Ministerial credits applying at TESC

[cookderosa]

Okay, sorry if I'm being dense here. >>

Ohhh no way are you being dense. It is a HUGE maze and, and colleges will only advise you for their own programs- so in terms of utility- you have to figure this kind of stuff out on your own. Let me add, that at my community college, our college catalog MIXES TOGETHER the course listings by presenting the departments alphabetically. I complained, but was told that listing the departments alphabetically wasn't deceptive, and that all programs have advisors (true, I was one LOL). I disagree, and this is one of my soap box issues....anyway...


<<The University is regionally accredited and will apply the class credit to their BA degrees as electives. >>


Common. One key, is you said "elective" which means that it probably is in fact classified as CAREER EDUCATION/APPLIED credit. I hate to always use culinary arts, but that's why I'm so familiar with this type of situation- I found out NOT from working in a community college (and ADVISING students) but by myself pursuing a BA degree. Smack - brick wall number one- is learning the difference between the classification of these types of credit. I had 63 career education credits, and zero gen ed credits in my first degree.

<<So if I understand correctly, because the credit is outside the college's regular departments (it's listed under The Academy), even though the college will give credit for it, TESC (and other colleges) won't.>>

Maybe. It's probably more an issue of it NOT being arts and science rather than what it IS. (I know, that's confusing) Basically, in the credit world- there is category 1: arts and science (math, science, humanities, social science) and category 2: everything else AKA free electives. (Business is much trickier, as business classes can be both arts and sciences AND applied courses- that's a major mine field- choose carefully)


<<I don't guess it would fall under PLA or anything else...>>

I wouldn't. Have him take the class, absorb the information, and use it in his life. Consider it personal enrichment. A PLA is expensive (Full TESC credit cost, so you are looking at about $500) and is a boat-load of portfolio preparation without the promise of them accepting the credit. At the end of the day, what you would have to prove is that the credit should be classified as a humanities credit.

<<As always, thanks for your help, even though I may not like the news.>>

Thanks, and sorry!! On another note, were his 27 free electives full?

[a mom]

Yep, his general electives are full with computer classes. After this semester he needs 18 more credits with 1 credit coming from a 4 year university. He'll probably take 2 classes this summer and the remaining 4 in the fall.

I did email an advisor since his credits from last semester aren't reflected on his evaluation (transcripts received between the time of paying the initial fee and the enrollment fee paid last week), and then there's the 18 (countable) credits he's taking now.

He may pick up a class next month. It's with a professor he has now and his current class with her doesn't have a lot of busy work. Once I see the syllabus I'll know if it's doable and he can decide. At least he has all of his term papers completed for his other courses and it's just weekly work and assignments. Also some of his classes have been self-paced where he's been able to work ahead and has completed the majority of the work.

As far as the religion course he's doing now (which won't count for credit) after he finishes the current module, he can just scale back on it. He'll be half way through and has a year to complete it. I'm not so sure I would have paid the money for it, if I had known the credits would count. I would have just ordered him the books based on the syllabus.

[a mom]

And another thing...I went back and looked at emails from SEU and they did say the courses would transfer in as electives. I read transfer rather than "electives." (Sigh) I thought TESC would take them as REL. So much for being my son's academic advisor. Maybe I should quit before I'm fired. ;-)

[gregjohnson]

..... I just want to make sure you are not overlooking the obvious. I believe a Liberal Arts degree at TESC is one of the "easiest" to obtain in terms of testing out- more CLEP and DSST tests fit for LA than anything else. Your son could probably test out by summer for about $550. IC forums are loaded w/info on this, check around.

Good Luck, Greg

[a mom]

Thanks Greg, but he hates testing. He'd rather take the class. I think it would be too easy for him to avoid studying for a test whereas in the actual courses there's a start/stop time. 75% of his tuition is paid for so that helps.

[cookderosa]

And another thing...I went back and looked at emails from SEU and they did say the courses would transfer in as electives. I read transfer rather than "electives." (Sigh) I thought TESC would take them as REL. So much for being my son's academic advisor. Maybe I should quit before I'm fired. ;-)

>>

Nonsense. There isn't a single person on this planet who cares about your son's education as much as you do, certainly not a stranger. Hang in there, call this a learning experience.