Young Professional looking to earn an AA as quickly as possible online. Patten Univ.?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Sunvibes, Jun 10, 2014.

Loading...
  1. Sunvibes

    Sunvibes New Member

    Greetings everyone, I'm new on the forum and signed up to search DI for some guidance regarding online programs. I've had a great career path so far but have reached a glass ceiling with my role, as anticipated. I've put off school as long as possible and have decided to make a change. Like many of us, time is limited to go to a classroom and I'm seeking an expedited path to an AA. I've come across Patten Univ. which offers an attractive self-paced program. After speaking with Patten and research, I'm not sure if this is the best route to achieve an AA. I would like to eventually transfer to a local college for a Bachelors but the goal for now is to secure an AA at the least. Is there a general opinion about this type of program or Patten Univ? Are there comparable schools that relate to my scenario?
    Any help is obviously appreciated.
    -Kind regards
     
  2. nyvrem

    nyvrem Active Member

    I came across this some time back.

    Learn on Demand

    Its from a community college. Let's you study modules at your own pace.
    Feedback from another forumer is, through the learn-on-demand classes, you can clear a 3 credit class in 2-3 days.
    Note that classes are limited but enough to secure your 60 credits for an AA.
     
  3. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    To the annoyance of some, if you are comfortable with test, you could probably complete an associate of art at TESC for less than $2,000. TESC offers credit by exams called TECEPs. They are $108 each for non-New Jersey residents and can be taken at home with ProctorU with no additional fees. If you take at least 4 of them, you will meet the residency requirements under the Per Credit Tuition Plan avoiding the enrollment fee. You won't have to worry about taking a capstone or any other course at TESC. TEEX and NFA will get you 9 free credits that can apply to free electives, but TESC's AA in General Studies doesn't have room for free electives. These are options if you choose one of their other degree programs such as the AS in Business Administration. ALEKS has ACE-approved math courses that TESC accepts. They only charge $20 a month, and you can complete as many credits as you can. Saylor offers free courses that are NCCRS-approved. TESC will also accept these for credit. All you have to do is pay $25 for each final; it's the ProctorU fee.

    This is just an example of how cheap an associates at TESC can be.
    Thomas Edison State College: Associate in Arts

    English Comp I: TECEP - $108
    English Comp II: TECEP - $108
    College-Level Math: ALEKS Intermediate Algebra - $20
    Intellectual and Practical Skills: ALEKS College Algebra - $20 (could be $0 if you can complete more than one course in a month)
    Intellectual and Practical Skills: Saylor Corporate Communication - $25
    Humanities: TECEP - $108
    Social Science: TECEP - $108
    Natural Science: Saylor Intro to Computer Science - $25
    General Education Elective: Introduction to Western Political Thought - $25
    General Education Elective: 6-credit Humanities CLEP ~ $100
    Diversity Global Literacy: CLEP or DSST ~ $100
    Responsible Ethical Leadership: Ethics in America DSST ~ $100
    Ethics or Diversity Elective: CLEP - $100
    Gen Ed Elective: 6-credit CLEP Social Sciences and History - $100
    Gen Ed Elective: 6-credit CLEP Natural Sciences - $100
    Gen Ed Elective: 6-credit CLEP Biology - $100

    Subtotal = $1247
    Total with graduation fee = $1537

    Here are just about all of the test out options for TESC's general education requirements.
    Sanantone's General Education Options - Degree Forum Wiki
     
  4. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    TESC's Associate of Science in Business Administration.
    Associate in Science in Business Administration Degree Program

    English Comp I: TECEP $108
    English Comp II: TECEP $108
    College Algebra: ALEKS - $20
    Intellectual and Practical Skills Elective: ALEKS Intermediate Algebra - $20
    Macro or Microeconomics: CLEP ~ $100
    Humanities, Social Science, or Natural Science Elective: Saylor Corporate Communication (you'll need it if you go on to complete the BSBA) - $25
    Ethics Course: DSST Ethics in America ~ $100
    Diversity Course: CLEP or DSST ~ $100
    Ethics or Diversity Elective: CLEP or DSST ~ $100
    Gen Ed Elective: ALEKS Statistics (you'll need it if you go on to complete the BSBA): $20
    Principles of Financial Accounting: TECEP - $108
    Principles of Managerial Accounting: TECEP - $108
    Business Law: Saylor - $25
    Principles of Management: Saylor - $25
    Principles of Marketing: Saylor - $25
    Intro to Computers/CIS: Saylor - $25
    6 Credits in Business Electives: TEEX - Free
    Free Electives: 3 credits in NFA courses - Free
    Free Electives: ACE-approved PLA course from Kaplan - Free

    Subtotal: $1017
    Total with graduation fee: $1307
     
  5. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I don't think you will find a better deal than TESC. It is possible that your local community college offers an AA that might be a little bit cheaper and many CC's offer online classes. However, we know TESC well around here and recommend it frequently.
     
  6. nyvrem

    nyvrem Active Member

    Have to agree, Sanantone's TESC guides are one of the cheapest I've come across. And most importantly, it's RA.
     
  7. Sunvibes

    Sunvibes New Member

    Thanks for all of the replies and details.
    sanantone, this looks good but I'm not sure how likely I'll be able to test out of the courses. I consider myself a decent test taker and will look into the options provided. I assume all of the tests require a web cam but I'd like to find out how many attempts a student has per test.
    Thanks again
     
  8. Sunvibes

    Sunvibes New Member

    RA or regionally accredited means I can transfer to my local college to continue after earning an AA?
     
  9. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    TECEPs and the final exams for Saylor and Straighterline courses taken with ProctorU require a webcam. CLEPs and DSSTs are mostly offered at colleges, universities, and military bases (for military personnel). Uexcels are offered by Pearson testing centers. ALEKS, TEEX, and NFA courses do not require proctored exams. I don't think the Kaplan course has a proctored exam either, but I haven't checked.

    The Big 3 being regionally accredited means that it is relatively easy to transfer their courses and degrees. However, the acceptance of CLEPs, DSSTs, ACE/NCCRS credits, etc. will vary widely by school because these are not credits coming from regionally accredited schools. If a school accepts block transfers, meaning that they will accept a whole associates degree from an RA and/or NA school to satisfy the first 60 credits or so of the degree, then the alternative sources of credit should be accepted along with everything else.
     
  10. Dicasio

    Dicasio New Member

    Is that price just for the test or will it include units to learn from?
     

Share This Page