pinetreeacademy Wrote:Jennifer,
I'm wondering if the program at TE (BSBA in Accounting) that my daughter is interested in would fall under that same category and require specific course descriptions rather than upper level courses. My daughter is an 11th grade student who has accumulated 66 CLEP/DSST credits toward her degree. She is dual-enrolled through our state's PSEO program at our local community college taking additional business and accounting courses. We are running into the same issue that Cheri was.....finding a source for her to take upper level courses in her major. Some schools don't allow high school students to take upper level courses, only lower level courses. Also, the upper level courses which are available seem to be at schools that are not in driving distance for her. Perhaps, we don't really need to worry if they are upper level or not, just that the course description matches TE's course descriptions for that specific major. Am I correct on my assumption, here?
Thanks for your input,
Debbie
>>
Debbie, sorry that I missed your question! Before answering your question about TESC, I want to talk about accounting. Accounting is a funny thing- if her goal is to become a CPA, she will need to work very closely with someone who can help her meet the requirements. I believe, only through my online interaction-not from first hand knowledge, that CPA credits can not come from CLEP and I don't know about distance ed. Having a degree in accounting is not necessarily going to allow someone to become a state licensed CPA. I suggest this is priority one for you guys, find out your state's laws before you start on your TESC path. Another forum that I visit regularly might be better suited to answer those questions is here:
DegreeInfo Distance Learning - online degree forum - Powered by vBulletin You will be able to get good help there too.
As for TESC, they will take any regionally accredited credit or ACE evaluated that counts toward your degree. So, in this case, there are a lot of distance learning options. I'd start looking at 4 year colleges in your state- MANY (most) offer online courses, sometimes it isn't obvious, so shoot off an email and ask. Also, she may have to apply as a "special student" (or some other crazy name) to take just a course or two. It's not that uncommon.
I have not specifically looked for upper level accounting courses, however, if you are running out of leads- try to search this forum for independent study courses, (I used University of Idaho) you might find a few that are hidden in the cracks.
One other thing, TESC will decide if a course is upper or lower level- and if that's an issue. As usual, TESC's website isn't opening for me right now- I'll try later. But, unless they specifically say only x credits can be from 100 level, then there is no level requirement. The requirement will be on the credit distribution page.
Using course titles from the accounting/business department is a good way to guess. If there were a class titles matched, but the department wasn't accounting, that's going to be less true, and stand prepared for TESC to do crazy things lol.
Ok, so if this were my child, what would I do?
1.
Learn about the industry from people IN the industry so you can be the guidance counselor. Learn the game so you can help them navigate. Be their parent. For example, if my child said "I want a bachelor's degree in psychology" there would be a loooonnngggg discussion about why that plan must include a masters/phd or why that degree won't "get them a job" when they graduate. Similarly, if they wanted to be a chef, there would be a discussion about why that plan shouldn't include a master's degree in culinary arts.... My kids will pick their path and career, I just want to be their guard rail so they don't fall into the ditch of debt and the land of non-completers.
3. I'd complete around 60 gen ed's following a traditional distribution. These are always transferable, CLEPable, and necessary. I think of gen eds as the one area you can always cut costs. Maybe "never pay full price for a gen ed course" should be my motto? LOL It's true that this isn't a fail-proof plan for every student-every college, but this is what I'd/I'll do for my kids. At the end of the day, our homeschoolers are learning this stuff ANYWAY....so we give them a CLEP. The worse thing that can happen is that it won't transfer in and I "wasted" $80 on a CLEP test. <shrug> I'm willing to roll the dice. 15 CLEP exams cost the exact same as 1 semester at our local community college.
3. I'd fill in-major requirements with classes. Why? Because it gives you work practice, study practice, writing practice, etc. These are important skills for a young person. You get a chance to build a library of text books to use later on, you research people in your industry who are experts, and you answer questions that are multi-modal.
4. I'd mix distance and traditional classes. Why a mix? Because distance classes are pretty heavy on written communication. I LOVE that. Young people, generally, have not written NEARLY enough to enter the workplace. Even when I worked as a new chef, I had to write memos, evaluations, menus, and recipes. Written communication skills are in every job. When I started teaching, OH MAN did I have to write. Also, there is a high level of self-teaching that is integrated in distance learning- that's a great thing to master.
Traditional classes, on the other hand, are more a passive activity. The teacher teaches, and students interact with each other- group thought- group coordination. Verbal communication is important, and relationships are formed. Spontaneous conversations are also good. IMO, if this is with other students also going into your profession, this is an incredibly valuable experience not to be missed.
So- please find out about accounting. Be her guide rails. Be sure she isn't going into a degree that won't work for her goals. Don't confuse what I said I'd do with my children as gospel. I'm just sharing.
I know this was a different answer than the question you asked, but I hope it still gives you some help and points you in the right direction to ask the right questions for her.
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