Ok, I don't have day one in school since graduating high school. I'm as far as I can go in my fire dept. without a BS or BA. In order to take the next promotional exam, I have to acquire either a BA or BS to sign up. So, what I need, is the fastest, and easiest way to earn my degree. Because it does nothing for me other than allow my to sign up. I've been looking in to the big three, and am having a hard time deciding on which to go with. My dept. has a reimbursement program for the tests, but won't pay for enrollment if I'm going in the "credit by exam" method, which is what I want to do. Right now, I leaning toward Excelsior, because they have practice tests available. And their enrollment fee is 1020.00. I see TESC is charging around 3500/year? I have gone through considerable schooling through my dept., including EMT-P and many FEMA IS courses. Having a hard time finding out if they will give me some credits for either one. Maybe some of you know. I did ask TESC, and they told me they no longer give credit for FEMA courses. Any and all help appreciated. Thanks, ARN
For your situation, Charter Oak State College would be the cheapest option. They do take FEMAs directly for free. Excelsior will only take them on a Frederick Community College transcript, and FCC charges $77 per credit to do this. The only caveat with COSC is that you have to take the cornerstone and capstone with them in two separate, 16-week semesters even if the courses are only 8 weeks. Under the Per Credit Tuition Plan and using TECEPs to meet the residency requirement (there is only a residency requirement under this tuition plan), TESC can be much cheaper than Excelsior and COSC. Also, their BSBA does not require a capstone that has to be taken in residence. This means you can use tests and super cheap, self-paced courses to complete 100% of the degree. Almost every other bachelor's degree requires a 12-week capstone to be taken in residence. Excelsior requires a capstone for every degree program, but I think they might offer the 8-week option. Even without FEMA, you can still complete the BSBA at TESC for less than $3,000! Even without FEMA, a BA in Liberal Studies at TESC is still cheap! Check out my test out plans listed under "Sanantone." TESC Degree Plans - Degree Forum Wiki
I only know for sure that they will take them from FCC. There are a couple of other community colleges that give college credit for FEMAs, but I think they also charge. For one to get a TESC transcript, one would either have to be a former enrolled student or pay for a credit bank. Since TESC no longer gives credit for FEMA, I'm not even sure if they would put them on a credit bank. I don't even know if Excelsior would accept a credit bank transcript. Edit: FCC now charges $79 per credit hour. Colleges normally require a transcript from the original source unless it's an ACE transcript. When TESC accepted FEMA, they clearly noted that they were FEMA credits. FCC turns FEMA courses into FCC courses. It's basically credit laundering. I'm assuming that you can't tell the source of the credits on the FCC transcript.
FWIW, my Paramedic and EMT-B were awarded credit at COSC....I did take them at a local CC. As mentioned they take FEMA free and direct, at least for now. Know that while you can test out of a great deal of classes...you could also enroll in a cheaper school to receive the benefits of tuition reimbursement. For example I tested out of some courses, transferred in a bunch of courses from other schools, and matriculated with Charter Oak while working a consortium agreement with CSU-Pueblo for the rest. The Big 3 are all very flexible.
That reminds me, I'll provide links to evaluated certifications at the Big 3. I couldn't find anything for EMT or firefighting at Excelsior. Institutions Evaluated by the CT Credit Assessment Program (CCAP) - Charter Oak State College Thomas Edison State College: Licenses & Certifications
The lady on the phone for TESC said I have to be enrolled to graduate. Enrollment alone is 3060.00 itself per year. So how could you possible earn a degree for under 3000.00??
The people on the phone are wrong half the time. It's better to send an email because those are routed to the people who specialize in your particular issue.
This is the answer I received from an email. Always send an email if you can with TESC. To clarify, being registered for a "course" includes being registered for a TECEP and other credit earning options TESC offers.
