DIY Colleges or Universities but ... worldwide

Hello,

I've been reading several part of the Jay Cross DIY Degree. Here Jay Cross refers to the 3 colleges : Charter Oak State College (COSC), Excelsior College, and Thomas Edison State University (TESU)

My question is, does somebody know if in other parts of the world they are having other schools or universities that use also the same (Test-out) method?
For me it would be interesting to know if there are Colleges or Universities in Europe that could help in accelerating the degree process?

Regards,
Tom

 

Are you sure, Steve? Yes, the degree can be completed 100% externally, i.e. without taking courses at Athabasca itself, but 100% by testing out? I'm not sure. For instance, there is no reference to CLEP (or DSST) on the Athabasca site (I can't find it anyway). The only reference to this I could find was on DI from 2003:

"I called Athabasca and they said they do accept CLEP..."

That's a long time ago. Don't know if they accept all of them, or if there are CLEPs for all the BGS degree requirements. Who knows - maybe they take CLEP, DSST, Shmoop, ALEKS and Straighterline now. :smile: But I'd suggest checking first if anyone plans to earn the BGS by testing-out. And if it is possible, check the cost - even in Canadian $, it might surprise you! Any way you slice it, Athabasca is NOT an inexpensive school.

J.

Note: There is nothing like CLEP or DSST for Canadians. CLEPs etc. can be written in only a very few places in Canada, but it's easy if you live close to the US border - and if they'll still let you in, under the current U.S. administration. They aren't generally accepted by Canadian Universities - Athabasca is different, because it's RA and also has a Provincial Charter. Of course, if you have a US RA degree, that you earned by testing, that's perfectly OK anywhere.

 

Sorry. What I meant to say is: There is no Canadian-specific testing system equivalent to CLEP or DSST. Nothing like it, for Canadian students. Credit for prior learning etc. - possibly; it depends on the institution. And transfer credit - of course.

J.

 

I would tell you to avoid Jay Cross, but I heard he died. He wasn't very well-liked on DegreeForum.net for a reason. By the way, that forum specializes in testing out of degrees.

Athabasca does not accept alternative sources of credit for its 3-year degree in general studies. You can only transfer in college courses.

West Virginia has a Board of Governors program at its community colleges. I believe you can transfer in 100% of the credits. They'll accept alternative sources approved by ACE.

I know you asked for foreign schools, but I believe this is mostly an American thing. There might be schools in other countries with internal, challenge exams.

 

UNISA has a RPL program (Recognition of Prior Learning) that can include testing, etc. but they limit it to 50% of your credits.