I've emailed TESC but I'm tired of waiting for a reply... Has anyone had any luck (or heard of anyone) deviating from the requirements for a BSAST? Specifically, I'd like to avoid Technical Report Writing and Statistics. Judging from some course material I've seen, technical report writing would be a waste of time. I could easily portfolio out but if I can avoid it I'd love to. Stats, well, in my 20 years practicing in my field of study, I know there is no professional need for it. Besides, I can live without the aggravation. If I needed a slug of units I wouldn't mind, but I already have about 130 units but no degree. When I was in traditional college all those years ago, I deviated a number of times and the policy was detailed in the catalog. I have yet to see any deviation policy for TESC but I'm hoping one exists.
Well, I finally got a reply from TESC and I wasn't surprised to see the party line -- no mention of a deviation policy. I can live with that... but it sure would be nice to avoid stats!
As I've said here before, math is my personal demon. Hate it, in every form I've ever been subjected to. So take this advice in that context. If you've "hit the wall" and just need the 3sh in stats, consider the multiple-choice Excelsior College Statistics exam. "Cram" according to the sample exam (in the free Excelsior study guide, available online) and hope/pray for 71%. If you miss it by a couple points, you're only out around $100 and no worse off than you are now. "The Cartoon Guide to Statistics" (Larry Gonick / Woolcott Smith) got me through at the "C" level. That, and "Cracking the CLEP," nursed me to a pass on the College Math CLEP, completing forever my study of mathematics. I saw no real deviations from policy during my TESC experience. I did, however, see a few "liberal interpretations" of specific area or course requirements. Hence, my "Juvenile Delinquency" class from 1988 met a "Dynamics of Intervention" requirement, even though the link between the course description and the TESC requirement was on the tenuous side. Cross your fingers and hope for the best.
