schools with lowest residency credits required

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by greentrain, Oct 15, 2006.

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  1. greentrain

    greentrain New Member

    I am looking at completing my bachelor's degree after about 10 years out of school. I would appreciate some leads if at all possible.

    Most of my credits are in business, from many RA schools including CCAF, and I probably have completed most of what might be called general education credits. I just have not amassed enough credits at any one school from what I can tell, at least not 30. Now, I am looking to transfer these into a program where I might take additional courses and graduate.

    I have looked at Excelsior, Charter Oak, and Thomas Edison. I'm not writing these schools off my list but I am more interested in a school with brick and mortar presence. Most of the schools I search out require 30 credits at that school. Does anyone know of any other schools with lower residency hours needed to graduate? I am hoping to complete the program online, too.

    Many thanks.

    GT
     
  2. ShotoJuku

    ShotoJuku New Member

    Hey GT -

    Welcome to the Forums!!

    Seriously, all you can do with B&M these days is make walls. The "big three" make degrees.

    You can have a wall or a degree - choose wisely!!

    Online degree programs are the NEW tradition for adult learning lifestyles. B&M's are great for kids, but who has the time and patience? GOOD LUCK!!
     
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I've heard that Southwestern College of Kansas is among the most liberal of accepting transfer credit:

    http://www.sckans.edu/ps/

    Good luck,

    -=Steve=-
     
  4. greentrain

    greentrain New Member

    Thank you. I took a look at the website and it appears SCK requires 30 credits from SCK.

    I searched this forum and found that there might be another option. Northeastern Illinois University seems to be around 15. That may be the lowest I have seen. Someone working there posted on the forum that they required 15 and some of these could be taken at other Illinois schools.

     
  5. CoachTurner

    CoachTurner Member

    The big challenge you face in finding a school that does not require 30 hours (more or less) in residence is that many of the accreditors require 25% of the program be completed in residence for a BA/BS.

    The exception is that Middle States and New England associations appear not to have such a specific requirement. With SACS the requirement is very specific and firm.

    The "Big Three" have that distinction because they are likely the only three that allow transfer of 100% of degree requirements.

    If someone finds another RA program that allows transfer of 100% then we'd probably add them to that list and have "the Big Four" :)
     
  6. David H

    David H Member

    Ok, I'll plug my alma mater...Western Illinois. It depends on what degree you want. I finished my degree work to progress to a master --- and soon a Ph.D.

    On another note, I love to follow the Western Illinois athletics. The Leathernecks are great to follow --- although this year has been tough in Football. Certainly a B&M advantage ---

    Drawback is the degree is general in nature but I have never had to explain the school (except to tell them where it is --- Macomb, IL.)

    Take a look at it anyway.
     
  7. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    Depending on your situation a 3-year undergraduate degree might serve you, at least to check off the BA/BS degree completed on employment applications.

    Athabasca University, in Canada and accredited by one of the regional US accreditors (WASC, I think), offers a 3-year Bachelor of General Studies degree into which you can transfer 100% credit. There is no residency requirement.

    A programme plan for the Bachelor of General Studies degree is available at the provided URL.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 16, 2006
  8. turtle

    turtle New Member

    I agree with the guidance to have a look at Athabasca. Given that your credits are in the business area you may want to look at the same General Studies Degree but with an applied focus. There are two advantages to this stream. First the number of science, humanities etc courses are less so more of your buinsess courses should apply and second they allow you to earn up to 21 of the 90 credits via PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment).

    This is the degree option and stream I followed and it has served me well.
     
  9. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    Quite right, turtle. I should have posted a link to theBachelor of General Studies (Applied) programme plan.
     
  10. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member

    Does Northeastern even offer a distance option?

    Pug
     
  11. greentrain

    greentrain New Member

  12. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Actually, it's accredited by the Middle States Association.
     
  13. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member

    Athabasca requires 45 hours of upper division (300-400) classes. Ouch.
     
  14. fiveninerzero

    fiveninerzero New Member

    TESC has a pretty good B&M footprint.
     
  15. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    Yes. I stand corrected < wearing the dunce cap too >
    :p
     

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