Side-by-side comparison of CCU and COSC

Since I have a BS from CCU and now a BS from COSC, I would like to compare CCU to COSC. I had always thought CCU was a very good route to take if a state approved degree would work for you.
I realize everyone starts at a different point but this is a summary of my experience. I started with a diploma in Biomedical Repair from the US Army, an AA from University of Phoenix, and my MCSE, and A+ certifications.

Cost
CCU degree cost about $3,500 plus a book rental fee of $20 per course.
COSC degree cost about $1,000 for COSC administrative fees, $1,600 for the two University of Phoenix classes I took, and I spent $65 in CLEP fees. I only paid for one CLEP and 16 were free since I was in the Army Reserve. If I would have paid for all the CLEPS, DANTES, and ECE exams, it would have cost about $1,000. Total cost would have been about $3,600

Time
The CCU degree took 11 months to complete. I studied about 1 to 1.5 hours a day for 5 days a week.
The COSC degree took 6 months to complete. The only study time I put in was for the University of Phoenix classes, History and Social Science CLEP, and the Research Methods in Psy. exam. I feel I was able to easily pass at least 5 ECE/DANTES exam because of the CCU classes I took.

Material Learned
I feel I learned more from the CCU classes as opposed to the exams I took for the COSC degree. Maybe this was because I took the CCU classes first.

Recommendation
Even though I feel I “learned” more from the CCU classes, I would recommend the COSC degree. It was cheaper, faster, and has greater utility.

This is my experience, take it for what it is worth.

 

What is 'COSC'?

Please define. Thanks.

Roscoe

 

Re: What is 'COSC'?

COSC - Charter Oak State College, one the "Big Three" assessment coleges along with TESC (Thomas Edison State College) and Excelsior.

 

Re: Re: What is 'COSC'?

These are all RA and are examples of the "real way" that college credit can be applied towards a degree as opposed to the fake fraudulent way that many unaccredited schools do it. Note that while CCU is unaccredited they don't run this life-experience scam. I'm talking about places like Kennedy-Western.

 

This is comparing apples and oranges, isn't it?

On one hand we have a program composed of courses intended teach a student new material. On the other hand, we have a program composed of prior learning assessment intended to assess and verify what has already been learned.

I do think that the more credible non-accredited schools (those that actually teach you something) might have real value as test-tutoring programs, preparing students for a set of recognized examinations, whether CLEP, DANTES. Western Governors, U. of London external, Heriot Watt or whatever.

So I think that a combination of non-accredited coursework and accredited (or equivalent) examinations might be a viable path for some people.

 

Re: Re: Re: What is 'COSC'?

Oops terribly sorry for the bad post. Here's the correction.

 

What has been your experience in presenting both degrees (if you did) to employers and PG schools?

 

both degrees are accepted very well

 

Why is it such a big deal for California Coast University to get accredited if they seemingly provide legit course work? Unlike many other degree mills.

 

DETC can't accredit doctorates; regional accreditor picky about fully distance ed doctorates; doctorates are big business; quality of programs??

 

Since CCU has been around for nearly 30 years and has never sought (and probably never will seek) regional accreditation, it is not a big deal at all. There are many instances (often referred to on this board) where CCU degrees have met the needs of select individuals. CCU legally grants degrees, unlike an illegal diploma mill. In my 15 years in academia, I have never worked for an institution that would accept coursework or degrees from CCU for student transfer or for employment, but we have been shown that some folks who have CCU degrees get jobs (however, it is not always clear if the position was obtained because of or in spite of the CCU degree).

I know people whose fields do not require a Ph.D. and who have obtained CCU and Pacific Western doctorates primarily for personal enrichment. I know of others in industry whose positions required a degree, but it was not specified that a regionally accredited degree was necessary (only that it was a legally obtained degree). These people seemed to benefit by the easily obtained non-accredited degree.

I have also witnessed college faculty members who have obtained non-accredited state-approved degrees, only to have them not recognized by the college for promotion, tenure or salary advancement. It these cases, their efforts were certainly not worth it.

So many of my friends and peers have benefitted by their degrees from Regents (Excelsior) and Thomas Edison, that it is hard not to recommend them (and Charter Oak) above any non-accredited state-approved degree.

Thus goes my 1 1/2 cents...

Tony Piña
School of Education, La Sierra University
&
School of Education, California State U., San Bernardino

 

While CCU does provide "legit course work", according to CCU students the work involved is not at an RA level. Since CCU's business model is built around easy courses and degrees, it would be doubtful they would want to make the changes and investments necessary to become RA. As Randell pointed out CCU fills a need and can be part of an RA degree program from the big three. I think a more direct route makes more sense for most, but some may find CCU their choice.