OK, my wife is finally going to get started on finishing her degree. We looked at the big 3 and it looks like COSC is the one she likes (though she could change her mind). She would like to take as many of her classes as possible via community college or somewhere like LSU because they are cost effective compared to most other schools. The tests (CLEP, DANTES, etc) are not a real possibility for us right now since we are in Estonia. So how do we go about finding out EXACTLY what classes are going to fit the bill for the degree requirements? We have been through the COSC website and seen the listings, but they are very general. Especially when you get past the "General Requirements." I can understand that they want a student to matriculate before they put alot of work into them, but I really don't want to pay the extra cash. I suppose I would if necessary, but want to avoid it if possible. So can anyone give me an hand in finding out (after General Requirements) what classes are acceptable? thanks, clint
What type of degree is she looking to get a 2yr or 4yr. I am about to do a 2 yr degree with them and I just signed up last week. The choices they have for that is Associate in Science 30 hrs required for major of Liberal Arts Credits Associate in Arts 45 hrs required for major of Liberal Arts Credits Liberal Arts credits fall under these items African American Studies ( African Amer History, Afr Ameri Lit, & so on) Mathematics ( Calculus, Stats, Pre-Calc & so on) American Studies Meteorology Anthropology Music ( Piano, Guitar, Music appreciation, Music History, & so on) Archaeology Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, & so on) Art ( Into to Art, Art Appreciation,etc ) Philosophy Communications ( Human Communications Photography Dance ( Tap, Ballet, Intro to Dance, Dance Appreciation) Physics Economics (courses such as MicroEconomics, MacroEconomics) Political Science ( Amer. Gov't) Environmental Sciences Psychology Film Religion Foreign Languages (German, Spanish, French & so on) Sociology Geography Speech Geology Theater History ( US history I & II, World Civilation, European History, & so on) Urban Studies Journalism Writing Literature Women’s Studies Things that will not count as liberal arts credits (So don't take any of these because they may not count towards their degree if you are doing liberal arts at COSC) Accounting Home Economics Allied Health Insurance Aviation Library Science Business Law Management Computer Science Marketing Dental Hygiene Nursing Education Radiologic Technology Electronics Radio-Television Engineering Real Estate Finance Recreation Fire Science Rehabilitation Services Health Education Secretarial Science Health Services Social Work I am not sure what you are looking for here but they do have a catalog on their website http://www.cosc.edu/Forms/cat0204.pdf Also so you can get a general idea of what might apply as courses to a Liberal Arts, 2 year degree . Ck out the link at COSC http://www.cosc.edu/Forms/bulletin03.pdf Click on Acceptance of Credits from other institutions Then scroll down to page 13 of the pdf file. It will show which subjects / classes counts towards a Liberal Arts Degree at COSC
Yes, as I stated earlier, I read all that stuff on the website. What I was interested in was an explanation of how the liberal arts requirement fits with the concentration requirement. Since she is after the BA and will probably use Literature as her concentration, does she just make sure that she has at least 36 hours of the liberal arts requirement be in literature? Of that 36 hours, does she make sure that 27 hours are not in the basics and that 15 are upper division? Then she is good? How do they determine what is basic, upperdivision, etc? If she satisfies the general requirements and the concentration requirements then for the remainder of the liberal arts (which would be over 50 hours) is she pretty much free to take whatever she wants? thanks, clint
She would need to complete the general ed. The classes for general ed can count toward her concentration. For example, if she has 3 credits to fill a catagory that requires a lit class, that same lit credits can count toward her concentration. You can double dip credits, but you will still need 120 to graduate. Of that 36 hours, does she make sure that 27 hours are not in the basics and that 15 are upper division? Then she is good? Yes How do they determine what is basic, upperdivision, etc? Typically, 100 level classes are basic, 200 are intermediate, and 300-400 are upper. If you are using CLEPS, their website tells you if the exams are upper or lower. Hope this helps.
Thanks Randell, That was exactly what I needed to know. Of course if anyone else has more info to pass along, then feel free. clint
OOPS - two more clarifications. Total of 120 credits needed. For a BA, 90 must be in Liberal Arts subjects. So are the other 30 credits the free electives you mentioned? Also, is there a total number of credits that must be upperdivision? thanks clint
so the 15 upperdivisoin in the concentration area are the ONLY upper division requirements for the entire BA? clint
cdhale, That is OK. I found it hard to believe also. Only 15 upper but I think the 27 in a level beyond basic is importasnt to remember
Good point. I don't see it being a problem, though. There are plenty of DL options out there. I think she will begin by taking tons of courses from LSU (starting with one at a time). It has been awhile since she was a student. Just for information sake (in case anyone else reads this thread)... After emailing the admissions dept from all three of the BIG 3, I got the following dollar amounts. Now this is if you were to happen to have EVERY requirement for their BA degree already completed and were simply enrolling to have it evaluated and a degree conferred. Again, these are current as of now (December, 2004). Charter Oak - $1410 total. Excelsior - $1490 total. Thomas Edison - $1880 total. It is possible that I have missed something, but according to the emails that I received, those are accurate. clint
The Big Three Thanks for the great info. Just a couple of questions, In one of your earlier threads you stated your wife was thinking about Charter Oak over the other schools, any particular reason? Here is my situation. I have a 101 credits from a community college. I applied and was accepted to the University of Iowa DL Bachelor of Liberal Arts program. They granted me 60semester hours toward the B.A. In the last five years I have taken 18 semester hours of coursework with them, mostly to satisfy all my general ed. UOI allowed me to test out of Spanish, and they accepted a portfolio in lieu of a Rhetoric class. I also took a 4 unit upper level math class from UCLA. So, basically, I have satisfied all my general education requirements with them(I have 78 semester hours on record with UOI. I wonder if I apply with one of the Big Three, will they accept the Spanish test out, and also the credit granted for the rhetoric class porfolio? Thanks once again for the great info. Abner
Big Three Sorry, just one more question. Do you or anybody else happen to have a breakdown of credit/semester hour cost in case somebody does not have all the for the Big three. I guess what I am trying to figure is the per class cost if somebody does not have all the requirements meet after an assesement. Also, do you happern to know the application fee costs for each school? Thanks once again, This is a great resource, I am starting to learn a lot. Knowledge is a great thing to share!!! Thanks and happy New Year 2005
While you are living in Estonia, it will be just as difficult to sit examinations though community college, LSU, or any other American university as it would be to sit clep, ece, or any other exams for credit. I am told by Excelsior College that it is possible to sit their ECE examinations at US embassies where an education officer is employed, and at Albright Commission centres.
Re: Re: COSC transfer question I emailed LSU about that very question and was given approval to utilize 1) An American missionary who is not affiliated with us. 2) Instructor at the Estonian Music Academy and I failed to ask, but also know an Estonian Librarian. So proctors are not a problem as far as LSU is concerned. But it is good info to know about the ECE examinations, thanks. clint
Re: The Big Three Simply because they were cheapest (and they answered our email quicker). I would opt for taking what tests are available, because it is possible to take some in Finland. My wife prefers to take self paced courses, such as LSU. So if we take other courses like those until she has enough to graduate from COSC, then they are cheapest. If by that time prices change, I am sure our choice will also. As to your other questions, I really don't have the info. All I can say is email the appropriate admissions depts and ask. They were all helpful in explaining the costs of their programs to me and have not continued to inundate me with emails afterwards. clint
That's often so, but it's not something reliable. I needed an upper level course in Software Engineering or Computer Architecture to complete my information systems concentration. Finding one was very difficult, as I kept suggesting 300 level classes only to be told, "Well, we don't consider that an upper level class." The criteria there were also not solid. The other difficulty was that the criteria for what qualified as a class in those disciplines were unclear. It seemed like I was working with that famous definition of obscenity -- "I can't define it, but I know it when I see it." Having said that, my Academic Advisor worked tirelessly to help me find something acceptable, and (unless the faculty unexpectedly rejects my concentration proposal) we ultimately succeeded. I would still recommend Charter Oak to anyone, just with the caveat that you'll be working with your Academic Advisor. Fortunately, they're helpful and nice. -=Steve=-
