I'm new and could use some advice and help.

[Attie]

Hello everyone! I have been lurking here for quite some time, trying my best to work out a college plan for myself. I feel overwhelmed, so I thought it would be a good idea to go ahead and join. Maybe you guys can help me out a little bit, if you don’t mind.

I would really like to get a Bachelor’s degree in English or something related (like Literature or Creative Writing). I completed an AA in English at a local state college before I knew much about alternate ways to get credit, though I did do college algebra through Straighterline back when it was partnered with Fort Hays.

After I graduated from my state college (I would have stayed there, but they don’t offer a BA in English), I enrolled at American Military University. I took one course there. I like the school a lot so far, but I can only take one class at a time because of the cost (I don’t qualify for aid), so it will take me a long time to graduate! I would prefer something a bit faster and cheaper if possible. I looked over the tests that APUS accepts for credit and was/am planning to take some CLEPs and a DSST, but I haven’t started studying for them yet. I am not sure if I would still benefit from those particular tests (listed below) if I do change schools.

I guess I am just hoping someone could recommend me one of the Big 3 (if any would be a better option than APUS), and maybe some CLEPs or other exams to take. Or just give me some kind of direction on how to complete my degree.

COSC looks like it might be my best option, but there are some class requirements that I’m not sure I would be able to fill since there aren’t tests for everything and COSC doesn’t offer all of the classes needed for their English degree (Shakespeare, for example). I was interested to see that they have a GRE option, but I wish they gave more information about it. Would that be a better way for me to go?

Excelsior looks good, but I am not sure about the degree actually being Humanities--Literature rather than just Literature or English--Literature.

TESC is out because I absolutely can’t/won’t do online proctoring, and it looks like they require ProctorU. I don’t really want to go into my reasons, but I strongly prefer in-person proctors. I would have no problem with either finding my own proctor or going back to my state college and paying a small fee to use their testing center, but I don’t think those are options at TESC.


Below is my transcript thus far:

English and Literature:
ENC1101 ENGLISH COMP I……………..A
LIT2330 CHILDREN'S LIT……………… A
ENL2022 ENG LIT-AFT 1798 ………….A
LIT2120 WORLD LIT:ENLIGHTENM….A

Math:
MGF2106 MATH LIBERAL ARTS I………...A
MATH110 MAC1105 COLLEGE ALGEBRA……B (done through Straighterline, but is recorded on my college transcript from the state school.)

Science/Technology:
CGS1060 COLLEGE COMPUTING…..….B
BSC1009 THE LIVING WORLD…………B
ESC1000 EARTH SCIENCE……………….A

Social Sciences and Humanities:
PHI2630 INTRO TO ETHICS…………….A
PSY2012 INTRO PSYCHOLOGY………..A
SYG2010 SOCIAL PROBLEMS …………A
HUM1533 HUMANITIES-PHILOSOPHY….A
SYG1250 MULTICULTURAL ISSUES.……A
SYG2000 INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY………….A
PHI1930 EASTERN PHILOS………………….A

History:
EUH2000 WESTERN CIV:ORIGINS…...A
EUH2001 WEST CIV:1485-1815………A

Other:
SLS1101 STUDENT SUCCESS…………..A
HSC2100 PERSONAL AND COMM HEALTH….A
COLL100 Introduction to college class, only class taken at APUS so far (required).…A

Tests I Plan to Take if I stay at APUS:
CLEP: American Government, College Composition (because it gives you credit for Eng. 1 and 2--I have only taken 1), Eng. Lit (again because you get credit for 2 classes--I have taken one), Natural Sciences, American Lit.
DSST: Technical Writing.

Thanks for any thoughts or ideas everyone!