Evaluating COSC and TESC

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by DulciMark, May 5, 2002.

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  1. DulciMark

    DulciMark New Member

    Greetings,

    Maybe it's a mid-life crisis (I'm 43), but I'm finally working up the nerve to go for that degree I've always wanted. I figured a trophy wife would leave me, and a sports car would get wrecked or stolen, so go for the degree! :D The Question: Where to go?

    My Background:

    I have very little previous credit, and plan to do a lot of testing out (CLEP, DANTES, etc). I have experience in some rather diverse areas, and although I've had essentially the same vocation for many years, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

    My Experience:

    By vocation, I'm a software developer working in industrial process control. I have well over 20 years experience here, and have documented examples of my work on everything from high-level front-end studies to code to complete project life cycle documentation. I have taken many vendor provided courses; most are vendor product specific, but others have more generic (read: transferable to a new company, and possibly creditable) content.

    I also hold an FCC General Class Radiotelephone Operator's license (when I earned it in 1978, it was a First Class Radiotelephone Operator's License, and you needed one to operate a commercial radio/TV broadcast transmitter in the U.S.)

    Some avocational interests include:

    Apiculture: I was a beekeeper for five years
    Aviation: have taken glider flight training
    Curling: you know, that odd Olympic sport that's essentially shuffleboard with 42 lb. rocks.
    Music: I play many instruments, from the mundane (guitar, cello) to the obscure (hammered dulcimer, anglo concertina) to the just plain weird (didgeridoo, theremin). Music styles are as diverse as the instruments.

    What I've Learned So Far:

    Of the Big Three, the field has been narrowed to COSC or TESC. Excelsior was dismissed on the grounds of RBNS (Really Bad Name Syndrome). Maybe it shouldn't matter, but it does. It's packing material. It's a starship. It's a starship filled with packing material!) <sigh>

    Here's what I've been able to gather, based on the COSC and TESC web sites, and previous posts on this forum. There are a couple of "I dunno's", so if anyone can fill these in I'd appreciate it.

    Cost
    All else being equal, $COSC < $TESC

    Degrees
    COSC: BS, BA in General Studies, with concentrations
    TESC: BS, BA with Majors

    Portfolio Assessment
    Maximum Credits
    COSC: Max 60 credits by portfolio.
    TESC: No max
    Restrictions:
    COSC: You cannot use the portfolio to opt out of a subject covered by a test (CLEP, DANTES) that is accepted by the school
    TESC: ??? Don't know

    Special Assessment for certifications
    COSC: Yes
    TESC: ??? Don't know

    Accepts CLEP exams
    COSC: Yes
    TESC: Yes

    Accepts GRE exams
    COSC: Yes
    TESC: No

    Accepts TECEP exams
    COSC: Yes, but very few
    TESC: Yes

    Reports GPA:
    COSC: Yes
    TESC: No

    Perceived Strength (from this forum)
    COSC: Exams (testing out)
    TESC: Portfolio assessment

    Upper-Level Credit Definition
    COSC: ??? Don't know
    TESC: All credits > 6 in subject area

    Responsiveness (from this forum)
    COSC: Good, "folksy"
    TESC: Fair, "DMV attitude"


    My Questions:

    I'm interested in recommendations for COSC or TESC based on my background/experience (I have my opinions, but I want to hear yours)

    Am I a good candidate for portfolio assessment? If so, enough to recommend TESC over COSC?

    What can I do with some of the lesser activities (beekeeping, flight training, curling)?

    What might I be able to do with the vendor product specific training?

    What credit, if any, can I get for the FCC license (hey, if it's good enough for the Feds, it ought to be good for a couple credits from a state college)


    Thanks,
    Mark
     
  2. Hille

    Hille Active Member

    TESC

    Hello, I think you are a perfect candidate for TESC. I would choose a degree that you want and start matching class descriptions with experience. I'd check that catalog for FCC credit evaluation . Although this might seem overwhelming you should be able to complete this in under one year. The frustrating element in TESC is time for evaluation. If you need any suggestions about specifics please feel free to contact me. Have a great week. Hille
     

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