Excelsior Credit by Examination (ECE) vs. DSSTs and CLEPs

[bojangle]

Given I live in Canada, going to the states for CLEPs will be a pain in the butt.

So, i am thinking about getting my remaining credits via ECEs. How are they in comparison to CLEPs and DSSTs; harder, easier, the same?

I'll be taking:
- principles of management
- principles of marketing
- macroeconomics
- business law
- managerial accounting

Thanks,

- Bo

[supra416]

Hey I'm from Toronto and need to take 3 CLEP exams which i will be going to Buffalo to do. I plan on writing on 3 in one day. They are...

- principles of management
- principles of marketing
- business law

I haven't written any ECE's yet but will be doing a few of them shortly.

Where in Canada are you located? Also, I'm doing a BS General Business at Excelsior...but i only choose Excelsior because the enrolloment was cheaper. How come you choose TESC?

Thanks.

[bojangle]

Hey,

I'm in London, ON. CLEPs apparently only let you do 1 per day (according to the St clair county community college hostile representative) and I can't get a-hold of the University of Buffalo to see what their policy is.

I can do all the credits i need via ECE in my hometown for the same price as the DSSTs pretty much.

I like the sound of TESC vs Excelsior.

[supra416]

haha yeah I was considering TESC for the same reason, but the enrollement is like $2000 more, as i plan on finishing within a few months. I already have around 80 credits from Concordia University.

I took a look at Excelsiors new diploma and it is really nice and classic, that and the price sold me.

Did you transfer any credits in?

It seems like the ECE exams are harder (from what i've read), that's the only reason i've been trying to keep them out of my plan as much as possible.

Also, where have you been writing DSST's? I've done them in Hamilton as its only $25 vs $45 in Mississauga.

[bojangle]

I'm eventually going to get the BSBA Accounting from TESC and I'll be using FEMA credits (like 27 of them) which TESC will accept at no cost, but Excelsior will charge like $40 per credit... I remember reading TESC is cheaper for a bachelors when using FEMA. Apparently Excelsior costs are going up soon too.

I'm going to trial a ECE (business law) this Friday hopefully to see how difficult it is in comparison to the DSSTs and CLEPs I've done.

[sanantone]

Sorry to disappoint you, but the BSBA at TESC only has room for 6 free elective credits. In other words, you will only be able to use 6 FEMA credits. Also, non-U.S. citizens have to be sponsored by an organization or college in order to take FEMAs. Excelsior will just be a few hundred dollars cheaper than TESC. TESC's BSBA doesn't have a capstone. All of Excelsior's degrees require a capstone and their tuition is going up to $425 per credit hour on July 1st. That's $1,275 for one course you have to take at Excelsior and, hopefully, it doesn't require a textbook.

[bojangle]

Hi Sanantone,

Confirmed by TESC reps, I can use 27 FEMA credits which make up the general education and free electives requirements.

And sponsorship is as easy as joining this one organization by paying a few bucks.

[sanantone]

Hi Sanantone,

Confirmed by TESC reps, I can use 27 FEMA credits which make up the general education and free electives requirements.

And sponsorship is as easy as joining this one organization by paying a few bucks.

I can almost guarantee you that you were told wrong or you misunderstood. FEMAs are only used as free electives with the exception of the AAS in ESST and BS in Homeland Security programs. The BSBA only has room for 6 free elective credits. I suggest that you send an email specifically asking how much room is there in the BSBA program for FEMA credits. None of the FEMAs fit the categories of science, humanities, social science, or mathematics, so they cannot be used as general education electives.

What organization are you talking about?

Non-US citizens may request access to complete IS courses. Non-US citizens do not have a social security number but will be assigned a unique student identifier if approved for training, the NETC policy at this time for a Non-US Citizen to take IS courses is as follows:

The non-US citizen must have a United States organization as a sponsor (i.e., fire department, police department, state emergency organization, college or university).
In addition, the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) may sponsor their members. Details regarding IAEM sponsorship may be found online at 2013 IAEM Website - Global Council
The sponsoring organization must make a written request on their official organization letterhead. We have included an example letter for your reference.

Emergency Management Institute - FEMA Independent Study Program

Your best bet would be to have TESC sponsor you. IAEM will only sponsor members who have the CEM/AEM certification or are applying for a certification.

IAEM Eligibility Requirements for Official Letters of Sponsorship. IAEM will provide official letters of sponsorship for non-U.S. IAEM members who meet the following criteria:
You are a current non-U.S. IAEM member in good standing, and
You have received your Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) certification or you have applied for your CEM/AEM certification.

2013 IAEM Website - Global Council

It's not exactly easy to meet the requirements for certification.

What are the requirements for the Certified Emergency Manager Program?

Emergency management experience. Three years by date of application. Comprehensive experience must include participation in a full-scale exercise or actual disaster.
Education. A four-year baccalaureate degree in any subject area for USA Candidates. Non-USA Candidates may substitute extra years of work experience in place of a degree until December 31, 2013.
Training. 100 contact hours in emergency management training and 100 hours in general management training. Note: No more than 25% of hours can be in any one topic.
Contributions to the profession. Six separate contributions in areas such as professional membership, speaking, publishing articles, serving on volunteer boards or committees and other areas beyond the scope of the emergency management job requirements.
Comprehensive emergency management essay. Real-life scenarios are provided, and response must demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities as listed in the essay instructions.
Multiple-choice examination. Candidates sit for the 100-question exam after their initial application and the other requirements are satisfied. The exam is a maximum of two (2) hours. A Study Guide is available, further describing format and sources.
Three references. Three signed letters of reference on letterhead including a reference from the candidate’s current supervisor.
Note: A baccalaureate in emergency management reduces the experience requirement to 2 years and waives EM training if the degree was earned recently.

What are the requirements for the Associate Emergency Manager Program?

Training. 100 contact hours in emergency management training and 100 hours in general management training. Note: No more than 25% of hours can be in any one topic.
Comprehensive emergency management essay. Real-life scenarios are provided, and response must demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities as listed in the essay instructions.
Multiple-choice examination. Candidates sit for the 100-question exam after their initial application and the other requirements are satisfied. The exam is a maximum of two (2) hours. A Study Guide is available, further describing format and sources.
Three References. Including a reference from the candidate’s current supervisor.

2013 IAEM Website - Global Council

[bojangle]

I'll get them to sponsor me

[supra416]

Let me know how the ECE goes on Friday, It would be much easier to do the ECE over the CLEP, logistically speaking.