I've recently decided to get my BS in Business by examination (most likely Excelsior). I've been reading everything possible on the subject, but can't find any clear answers as to how I start the process. I have 49 credits from 2 colleges that I'd like to apply to my degree, but I'm not sure how I go about finding out how/if those credit transfer. I'm also unsure of what exams I would need to take, especially if my credits transfer. I've posted the courses and credits earned from my previous college experience below. If anyone could give me a nudge in the right direction, it would be GREATLY appreciated COURSE CREDITS Intro. to Computers ---------- 3 Karate/Phys. Ed. ---------- 2 Primitive Art ---------- 3 World Geography ---------- 3 Intro. to Sociology ---------- 3 Effective Writing I ---------- 3 American Govt. & Politics ---------- 3 Sports Injury ---------- 3 American History II ---------- 3 Earth Science ---------- 3 * Earth Science Lab ---------- 1 Art History ---------- 3 Western Civilization ---------- 3 Intro. to Geology ---------- 4 Intro. to Business ---------- 3 Western Civilization II ---------- 3 Educ. Psychology ---------- 3
I have no experience with Excelsior College, and I lost tracking the process in 2003. I decided something else because Excelsior College is a weird name in my 4-year paper. If you go with Thomas Edison State College, you'll find lot of information online that meet your credits transfer, program credits, as well as credit eq. to CLEP, DANTES, and Certifications. URL: www.tesc.edu
Based on the credits already earned most would be applicable to the general education requirements, with the exception of Karate/Phys. Ed. and Sports Injury which would likely be classified as free electives, and Intro. to Business which would apply towards the business requirements. You can take a look at CLEP examinations for other general education credits. As for business credit hours there are many people on this forum who can steer you in the right direction. Since you intend to test-out by examination you might want to wait before applying to Excelsior College and keep a print-out of the degree plans from all of the Big 3 "Charter Oak State College, Excelsior College, and Thomas Edison State College" and fill in the credit hours as you pass each examination. In fact, you might want to complete an AA or AS in general studies before tackling the BA / BS in business; you are roughly 11 credit hours away from an AA or AS depending upon credit hour distribution within the degree.
Generally, your general education requirements are going to be grouped together as: Humanities, Social Sciences, Math & Science, and Other (Professional Education, Physical Education). Usually, they will require about 12 hours each, with a total of 60 hrs. COURSE CREDITS HUMANITIES Effective Writing I ---------- 3 Art History ---------- 3 Primitive Art ---------- 3 SOCIAL SCIENCES World Geography ---------- 3 Intro. to Sociology ---------- 3 American Govt. & Politics ---------- 3 American History II ---------- 3 Western Civilization ---------- 3 Western Civilization II ---------- 3 MATH & SCIENCE Earth Science ---------- 3 * Earth Science Lab ---------- 1 Intro. to Geology ---------- 4 OTHER Intro. to Computers ---------- 3 Karate/Phys. Ed. ---------- 2 Sports Injury ---------- 3 Intro. to Business ---------- 3 Educ. Psychology ---------- 3 I can't speak for Excelsior, but I'd guess that you have 9 hrs. humanities, 18 hrs. social sciences, 8 hrs. math & science, and 14 hrs. other. So, I'm thinking you probably need an additional 3 hrs. in humanities, 4 hrs. in math & science, and 4 hrs. of pretty much anything for your general ed requirements. Then, you should need an additional 60 hrs. for the degree, whichy could constitute either a double major or a single major plus 30 hrs. free electives.
Thanks so much for the replies, guys. I was looking to follow Lawrie Miller's BAin4Weeks guide to a "Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Excelsior College", mainly because he gives the breakdown of what exams to take and when to take them. I like the idea of following a model that is tried-and-true. I should also note that I'm also planning on going for my Masters using the same examination process. From what I've read, and I'm still unsure if it's entirely true, Excelsior gives an actual GPA for exams rather than just a pass/fail. Would a GPA be better for my goals, or doesn't it matter since I'll be testing out? I agree that the name "Excelsior" is pretty awful, so I'll probably test out first before officially enrolling anywhere.
