UTEP bait and switch. Need a new school fast! Please help.

Hi all. Been busy, and haven't posted in a while. Been anticipating starting UTEP's bachelor's accelerated completion program this week. All of a sudden, it appears, they no longer offer that program (long story, but I call bait-and-switch). I am so deeply invested in time in UTEP that I am not able (so far as I can see) to switch schools now. I am trying to change everything at the last second to create a degree plan, strictly DL, that will still allow me to walk by the end of spring '11.

I can post my transcript here if needed, but basicly I have about 100 hours, mostly biology and chem, and have all of my basics done. Though it would be nice to grow academically in the process, I know that my end goal is to simply have the diploma so that I can pursue a secondary teaching certification in Texas.

So help me with alternatives, please. I very strongly prefer a B&M campus, and it needs to be in Texas for tuition reasons (unless there is an out-of-state school that would fit in my financial aid). I'm not particularly suited for the Big 3. Not messing with any non-RA stuff. Frankly, at this point I don't care what the major is, I just need something I can finish by the end of this school year. And it has to be a place that I can get into late, meaning right now. All my financial aid is in place, but I know it takes significant time to forward transcripts, FAFSA, etc...

I hope someone on here has an answer for me. I'm in a situation where if UTEP doesn't come through with some real resolution in the next day or so, then I have to switch schools (if I can find a way to do it), or forego another year of my life.

Please help.

Thanks!

 

I looked at Amberton University - you might check with them. I don't know how the transfer credits are going to work out though, since the degrees available entirely online on the undergrad level are mostly in business-related disciplines and you have to complete at least 33 hrs with them to graduate. Late registration there ends in mid-September, so you may still have time. $700 a course for tuition, no reason your financial aid shouldn't cover.

You can also check Northwestern State University in Nachitoches, Louisiana. They have state rates for online-only students (plus $50 per course). They have a General Studies undergrad degree that I imagine would work out nicely for you. I couldn't find a deadline for them, but I would think that if you got in touch with someone on campus to figure out what could be done, you might still be able to get into something. If you are able to, though, it's going to be tight.

You could also check National University in California, as they have rolling admissions, but I think their price is going to be a little on the high end for you. It might not hurt to check, though. They may end up giving you some kind of grant or something to assist in payment (as I know Baker College Online had some kind of stuff like that when I went there on financial aid).

I'll keep looking. If I can find anything, I'll repost.

 

Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oregon, has a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies (which is two of their minors), which they have the option of minoring in both Biology and Chemistry online. So, I think this program would be close to perfect for you.

My fiance just graduated from there with a BA in English (Lit/Film), and he went financial aid all the way. No problem at all.

Their deadline for Fall admissions is September 1, so if you're interested in them, you might want to call and/or get a fast-track on your paperwork.

I know you were trying to do an accelerated program, but if you have nearly or at 100 credits already, you should be able to complete the degree relatively quickly. No idea, honestly though. This is definitely something to check into, but you'll have to hurry. It's a good education, they're good people, and they have always helped my fiance at any time necessary. We both live in Texas, too, by the way (just to let you know).

They use quarters, rather than semesters, so the credit system is going to be different - not usually a problem, though. My fiance went from the University of Houston to there, with quite a lot of transfer with no problem.

Various links of interest:

Academics: Academic Programs - Eastern Oregon University
Application: http://www.eou.edu/admissions/documents/2009_10_Undergrad_Application.pdf
Catalog info: http://www.eou.edu/catalog/documents/liberal_studies.pdf

EOU Contact: 800-452-8639

 

There are other schools in Texas that are online. I did not know UT was doing away the accel program. I will list some other schools that have online programs and a strong rep in Texas. These schools may not have online degrees but have a lot of online classes that could be used to finish a degree at distance with no on campus time. Lamar is your best bet.


UH Distance Education - Home

SHSU Online: Programs & Degrees

http://www.lamar.edu/admin/content/4193_4802.htm

SHSU Online: Programs & Degrees

*** Lamar University Academic Partnerships

***This is what I would look at if I was you. Lamar is a State university with a program that ran by a for profit which means better customer service. It also has the lost cost tuition in the state at 150 an hour and is a degree completion program.


If you don't like any of these I have every online program in Texas on a word doc that I made.

 

You can also check Western Governors University.

They have one of the only online teacher prep programs accredited by NCATE, and they have various programs that I feel would meet your needs, for example:

B.A. Science (5-9)
B.A. Science (Chemistry, 5-12)
B.A. Science (Biological Sciences (5-12)

All of these are online, and as far as I remember (from when I was going to go there myself), they have monthly rolling admissions, and the tuition is affordable with financial aid. You'll want to check with them about certification reciprocity, because I'm not entirely sure. I know at one time, or I think at least, that Utah used PRAXIS II tests, of which, some are considered equal to their TExES equivalents. Either way, the guys/gals there are pretty knowledgeable about their programs and what will work where/how. You might want to check with them.

Academic Info: Online Teaching Degree | Teacher Certification | WGU Teachers College Online
Admissions: College Admission Requirements | Online University Admission | Western Governors University Online
Tuition: WGU Tuition and Financial Aid | Federal Financial Aid | Grants for College | Western Governors University Online

Contact: 866-225-5948 (also on the top right of their webpage).

 

The application deadlines for Fall/Summer have passed for all of these universities. I was going to mention Lamar as I think they're excellent, too, but the deadline has passed (early August). SHSU was August 1. U of H has already started classes. Not a bad idea for any of those (except I would not suggest U of H online, as they never offer classes consistently towards a major - personal experience). U of H has a reputation for taking forever to finish a degree online because they seem to only offer major courses at one or two a semester, depending on your major. Not a bad school, just not the best for doing a degree through DL. I was just trying to find things that were still open, possibly, for the fall/summer applications.

If, emissary, you're not worried about getting in for this fall, I would also definitely suggest Lamar to you. Good place.

 

I think a Texas State University would look better as well.

 

By the way, the other programs I've mentioned also (as far as I am aware), do not require any on-campus time. I know the EOU degree is completely by distance. I am also pretty sure that the WGU degree is also by distance, as they are entirely a distance university.

 

They will still let you start Lamar if you go through the for-profit they work with but time is running out the classes started yesterday. If you can't get in then you can start October classes which are 8 weeks.

Lamar University Academic Partnerships

 

Application deadline for TSU was back in May (for Fall semester). Of course, again, if he's not worried about attending this fall, I also think TSU would be an awesome choice.

Good university. My mom graduated from there. ;-)

 

Oh, that's awesome. That would be a good choice, too, then.

 

That’s funny I did not mean TSU I meant any State Uni in Texas would look good. I really like the look of Lamar’s program....

 

Oh, sorry for the misunderstanding. Hehe. But yes, you're right. I like Lamar's program, too.

I just looked up Texas State University (TSU), and they used to have a General Studies degree (if I'm not mistaken) that was 100% distance. Doesn't look like they have that anymore. Only something in the Health Information field at full distance.

That's kinda sad. :/

 

I have them on my list with the GS degree but these schools seem to change every other month.

University of Houston has started offering some interesting degrees online.

UH Distance Education - Degrees & Programs - Undergraduate Degrees

BA in History
BA/BS in Psych
BS in Computer Science and Merchandising
BA in English
Plus more……

 

strange... The forum listing says this thread has 13 replies, but I can only see one. Mod's, any reason, or am I missing something?

 

oh, there they are. Will research really quick. Thanks guys!

 

Good luck! If you need some more let me know.

 

Cameron University in Oklahoma offers resident tuition with a 3.0 GPA and the cost per credit is $145.