Dilemma

Greetings everyone

I'm not... quite... sure if this falls in the category of distance learning but...

I have 123 (yes, 123) credits that are recognized, that is either from an insitution or program (CLEP) and have been following a curriculum of a regionally accredited college. I have the gen ed, all major guidelines satisfied and enough electives.

My problem is I cannot satisfy the... not even res req. The school in question requires 30 hours residency. I have that twice over - 66. No, it's the final 30 clause.

That's what I can't. This 'last 30' stipulation. Let's just say I had no good options (and still don't; even if some few and far between) enrolled locally. Until money ran out. Worked in between until saw it fit to return.

I'm thinking of either asking to have the res req waived, apply to have that done (it's not even that. I have it, have been in residence just... worked backwards. Quite unfair really how some can satisfy their last 30 with the same 30, it being the res req if transferring and completing here).

To me this is a technicality.


Trust me I've tried everything. Even work study. None available and instead of making scholarships they decide to go and buld a new building. Really caring for their students...


Or, if don't agree to that my only other option is to transfer. But where? I'm bound for the moment.

Or, since graduate studies are what I'm really focused on (and truly care about) perhaps I should apply directly, or simply state my case to them in writing supported by all material. Because I have the credits (if I wouldn't then would be a completely different story), work experience in civil society, publications under my belt.

Suggestions anyone?

The bottom line is I can't afford to wait no longer. I have no more time to waist so would there even be some philanthropical universities around?

Ideally, graduate by christmas apply by March. I know it is possible. There has to be SOMEthing...

 

Charter Oak has no residency requirements, but a full transcript review take 5-6 weeks.

 

Visit Lawrie Miller's website www.bain4weeks.com. It talks about how you can get credit entirely by exam and external courses and apply those to a degree program at one of the Big Three (Excelsior College, Charter Oak State College, and Thomas Edison State College). Excelsior's BS/BA in Liberal Studies is quite flexible with what credit they will take as long as you meet certain minimum requirements. You can visit their site at www.excelsior.edu. Go ahead and get yourself a password so you can view more of their documents...

HTH

Rhonda

 

If you have no more time to waist, maybe you should just give up on the residential sheepskin and get wasted.

 

How many DL (Distance Learning) programs have you looked into? There are a wealth of them, and as previous posters have mentioned, schools such as Charter Oak, Thomas Edison, and Excelsior don't have residency requirements. They also have (in some cases) options for a degree awarded entirely through testing/credits.

Bear in mind that most other DL schools will require you to take at least 10 or so classes through the particular institution's programs, regardless of the number of credits you have. What college are you currently applying to? Your last post wasn't very clear.

Dave

 

Ha, fantastic typo Mose... and get wasted? Maybe I'll do that

What last post? I was as explicit as hell in my only post so far...

Doesn't really matter what I've looked into... I wanted some alternative advice, from some other... but yes, those are the ones that I've looked into.

I've just noticed (last night, in fact) that the school where I really want to go to, but only for a certificate not masters, to do a certificate requires - yes - a bachelor's but only for degree programs.

For the certificate it seems they go on a case by case basis so look at previous academic results and work experience (that I have).

Suits me fine, like a glove in fact and have nothing to lose as 2006-2007 is the last year. From there on they'll be raising tuition - but threefold per semester.

And somebody I know got in even w/out a diploma...

At any rate I can try. I can also try to transfer the courses (upper level no doubt) into another program, then. Like Excelsior (ask for 30 upper level credits. I have 15. Now).

 

I'd be surprised if you found ANY Bachelor's program that needed less than 30 UL credits - that's one of the key differences between an AS and a BS degree. Aside from Excelsior, COSC and TESC I'd also be surprised if you found a school that has no residency requirement either.

Between Dantes, ECE and TECEP you can take care of the remaining upper level credit you need. With Excelsior the only "course" you will likely need is their information literacy course (1 credit). No residency required, accumulate the credit, enroll and graduate.

You talk about "technicalities" - I think that what you're really going to run into if you apply to most programs without your bachelor's completed is a different word - "reality".

You're SO close...why not take it the rest of the way? Make a decision for one of the Big 3, figure out what you're lacking to complete the program and take your tests. When you've met the graduation requirements you can apply to a master's program even though you haven't received the diploma yet.

Many people feel they are unjustly persecuted as they feel they have the requisite experience as someone else with a degree. Trust me, we've all been there (I was in a position 2 years ago with zero credit and just starting out after 15 years in IT) - by deciding on a goal and zealously pursuing it I was done in a little over a year. You could be done in a couple of months.

Decide for yourself - is it worth the hassle of trying to change the system or limit yourself to a master's program that may accept you without the bachelor's....or do you cross the finish line and leave yourself many different available options plus a degree that nobody can take away from you?

Either way, good luck...

Cheers,
Mark

 

If I understand you correctly, the only thing stopping you from getting your bachelors is your last 30 wasn't with the school you are trying to graduate from.

I would just transfer them to another BIG 3 school such as others suggested. Then go for the certificate at the school you want, and when your bachelors is finally awarded, the school will probably let you transfer into their Master's program.

Good luck.

 

"Last post", as in only post, I suppose. Please don't take offense at my attempt to offer alternative advice - thought that was what you wanted. Not taking you to task, my friend. Relax.

It matters very much what you may or may not have looked into, if you want a useful answer. You didn't state ANY programs, other that being angry that your institution of choice wouldn't waive your requirements. My point was that there are a lot of DL programs out there, and a number of these DL programs don't have residency requirements. But .......even if you have the requisite undergrad credits, they still want at least 10 classes (30 credit hours) from you. It didn't occur to me that you hadn't looked into any of these, or anything else.

Some of the other members such as Ted Heiks and DesElms have legendary search skills. I'm sure they can offer a number of other suggestions for schools, but as many of the other posters have said, anything they could find for you (and my take) would probably point to that you'll probably have to finish the undergrad before being allowed to finish the graduate degree.

However, if you can finish the certificate you mentioned, I think that would be an excellent way to rack up transferable grad school credits ahead of time, thus getting a jump on your masters degree.

Good luck (and I mean that sincerely).

Dave

 

I am currently a student at Thomas Edison. One major point they made at the TESC open house I went to if you have enough credits to qualify for a degree, you can graduate with a bachelor's degree. They said they have had a number of students who did just that.

The Bachelor of Arts requirements (which are the most liberal) require 33 credits in an 'area of concentration/study'. Of those, a maximum of two 100 level classes can be applied. The rest need to be 200, 300, or 400 level classes. You say you have 15 UL credits. If you are only counting 300 & 400 level classes as UL, then you probably have enough 200 level classes to fill out the rest.

TESC does require a student to be 'enrolled', along with the requesite fee. You can have them do a credit evaluation before you enroll. The credit eval is $400, which they will apply to your enrollment fee if you decide to join up.

 

If you can live with a 3-year bachelor degree in the short term perhaps the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) at Athabasca University has NO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT. You could then decide how to proceed but at least have a bachelor degree in your hands very quickly.

 

If I understand you correctly, the only thing stopping you from getting your bachelors is your last 30 wasn't with the school you are trying to graduate from.

I would just transfer them to another BIG 3 school such as others suggested. Then go for the certificate at the school you want, and when your bachelors is finally awarded, the school will probably let you transfer into their Master's program.

Good luck.
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Good luck... shit I hate patronizing.

But anyhow... why if you understood correctly? Yes you did. How else could you have understood?

At any rate, thank you as that is what I was thinking. Apply with a degree or not but sufficient credits to the certificate program, hopefully make it and once come out could transfer those courses 1) either as UL credit to Excelsior OR 2) EVEN use them for part of a Master's degree.

Or is that too bold? If I understood you correctly.

 

I'd be surprised if you found ANY Bachelor's program that needed less than 30 UL credits - that's one of the key differences between an AS and a BS degree. Aside from Excelsior, COSC and TESC I'd also be surprised if you found a school that has no residency requirement either.

Between Dantes, ECE and TECEP you can take care of the remaining upper level credit you need. With Excelsior the only "course" you will likely need is their information literacy course (1 credit). No residency required, accumulate the credit, enroll and graduate.

You talk about "technicalities" - I think that what you're really going to run into if you apply to most programs without your bachelor's completed is a different word - "reality".

You're SO close...why not take it the rest of the way? Make a decision for one of the Big 3, figure out what you're lacking to complete the program and take your tests. When you've met the graduation requirements you can apply to a master's program even though you haven't received the diploma yet.

Many people feel they are unjustly persecuted as they feel they have the requisite experience as someone else with a degree. Trust me, we've all been there (I was in a position 2 years ago with zero credit and just starting out after 15 years in IT) - by deciding on a goal and zealously pursuing it I was done in a little over a year. You could be done in a couple of months.

Decide for yourself - is it worth the hassle of trying to change the system or limit yourself to a master's program that may accept you without the bachelor's....or do you cross the finish line and leave yourself many different available options plus a degree that nobody can take away from you?

Either way, good luck...

Cheers,
Mark

Mark,

Well, actually, there is. Not only have I found that's the school I was at. Or still am, officially... only require 12 UL credits. And I have all those.

Then, AS, being two, seldom if ever requires upper level courses.

true, I came to the same conclusion myself. INL probably would be the only one.

Lmao, don't worry about reality been living with it for... hell, I don't know how long. Now I'm trying to find a way around that (in fact I know REAL good ones but money is the obstacle to that).

So everyone here is in favor of the Big 3? Aye, heh.

Trust me, I shouldn't even be in this position... and I don't have a couple of months.

In fact if a degree was from a lousy school I probably would opt out... prefer not to have the degree altogether. What would there be to take away, lol. But anyways...

 

Member

Registered: Oct 2005
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 48
"Last post", as in only post, I suppose. Please don't take offense at my attempt to offer alternative advice - thought that was what you wanted. Not taking you to task, my friend. Relax.

It matters very much what you may or may not have looked into, if you want a useful answer. You didn't state ANY programs, other that being angry that your institution of choice wouldn't waive your requirements. My point was that there are a lot of DL programs out there, and a number of these DL programs don't have residency requirements. But .......even if you have the requisite undergrad credits, they still want at least 10 classes (30 credit hours) from you. It didn't occur to me that you hadn't looked into any of these, or anything else.

Some of the other members such as Ted Heiks and DesElms have legendary search skills. I'm sure they can offer a number of other suggestions for schools, but as many of the other posters have said, anything they could find for you (and my take) would probably point to that you'll probably have to finish the undergrad before being allowed to finish the graduate degree.

However, if you can finish the certificate you mentioned, I think that would be an excellent way to rack up transferable grad school credits ahead of time, thus getting a jump on your masters degree.

Good luck (and I mean that sincerely).

Dave

_______________________

Amen, my friend. exactly.

Thanks for this bit of advice.

 

I am currently a student at Thomas Edison. One major point they made at the TESC open house I went to if you have enough credits to qualify for a degree, you can graduate with a bachelor's degree. They said they have had a number of students who did just that.

The Bachelor of Arts requirements (which are the most liberal) require 33 credits in an 'area of concentration/study'. Of those, a maximum of two 100 level classes can be applied. The rest need to be 200, 300, or 400 level classes. You say you have 15 UL credits. If you are only counting 300 & 400 level classes as UL, then you probably have enough 200 level classes to fill out the rest.

TESC does require a student to be 'enrolled', along with the requesite fee. You can have them do a credit evaluation before you enroll. The credit eval is $400, which they will apply to your enrollment fee if you decide to join up.

__________________

Yes, but they also have a math requirement... my regrets, I guess I made you overlook this by not stating it. Not that you would have but didn't mention it.

Yes, that is how I meant it, with regard to the 300-400. Thank you so now I think my options are the Big 3 and will look into Athabasca.

I... would prefer my degree to be 4 yr but, better than nothing...

 

OK, so more specifically I'm in need of a PolSci program. Or anything else related (preferably not intl relations but intl affairs, history or similar studies will do).

Any other suggestions out there except the Big 3 and Athabasca? And, I thought Athabasca had a short residency...

Aha.

 

Ouch

 

The BGS at Athabasca University has no residency requirement. Read the link provided in the previous post regarding Athabasca University and the Bachelor of General Studies specifically. Ordinarily, Athabasca University has a residency requirement.

 

OK people, your input has been valuable. Greatly appreciated.

Here's the plan of action.

As you may know I have 123 credits. Now, at the moment. Out of 128 so take CLEP Math to get to the finish line. Finish with one credit plus.

If don't get it will apply anyhow to my certificate program.

Then, after me it's the turn of the academic dean. Time for them to act. Waive the residency requirement. Ask to have that lifted. If not possible, if that doesn't happen then will also apply to my certificate program apply.

Lol so...

If accepted, if I get in and survive let alone manage to come out w/ papers, what I went in after in the first place then I'll attempt to have those courses transfer as UL to Excelsior or then, or even that AND use for my master's later if ever do one.

Quite bold, no? Talk about opportunity cost, lamo, get the most for your money.

Has anyone ever... tried this... before... because, heh, like I said what have I got to lose? I've been alone all this time not like anyone's helping.

At any rate, I don't really much care for degrees - BA, MA, PhD. personal pref. A certificate ISN'T one, is not and if it comes from a respectable school... it still is attainment of a graduate level of study.

Hell, if someone wants to make me a doctor give me an honorary doctorate...

Are graduate certificates more valuable than undergraduate degrees? Although I would have mine in any case, eventually...

How's this for a game plan?

 

The BGS at Athabasca University has no residency requirement. Read the link provided in the previous post regarding Athabasca University and the Bachelor of General Studies specifically. Ordinarily, Athabasca University has a residency requirement.
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Ah yes. But they require 30 UL credit hours. Like Excelsior.

Btw, i preferred the name Regents ...

Can do nothing about that but you were right about the no residency.

So, out of the Big 3 (really only option in case all else fails) Excelsior requires 30 UL. Both TESC and COSC have math requirements, TESC is a Title IV (as per my understanding) school.