Hello all! I've owned and operated retail computer stores and ISPs for 15 years. I have tons of real life experience, but the time has come to maybe walk away from this and move on to working for someone else. My wife has accepted a job in Saudi Arabia and will soon be moving there. I will be joining her in one years time. In order to maximize my earning potential there I want to have at least a Bachelor of Science by years end. The only way I think I can accomplish this is via 100% testing. Is there a degree plan at one of the "Big 3" or some other DL school that I can finish a BS in IT with 100% testing? Really I am looking to focus more on network and information security, but a degree in IT that I can obtain quickly is better than none at all. The other issue I am running into is the limited testing centers in my area. Most colleges only offer CLEP exams once a month for 4 hours. I am a civilian, but I have spoken to the proctors for the local naval bases and they say I can test there, but only 3 times a week for 2 hours at a time. The nearest Prometric testing center is 3 hours away so any tests I need to take there will have to be well planned. Thanks in advance. Cal
You'd have to see if Excelsior accepts any high level exams like ICCP toward their major credits. Another school that doesn't necessarily match up the Big 3 assessment schools here but may be a good fit for you: Western Governors University. WGU's curriculum is geared toward demonstrated "competencies", usually via certifications. If you want to move through your IT degree program via testing, that may be a good route for you.
Cal, I don't know where you live but many schools have 1 year bachelors completion programs for adults. Most are evening or weekend, may not be an IT degree, and are lock step but it is a potential option. Don't count your local schools out as options. And if a three year (90 credit) bachelors option will work check out Athabasca University. (search the forum)
The 45 credit hours of senior level (300 and 400 series) courses might be an issue if you are hoping to test-out entirely.
This is kind of what I have found as well. Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, there are no schools nearby with any sort of 1 year degree and they aren't really an option given the fact that I must still run my businesses. Meh.. I may just go for a BS in whatever the heck I can get so at least I can get my foot in the door better. Hopefully I can find a place that accepts ICCP, A+ or something else for upper level credits. Any direction on this is welcome.
western governors university (RA and DETC) is competency based. http://www.wgu.edu/wgu/prog_guide/BS_IT.pdf
There are a handful of tests that are upper credit. I know you can get upper level credit for certications. Here is a list of credits awarded for certs. Charter Oak used Excelsiors list when I got my BS. Hope that helps.
A BA/BS in Liberal Studies or Individualized Studies might be the quickest route to an undergraduate degree. Have you considered earning an associate degree on the way to a bachelor degree? You could probably test-out of an AA/AS general studies degree in less than 3 months given the experiences of many others on this forum. Afterwards either a BA/BS in Liberal Studies or Individualized Studies or General Studies (Charter Oak State College, Excelsior College or Thomas Edison State College or Athabasca University) or BS INT (Fort Hays State University).
WGU seemed like a good fit, but man that tuition is crazy. I think I'd get a better price getting an accelerated MBA from U Penn. (i.e. donating a buildling) j/k Seeing as the money tree isn't stuffed, I guess I will just have to take my time and find the next fastest route with a lower cost. Thanks for the input everyone.
this was posted at degreeforum.net by zafrench http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-thomas-edison-charter-oak-specific/3895-excelsior-bs-information-technology.html
WGU is relatively low-cost, but if it's still not low enough. . . I'd go with one of the Big 3: Excelsior, TESC or COSC. Granted, you may not be able to take tests to satisfy 100% of the requirements, but you'd probably still come in at a lower total cost than WGU. If you shop around a bit, you may even find that some of the online courses through community colleges are cheaper than exams!
Don't forget about the GRE test for Computer Science for which Charter Oak will award credits: Standardized Test Credits Computer Science GRE 40th %tile 24 L,U Yes/ 9 cr. 24 credits for one test.
Hey Kevin, Just so you know the link you posted has since been removed. You can always find the latest version of that list here: Standardized Test Credits -Dan
