Hi Everyone! New to the board and DL. Sorry for the long post! I'm planning on enrolling in Excelsior's BS/CIS program and had a few questions regarding the required courses and the corresponding tests. According to the catalog, the CIS components are: Introduction to Computers Computer/Architecture/Assembly Language High-Level Structured Language Database Concepts Data Structures or Data Communications or Telecommunications Operating Systems (Mainframe) Systems Analysis and Design/Software Engineering I believe there are each 3 unit courses. That leaves 24 units of CIS electives to complete the 45 unit requirement (15 of the 45 need to be upper division as well.) I am currently an MCSE, and A+ and Network+ certified (also a CCNA and Server+ certified...no credit for those from Excelsior, though ). These net me 14 units, 7 being upper division. I have also taken courses on C++ programming and Data Structures (3 units apiece). Here's the part I need help with. Which tests will satisfy my remaining requirements? I know there are a bunch of ICCP tests out there, but if possible, I'd like to take CLEPs and/or DANTES to keep costs as low as possible (ICCP tests are almost $200). Intro to Computers Computer/Architecture/Assembly Language Database Concepts Operating Systems (Mainframe) Systems Analysis and Design/Software Engineering Any other CIS-related courses (still need 10 units) which can be fulfilled through CLEP/DANTES/ICCP. I'd love to hear any recommendations . Also, I'm hoping to start emailing with anyone else pursuing or who achieved this degree. Thanks very much in advance! Merill
I'm in the process of enrolling in Excelsior's Management Information Systems program so I think that we will likely have some components in common. I don't think you can satisfy many of your 45 component credits through Clep or Dantes examinations. You can download the Student Guide from Excelsior's site to see all of the examinations in the Clep and Dantes programs. They just don't have many CIS related exams. You will have to rely on the ICCP exams to earn those credits but you can earn pretty much all of your Arts and Sciences Components from Clep and Dantes exams.
Excelsior I had my MCSE and an Associates Degree so enrolled in Excelsior's BS/CIS degree "exam only" program to finish my BS. The exams that satisfy my degree requirements seem to me to be to be very out of date. Unfortunately, I was fooled by Excelsior's marketing and paid up front for the program so am stuck finishing it or losing a big chunk of money. I think you'd be better off enrolling in a school that offers the courses you need. As for exams mapping to Excelsior degree requirements: DANTES Intro to Computing - Intro to Computers Ohio Uni ETCH*236A Micorprocessors - Computer Architecture ICCP Communications - Data Communications ICCP System Programming - Operation Systems ICCP Data Resource Mgmt - Database Concepts ICCP Systems Development - Systems Analysis & Design ICCP language - High-Level Structured Language Addition CIS Electives: ICCP languages & Procedural Programming ICCP Business Information Systems ICCP Software Engineering ICCP Systems Security DANTES MIS Ohio Uni ETCH*236B Microprocessors& Computer Basics II
The ICCP exams are out of date, but hey, if it's just the degree you're after, then it's still a viable option. Also ask about the ICCP core exam to see how many credits this might net and which requirements it may fulfill. If you have a solid discrete math background, you can also take the Computer Science GRE for credit. Someone posted a year or so ago about what Excelsior told them this would satisfy. You have to hurry though as it looks like the Comp Sci test is going away this year (you'll have to take it in the fall). All in all, I've worked towards my BSCIS degree using largely exams and a few community college classes in specific areas (discrete math, data structures) to make me look more attractive to a CS master's program. It's worked for me so far.
Excelsior BSCIS degree I just heard that Excelsior faculty will be meeting in Oct 02 to decide whether or not to grant technology credits for courses from Learning Tree International that have already been evaluated by ACE. Hopefully, Excelsior will decide favorably and this will be another source for credits towards Excelsior's degrees.
This might be interesting, too. NETg courses qualify for ACE College Credit: http://www.netg.com/NewsAndEvents/PressReleases/view.asp?PressID=65 If anyone knows about Navy eLearning, you can take NETg classes for free! Merill
I heard Excelsior will no longer be administering ICCP exams. Any word on a convient substitute. Will excelsior be offering something else?
It's true that Excelsior will no longer be administering ICCP exams after Dec. 31st (I think). But they will still give credit for the ICCP exams you pass. I believe the only difference will be that you must register for the exams directly through ICCP instead of the college.
I also heard that instead of Communication or Data Structures. It will be both. Does ICCP Procedural Programming map to Data Structures? Any tips on fulfilling this requirement. TIA
I would be shocked if Procedural Programming mapped to data structures (they really aren't the same thing at all). As far as I know, there is no single test mechanism to get data strutures credit. Your best bet is probably 1) local junior colleges or 2) Thomes Edison State College http://www.tesc.edu/catalog/course.php?CourseCode=COS-241&sem=
ICCP Procedural Programming The outline for the ICCP Procedural Programming (which I've posted in part below) covers some of the areas found in a traditional Dat Structures course so I think it might cover a Data Structures requirement. Always best to confirm this with your advisor before proceeding. 1.2 Data Structures 1.2.1 Arrays 1.2.2 Stacks, queues 1.2.3 Linked lists 1.2.4 Trees 1.2.5 Records (structures) 1.3 File Structures 1.3.1 Sequential 1.3.2 Indexed 1.3.3 Direct 1.3.4 Hashed
