Hi everyone! I'm new to posting on the forum but I've been lurking for a while. I need advice, or at least need to be pointed in the right direction. Basically, I need a degree, ANY degree, as quickly as possible. Best case scenario, I have until March 2015. The kicker: I'm in Japan. There's only one CLEP testing center available to me here. I will consider CLEP or any other testing available to me. Online schools are a possibility. Somewhere where I can work at my own pace would be great. If anyone can help me figure out which degree/s I'm closest to and can finish quickly, I would very much appreciate it. About me: I have 71 credits and a "meh" gpa. I'm a decent test taker. I have an unofficial transcript that I can't seem to attach to this post properly...
Just contact one of the Big 3 and see what they say. The Big 3 are Charter Oak, Excelsior and TESC. What line of work are you in and why the urgency to get a degree?
There are also DSST test centers in Japan Locate an Institution | DSST | Get College Credit Some DSST exams are for upper division credit.
You only need one. Consider TESC, Charter Oak, and Excelsior. Also consider Western Governors U. Finally, consider reaching out to DETC-accredited schools. Some may have self-paced processes that would allow you to finish quickly (but with a lot of work).
That was my reaction too. That's very good advice. Whatever you do, though, start now. With that timeframe, your margin of error is very, very thin.
I need a degree so that I can get a job teaching English. Recently, they changed immigration laws so that work visas for instructors are only granted to people with a 4 year degree. It doesn't matter what the degree is, though. I don't even have to be certified to teach (though I plan to become certified later). My current visa only allows me to work part time, which would have been fine, but I didn't expect to love Japan so much. Now, I want to secure full time work, a steady visa, and build my life here. So, step one is a degree. Is it acceptable to contact the big three by email and basically ask the same thing? Should I just tell them I'll take whatever degree I can earn the fastest? And will they work with me with only an unofficial transcript? I'll have the official ones later, just not right now. I want to have all my information sorted before I start communicating with them. I appreciate all your help! Also, I read the recent thread about the cheap schools in India. Do any of those allow me to work at my pace? So far I haven't seen one that does, but I could have missed something. Thanks again!
I would recommend to choose Thomas Edison State College. The rest of the credits can be from: FEMA: Electives Saylor Foundation URL: Open Course Option for ASBA « Saylor Academy Straighterline URL: Thomas Edison State College | StraighterLine DANTE DSST is tested through Thomson Prometric, and it is world wide. I think CLEP is tested through Pearson VUE, which is only available in the United States and/or Canada.
Thanks for the advice! CLEP is available here in Japan. I think it's mostly intended for military members but one center in Tokyo is open to civilians. Something I'm confused about though... do I have to be enrolled somewhere before I take CLEP or DSST tests? Or should I just start testing right now and enroll later?
And just out of curiosity, would anyone be willing to Skype with me to discuss this at length? I really have a lot of questions and while I've been scouring the forums, talking to someone directly would be a big help. Thanks!
It depends on the school. You can the take CLEP prior or after enrollment at Thomas Edison State College, Charter Oak State College, and Excelsior College. However, for Western Governors University will not accept any transfer (even traditional college courses) after the enrollment. It means that as soon as you start your program at WGU, they will no longer accept transfer. Ganbatte kudasai! I am not an educational consultant, but I can help as much as I can. Here is my skype ID: HenryGormanNet , and I am available between 6 P.M to 11 P.M (Central Standard Time). Let me know when when is convenient for you.
You can also obtain credit through prior leaning assessment by submitting a portfolio for the big three. Here is what TESC requires PLA and Portfolio Help Living in Japan should provide you some credits by you demonstrating a knowledge of Japanese language, culture, and history. See also Steve Levicoff's comments on the degreeinfo.com home page.
I can see that you attended Murray State, however, I was unable to view your transcripts (too small on my screen). That said, Murray State is regionally accredited so that's a plus. You mentioned that you have 77 credits. That means that you're at least 43 credits away from a bachelors. I would echo the recommendations on this board to consider one of the Big 3 schools. Also, take a look at WGU (also mentioned within this thread), Northern Arizona University and Patten University. WGU and Patten are competency-based degree programs where you move through the program as quickly as you're able to pass the assessments. I would wager that you could complete ~43 credits (or more, depending upon how many credits you're awarded) in 9 months. You'll need to move fast though. I can tell you one thing - with Patten, you could literally start your classes today. You simply need to fill out the enrollment form on their website, send them your unofficial transcripts and select your start date. I have no affiliation with this school, by the way.
TESC no longer accepts FEMAs. One can earn up to 9 free, ACE-approved credits from TEEX and NFA. I have several test out plans for TESC. The BSBA in General Management, BA in Psychology, BA in Social Science, and BA in Liberal Studies would be the easiest to test out of. The BSBA is the only program out of the Big 3 that doesn't require a capstone course to be taken in residence (online or on ground). You can test out of it or take it as a self-paced course at Penn Foster. Sanantone's BSBA General Management - Degree Forum Wiki Sanantone's BA in Psychology - Degree Forum Wiki Sanantone's BA in Social Science - Degree Forum Wiki Sanantone's BA in Natural Sciences and Mathematics - Degree Forum Wiki Sanantone's BA in Humanities - Degree Forum Wiki Sanantone's BA in History - Degree Forum Wiki Sanantone's BSBA in Computer Information Systems - Degree Forum Wiki Sanantone's BSBA in Human Resources Management - Degree Forum Wiki Sanantone's BSBA in Accounting - Degree Forum Wiki Sanantone's BSBA in Marketing - Degree Forum Wiki Sanantone's General Education Options - Degree Forum Wiki I don't have a plan for liberal studies, but it's easy to pick and choose tests from the humanities, social science, and natural science/mathematics plans above. http://www.tesc.edu/heavin/ba/Liberal-Studies.cfm I'm having a hard time reading those transcripts, but if you can afford it, you should just get an evaluation at all of the Big 3. This gets kind of complicated, but one can finish a degree at TESC for less than just about any other regionally accredited option using the Per Credit Tuition Plan. If you need further explanation, just ask.
I emailed Patten. Thanks for that! I hadn't heard of them before. If I can work fast enough, it seems cheaper than CLEP tests. Do you know if they take any FEMA credits? I have a lot of gen ed credits and a few more specific ones like Japanese culture, Drafting, Sustainability, Calculus/Tech Math, etc. I'm really hoping these schools will tell me which degree I'm closest to earning, but I feel like my credits are too varied and many won't apply at all. Either way, I will have a degree, the question is whether or not I can earn it such a short time. Tekman: I added you. Thanks!
Thank you! I was looking for one that I could test out of 100%! I can send a better copy of the transcript to anyone interested. The forum just wouldn't let me upload the bigger file.
