So nice to join this group - you all seem so friendly and helpful. I have over 90 credits from the U of SC toward a BS in Biology/Chemistry. Unfortunately, I did not finish my degree. I have just started taking a few courses (nursing prereqs) at a community college in Philadelphia. I have been working in export for the past 15 years. My job will be closing in June. I want to finish my degree in Biology - maybe to go into a one year nursing program. I have looked on and off at TESC - and recently Excelsior. Any advice ? Most schools in the Philadelphia area will not take more than 60 credits and tuition is high - $300 to $400 per hour. There are a few schools in the Philly area which will help you finish your degree ( ex Neumann ) - but you earn a degree in something like Organizational Mgt. I read the discussion about BA vs BS. TESC offers a BA in Biology - I don't know if it matters or not. Although my work experience has been in International Business - I think I would have to take too many business courses to complete a degree. Hope I'm not too lengthy - I would appreciate candid feedback about TESC and am open for suggestions on other schools. It seems with Excelsior I have to pay about $1500 just for them to review my credits - other classes are additional. Comments ? Thanks So Much ! Susana
Susana, I can't comment on most of your message, but I do know that Excelsior will do an unofficial review of your credits when you apply (as opposed to enrol) - a fee of $60. Take a look at http://www.excelsior.edu/pdf/Undergraduate_Application_for_Admission.pdf. Cheers, Mark
Sorry - extra period in the link. Try this: http://www.excelsior.edu/pdf/Undergraduate_Application_for_Admission.pdf
Your credits are all from US Regionally Accredited schools, so it's a good bet that the Big 3 will accept all of them. Don't delay enrolling, but you can plan based on the catalogues and select a school that way. The credential has to be one that you will be comfortable defending. I like the sound of "Bachelor of Science in Biology from Excelsior College, with Depth Areas in Chemistry and Business". But certain people wouldn't do it, simply because they don't like the sound of the name "Excelsior" (or of the word "College", for that matter). Charter Oak State College has "concentrations", not "majors". When you say you have a degree, inevitably people will ask "What in?" or "What did you major in?" I think it's better to have a simple answer like "Biology" than a convoluted explanation. Consider how you want to complete the remaining requirements. Exams? Portfolios? Remember that Thomas Edison State College does not accept GRE credit, and that Excelsior will send you elsewhere to do portfolios. If you want to finish your degree as cheaply as possible, you'll want to use challenge exams or portfolios or both. For most people, the attraction of the Big 3 is their generosity in accepting these, and the fact that they don't require you to take courses from them.
Charter Oak (www.cosc.edu) will also allow you to earn a degree in Indiviualized Studies; which means you create the concentration. Since I had a lot of computer / electronic credits, I took several business CLEP and DANTES exams to "create" a oncentration in Business and Technology. The degree states BS in Indiviualized Studies but I was able to complete the degree with a minimum of classes. I looked at Excelsior, Thomas Edison, and Charter Oak and I found Charte Oak to be the best school to deal with as far as cost, acceptance of credits, and helpfulness of staff. With your credits, maybe Indiviualized Studies would be a route to consider. The official assessment fee was $200 ( I think) and that money is credited back to you if yoou enroll within 90 days. Good luck.
Thanks ! (But still confused) Thanks everyone for your kind advice. It seems that TESC has increased their tuition since I last looked at their site. I am still confused...there are courses listed in one section , but not in another. I guess some are on line courses and some are by examination ? I would appreciate any comments from someone who has taken courses or completed a degree at TESC. Sorry I appear dense ! There are a lot of terms I'm not familiar with - like what is "banking credits" and how is this beneficial ? susana
Re: Thanks ! (But still confused) As I understand it, TESC requires that you complete a certain amount of work in prescribed areas to earn a degree. This can be obtained several ways: transfer, testing, portfolio, or by taking classes from them. If you need x credits in a certian area, then you can always take the course from TESC, hence the courses. What about finishing by DL from U of SC?
