DETC or RA BA&MBA Lowest Cost Programs

I am looking for the best value for the dollar. I am looking at completing a BS degree in business or bypassing the BS to complete a masters in Business.

Are there any programs that will allow me to do this? I have 110 credits from Excelsior College and an associates in technology.

Would it be best to complete the degree at Excelsior? BA in arts?

Right now the goal is to finish at a reasonable cost.

Thanks, Jim

 

If you are only 10 credits away from finishing a BS through Excelsior, I say finish it first before jumping into the grad degree.

 

I only have 1 course in the upper level. I need to complete at least 30 hours to finish with a BS.

Are there any schools that do not require 30 hours. I do have 30 years work experience in the business field. Where is the best college that will give the most credit for work experience?

Thanks, Jim

 

Andrew Jackson University

Hi Jim,

Three Options:

• Check out this thread. Many forum members are looking into the sponsorship program at AJU (as I am but for an MPA).
  http://www.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?t=28386
  You will probably have to do at least 30 credits at any school that you transfer to and if you are weak on business credits you'll probably find that some of your previous work isn't applicable. The upside is that the cost of doing this at AJU is really low.
  
• Completing the BA and going on to an AJU MBA - this may be your best bet. You may need to do a few undergrad business courses at AJU but you're awefully close to a BA from a good school and the extra courses at AJU are really low cost.
  
• Pretty tough. See this thread.
  http://online.degree.net/online-degree-chat/t-help-masters-with-an-associates-and-work-exp-2389.html

Maybe AJU has a suggestion for this too (although I think that they will insist on a bachelor's degree.

The AJU deal is pretty good for this. Why don't you contact one of their advisors and look into the options.
www.aju.edu

Good Luck,
- DLG

PS I have no interest in AJU but you said your goal is reasonable cost and this is currently the hottest deal in town for a lowcost US MBA.

 

AJU again

AJU has a good policy for this as does Columbia Southern University http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/

Just be careful to ask about "experiential learning" rather than "work experience." Experiential learning is proven learning by non-academic processes and is encouraged by DETC. "Work experience" is a term that is often associated with degree mills.

 

I will take a look at AJU.

What do you think of California Coast University? I read where a student from CCU was able to use 30 hours from CCU to receive NA accreditation.

What do you think of the Business program? BA and MBA?

Thanks, Jim

 

Theoretically speaking your biggest bang for the buck would be to take a subject GRE and pass in the 80th percentile which would earn you 30 credits and an entire major at Excelsior....all for $130

 

CCU gets good reviews but I have no experience with them. AJU and CSU made my personal short list on the basis of these criteria:

• Accreditation
• Transfer credit policy
• Experiential learning policy
• Cost
• Reviews

On transfer credit and experiential learning, I believe they both allow the DETC maximum.

 

It has been reported on this forum that TESC will award a degree with only 100 and 200 level courses. This appears to be true if this site is examined
http://www.tesc.edu/3619.php

However elsewhere TESC says they only accept up to 80 units from a community college http://www.tesc.edu/3518.php

TESC also allows you to earn credit through a prior learning assessments
http://www.tesc.edu/4842.php

Review their website thoroughly and see if it works for your situation.

 

Thanks,

I have been looking at TESC and cannot find the minimum number of credits required to complete the BA.

Jim

 

120 semester units

See http://www.tesc.edu/1834.php look at bottom of page.
Click on any of the degrees listed in the right column for degree specific distribution requirements.

 

I am sorry. I was actually looking for the maximum number of transferable credits.

Jim

 

http://www.tesc.edu/ specifies 120 but I would guess you could submit more and TESC would select up to 120 for the degree.

 

I've wondered about this for a long time, because to be honest, the ability to earn a 4-year degree with only 100 and 200 level courses is the only reason I can think of to recommend TESC over COSC or EC. But I'm skeptical of the utility of a degree with no junior or senior level courses on the transcript. Is there anyone on this board who's completed a TESC bachelors degree with only 100 and 200 level courses, and if so, were you able to use the degree to get into grad school? What program? Were you required to take any leveling courses?

Thanks!

 

TESC considers 200 level courses upper division, but they will only allow 80 hours in transfer from a 2 year school. So in other words, all of your courses can be 100 and 200 level, but at least 40 hours have to be earned at a 4 year institution. You can transfer all 120 hours into TESC, just like Excelsior.

Pug

 

There is a thread elsewhere that touches in this issue (http://www.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?t=27953). MANY other schools label introductory courses as being 300 or 400 level, so I don't see a difference. A quick look on the internet will confirm that there are countless 300 and 400 level courses titled Intro to Accounting or Principles of Marketing. In theory, upper division courses are supposed to build on prior knowledge acquired through the completion of lower division courses, but this concept seems to have been abandoned by many school. As far as degree utility, I am certain one would have no trouble getting into a grad school with a TESC BA degree.


Pug

 

AJU offers a good bargain, but you'll still have to complete 30 hours with them. Credit for experential learning will not count toward the 30 hour requirement. Since you have to do 30 hours no matter where you go, finish at either TESC or Excelsior. You already have 80 hours from regionally accredited schools, you will be better served at this point finishing with a regionally accredited degree. LSU offers inexpensive courses. The last I checked there were around $225 or so. You can take 300 or 400 level courses to satisfy Excelsior, or 200+ level courses to satisfy TESC.

Pug

 

I am interested in the online program at TESC. How are tests administered?
Can I complete my degree with a Portfolio?

Thanks, Jim

 

I've never taken a test at TESC so I don't know how the exams are administered. I transferred all of my courses into TESC when I attended. Yes, you can complete your degree through portfolio, but I really think it would be cheaper if you took classes at LSU or BYU and transferred them in.

Pug

 

Some of those questions, and others, might be answered on this site

http://bain4weeks.com/

People here know lots about it but sometimes it's hard waiting for people to post. In the meantime you can read it up at Lawrie's site.