Helping My Brother Work Toward Associates

[ctcarl]

Hi Katelyn,

I'm helping a family member in a similar situation.  I would suggest that your brother earn as many ACE credits as possible through Sophia Pathways.  Right now, they are $79 per month for as many courses as you would like to take.  There's a slim possibility that you may find someone willing to provide a promotional code to enable you to take six months or so of Sophia courses for a one-time payment; please check this thread if you would like to learn more about that.

While taking those courses, he should learn everything he can about the various AA/AS/AAS degree programs available.  If he graduated high school at least two years ago, he should consider this program from Pierpont Community & Technical College.  There is no cornerstone or capstone, and the degree requirements are very flexible.  For example, the English requirement is actually English/Communications, and the Math requirement is Math/Science.  They allow you to transfer up to 48 credits from alternate providers like Onlinedegree, Sophia, Study.com, Straighterline, InstantCert, Saylor, Coopersmith and Davar Academy.  The remaining 12 credits must come from a regionally-accredited, traditional brick-and-mortar college or university.

There are a few programs that will allow him to take online courses and obtain RA credits, either directly or through partner colleges.  ASU's Earned Admissions program is one very well-regarded example.  He might also want to consider TelLearning or Outlier.  Depending upon the schools in your area, he might find a local community college to be a good, low-cost source of RA credits.

The key is to do your research, and you can do most of it right here.