Opinions, please.

Thanks for the input, everybody. To answer a question that has come up a lot in this thread, I initially chose AJU due to price, customer service and the fact that they have the program I really want (Communications). AJU really is a good school; I don't fault them for the situation in which I currently find myself. I got myself there.

I am a bit of a workaholic. I have a full-time job, do some freelance stuff, and spend most of my "off-time" studying. Someone mentioned that I read texts that aren't even part of my classes. That is true; I'm a history junkie and those are the books I read most (and watch a lot of History Channel). The work-life balance has definitely gotten out of whack, and I have already decided I will be designating two days out of the week as "study-free" days. Those are the days I will be spending with the wife and kids.

Like I said, if I stayed with AJU, it would take me a minimum of 1 1/2 to 2 years to finish my BA. If I went with Excelsior, I'm certain I could finish faster, and they also have the Communications degree, with a concentration in PR, which I also like. An NA degree would work for me; and RA degree would open many more graduate degrees to me in the future. Still, I do like the course material at AJU, and the price is great. Is there a rush for me to get my BA? Not really. It's just something I have been chasing for a few years now, and I just want to wrap it up already.

I think my next step will be to apply to Excelsior, and get another credit evaluation. I think that will really help me determine the direction to go after I finish my first semester at AJU next month: stay with AJU or transfer to Excelsior.

 

Well, I know you have good advice, I'll just toss in what I think about time management. I blocked out a few nights per week for homework (3 hours twice per week night, and 8 hours 1 day), and unless it was an exam or paper coming up- I stuck to it. It's too easy to let school slide into every moment. My husband is working on his bachelors too, working full time- we have 4 kids-karate 3/week-swimming lessons--guitar lessons-one car...you get the idea. Yes, school is important, but it's not the most important.

Simply, we both have the position that we accept the grade we get within the hours allowed. So, "what's the best I can do with 14 hours?" (or any number of hours) and that's what it is. If I can earn "A's" inside 14 hours for schoolwork, great- if "B's" are more realistic- then fine. "B's" graduate. If it's too much- either I need to slow down, cut back, or make a new plan. (that was my real schedule while I earned 12-27 credit per quarter for 18 months through classes and testing. My GPA was 3.875, so good but not perfect.)

But you set the parameters of how this pursuit impacts your life, not the other way around. What's a degree worth if it costs your life?

 

Simply put, do what you have to do. Finish up and move on to EC if that is what works better and faster. You can test out as fast, or as slow as you want. My wife is slowly taking a few tests she has left at TESC. In other words, do what works for you. THE NA RA issue is not the thing here, as per your words, so move on. Here is what I say during these times. Get that degree as fast as you can. You don't want to be left in a situation where you are laid off, and you have the experience, but not the piece of paper. I see that everyday. Just do it by (Here comes one of my favorite terms) whatever means necessary. Work to live in work or school. Life is too short.

Abner

 

Abner,

Great advice. In particular, the part about getting a degree as fast as you can. I am also pursuing this angle, at the same time, trying not to sacrifice quality for the sake of expedience.


Terry,

I would say go with your heart. Study what you feel passionate about. Just do it quickly (but not at the cost of a divorce or forgetting what your kids looks like!). It is certainly tough finding that "sweet spot", eh?

Best of luck to you.

 

OK, I found my old Excelsior credit evaluation, although to be honest, I still have a difficult time deciphering it.

Here is what it said I still needed:

General Education (Arts & Sciences Requirement)

11.00 semester hours at the lower level PLUS
21.00 semester hours at the upper level

Distribution Requirements
3.00 in Social Science/History
9.00 in Natural Science/Math
or
6.00 in Social Science/History
6.00 in Natural Science/Math

Written English Requirement

3.00 semester hours in Written English

There are several ways to satisfy the Written English requirement. You may demonstrate competency in expository writing by successfully completing the Excelsior College course "English Composition" (ENG 101), the Excelsior College course "Professional Writing Skills" (ENG 231), the Excelsior College "English Composition" examination or an approved course from the regionally accredited college of your choice. You must earn a minimum of three semester hours and a grade of "C" or better is required. Please visit www.excelsior.edu for more information on these options.

Quantitative Requirement
All baccalaureate degree students are required to take a course (equal to at least 2 semester hours or 3 quarter hours) in quantitative reasoning. You may satisfy this requirement by taking a college level course or examination such as college algebra, trigonometry, or statistics.

Depth Requirements

A depth in the Arts & Sciences

AND

Applied Professional Credit or Additional Arts & Sciences

18.00 semester hours lower level in any academic area plus

Information Literacy Requirement
There are several ways to satisfy the Information Literacy requirement. As the universe of information grows and technology continues to transform learning, information literacy (accessing academic information electronically, selecting credible resources, etc.) becomes increasingly important. You may demonstrate competency in this area by successfully completing the Excelsior College course "Information Literacy" (INL 102) or an approved course from the regionally accredited college of your choice. You must earn a minimum of one semester hour in Information Literacy with a grade of C or higher in order to complete the requirement. Please visit www.excelsior.edu and click on the Excelsior College courses link for information pertaining to INL 102."

If I'm reading this correctly, they were saying I still needed 60 credits? Since this evaluation was done, I have completed the following courses at Penn Foster College (or will by the end of this semester):

Information Literacy - 1 credit
Intro to Business - 1 credit
Math for Business & Finance - 3 credits
Principles of Marketing - 3 credits
Principles of Management - 3 credits
English Composition I - 3 Credits
Financial Accounting - 3 credits
Economics 1 - 3 credits
Managerial Accounting - 3 credits
Introduction to Literature - 3 credits
Introduction to Computers - 3 credits

Courses I will complete at Andrew Jackson University this semester:

Ethical Decision Making - 3 credits
Survey of Communication - 3 credits
Composition II - 3 credits

If I have this figured correctly...and I'm not sure I do...I would have to complete about 22 more credits?

 

I don't think so, I think they are saying that you need 32 credits (11 lower, 21 upper).

All the other requirements (the 6 in Social, 6 in History, 3 in English, 1 in Information, the Depth Areas, etc...) would be within those 32 credits.

That's what I could gather considering their Catalog and this evaluation.

For example, they are explicit in the Catalog that you can use the same credits for the Major and for one depth area (but not for a major and area of focus. Major and area focus are things that will show in your transcript. The depth areas won't - they are just mandatory for the graduation)

Of course I could be wrong, so you should check with them.

 

Wtf???

Ok, I have read this entire thread now and I still can't believe everything that you have said... I'm going to have to be blunt here; what are you doing with your life? You are telling everyone here that your situation with your family is dire yet you admit to being a workaholic that watches a lot of History Channel? But you are majoring in Communications? I don't get it. At all.

Let me tell you about my own experience. I am 27 and married with two kids. I have been with my wife for almost three years. In that time I have completed my B.S. and M.S. degrees and over 40 IT certifications. I did this as a full time student with a full time job, sometimes taking four classes at a time.

I made the decision to only work on school and studying when it wouldn't interfere with my family, which means either on my lunch break, or when they were sleeping. My time with my family is that important to me. The only TV I watched was with my wife after the kids were in bed, and then it was something we watched TOGETHER. When my wife went to bed, I would stay up and study, do homework, whatever I had to do to get it done. Sometimes I would get up early to finish some work. There had been times that I missed deadlines for turning in work because I was busy spending time with my family. Maybe we went to the beach, maybe we were just at home. It didn't matter, because they are the most important thing in my life. Period.

Did it suck for me being tired all the time? Yes. But if I had done what you are doing now, it would have sucked for me to not spend time with my family, and it would have sucked for my family to not spend time with me. I know I can't be the only one on the board who has done this. Unless you are struggling in school, there is no way you should be spending this much time away from your family. Unless finishing your degree is going to land you a job or promotion that is going to change your family's lives for the better, then what's the point?

Everyone here has given you nothing but support and positive advice. As for my being harsh, I'm sorry that I'm not sorry. It hurts me tremendously to read what you have written where your family is concerned. You need to seriously re-evaluate your priorities, for the sake of your family.

You titled this thread "Opinions, please." I'm just giving you mine.

 

I think they were saying I needed that many Gen Ed credits, but that I still needed an additional 18 credits "in any academic area plus the Information Literacy Requirement". That's how I read it anyway.

 

Well, there were things I didn't detail in this thread, such as spending a year working two jobs, seven days a week, in order to get health insurance for my family. During that time I did not get much school work done. I did also go through some stretches where I took some time off school work due to the hours I was putting in at work. I also have dealt with some of my own medical issues during the first two years of my studies, which made studying rather difficult. I have spent the lunch hours and late nights studying, and yes, at times it was a struggle to complete the 29 credits I have earned during that time. As for studying while my family sleeps, my wife is disabled and there are nights when I have to take care of her, and my son is a chronic insomniac due to a medical condition he has, so they are often up late at night. Yes, I am tired...all the time.

I am certain that I probably could have finished these 29 credits, and then some, through testing much faster than I have over the past four years. In fact, I'd probably have the degree right now. I know the reason I want the degree: for better job opportunities to help me take care of my family. My wife is unable to work, so the earning power of the family all falls on me.

I'm studying communications because I have a 20-year background in journalism and currently work in marketing and public relations. My personal interest in history has nothing to do with my job.

 

Damn, they don't make them like you anymore Terry. God bless you. Whatever you decide, you will get it done, I know that for sure. You have fortitude.


Vaya con dios,

Abner

 

From what I understand you shouldn't have a problem transferring the AJU credits over the EC. I wouldn't be suprised if you ended up with very few credits to complete your BA at EC.

IMO, switching to EC sounds like it would be a positive move.

 

Very true.

Abner

 

Terry,

Do whatever is best under your circumstances. No one can know your situation until we have walk in your shoes. We are living in difficult times and we have to be always in the need to re-adjust are goals.

For example, it took me about 13 years to finish my first MBA (and I wanted to finish in two years), since everywhere I went the institution was not aligned with my goals and needs. So, I looked until I finally found one school that was exactly what I need it and finished.

Bottom line, it does not matter how many times you try, what matters at the end is that you do it. So, don't give up and keep adapting as necessary.

 

Words of wisdom to live by as we pursue our academic goals.

 

Indeed! Good words Vini.


Abner

 

OK, after taking a couple of much-needed days away from the books, and after a bit of soul-searching, I have come up with the following plan:

1. Finish my current coursework at AJU and PFC.

2. Apply to Excelsior with all of my transcripts, wait for the credit evaluation.

3. Get my credit evaluation and find out how many credits I really need to wrap up the BA. Speed is what counts here, and if I can CLEP out of the remaining credits and maybe take a course or two, that will be the route I take.

4. Map out a plan for earning the remaining credits.

5. Designate one day each month for testing, and spend the rest of the month studying for the tests. I'm thinking InstantCert will help me here.

Once I finish AJU and PFC, I'm hoping I can earn all remaining credits in about six months, depending upon how many more credits I need. I'm thinking it can't be much more than 30-40 credit hours, but I could be wrong.

I think by going this route, I will finish faster and have many more options available to me when it comes time for graduate study. A master's degree is the highest degree I plan to attain, although I'm not sure if that will be a PR degree or an MBA.

Now that I have a plan in mind, it's actually a load off my mind, but I do still have a lot of work left to do at AJU and PFC.

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

 

That sounds like a great plan. Do you know the degree that you plan to apply for at EC?

Also, don't forget to take advantage of FEMA if it will help you finish your degree.

 

Terry,

Skidadl brings up a good point. As you likely know, FEMA offers a number of courses online, for free. Excelsior will accept these courses (generally 1 credit/course), however, you will first need to have them transcripted by Frederick County Community College. Frederick charges $65/credit for this service. If you need to fill in some remaining electives, this might be a good option for you.


Cheers!

 

If you only have a few credits to finish I would just spend the money on FEMA and be done in a few weeks.

 

Perhaps someone who has attended Excelsior can answer this question. If I read this correctly, I would still need:

6 credits in Social Science/History
3 credits in Natural Science/Math (I have 3 credits from Business Math at PFC)

A "depth in the arts and sciences" and "additional arts and sciences" totaling 18 credits, lower level, plus 21 credits at the upper level, for a total of 48 credits. Does that look correct?