I've been a long-time lurker in these forums and this is my first official post. First, I just want to extend a warm "Hello" to everyone. Second, I need some fresh ideas to complete my BS degree in IT (in the cheapest and shortest amount of time possible). In the last two years, I've attended a local community college via the traditional route by physically attending class. And I just graduated this past Dec. with an AAS in IT Systems. I'm scheduled to begin my first semester at a state university this coming August to complete my BS. Though I can't swallow borrowing $25,000 + to do this is...considering the downturn of the economy. So my only option is the online route. I'm considering either Peru State College, Dakota State, Fort Hays State, and of course the "Big 3"...in this particular order. I currently have approx. 103 credits to transfer from 3 separate RA schools. Some ideas please.
Cheapest and fastest? Out of the big three, I would pick TESC. Why? For the simple reason that they accept courses at a upper level that other schools consider lower level. If I were you, I would spend the money and request evaluations from all of the big three. Either way, one of the big three would by the fastest cheapest way to go. Go for it. Abner P.S. I forgot to add another thing. You can transfer in FEMA credits raw (free) to TESC. I think you could transfer 20+ at the lower level. Screw going in debt.
I was able to complete the requirements for my BS from Charter Oak State College in only 4 months. I started with a diploma in Biomedical Repair from the US Army, an AA from University of Phoenix, and my MCSE, and A+ certifications. I completed two classes from the University of Phoenix for upper level credit and the following CLEP/DANTES/ECE exams: August 08-14-2002 DANTES Intro to Criminal Justice 08-14-2002 DANTES Intro to Law Enforcement September 09-04-2002 DANTES Intro to Computing 09-04-2002 DANTES Organizational Behav 09-04-2002 DANTES Envir and Humanity 09-09-2002 DANTES – HR Management 09-09-2002 DANTES Tech Writing 09-09-2002 DANTES Intro to Business 09-12-2002 DANTES Here’s to you Health 09-17-2002 CLEP History and Social Science 09-19-2002 ECE Labor relations 09-22-2002 DANTES Ethics 09-22-2002 DANTES MIS 09-26-2002 ECE Production/Operation Mgt 09-30-2002 CLEP English w/essay November 11-11-2002 ECE Research Methods in Psy
Cheapest and shortest amount of time? I would say you need to see the standards and quality too, it's most important. After all, it is what the school has to offer.
If all you need are general education and free elective credit hours, I suggest either testing out (CLEP, DANTES, DSST) or independent study (Louisiana State University or University of North Dakota, for example). Thomas Edison State College offers a Comprehensive Tuition Plan and an Enrolled Options Plan as well. With only 17 credit hours remaining you can have a BA or BS by the end of the year.
You got some good advise from posters here. I will provide one more possibility , its not RA its only NA but it worked for some of my friends in 2008. The tuition is around $2600 a year. ( can be completed in 1 year if sufficient transfer credit granted) My friends with ASS degree applied to World College for transfer credit. All their educational achievement were evaluated. The first one got 75% max credit transfer toward Bachelors degree in Computer Information Systems. It took him 1 year to graduate with this degree. The second friend got about 60% of his credit transfered toward the degree and is completing this year. http://www.worldcollege.net/Tuitiontest.asp The degree helped my friend to get an Applications Engineer position with SUN micro systems in CO. His program was 100% DL. It was not easy ride, he studied hard but still was providing for his family and helping elderly parents. Their deal of down-payment of $35 and monthly payments of $100 are very attractive to many students who earn very little as techs.
Typo Its AAS degree LOL Associate in Applied Science. The tution in 2008 was higher. It was 25 down and 125 per month. For one year semester about 3200. They reduced prices in 2009. My friend with BCIS degree from World College is applying to WGU MBA program.