Wow

So, I typed out a long message with all the lovely details and it erased it all when I tried to post! I don't want to type it all again, so here is the summary: I'm in the Navy, active duty. I have 26 credits for military schools and boot camp and whatnot. 15 CLEP credits (lowest score is a 58), and 18 credits for classes from 3 different accredited schools. I want either the BS in General Business from Excelsior or the BSBA in General Mgmt from Thomas Edison. I want whichever one is easiest to do through all (or almost all) CLEP and DSST. This is partly since I deploy fairly often, and partly because I do pretty well on those tests. Also, I'd like to get my MBA afterwards, which is why the only real reason I think Excelsior might be better since they have an MBA program already. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Also, what is the minimum you need to get an A for a CLEP test, and which school is it that changes them to a letter grade? If you all need more details to help, let me know, i just didn't want to retype a super long message again, since it can be a bit frustrating! Thanks in advance.

 

Hi Zack,

Yea, it's frustrating when the post doesn't post after writing a long one. Usually the back button works for me, but I've gotten in the habit of copying the text to Window's clipboard before posting just in case.

Anyway, since I'm currently enrolled in Excelsior, I have more knowledge about them. AFAIK, Excelsior is the only one that gives letter grades for CLEP and DSST tests. If anyone knows different, please correct me.

Not all CLEPS are graded at Excelsior. Most are simple pass/fail. The score for a particular grade varies depending upon the test. The lowest score required for an A on CLEPs is 60. The highest score required for an A is on the American Government CLEP and is a 69.

DSST tests are different. According to the latest Student Guide at Excelsior, all DSST tests are given grades. However, since DSST recently switched to computerized tests, that may soon change.

Currently, at Excelsior, you can take mostly CLEPS and DSSTs to complete a BGB. There are two core business courses for which Excelsior currently does not have exams. However, TESC does have exams for those two courses. So, you can enroll in Excelsior, but you would have to take the Operations Management and Business Policy exams from TESC. There is very little study guide material for these two exams, so they will definitely be the hardest for which to prepare.

I'm not very familiar with the program at TESC, so hopefully someone currently attending there can provide accurate information.

 

First of all, thank you for your service to our country. I'm a former tin can sailor myself (guided-missile destroyer).

If you haven't seen it already, check out www.bain4weeks.com
I don't think the four week timeline is realistic, but the information on this site is fantastic. It will take you step-by-step through the process of exactly what you are trying to do.

 

Zack,

Welcome aboard! Well, I think you should apply to Excelsior College as well; especially you can managed to get high score in every test. Thomas Edison State College doesn't give you grade; and I don't know how they give you GPA for further education.

If the name of the institution is a problem; then Thomas Edison State College is a good one too.

One of your shipmate has complete his Bachelor degre in 6 months. Check it out... http://www.123collegedegree.com/

Well, good luck!!

Semper Fi!

 

Hey everybody,
Thanks for the feedback so far. I'll definitely have to check out those sights if they are like my situation. The only thing is, if I am going to pursue the Excelsior degree (which you all seem to think a good choice), should I wait to enroll till I am closer? I mean, I got the whole list of classes I need from the Socnav website. Like I can still CLEP or DSST quite a few different classes, you know? I believe (i could be mistaken) that there is a pretty big fee if you are there for more than a year to finish. So I was thinking about spending a few months just taking all the tests I can so then whenever I feel closer, I can enroll and try to finish it all within a year. I know I won't know exactly what classes I need, but I figure I can at least close the gap. Thanks again for all the help so far!

 

For what it's worth, you may also want to check out FEMA courses which some consider an easy way to 40 credits (unproctored, online, free) and are accepted by Excelsior and TESC.

For CLEP/Dantes, you may want to also consider instacertonline.com

...and regarding the Excelsior MBA, I think there are better options (CalState-Dominguez Hills is only 10 classes).

Hope this helps.

Greg

 

Just out of curiosity, have you considered just getting the BS out of the way as quickly as possible - and then getting the MBA?

Greg

 

yes, getting the BS as soon as possible is a goal. i mean why drag something out you know? a little motivation can go a long way!

and what are these FEMA classes all about? i went to the website. they seem a bit random, lol. though i'm a little under the weather and can't concentrate too hard right now, so i'll have to look again later. and i also went to the website about the BA in 4 weeks and all. On base, I can do one CLEP (or DSST) twice a month. So.....those will last me a while

 

Regarding FEMA, the degree info search function will render lots of hits but a logical place to start may be:

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25781&highlight=fema

Of particular interest may be the posting by a fellow serviceman getting 5 credits in 24 hours (Wow - good for you dude!).

My whole point being that you may be well served by considering a Liberal Arts degree (or TESC's emergency disaster services degree) that leverages the 'Quick and Dirty' 40 FEMA credits - and then taking the Dantes/Clep for the residual. After graduating from TESC/Excelsior, you could then enroll in a MBA program.

For what it's worth, I think most people focus on your last degree most.

e.g.

If you have a college degree, high school diploma is irrelevant (arguably)

If you have a masters degree, bachelors is irrelevant (arguably)

etc.

Of course, this is just my opinion...

Greg