New to the process, seeking advice

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by PlayItAgainMike, Jan 1, 2015.

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  1. PlayItAgainMike

    PlayItAgainMike New Member

    Hello community!

    I'm sure there are a ton of these "new person" threads out there already, so I apologize in advance for any duplications. But I can't find recent information on my situation, and it seems the nature of this process changes somewhat frequently.

    I'm seeking advice on the best (read: most cost effective) way to achieve my goal. Understand my goal is somewhat flexible, but at the end of the road I'd like to have a degree in Business Administration (unless I find a more applicable degree for my career goals). I've worked in many aspects of fabrication for over a decade, and I'd like to move into management. I'm having trouble opening some potential doors, and I believe it is because my resume lacks a degree.

    From my research thus far, I believe an A.A.S. in Business Administration from TESC best meets my goals of time management and career advancement. From what I've read, CLEP tests appear to be the most affordable way to get there. I'd like to start this month. I understand that I need to register (and pay) for the test, and schedule a time with (and pay) a test center.

    Here come the questions:
    1. Does this sound like a viable option, or has something changed that won't allow me to achieve my goal in this way? I'd hate to start taking the tests only to realize later that they won't help me.

    2. It seems better to me (for my situation) to take the tests without enrolling at TESC until later. Realistically, I expect the process to take me 18-24 months. I think, rather than paying any fee to enroll up front, it would be better to pass as many tests as possible and later enroll and pay the transcript fee to have my scores reported. Am I mistaken with this train of thought?

    3. As I understand, I will have to take some type of coursework through TESC to complete a degree. But I think it is minimal. I assume whatever I will need to take is available online. Can anyone speak to the costs associated with doing this (based, of course, on current prices)?


    I'm sorry for the long winded first post. Thanks to all who took the time from your day to read and/or respond!
     
  2. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    Penn Foster College offers an Associate in Business Management and a Bachelor of Business Management which accepts transfer credits from the associate degree as well as other sources up to a limit of 75% of programme requirements. Tuition fees are USD79.00 per credit hour or USD1081.00 per semester. You can use CLEPs and DANTES examinations towards these degrees. Many of the courses are approved for credit recognition by the American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) and recognized by Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) as well as Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). These accreditations mean you could continue onto a graduate degree at many colleges and universities which accept undergraduate degrees from DETC and/or CHEA approved institutions. For instance, Aspen University accepts nationally accredited (DETC) undergraduate degrees for admission to their graduate degrees including the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

    If you choose Thomas Edison State College, you should earn as many credits as possible before applying to save money.
     
  3. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    You don't need to wait to enroll under the Per Credit Tuition Plan. Choosing this plan will allow you to avoid the $3,000 enrollment fee. Once you sign up for a TECEP (TESC's in-house credit by exam), portfolio assessment, and/or an online or guided study course, you will be enrolled. In order to stay enrolled, you just need to do one of those things every rolling 12 months. TECEPs are only $111 and count toward the residency requirement for this plan. You can complete this degree for less than $2,000.

    Bare Bones Plans for Quick, Cheap Associates Degrees at TESC (Beats COSC and EC) - Page 2
     
  4. PlayItAgainMike

    PlayItAgainMike New Member

    Thank you both for your info and expertise.

    Sanantone, if I understand you correctly, Simply taking a TECEP enrolls me at TESC? I would assume that I can then have any CLEP scores sent directly to them. So chronologically, it makes the most sense to take a TECEP first? I guess it would make sense to speak with a TESC advisor to solidify a plan to fulfill residency requirements and keep me enrolled for the timeline I've outlined to complete my degree. I also spent some time with your link and have a couple questions: A) Could English Comp I & II TECEPs be replaced with the CLEP College Comp? If I understand correctly, the CLEP is now 6 total credits and would be ~$100 less out of pocket, but I'm not sure if it would interfere with the residency requirement at TESC and end up costing more in the long run. B). I'm completely new to ALEKS, but I signed up for and spent some time with the 'free trial' last night. I really like the format. But in the limited time, I could not actually complete a course. Is there a test at the end of the course or is the 70% assessment achieved via the "pie chart" only? Is there an additional fee to process a transcript once a course is complete, and if so is it more cost effective to have the transcript processed after several courses are complete? And lastly, it sounds like there is no communication on my behalf between ALEKS and TESC. Would I be correct in assuming I can submit said transcript to TESC via an advisor for credit, or are there 'hoops' to jump through? Again, thank you so much for your time! Your link has proved very helpful!
     

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