Some initial praise for Adams State College, by Mrs. CargoJon

After much research, here and elsewhere, I have made the decision to pursue my associate's degree at Adams State College in Alamosa, CO. Though I have not started anything yet, here are my initial impressions and information about the school:

1. Every email I have written has been answered the same day by an academic advisor - NOT a salesperson. The answers have been thorough and helpful.

2. My credits were preliminarily evaluated the same day - plugged into a program spreadsheet so I could see what I had and what was required. NO FEE for this.

3. While their CLEP allowances for an associate's are 18 credits and not all exams qualify (for instance, no CLEP science classes), I was given a detailed spreadsheet the same day so I could reference the CLEP exams I wanted to take.

4. I was batting emails with an advisor from KAPLAN who was trying to recruit me. I informed him of my decision to go to Adams, and even he admitted that it was a good choice!

5. Most of my classes are self-directed, independent study formats instead of more rigid, online formats. Almost no groupwork (if any) is required in the online classes. You have a year to complete the independent study classes, 16 weeks for online.

6. COST!! Cost per class is only about $315. Some of the lab classes (I use the term "lab" loosely, they are all independent study classes) run closer to $400 per 3 credit class because of some extra materials. Still, with the credits I already have (22 of them) 18 CLEP credits, and 6 classes, my degree won't run me much more than $2800, and that includes the cost of the CLEP exams.

7. No other "weird" fees like I have seen at some other schools - enrollment fees, fees to evaluate CLEP tests...whatever. You pay per class - period. Only thing additional is books when necessary.

8. ACC is a regular "bricks and mortar" school without much of a DL stigma. They are Division II athletics and have an active campus. They offer Bachelor's degrees as well, which I might go for in the future. I want that "immediate payoff" of an associate's.

9. They are a Title IV school and therefore, you are financial aid eligible if you attend. Even with the independent courses, if you complete them within the traditional semester system, you are qualified for fin aid. Correspondence courses can be completed in as little as six weeks, or up to a year.

10. Although the exams require proctors,the requirements for a proctor was much more lenient than some I have seen elsewhere. Elementary & secondary school teachers, even members of the clergy can be approved (I know from reading that many other schools are more stringent with proctors).

Overall, I am initially quite pleased with the service and the format of the classes offered. I saw very little about this school written here, and I would like to encourage anyone who is trying to choose a school to at least consider this college. The cost is one of the lowest I've seen (average of just $114 per credit).

I might decide after a class or two that it sucks but for now...I'm crossing my fingers!!

No disrespect to TESC, Charter Oak, or Excelsior...the "big three" around here, but for the money, I had to choose this, especially because I was not interested in any credit for life experience. I intend to earn my degree via CLEP and classes.

Thanks to all who answered my questions!!

(with hubby's permission to use his name!)
Mrs. CargoJon

 

I noticed awhile back how inexpensive Adams State in Alamosa, CO is for distance learning.

This is a small school with a good reputation in Colorado, and it is the premier and perhaps only institution of higher learning in the San Luis Valley, a very cold alpine valley in the Rocky Mountains. Many of my wife's relatives from as far as La Junta and Cortez have studied there on the brick and mortar side for many years. My only question is about how responsive they would be for DL and it seems that you have checked that out thoroughly.

Congratulations!

Dave

 

I am also taking an independent study class with Adams State College: Math 327 Differential Equations. It's a challenging course. The professor (yes, he's earned a PhD) provides excellent feedback in a timely manner. He's even graded a few papers the same day I e-mailed them! There are 13 assignments and 2 proctored tests. I have a year to complete the requirements, but it's only taken me about 4 months. The text is inexpensive as well (about $20). I only wish they offered more courses fitting my academic requirements.

 

Thanks for sharing: here is the link to the homepage:Adams State College and here is the link to the independent study and online program.

Have you decided on a concentration? These are available:

Chemical Analysis (Science)
General Business (Business)
Communications Technology (Science)
Geographic Information Systems (Science)
Multimedia Journalism (Arts and Letters)
Theatre (Arts and Letters)

Also, you stated
5. Most of my classes are self-directed, independent study formats instead of more rigid, online formats. Almost no groupwork (if any) is required in the online classes. You have a year to complete the independent study classes, 16 weeks for online.

When you refer to "rigid, online formats" are you referring to say, BlackBoard or WebCT or other online delivery method or the course material itself?

I have a child who is considering her options.

Best of luck with your studies and thanks so much for the review!

 

Think,

In response to your post, I think that my wife was referring to my University of Phoenix experience, in which pretty much every Monday consisted of me staying up late to finish a paper due that night, or Sundays waiting for the team assignments to get finished....