American Public University (APU)-- A good source for obscure credits?

[cookderosa]

Shmoop has convoluted questions, but you can earn 12-18+ credits for $88 if you work fast. $88 total, making it under $8 per credit.

If you know your literature, get into the Shmoop mindset, keep all your tabs open for each unit (as well as the synopsis and symbolism pages for lit) so you're ready for the unit test, and are willing to spend 12-14 hours a day busting it out, you can complete all the lit and history courses in two weeks. 39 credits for around $88. It's not fun, but it is doable.

But don't bother with Contemporary Lit. It is unpassable.

you can also just buy degrees online, if you're not into actually learning anything

Not here. Everything we discuss here is 100% legitimate. Every credit source listed in this thread before your comment transfers to regionally accredited universities.

yes, i'm well aware of what shmoop transfers as. my point was that taking 20 classes a week with the tabs open is a joke. you aren't going to learn anything so what are you doing? just paying money to get a degree, which symbolizes no actual learning on your part. if that's all you want, people sell them. the point is supposed to be that you actually learn something while moving through the process as quickly and cheaply as possible

I understand your point, but there are a few things to clarify:
1) learning is a personal experience.
2) a credential is issued by an external entity.

While it is true that some students may experience learning and credential earning simultaneously, obtaining a credential is done by payment to the issuer and meeting their requirements.

To use personal experience, I am a voracious learner. I study some topics very deeply, I read EVERY day, I am good at researching using credible resources, and I'm good at thinking critically. If I wanted to use my knowledge in some way BEYOND my personal enjoyment, then I probably need a credential to make that happen. How likely are you to hire me to rewire your house without a license? I could have 20 years experience prior to the day I got that license, or 20 minutes- it makes no difference. The credential is the "checkbox" that is needed.

I do think that the world is full of well-experienced and highly qualified people who lack only the piece of paper. That alone is preventing them from job advancement, a raise, or a something else. To give a crap about whether or not they learned Sociology to a depth that I (not a college) decide is "the right amount" is obnoxious and self-centered. I guess if I'm an "A" student (I am), I could say everyone who got a "B" is a joke and doesn't deserve their degree....but that would be equally obnoxious.

People here are resourceful and playing BY THE RULES. Everything else is just an opinion.

Edit to add: a diploma purchased from a diploma mill is illegal in most states. EVERYONE here is pursuing a fully accredited and legally obtained degree.