of online or evening classes, and a gym class (ugh). The campus is less than an hour from my current location, so it is doable.

My curiosity as a newbie here is regarding other options. Do most schools limit the amount of credits you can earn via CLEP toward an associate's like at my school? I'm wondering if I should look at other schools.

The other thing I'm looking to learn from this forum is which CLEP's to take and which not to, but I can glean that info myself by reading back threads.

Thanks all!

[brothert69]

Welcome to the Forum.

Each school is different as to the maximum amount of credit by exam and transfer credits it will accept. Also each school will have its own residency (how many classes you must take from them) requirement. The main reasons that many people look to the big 3 (charter oak, excelsior and thomas edison) are the low or no residency requirement and the liberal transfer and credit by exam policies.

In your situation I would start by taking the CLEPs that are acceptable to your local university while you figure out if you want to take the degree from them or from one of the big 3 (or another college).

[bldclot2]

RA808,
State University will cost you big money. Check out regionally accredited schools like the Big 3 (Online schools), Excelsior College, Thomas Edison State College and Charter Oak State College, they have great programs and will take all the CLEP test and DANTES DSST test you can take, just make sure they don't duplicate. Use ALEKS for your math requirements then request ACE credit. All these schools will take all prior college level credits. If you set a plan and act on it, you can finish an AS within 6 months and a BS in the next 12 months, but only if you are really focus!!
I had 31 units from city college on October 17, 2 months later I have 30 more units via CLEP, DSST testing, ALEKS and Straighterline. It can be done, you just have to stay FOCUSED! Use the search feature on this site if you have any questions, once you want to start testing purchase instantcert to study for CLEP and DSST ($20 a month), buy cheap books on half.com and research testing centers in your area, make friends with them.
If you have any other questions..... You have a great support system here!! Good luck on your quest.

[RA808]

Thanks guys. Excellent information, and exactly what I was looking for.

All 3 of those colleges are near me. I'm in the tri-state area, so I would be comfortable with them. Charter Oak is the closest to me.

Is one preferred over the others?

To gain an AS, approx. how much would I have to spend on CLEP, and what percentage of my credits could I complete with a combo of CLEP and the ALEKS you mentioned?

Appreciate it.

[bldclot2]

ALEKS cost $20 a month for a subscription:
I completed Int. Algebra, College Algebra, Pre Cal and Stast in 1 and a half months. Read up on ALEKS on this site before you try it.
CLEP test are $80 + usually $20 testing center fee = $100
Same thing with DSST test.

One thing Charter Oak requires a Cornerstone for an AS degree, this means you would have to complete at least one class there.

[RA808]

Thanks. I like Thomas Edison's presentation and site the best. I also like that they administer some of their own tests that happen to be in subjects I'm interested in. I'm open to the other schools as well.

How many classes would I have to take with Thomas Edison, or can it all be done via testing? It's not super clear on the site.

Also, let's just take Thomas Edison as an example. Let's say, theoretically, that I take 20 tests at $100 each for a total of 60 credits. That puts me at $2,000 total, which is totally reasonable. Plus books/other study resources. But what does Thomas Edison get paid in addition to that, besides application and registration fees?

[Storyteller]

Welcome, RA808!
Good questions. TESC charges $75 for Application&Credit Evaluation. The enrollment fee for you since you want to do mostly testing is: (Right Now) - $2858 plus technology fee and graduation fee.
If you want a Grade Point Average (GPA) from TESC you will need to take at least one TESC online/guided study course. It all depends on your future educational plans - some grad schools expect to see a GPA.
FYI - I graduated from TESC yesterday with a BA in History and AAS in Environmental, Safety & Security Technologies. I transferred in 14 Community College credits, took my first Clep Nov. 2010 and finished my last and only TESC class in Oct. 2011. In all I took 12 Cleps, 7 Dantes (DSST), 1 Excelsior Exam, 2 Aleks, 27 FEMA course exams.
I did it all in less than one year. I highly recommend signing up with Instantcert - It's a great study source and it gives you access to specific feedback.
Again, welcome. We've all been where you are now. We're here to help.
I can't stress enough that the Search feature is your friend, however don't hesitate to post a question.
Good luck.

[dew125]

Thanks guys. Excellent information, and exactly what I was looking for.

All 3 of those colleges are near me. I'm in the tri-state area, so I would be comfortable with them. Charter Oak is the closest to me.

Is one preferred over the others?

Are you in the same state as any of the big three schools? That personally would be a decision maker for me because of the cost difference for in/out of state. They are all good schools albeit they have unique differences. Here is a comparison thread: http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...rison.html Some things have changed since this thread, such as COSC now accepts FEMA, and Excelsior has some general ed requirement changes, but might be a good place for an overview.

[Lindagerr]

You say you are in the tri state area. If you are in NJ TESC is much cheaper. If you go to their home page and click on tuition cost calculator it really will give you a great estimate. You do not need to take a course from TESC to graduate, but if you want a GPA on your transcript you need to take one course. If you are only going for an AA GPA is not important. Do not give up on a BA I started out only interested in an AA for my own satisfaction now I have gone on for the BA and am working on a second AAS, BA and considering a Masters.

Learning this way is not easy but it is easier then sitting in classes for me. If you are a person who has had autonomy and responsibility at work I think working at your own pace and not doing useless work or listening to boring lectures makes this method great

[RA808]

Are you in the same state as any of the big three schools? That personally would be a decision maker for me because of the cost difference for in/out of state. They are all good schools albeit they have unique differences. Here is a comparison thread: http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...rison.html Some things have changed since this thread, such as COSC now accepts FEMA, and Excelsior has some general ed requirement changes, but might be a good place for an overview.

I am in CT.

I couldn't find any conclusive info on overall tuition from the COSC website, only per credit costs.