Dr Bear spake of "helping guide" for those interested in dealing, what is that updated order details?
I'm assuming you are looking for assistance with or information about the University of South Africa ('Unisa'). I remember, years ago, hearing about a book that cleared up the dozens of questions, apparent dead ends, and quirks one encounters when dealing with Unisa. I've never seen it sold or mentioned since. You can download Unisa's 'calendar,' which lists available majors, undergraduate or graduate requirements, classes offered, etc., from their website at http://www.unisa.ac.za/study/info/download/index.html . Unisa is working on a co-marketing arrangement with Thomas Edison State College ( http://www.tesc.edu ); this will not come to fruition for another couple years. You are also welcome to peek over my shoulder as I matriculate through Unisa as an undergraduate mathematics major, at http://marksykes.netfirms.com/unisa/unisa.html . I infrequently update these pages as I get time and inclination; another chapter is due one of these days. Regards, Mark A. Sykes
A UNISA graduate did write a very helpful manual for potential students. But she never revised it, and it became hopelessly out of date. And she felt that things had UNISA had become sufficiently user-friendly that there was no more need for such a thing, so she decided not to do a new one.
thanks for both of you i intend to go for a Phd in Comp Sci any comments, suggestions? Also, what will it cost?
I can't speak for the cost of the graduate programs, but my five undergraduate classes, postage from RSA to Ohio, study materials, stationary, three of five required textbooks and miscellania came to under US$600. Mark A. Sykes
Things are going less well than I planned. Linear algebra, astronomy, and applied mathematics (mechanics I) are going okay, but I'm behind in discrete mathematics and celestial mechanics. Concurrent to the Unisa work, I'm finishing my Associate's degree (three classes), plus I still dial into work and take care of my three kids (1, 4, and 6) all day. Classical case of biting off too much; hence the question to Lawrie about TESC and credits, as I was thinking about bailing out of math, taking a few CLEP/DANTES/RCE tests and getting a Bachelor in Liberal Studies instead. The professors at Unisa send good feedback with the assignment, and I feel I'm learning in the three classes that I'm keeping up with. It is a bit of adjustment to not have a lecture before hitting the books, and I'm discovering that I'm an 'aural' learner. I may scale back school to one Unisa class/year, at least until the youngest is in preschool. This is supposed to be for fun anyway; I have no vocational goals for any degree work from here on out. Busy at the moment, Mark A. Sykes
Note, the mere fact that you managed to successfully enroll in UNISA leaves me in awe. I could not even get to square one. However, should you eventually decide on a different tack, it would be possible to complete a different bachelor's in a named concentration, at reduced cost (relative to the Liberal Studies option), and in good time. Since you will already have completed an associates degree, the Excelsior General Ed. requirements will likely have been met in full. The thread, "Earn a 2nd BA in 3 hours", details the mechanics of fulfilling concentration requirements by way of GRE subject exams, with an example implementation the technique using the Psychology GRE test. Although this was aimed at graduates looking to earn a second degree, the information is equally relevant to undergraduates looking to earn a concentration in a named subject for a first degree. The timing might suit you were you to go that route now. The next GRE Psych exam should be in November. The cost would be $100+. A pass above the 80th percentile would yield 18 upper and 12 lower division semester hours credit, giving you a total of 90 hours credit (assuming the AA degree comprises the minimum 60 hours). That would leave 12 upper division hours, partially chosen to fulfill the secondary depth area (as outlined in "BA in Four Weeks"), and the rest, lower division to complete secondary depth and/or assorted free electives. This would be a cheaper route than the, albeit more flexible, alternative detailed in "BA in Four Weeks". Note that from July, the CLEP exams will be administered via CBT. This should make the process much more convenient, though perhaps a little more expensive. I'd think a combination of a very few upper division RCE/ECE exams and the rest CLEP, taken at Prometrix centers, could be knocked off in relatively short order. You should be able to complete three exams per day, if you so desire. Could you ace the Psych GRE? See the thread, "Earn a 2nd BA in 3 hours", the question is addressed in detail there. Follow the recommended regimen and you will likely succeed. Should you fall short, there's a way to make it better.
Lawrie, Thank you for this answer and the earlier answer to my question about upper level credits. I have your original thread, 'BA in 4 Weeks,' stored here on my computer and I've been studying my options in light of my other commitments and desires. I will complete the Unisa courses I've scheduled for as best I'm able; then, I'll either scale way back for a few years or go the degree via proficiency examination route. I have roughly 90 semester hours of sundry and assorted credits; if I go the proficiency exam route my best bet looks like taking the ICCP Core (I'm a database analyst, so much of it is already familiar; GRE Mathematics (scored in the 35 percentile on a practice exam, with only trig and calc under my belt); and I need the CLEP humanities and social sciences to knock out the generalties requirement. The GRE pre-test seems low, but I'm currently taking the other subjects for which it tests, so that score should improve. I have study guides for the ICCP, GRE math, and CLEP exams, and when Unisa comprehensives conclude this November 13th, I can dive in and cram for those tests. Those, plus a few RCE for some upper credits, ought to almost do it for Excelsior or Charter Oak. Again, thanks for your helpful comments here. Your 'BA...' and '2nd BA...' guides are invaluable; I've since passed the former (properly accredited to you) onto a friend of mine who is seeking, coincidentally, to complete her Bachelor in psychology. Mark A. Sykes, who is learning that some projects are best run as marathons rather than races.
