Colleges with generous CLEP/Dantes acceptance (other than the "Big 3"?)

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by jo3919, Sep 17, 2005.

Loading...
  1. jo3919

    jo3919 New Member

    I need urgent help from the Degreeinfo gurus to help me with an important decision :)

    I am worried about what I read in the thread "Interesting note on treatment of UoP graduates." I was just about to enroll in TESC, but now I'm getting second thoughts.

    I don't really need or want to test out of most of the B.S. degree. I don't mind taking courses as long as I can take them through distance learning. I was considering TESC for my business/accounting degree because they accept so many Dantes and CLEP credits. (I have an A.A. from a community college already, and 90+ credits in all, including CLEPs and Dantes.)

    What's the "next best thing" after the "big three"?

    I'm looking for a DL degree from a college or university with a generous Dantes/CLEP credit acceptance policy, very good reputation, and 30 hours or less as a residency requirement, in business or accounting.

    Any advice / thoughts?

    Jo
     
  2. Robert_555

    Robert_555 New Member

    Try Western Illinois University! They have this program, it worked for me and you dont have to pay the high entrance fees like you do at Excelsior or TESC!

    http://www.wiu.edu/SES/BOT/
     
  3. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member

    One thought is that you have be certain of the policies of any schools you come to consider. Ohio University, for instance, does not accept DANTES but does accept degree applicable CLEPs (don't know how many credits is their limit) if those CLEPs were completed before enrolling in any Ohio University courses.

    Are you considering only regionally accredited schools?
     
  4. jo3919

    jo3919 New Member

    Robert:

    Thanks for the Western Illinois University tip. I'm navigating their website right now. Do they offer any online degree beside the "WIU Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts"? (A long name to fit on a diploma!)

    Decimon:

    Yes, I'm definitely looking for regionally accredited colleges and universities. FWIW, I'm located in Florida.

    Decisions, decisions...
     
  5. DesElms

    DesElms New Member

    Wait a minute, jo3919... why can't you use any of the "big three?" Transferring credits is not the only way they do things. You can take courses from them. Wait... lemmee go read the UOP thread you were talkin' about...

    [pause while I go to read that thread]

    I'm back. Okay... my questions above are answered. I now see and understand your UOP and/or TESC fears. However, I think you're overreacting... but that's just me. Your degree from UOP would be regionally-accredited, as would your degree if you switched it over to TESC... or COSC or Excelsior. Any employer who would not accept them, I, personally, would never want to work for. Any employer that can get wrong something that simple is probably going to be pretty pedestrian in its thinking about lots of other stuff, too... and working for it would likely be a trial. I say "stay away," but, again, that's just me.

    That said, if you're that worried about it, then perhaps the idea of getting a degree from a B&M school that, oh-by-the-way, also happens to have a DL program has some merit.

    Southwestern College of Winfield Kansas is regionally-accredited and has been listed in "US News and World Report's Best Colleges..." for both 2005 and, now, 2006. It's a pretty hot little school located out in the middle of nowhere; owned/operated by the United Methodist Church... but not so's ya'd notice; and is really big with the military. It costs around $260 per semester hour (around $780 per three-hour course)... which ain't bad as regionally-accredited schools go.

    It's got a very nice little fully DL bachelors in business administration that I think you'd have no trouble getting into... and that I think you'd like.

    Click here for the admission requirements; and here for some transfer info; and here for the graduation requirements. I think (and I stress the word "think" 'cause I'm not completely sure) that CLEP and DANTES are treated pretty much like any other transfer credits there. If so, then you may be able to transfer in as many as you have up to the amounts that will still allow for your minimum 30 hours of courses that must be taken at Southwestern... or is it that 15 of your last 30 hours must be taken at Southwestern... I can never remember... but you'll find it on the site if you just look for it. If I'm figuring this right, then if you've got 90 hours, then you should be able to transfer pretty much all of it in and then take the last 30 from Southwestern and you'll be golden. But do dig around and find the formal transfer policy (as opposed to the one that's just summarized on a "features" page to which I linked you, above); either that, or call them and ask. They're pretty nice there.

    Anyway, here are the CLEP exams that Southwestern will accept, and the courses they'll satisfy; and here are the DANTES exams it will take, and the courses that they'll satisfy.

    Hope that helps. There are many other choices out there, you know. People get it in their heads that only the big schools that they keep hearing about in pop-up ads and/or that have lots of money to advertise are able to provide what you're looking for. There are tons of bachelors programs that can help you... some you've heard of, and many, many of them you haven't. The one I'm giving, here, above, is just one example of one of the ones in the latter category. You wouldn't have to look far to find more... including many that have a primarily B&M presence, but also have a sophisticated DL program (with no residency), too.

    Don't give up... what you're looking for is out there.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 17, 2005
  6. jo3919

    jo3919 New Member

    Gregg,

    Thank you for your detailed reply! This is exactly the kind of information I need.

    I have not ruled out any particular institution. I agree with your opinions about potential employers. On the other hand, I want to make sure that I will only earn degree(s) from now on that I will feel 100% good about.

    Southwestern College looks great. The United Methodist connection is no problem, as I am a very methodical person ;-) I couldn't find info on an enrollment fee, but if it they don't charge a large one, the cost is in the same ballpark as TESC for me.

    I'll see if I can garner more info. I need to find out if their diploma has the same look as their non-DL degree, and what format they use for their online courses.

    Before reading your message, I found two other colleges that looked good: Saint Leo University http://www.saintleo.com/online.asp (expensive though) and Columbia College Online http://www.ccis.edu/online/ . I have a bit of trouble digging up more info on them on this message board, though.

    Thanks again "Barnacle Boy"*

    Jo

    *sorry for the Spongebob reference :D ;)
     
  7. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    I share your concerns, althought I'm with DesElms. If employers aren't going to accept a DL degree just because it's from a DL school, I would not want to work for them.

    That being said, I myself have been wavering between TESC and Upper Iowa University for a BS in Marketing. I am now leaning toward UIU, a B&M RA school with a good reputation in the Midwest. They give liberal amounts of credit for CLEP...not sure about DANTES. Their online catalog says they accept only RA courses in transfer, but I have heard from others they were able to transfer their NA associates degrees to UIU.

    Bellevue University also allows you to transfer in a many credits from military training, CLEP and I think Dantes. If you've taken any courses evaluated by ACE, they take those, too.

    Ohio University has also been mentioned, and I really do like their external degree program. They let you design your own degree, and they take many CLEP exams and other coursework in transfer.
     
  8. Robert_555

    Robert_555 New Member

    The reason I listed the WIU program was it is very flexible and is from a B & M school. On the diploma, it doesnt state your major or on your transcripts. On the transcripts it lists "BOT program"! Other schools offer this program in Illinois. Chicago State U., Governors State U, Eastern Illinois University, all offer this program but it is a little different at each school. These programs can be flexible as you dont have to declare a major. With my bachelors from WIU, I took a bunch of business classes (around 32 credits) and I list it as a liberal studies degree with a business emphasis and no employers have ever questioned me on it! That is my situation, maybe yours is different!
     
  9. plcscott

    plcscott New Member

  10. DesElms

    DesElms New Member

    Oops! You linked us to the .com version of Mountain States' URL No biggie. A common mistake. I've done it myself a thousand times. It should have been the .edu version, as in:Hope that helps.
     
  11. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

  12. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    My institution, Northeastern Illinois University, is the one the did not make your list, but our Board of Governors BA program requires only 15 units of residency (Western now requires 30) and that requirement can be met by taking courses at any of the five universities (Northeastern, Western, Eastern, Chicago State or Governors State)
     
  13. jo3919

    jo3919 New Member

    Tony,

    Thank you. Does your institution offer a distance learning program? I couldn't find it on the website. I'm mired in Florida right now (unless a hurricane blows me away... we got another one coming right now :rolleyes: ...)

    I wish more universities had 15 hour or 20 hour residency requirements versus 30. I, for one, would rather pay a large enrollment fee and be able to transfer in more credits, rather than having to take two full additional semester no matter what. A shorter residency requirement is definitely more adult-learner-friendly.

    Thanks again,

    Jo
     
  14. PETEUSA1

    PETEUSA1 New Member

    Tony,

    I`ve been looking at N.E.`s site for the last couple of days and have studied it enough to be thoroughly confused.

    Think I can call you to go over this program?
     
  15. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    I don't blame you at all. Our university website is in the process of being completely overhauled (for obvious reasons). Feel free to contact me and I can tell you about the program--you can find me at the Center for Teaching & Learning.
     
  16. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Hi Jo,

    Right now Northeastern's distance learning program is quite limited (which is why I was brought on board). Many students will enroll in our program because it has the shortest residency, but will take distance learning classes at one of the other four Illinois universities. Unfortunately, the classes that I teach are at the graduate level, which is not that useful for someone getting a bachelors.
     

Share This Page