Silly Question about "The Big 3"

[Berzerker]

I was just wondering why TESU, EC and COSC are considered "The Big 3"? 

And why isn't WGU included in this group to make it "The Big 4", due to it's exploding popularity by online degree-seekers over the last couple years?

[Life Long Learning]

I was just wondering why TESU, EC and COSC are considered "The Big 3"? 

And why isn't WGU included in this group to make it "The Big 4", due to it's exploding popularity by online degree-seekers over the last couple years?

Can you transfer in 117 of the 120 credits?

[davewill]

Can you transfer in 117 of the 120 credits?

That's essentially the reason. Those three are the only schools that will let you use alternative and transferred credits for almost the entire degree. Outside of them, the next best choices insist you take at least 30 credits at the school for a bachelor's degree.

WGU falls into a different category, also popular here, called competency based learning. Those schools will let you move through courses as quickly as you're capable allowing a dedicated, experienced student to finish very quickly and very cheaply. However, since they charge by the term, it can get very expensive if you don't move fast.

[sanantone]

I agree with Life Long Learning and davewill. WGU falls into the modern competency-based category along with NAU, College for America, Capella, Walden, Brandman, University of Wisconsin, Patten, Hodges, etc. TESU, EC, and COSC are based on an older competency-based model that is mostly made of external learning and transfer credits.

There is Athabasca University. They'll let you transfer in all the credits for a 3-year bachelor's in general studies, but none of those credits can be non-traditional. There are also the Board of Governor programs among West Virginia community colleges, but these are only at the associates level. An older school that is closest to the Big 3 in model is Empire State College. They have a traditional residency requirement, but they grant a lot of credits from non-traditional sources, including Subject GRE tests.

[Life Long Learning]

Can you transfer in 117 of the 120 credits?

That's essentially the reason. Those three are the only schools that will let you use alternative and transferred credits for almost the entire degree. Outside of them, the next best choices insist you take at least 30 credits at the school for a bachelor's degree.

WGU falls into a different category, also popular here, called competency based learning. Those schools will let you move through courses as quickly as you're capable allowing a dedicated, experienced student to finish very quickly and very cheaply. However, since they charge by the term, it can get very expensive if you don't move fast.

What is the closest that WGU will let one start at?  Last 30 SH?  Min of two terms?

[Berzerker]

Those three are the only schools that will let you use alternative and transferred credits for almost the entire degree.

Thanks, that answers my question. I thought it was merely due to popularity for whatever reasons hence my question as to why WGU is not included as "Big 4".

[dfrecore]

Many people on here do a single term - they enroll after making sure they have every possible credit they can get inexpensively, and are left with (usually) around 30cr.  In courses they think they can get through fairly quickly, or very quickly.

[Life Long Learning]

Those three are the only schools that will let you use alternative and transferred credits for almost the entire degree.

Thanks, that answers my question.  I thought it was merely due to popularity for whatever reasons hence my question as to why WGU is not included as "Big 4".

The Big 3 are time-tested now 46 years (1971).  The modern competency-based category is still a work in process?

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I was just wondering why TESU, EC and COSC are considered "The Big 3"? 

And why isn't WGU included in this group to make it "The Big 4", due to it's exploding popularity by online degree-seekers over the last couple years?

How much is your WGU degree costing you?

[Berzerker]

My cost = $0.

[cookderosa]

I was just wondering why TESU, EC and COSC are considered "The Big 3"?

And why isn't WGU included in this group to make it "The Big 4", due to it's exploding popularity by online degree-seekers over the last couple years?

Already answered- but it's all about transfer limit.
When I started my degree process in 2006, you could still transfer in 100% of your credit, and those 3 colleges were the only ones in that category. Now, you can transfer in almost all (117? I don't even know) so it's not that the category is for online degree-seekers, it's more about credit-shopping to craft a degree completely DIY style. At present, you can use so many different types of credit (credit by exam, ACE, college transfer of old or new credit, PLA, etc.) that there is something for everyone in terms of how to get the job done. In fact, to be technical, you can fill your Big 3 degree with brick and mortar classes- they don't even have to be online.