Online accounting classes - can you help?

[sanantone]

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!

Since you're a New Jersey resident, have you thought about the Comprehensive Tuition Plan at TESU?

[sarg123]

Yes, I thought about it a lot...

I have heard that TESU's online courses are really hard - but I haven't seen much feedback either way, as it does not seem to be a popular option. Also, their comprehensive tuition plan just went up - by a lot - but it still might be a decent deal if I felt better about the classes.

Anyone with any experience with TESU's online classes?

[sarg123]

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

No experience, I'm looking into taking one class with them over the summer as they charge you the California rate if the class you take is under 6 quarter semester hours.

[dfrecore]

I have heard that TESU's online courses are really hard - but I haven't seen much feedback either way, as it does not seem to be a popular option.

The reason that it's not a popular option is that it's EXPENSIVE! It's $499/cr, which is WAY more than most of us spend. You can find courses at CC's or other colleges for less than half that price.

For In-State tuition, on the comprehensive plan, it's actually a good deal if you take 36cr (~$200/cr). But, that is a lot of credits in a year (via online courses), and if for some reason you can't take all 36cr, then that price starts to go up, and it becomes a not so great deal again.

[sanantone]

Only 24 credits in online and/or guided study courses are needed to receive the full Pell Grant award. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, you can complete 12 more credits in TECEPs, portfolio assessments, and/or e-Packs at no additional cost. The flat fee paid for the Comprehensive Tuition Plan covers up to 36 credits per year for all credit-earning options, but only online and guided study courses count toward the requirement that a student be at least attending half-time in order to receive financial aid. 12 credits per year will get you half of your award; 24 credits will get you the maximum award you qualify for.

Taking 30 credits in classes per year is the norm, so it is very doable to take 24 credits and complete the other 12 with less time-consuming options.

Just to clarify, $499 per credit hour is for the Per Credit Tuition Plan.

[sarg123]

The Comprehensive Tuition Plan at TESU just went up, by a lot, for NJ residents! If I would have signed up two weeks ago (before April 1) I could have done my degree for very little. Now, it would cost me about $1500, after my Pell Grants. That's just a little bit cheaper than the residency fee (if I sign up as a Study.com affiliate), but it does include the price of the courses.

To clarify - TESU evaluated my transcript and I have about 95 credits altogether, right now. I need 150 credits to sit for the CPA, so that is my goal, but I can test out of most of them.

Right now I need about 5 more accounting classes, so I would have to take another 3 classes to get the full Pell grant. So, it would take a little longer, but I guess that wouldn't be too terrible. My real hesitation is about the classes themselves - as I said, I haven't seen much feedback, and what I've seen suggests that they have not updated their methods at all. Most colleges today use interactive software such as Connect, I would assume that makes learning a bit easier, but I may be wrong.

Has anyone taken TESU's online classes - and if so - how was your experience? Thanks.

[bghill]

No experience, I'm looking into taking one class with them over the summer as they charge you the California rate if the class you take is under 6 quarter semester hours.

If you do, it would be terrific if you could posts any thoughts you have on the experience!

[bghill]

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!

Upper Iowa University has a self-paced accounting program. Minimum time for completion is 2 weeks/credit. (Max. is 6 months.) Cost is $975 for a 3-credit class.

Oh, and for anyone thinking of pursuing their credit acquisition and their learning acquisition separately, you can audit UIU's courses for $95/cr.

[keepsingin]

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.

Another option would be New Mexico's CCs. I received this from TESU academic advising regarding using Central New Mexico Community College for Intermediate Acc I&II.

Both ACCT2101 and ACCT2103 from Central New Mexico CC are approved for your degree. They will transfer over as ACC-201/202, Intermediate Accounting I & II, respectively.

At $50 per credit, it may not be as academically extensive as Oakton's, esp since Oakton's is structured around the CPA exam, but I'm planning to save the $$ for the rest of my UL AOS courses at a nearby state Uni. Any thoughts on CNM, concerns about accreditation, course quality, or experience with them? It seems like a great deal, just want to make sure I'm not missing any important puzzle pieces here. I'd love to hear any input on this...

[sarg123]

Upper Iowa University has a self-paced accounting program. Minimum time for completion is 2 weeks/credit. (Max. is 6 months.) Cost is $975 for a 3-credit class.

Oh, and for anyone thinking of pursuing their credit acquisition and their learning acquisition separately, you can audit UIU's courses for $95/cr.

Interesting. I never heard of this before - and they accept FAFSA as well... I'll look into this option, thanks!