I'm 50+ and want to get my bachelors in Business Administration. I've checked into Ashworth and Southwest for NA schools and looked at AIU for RA schools. I'm concerned with my work schedule that I might not carry a 2.0GPA. I know I can pass the courses, it's just sustaining the required grades to graduate. I'd hate to spend the money and time and waste the effort. Any ideas?
If you are concerned about carrying a 2.0, you may have an issue. A "C" is required to pass most classes. What do you see as the problem?
I can't comment for sure if there are programs that don't have a GPA minimum to graduate, but my guess is that will be hard to find. I just wanted to say what you are describing is the beauty of distance learning; it offers busy working adults the flexibility to do the work and fit it in anywere you can. But either way, it will still require a significant time/effort commitment on your part to get it done. Brian
>> Yes, I have two ideas that should work well for you. First, consider finding a college that allows you to test (CLEP, DSST) for lower level credits. (there are 2900 such colleges in the USA alone, visit www.collegeboard.com for a list) You find your own materials, study as long as necessary and test when ready. If you fail the exam, no one knows! If you pass the exam, it gets added as credit. Excelsior college awards grades for some tests (you would have to check which ones) but others only award pass fail. The reason this can REALLY work for you is because you get a pass that could have otherwise been a low grade. On the flip side, if you are a shooting star and ace your tests, you still only get a pass- when taking the class would have given you the beautiful A. I will use testing to complete nearly 50% of my bachelor degree, and others here have done so too. If you want to explore using testing to it's fullest, check out the book Accelerated Distance Learning by Brad Voeller- it's a gem. Testing is not difficult, you just have to pass (about half the multiple choice questions must be correct). Second, take one course at a time. You don't have to be full time. Taking one course allows you to focus on learning one main subject. Distance courses usually require "posting" to the class forum (just like this- you post a question and then reply to others) as part of a grade. Posting/replying is easy to earn full credit as long as you follow the instructions outlined by your teacher. Written assignments and or tests will make up the other chunk. You'll need to allow time for reading as well. So, take one course- read when you can- and use your 50+ years of experience to contribute to your knowledge of the subject. Even if you have never taken Supervisory Management, I am sure you have something valuable to say about it! After your first semester (of one course) you will be able to better judge how much time you really can give to school- maybe you can take 2 classes next time, or you find that one fits the bill. In any event, you really have nothing to lose. And let me add, if you have the savvy to find this board- post a question- do distance learning research - and provide for your health and well-being for the past 50 years...... your aiming low with a 2.0. Being a community college teacher, I assure you that you are able to be a successful student if you do (most of) the work. Jump in!
Thank you for your replies, especially cookderosa. I'll check into Excelsior. I guess my main concern was being able to make the grade after all these years. Thanks again
>> Understood, but you have it all backwards! As an adult, you have a high level of maturity and motivation that a good chunk of youngins' lack! A college freshman enrolling in 2008 will study 9-11 as history! Hey, you were there- they were a child. Once you get started, some of the mystique will fade away, don't be intimidated. You already did the hard part- which was to open yourself up to the OPTION. It's easy to encourage you because both my husband and myself were in your boots this time last year. I'll be done July 26th, 2008!! Jump in! There are plenty of people here who can help you when you get stuck- they have helped me a dozen times.
Ashworth is a completely independent program. You get the textbook, the course workbook and submit your exams online as you do them. You schedule the proctored final exam to fit your schedule.