I've decided, well actually my employers has decided I need to complete my Bachelors degree. I have approximately 40 credits/units mixed general education and engineering from 15 years ago and a bunch of current IT certs that add up to 15 units via Excelsior's posted list. Both Charter Oak and Excelsior sound like good choices. I would like to use portfolio assessment and approved tests to complete my degree. Does anyone have any insight on which schools portfolio assessment is easier. I'm looking for the path of least resistance to degree completion via an accredited institution.
Congratulations on the decision to complete your undergraduate degree. Portfolio assessment, a.k.a. prior learning assessment, is not an easy way out to earn a degree. The first step is to determine what areas you require the missing 65 credit hours; so sketch out your degree plan filling in the courses you will be transferring into the degree.
http://www.bain4weeks.com Everything you need to know, provided by a veritable living legend of testing out.
I agree that bain4weeks is the place to go. Regarding portfolio credit, keep in mind that this may prove 'high variance' compared to earning your degree via testing out. I guess what I'm saying is that if your job is requiring it within a certain time frame, you may be better served to 'test out' (say in 3 months of cramming) than trying to leverage your legitimate work experience. Just my opinion though...and others may certainly disagree. Greg
Thanks for your responses. I'm sending off an application to Charter Oak with their comprehensive transcript evaluation. Hopefully everything transfers which would put me halfway home.
They took all my certs, except CISSP, with no problem whatsoever. They only issue i have run into, is with your concentration you can use only 5 certs for credit, they all can count toward the 120 goal, but only 5 certifications can be used for the concentration requirements. Also, most microsoft tests that invFor example I am using: 70-220, Designing Network Security 70-221, Designing Network Arc 70-228, SQL Design Security+ Network+ All worth 2 credits each and upper level. All my lower level came from transfer, but you could use the CLEP Informatio Systems, and the DSST MIS and Intro to Computing. Thats 9 credits, but MIS is lower level at COSC. I am getting ready to start the portfolio assessment for IT335 and IT435, so Ill keep you posted..Has anyone else had any luck at COSC challanging credit???? I also found a course on Athabasca, COMP347, which is challangable and COSC takes as upper level credit.
You had problems with the CISSP.. that's like the mother of all certificates .... well maybe the mother is the CCIE, but the CISSP is a great cert. Strange I signed up to challenge COMP347. I'll be starting March 1st. Brandon
The funny thing about certs is how they allocate credit. The easy one like network+ and CNA are worth alot of credit and sometime upper level, but the real hard ones like CISSP, GIAC, or even most Cisco like CCIE are worth nothin. Now the CISSP is worth 12 credit at Capella's MS program, but Im going to go with Capitol. ALot of the Microsoft test are worth upperlevel too, especially any test that has to do with Design. I am ordering the text book for 347 now, it retails for $109, but i have found it elsewere for less. All i really need from it is the project information. Can you help me out there...Ill give you the certification secret!!!!