Online accounting classes - can you help?

[sarg123]

Hi!

I have an associate's degree from my local CC, using a mixture of B&M classes and Cleps. My goal is to get a Bachelor's in Accounting through TESU, and I'm planning to test out of most of the classes. My end goal is to (hopefully) sit for the CPA exam, and of course, pass!

I put together a pretty nice plan for an accounting degree at TESU. I'm hoping to use a mixture of Saylor and Study to test out of my remaining classes.

But, my problem is that I'm having a very difficult time finding options for actual online accounting classes. You need a minimum of four upper level classes in accounting for TESU, and even though SL and study both have upper level classes, I don't think these classes are enough preparation for actual accounting.

I've spent the last few months researching online classes, and I think that I am more confused now then when I started. You would think that if classes are offered online, there would be more online feedback, but I'm having a very hard time finding anything that is really meaningful. There seem to be so many options, and it's hard to differentiate between the different accounting degrees, classes, etc. The more I research, the more confused I get!

So far, I've researched LSU (which would not accept my Pell grants), Oakton (which is lower level, so it won't transfer to TESU), CSU-Global, and Peru and Chadron State Universities. CSU-Global sounded good, but I just did a bit more research and it seems that the marks come from a PLA - no tests, so I'm not sure if that's a really great option. I'm still looking into Peru, which looks good, but there's very little (online) feedback.

Has anyone on this forum taken any (real) accounting classes online? Any advice, information, etc. would really be appreciated.

Thanks!

[bghill]

Does CSU-Global not have online courses? I thought they did -- though at $350/cr they're not cheap. Not to be confused with the CSU-Global CBEs, which are challenge exams -- and much cheaper, at $250/exam.

Or do you mean that the CSU-Global courses don't have exams?

Have you run into anyplace that offers upper level courses for less than LSU?

[sanantone]

CSU does have accounting exams. They're called CBEs (competency-based exams). There's not going to be much feedback on the accounting CBEs. People have mostly taken other subjects.

https://csuglobal.edu/admissions/transfe...t-exam-cbe

[dfrecore]

APU has an accounting degree (and therefore UL and LL accounting classes) for about $810/course (last I checked).

[NAP]

Requirements may have changed since this was posted a few years ago, but you might find more ideas here. (Also, check threads created by the OP for feedback on some of these specific courses.) http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...hed-d.html

[Synicaal]

Oakton is an excellent source to do your Intermediate Accounting I and Intermediate Accounting II courses at. These will probably be the biggest two courses in comparison to the CPA exam. I highly recommend Michelle Wray at Oakton for Intermediate Accounting I and II, she plans her classes around the CPA exam so you are getting two for one with her. Of course this means her class is on the hard side but well worth the work. As far as the Upper Level courses I would simply recommend looking at one of your State schools they are usually on the cheaper side of other places.

[sarg123]

Does CSU-Global not have online courses? I thought they did -- though at $350/cr they're not cheap. Not to be confused with the CSU-Global CBEs, which are challenge exams -- and much cheaper, at $250/exam.

Or do you mean that the CSU-Global courses don't have exams?

Have you run into anyplace that offers upper level courses for less than LSU?

Oh, sorry, the actual classes don't seem to have exams. CBE is obviously an exam, but the classes seem to have a portfolio at the end instead of a test. I was about ready to register before I saw this.

It is somewhat expensive, but really on par for any upper level classes anywhere else. I do have Pell grants, so that would cover part of the cost, I think. LSU does not accept any kind of government grants, as far as I know. CSU Global looked very attractive to me because you can start classes every month, and take two classes at a time. Most colleges don't have accounting courses in the summer, so I would have to wait until the fall to start, and that's too much time to waste!

I'm looking into Peru/Chadron - they're about the same price as LSU, but they're on a regular semester schedule, and they do accept Pell grants. As far as I know those two colleges are the cheapest upper level option, for now.

[sarg123]

Thanks so much for all your responses! I'll take a look at the options.

[sarg123]

Oakton is an excellent source to do your Intermediate Accounting I and Intermediate Accounting II courses at. These will probably be the biggest two courses in comparison to the CPA exam. I highly recommend Michelle Wray at Oakton for Intermediate Accounting I and II, she plans her classes around the CPA exam so you are getting two for one with her. Of course this means her class is on the hard side but well worth the work. As far as the Upper Level courses I would simply recommend looking at one of your State schools they are usually on the cheaper side of other places.

Thanks so much, Synicaal! A pity, I just took Intermediate I and II at my local CC, I would have been much better off at Oakton because my experience was not extremely positive, to put it mildly. I see that Oakton has an excellent program - I don't know if it pays to take them for any other accounting classes because they are lower level, anyway.

I'll look into state colleges, but I don't think they're too cheap. I'm in NJ, there's a lot of private colleges (expensive), and I don't think I would get into Rutger's at this point. But I'll look into them - you never know!

[bghill]

Does anyone have any experience with the online classes from Foothill College or De Anza College?