Criminal Justice Penn foster and the big 3?

[Ace_King]

I am in Penn Fosters associate degree program in Criminal Justice (3rd semester), and I was going to go to TESC but read on the requirements that TESC requires like 18 UL credit in the major itself. And there is no upper level credit in PF's CJ's program. Now, I want to go to Excelsior but I was reading a forum in the past that they don't accept 200 level credit from PF CJ's program? Majority of the courses are 200 level expect 6 of them. What about COSC? I read they accept PF credit since it's ace reviewed, has anybody from Penn Foster in the CJ program transfer credit to COSC and they accepted them?

[irnbru]

Not sure how it works out for you with funding but Excelsior College offers a comprehensive Criminal Justice suite of courses. There are 20 upper level CJ courses at the 300 level and a further 12 at 400 level, including the CJ Capstone course. I've taken one at 300 level and based on that can recommend that the material, presentation and tutors are academically and professionally sound. Out of the 15 or so students on my course, 12 were serving or retired forces personnel.

One disadvantage which may apply to your situation is that Excelsior may only accept up to 30 Nationally Accredited credits as transfer. This may not include the courses which are ACE-approved. Hopefully someone else can confirm this or provide other options.

[Ace_King]

Yes but, I mean the reason why I did PF CJ associate degree program because they we're ACE reviewed. So basically, all these credits are lossed right? I would have to start over? I mean it's like 60 credits here, in the past people have transfered them..But EC classifies majority of PF classes 300 level while at PF they are 200 level. Does that mean they will still accept the credit as electives etc etc? Ughhh Im confused :'(

[Ace_King]

Okay sorry just a lil worried here heh... quick question. I was wondering, if let's say.. Excelsior's Criminal Justice degree doesn't accept my 200 level courses, since they are upper level at EC and not at PF. Let's say I decide to go for a Bachelor of Liberal Studies here is the link, http://www.excelsior.edu/ecapps/faces/De...tail&id=19.

It says..."
Minimum of 120 semester hours. Within that total, at least 90 semester hours must be earned in the arts and sciences with at least 30 of those 90 semester hours earned at the upper or advanced level. The remaining 30 semester hours may be earned in applied professional courses, additional arts and sciences courses, or a combination of both."

Aren't CJ credits Liberal Art credit? So the school of Liberal Studies may consider my courses for lower level credit?

[irnbru]

Aren't CJ credits Liberal Art credit? So the school of Liberal Studies may consider my courses for lower level credit?

Again, it depends. Some CJ courses will be assessed as applied professional. The rest will fall under the Social Sciences and probably applied as Psychology, Sociology or Political Science.

The syllabus, rather than the title, of a course will likely determine where that course is placed in the scheme of things. For example, a course called 'Private Security' might deal with the US legal requirements, general business administration and recruitment techniques and be evaluated as Applied Professional. Another course, also called 'Private Security', might concentrate on the emergence and commercialisation of non-governmental forces and their influence in failing states and be evaluated as Political Science.

If you have ACE-evaluated PF courses, EC might not give you UL credit for them but you should still get credit. Likewise there may be the option for non-ACE credit due to the 30 credit NA transfer cap. Might as well pay the $75 and see what an evaluation brings back when you are ready.

[killerkitty]

Excelsior, I'm sorry I didn't read this post earlier. I've been away for a while, I hope I'm not too late.

I have my associates from Penn Foster in Criminal Justice and I had an academic eval done by TESC in April of last year. My upper level credits were completely fulfilled by courses from Penn Foster's CJ program. I don't have my eval in front of me, but the courses like Terrorism, Women of Criminal Justice, White Collar Crime, umm, Community Corrections, these all counted as upper-level.

At first when I got my evaluation, they showed that I still needed 3 UL credits, but then I emailed asking why a specific course (don't remember which one) wasn't upper level and they immediately changed it.

So once you finish up at PF, you should be good to go at TESC with something like 68 credits including upper level toward your degree at TESC. My eval was for the BA is Social Sciences, not CJ.

[Ace_King]

Never too late! I just finished my 3rd semester, so just one more semester down. Good news nonetheless! I'm steering between COSC or TESC. Although I see lot of CJ majors go with TESC. After I finish with PF.. I'll have around 80 credits including ALEKS and SL, I'll be almost done. So if I had an option I could go with the BA in Social Science knowing they accept CJ credit, if one day I decide not to major in CJ? Thanks for the good news update though! I appreciate it.

[blu2blu]

If you are interested in law enforcement related studies you may want to take a look at Bellevue University. They are an adult learner oriented B&M RA school in Nebraska. Their transfer policies are almost as generous as the big three (they even accept ACE credits) and they boast that any associates degree will fulfill their general ed requirements. The school offers accelerated BS programs in Criminal Justice Administration and a fascinating looking BS in Investigations. They offer free credit evaluations to military personnel so Im having one done toward the BS in Investigations. I am seriously considering putting off a Masters degree in favor of a second Bachelors because the program looks so interesting. I am also looking at their MA in Leadership.

The only downside is since the school is private (non profit) they are expensive.

As a two time TESC alum though I certainly can't say they are a bad choice though.

Bellevue University | Ways to Earn Credit

Bellevue University | Degrees & Programs

[Ace_King]

Thanks for that advice blu2blu! Yeah I was pretty aware of Bellevue University a few years ago, but that tuition is a killer! I heard good things of the program though! I am going to stick with one of the big three. Cheaper!

And....if I am reading it right, Killer Kitty ..your CJ credits we're accepted into TESC's Social Science program correct? Considering some CJ classes are social science I'm assuming... I rather have a BA in Social Sciences than CJ. That could be a possibility for me!

[killerkitty]

Yep, I initially was going to go for the Criminal Justice degree but then I decided I didn't want to limit myself with that degree because I really don't think I am going to end up pursuing a career in any law enforcement field. Because Social Sciences is so broad, it can be pertinent to so many job fields I think.

My criminal justice credits all plugged into the Social Sciences requirements.

Basically, I have my associates in CJ from Penn Foster, 12 CLEP credits, 12 ALEKS credits, English II from Straighterline, (I did English I at Penn Foster),,
ALL of my upper level courses are completed thanks to Penn Foster only, and all I need to finish my Social Science degree from TESC is some remaining humanities electives and general electives.

One thing, the Penn Foster math class in the CJ program didn't cover the math requirement at TESC, it was only a 2 credit course,, it ended up going under my free electives, so I did my math through ALEKS.

Penn Foster is pretty awesome, I must say.