BA/BS in Communications School/Strategy Recommendations?

[nychojin]

Hi all,

Happy to join this amazing forum, and looking forward to the great advisement and learning opportunities.

I am currently seeking a BA or BS in Communications. I was originally looking at the Big 3 (Charter Oak/Excelsior/TESC) for this. I was told Excelsior no longer offers a communications program. From what I understand, TESC has a standardized communications program, whereas Charter Oak is more custom-oriented. I will be transferring only about 14 credits or so from a previous college stint.

I'm considering using some of the strategies posted here - PLA via LearningCounts, InstantCert training, DSST, CLEP & ECE exams, etc. - to try and get as many credits as possible by "testing out".

So, besides the aforementioned schools, are there any suggestions for a Bachelor in Communications program that readily accept credit by testing and PLA?

Also, would anyone know how much of this degree can be done by testing, and recommend the best way to pursue?

Any response would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[rebel100]

Very few, even among the Big 3 are going to "readily accept" PLA credit. It's a good idea in theory, but I have seldom seen or heard of anyone gaining significant credit that way. More typically people spend effort, time and money attempting the PLA and wind up with far fewer credits than they wished for/expected. Research this idea well before attempting it. Note...I just went to the learning counts website, if legitimate they have an interesting concept but this is the first time I have heard of them...seems a lot like what we have here on IC for cheap/free that leads to CLEP/DSST credit. I like the idea (learning counts) and hope its legit, but it sounds fishy to me.

You should spend some time here on the forum and at the degree wiki page Degree Forum Wiki Between that page and the search feature most of your questions can be readily answered...there is a lot of info available for you!

Tried and true methods of earning your degree include CLEP/DSST/Straighterline/other colleges/FEMA/ALEKS...I would concentrate on these, in particular you likely need most of your general education classes like Math, History, etc...You can safely bet that any legitimate school will require the basics (though beware not all will accept alternative credits...some even restrict CLEP/DSST).

If testing out is the goal one of the Big 3 is going to be the best route, they have the most liberal credit acceptance policies and will allow you to bring in nearly 100% of your required credits...you just can't beat it.

Depending on the degree....you can test out of all but a class or two at any of the Big 3. This may or may not be possible with a communications degree primarily because you will need 30 credits at the upper level (300-400 level classes) to finish the major. I don't know of that many UL communications tests.

[Lady Grace of Pemberley]

Also, would anyone know how much of this degree can be done by testing, and recommend the best way to pursue?

Any response would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I am pursuing my degree in Communications from TESC, and I am trying to test out of as many classes as possible both because of costs and time. The following is my degree plan -- it may help you with knowing which tests/courses apply to your degree.

II - Area of Study: 33.00 REQUIRED
100-200 Level: 15.00 REQUIRED

~Technical Writing: ENG 201 DE DSST 3 Credits
~Introduction to News Reporting: JOU 110 TE TECEP 3 Credits
~Introduction to Mass Communications I: COM 120 TESC Course-3 3 Credits
~Public Relations Thought and Practice: COM 210 TE TECEP 3 Credits
~Principles of Public Speaking: COM 209 DE DSST 3 Credits

300-400 Level: 18.00 REQUIRED

~News Writing: JOU 352 TESC Course-3 3 Credits
~Argumentation and Debate: CMST 2063 LSU Course-3 3 Credits
~Marketing Communications: MAR 321 TE TECEP 3 Credits
~Interpersonal Communication: COMX215 ECE 3 Credits
~Leadership Communication: MAN 376 TESC Course-3 3 Credits
~Liberal Arts Capstone: LIB 495 TESC Course-3 3 Credits

So there are a good deal of tests open for this degree, whether they are DSSTs, TECEPs, or ECEs. Hope you find this helpful.

[nychojin]

Thanks to you both for your input!

@rebel100, I learned about LearningCounts from a career counselor that I know. Apparently they are in partnerships with several colleges (including EC and TESC) for this program and they offer ACE Credit (3 Hours) through their online class. It was developed by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and seems to be well received. Someone is paying the cost of the course for me, so that was not an issue in the decision. I'll be happy to provide a review once it's done.

@Lady Grace of Pemberley, thanks for all of the detailed information. I am looking to put together a degree roadmap/plan sometime soon and will use your information to assist with that. Once I'm done I would like to get your feedback on it.

Thanks again!

[Snickerdoodle]

Try these communication courses from BYU-IS when you run out of tests. There are only so many, unfortunately. Online Course Catalog - BYU Independent Study


COMMS 101: MASS COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY
Historical and modern roles of mass media in society, emphasizing media effects on individuals and institutions.

COMMS 230: INTRODUCTION TO ADVERTISING
Principles of advertising; critical evaluation of its role and value in American society.

COMMS 300: MEDIA ETHICS, LAW, AND RESPONSIBILITY
Introduction to First Amendment history and press freedom, law, and theory; media regulation and policy; relationship between law and ethics; key ethical issues in professional communications.
NEW Online

COMMS 480: MEDIA ETHICS AND MORAL REASONING
Advanced application of moral reasoning and understanding of ethical issues in mass communication.

TMA 150: PUBLIC SPEAKING
Principles and methods of public speaking; speaking experiences.

[rebel100]

Thanks to you both for your input!

@rebel100, I learned about LearningCounts from a career counselor that I know. Apparently they are in partnerships with several colleges (including EC and TESC) for this program and they offer ACE Credit (3 Hours) through their online class. It was developed by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and seems to be well received. Someone is paying the cost of the course for me, so that was not an issue in the decision. I'll be happy to provide a review once it's done.

Sweet! I'm anxious to hear about it!

[Lady Grace of Pemberley]

Thanks to you both for your input!

@Lady Grace of Pemberley, thanks for all of the detailed information. I am looking to put together a degree roadmap/plan sometime soon and will use your information to assist with that. Once I'm done I would like to get your feedback on it.

Thanks again!

Glad it was of help. I would be glad to help you out with your degree plan as you continue on if I can! Good luck on your studies! eeya:

[NAP]

..... I was told Excelsior no longer offers a communications program.....

It looks like it is being changed to a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts with major in Humanities and a concentration in Communications at Excelsior. Here is a link for more details:

BA in Humanities - excelsior.edu