Certifications and how to improve my resume

Well, I finished my last degree at age 55. And that was a degree I didn't even need. You're both younger and needier (in terms of getting a degree).

Either do it or don't. If you do, fine. But if you don't, just let it go. Don't let something you didn't do define who you are.

 

AV8R: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."

Oldest known proverb in English. Around AD 1175, it was written this way:

Hwa is thet mei thet hors wettrien the him self nule drinken?
(Who can give water to the horse that will not drink of its own accord?)

This proverb is believed to have come into English from a foreign source, perhaps Biblical.

I like Dorothy Parker's "You can lead a horticulture, but you can't make her think."
..and the unattributed spinoff: "You can lead a whore to Vassar, but you can't make her think." :smile:

J.

 

Neat stuff! Didn't know that!

 

Absolutely don't let that stop you. My community college career spanned from 1980-88, and TESU took every single one of those credits, even courses like Physics I and II.

 

The Big Three are great if you're into alternative education and enjoy finding original ways to move through a degree plan. If it's not you're thing, however, Penn-Foster and Ashworth are more straightforward and still a bargain.

I don't think they get enough credit for creating a way to avoid the student loan/financial aid system and still get an accredited degree. Tuition, all books and materials are included in the payment plan. Think of it...a BS and no student loans!

I'd lean toward DEAC schools for those who aren't into college and just need a BS to capitalize on their existing experiences.

 

Patten University is self-paced, regionally accredited, offers a payment plan (they don't accept student loans), regularly has tuition deals but you usually have to ask, and doesn't require the purchase of textbooks. They also accept CLEP, Straighterline, DSST, and other ACE-evaluated credits. As brought up before, the deal in competency-based is moving fast. If you move really slow, then the terms start adding up. However, isn't this the case with any self-paced program with a flat fee? If you go extra slow at Penn Foster or Ashworth, doesn't that mean you have to pay for more semesters? I'm not quite sure how it works if you complete less credits than expected. Do they discount the semester?

I also like to note that no student loans does not mean no debt. I believe there was a former Penn Foster student on here who was complaining about not being able to receive his or her transcript or diploma until the balance was paid. You may not be in debt to the government by the end of the program, but you are in debt to the school, and there are no protections that come with student loans such as deferment, forbearance, income-based repayment plans, or forgiveness.

 

Ashworth and Penn-Foster charge a flat fee per semester. A semester is measured by the number of correspondence courses instead of time frame. If you don't finish in the designated time, usually one year, you pay an extension fee of around $75 for six months or so. I believe you can get your transcripts as long as you maintain your payment plan.

 

Well said Tony. It's times like these that I wish we had like buttons on these posts. I bolded the areas that apply the most to myself. Sure, it's not for everybody, but it works for me and others.

 

There are a variety of DEAC schools. At most DEAC schools, you have to sit through online college courses just like you would in an online program at an RA school. If you really aren't into college, then it seems like the last thing you would want to do is to take courses whether self-paced or following terms. The reason why the Big 3 were recommended was because they often award credits for certifications (COSC and EC are the best for this), they are truly self-paced when testing out (going extra slow will not cost you more), and the OP seems to be really good at test taking and self-teaching as evidenced by the number of certifications he or she has.

The plans for completing degrees at the Big 3 have been mapped out. You don't have to really have to find anything. And, if you really aren't into college, you don't have to sit through a course other than a capstone and maybe a cornerstone depending on the school and program chosen. Because I am a good test taker and hate sitting through courses, I chose to finish the last half of my bachelor's degree using mostly tests. I have intentionally avoided taking Straighterline and ACE-approved, Penn Foster courses up to this point. With a test, I don't have to write papers, I don't have to complete multiple assignments, and I don't have to attend lectures (I know some Penn Foster courses require the attendance of lectures or webinars or whatever they call them).

 

Patten, WGU, and now Hodges are all self paced, competency based, REGIONALLY accredited and bargain priced to keep you out of debt. No need to screw around with national accreditation that could limit future employment. Test out at a Big 3 or choose a cheapRA school. End of the day this guy is trying to improve his odds of a better job. An NA degree will take just as long and cost at least almost as much as the RA schools mentioned here. Testing out is cheaper still.

 

just wanted to add Northern Arizona University also has self paced competency degrees. $2500/6 month term.

 

47 is far from too late to think about college especially since you could probably finish a lot quicker than most, even with your other obligations. If you're looking for something self-paced, then all of the Big 3 (Charter Oak State College, Excelsior College, Thomas Edison State University) and Patten University fit that description. All of these schools are regionally accredited so you won't have any issues with a degree that isn't accepted by certain employers. You choose a degree program, let them evaluate your credits and tell you what more you need to do. Then you go about finding the fastest, most efficient, least expensive ways to get those credits.

I paid $199 a month when I was enrolled in Patten's self-paced degree program. In the end, I transferred all my credits to TESU for a number of reasons but I don't regret my time at Patten at all. It is great for a self-starter who wants to be able to take an exam at 3 a.m. because that's the only free time s/he has. I also used Learning Counts to earn upper level credits for extensive college-level knowledge/experience/training that was not available in test format. The portfolios cost $125 a credit and are accepted by all the schools I mentioned here. Of course, the credits would need to fit into whatever degree program you choose. They also require a lot of writing which may or may not be your thing.

Bellevue University , SNHU and CSU all accept 90 transfer credits and offer degrees in project management. I'm sure there are others but these are just the three I remember from looking at degree programs for my husband.

 

Self-paced and subscription based programs are probably one of the worst options (in my opinion) for someone working over 8 hours per day and working more than a standard 5 day work week.

Test out. PLA. These are good options.

Dropping $500 - $2,500 for a 3 - 12 month term is going to just be a money pit. You need time and motivation to do it. What will happen is you'll forgive yourself for not doing anything for the first month and then begin to feel the stress as you reach the end of the term with lackluster progress.

There's just no need for it. You have college credit from prior learning, you have certifications that may get you some credit through PLA and you can test out of much more.

Patten, WGU, Capella and the others, in this specific situation, are more likely to be more costly, more frustrating and simply not worth it compared to finishing a degree at one of the Big Three.

 

Definitely, not too late. I'm finishing my BACS at 53.

 

I concur, Big 3 is best bet. I was pointing out that there are plenty of RA options that are valid and possible.

 

68rs327,

First, I like all your certifications as it shows you do like to learn and are driven. In the real World "NA" colleges are OK, but in the government World "Regional Accreditation" is a must. I would apply to all three of the Big 3 and see what they will transfer in from your college days and your certifications. With your study habits CLEP, DSST, etc., are generally easy and cheap. Tons of free FEMA and other free college credits also. An AS degree is achievable for you.

I have certifications with professional designations (that I can put after my name) but they work with a degree! I find most real certifications are harder than college classes.