Excelsior questions...getting started and GRE

I have recently come across this board and found a lot of valuable information. I have a few questions before enrolling at Excelsior that I haven't found answers to, and I haven't been impressed by the information from Excelsior's general admission people.

Keep in mind, I hope to graduate with a MIS degree.

1. I have many computer certifications, and a semesters worth of credit at a local university. I have read the credit requirements for getting a BMI degree and understand how the CLEP, ECE, etc. can fulfill this. I'm confused on the subject GRE tests. These look very tempting with the potential of 30 credits, but how do I know what to take and what counts for what? Example - If I take the GRE Econ test, and receive 30 credits, do they all apply to the Arts and Science component? Or are only so many accepted? How do I know which ones to take? Maybe I'm missing something here...

2. I'm trying to keep costs down. In your opinion would it be a good idea to take a bunch of proficency tests before enrolling? Are tests subject to change or expire (like my Microsoft certifications for example). I'm not interested in completing in 4 weeks and plan on taking my time.

I assume a Excelsior advisor could answer my first question, but I don't get to talk to one until I enroll, which leads to question two.

I guess what I need is a plan of attack (with GRE's included).

Thanks in advance...

-Adam

 

The BS MIS is a Business degree at Ecelsior (and elsewhere).

You may be able to complete the entire MIS degree with a combination of Arts and Science proficiency exams, Business proficiency exams, and ICCP and/or vendor exams (for example those comprising MCSE and CNE certifications).

Requirements of the Business program core are clearly outlined in the Excelsior Business catalog as are requirements for the various specializations/majors, including MIS. For the specifics, as Additionally, BA in 4 Weeks provides a comprehensive template for completion of the Excelsior College BS in General Business. This can be modified to suit your particular needs. See
http://www.geocities.com/ba_in_4_weeks/Busdegree.html

Not an issue, since the GRE subject exam in Economics is no longer available.

There are specific general Ed., Business core, and specialization requirements. In addition, there are other requirements of the business program, not deemed part of the Business core or the Business specialization. Off the top of my head, these comprise, Macro and Micro Economics (designated arts/science), Ethics (designated Humanities), Organizational Behavior (designated arts/science), and Statistics (designated math). There is also a higher-than-Lib-Arts-degree requirement in math, that can be fulfilled by CLEP College Algebra. Many think calculus is required. This not so. The requirement is for precalculus or above. CLEP College Algebra fulills this.

I'd suggest concentrating on meeting the core, and the particular non core exams listed above, using those suggested in the catalog or in the BA in 4 Weeks guide. Once that is out of the way, there is the MIS specialization/major to consider (though the major really is Business, the degree is designated "BS in MIS").

Again, Because of the acceptance of ICCP to meet the CIS degree core requirements, and vendor exams accepted as applied/professional, it is likely a suitable will easily fulfill MIS degree requirements too.

When that is all done, the remaining art/science or optional applied professional credit, may be filled using a GRE subject exam, if you choose.

You don't need to meet requirements in 4 weeks to use the BA in 4 Weeks guide. You can take as long as you like and use and discard what you like.

The section on Enrollment considers where and when it may be useful to enroll first or delay enrollment, and offers rules of thumb that may be useful. http://www.geocities.com/ba_in_4_weeks/enrollment.html

You could look at using the GRE in Computer Science, if you think you can pass it at the appropriate level. I doubt it will be suitable and do not know how useful it would be in your situation.

The Business core plus specialization, plus other Business program special requirements (previously detailed), plus general ed., take up most of the require 120 hours. It may be though, that one GRE subject exam would fulfill most of the remaining "filler" requirement.

Discussion of the GRE subject tests, list of available exams and links to practice exams and GRE registration, can be found at
http://www.geocities.com/ba_in_4_weeks/2ndDegree.html

This page deals with earning a second degree, but the info is equally useful for first degree use.

Lawrie Miller
BA in 4 Weeks

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