Looking for some online general ed courses (cheap)

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by icecom3, Nov 15, 2015.

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  1. icecom3

    icecom3 New Member

    Hello all. I am an adult learner working approximately 90 hours a week and I commute about 3-4 hours a day. I am looking for flexible online online college courses, in
    Human Anatomy I, and Human Physiology I for a physical therapy assistant program I want to apply for. It would have to be accredited and transferable as general education. Also interested in Biology I, Chemistry I, and intro to medical math (but this would be for self enrichment). I found some in the Colorado consortium of community colleges, however it seems kind of expensive, like $300-400 per credit.

    I already have a couple degrees in management and loads of college debt so I am trying to find something cheap.

    Any help would be appreciated and rewarded with kudos, thanks, and some favorable post icons :)

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Clovis Community College is often mentioned as being among the most affordable sources of gen ed courses. Also, they have their own PT Assistant program so they'll probably have a lot of the courses you'll need.

    Programs
     
  3. Neuhaus

    Neuhaus Well-Known Member

    So, one thing you'll want to make sure you keep in mind is your prospective school's transfer policy as well as course timing for the PTA program (which, I'm assuming, is an associates. Please correct me if I'm mistaken).

    From your "couple of degrees" you presumably have some gened credits that are going to transfer. How many, specifically? Because if your degrees max out your transfers then coursework before you enroll isn't going to help you (especially while you are working such hours).

    Assuming you've already considered that, make sure you also consider when certain courses are offered. A lot of vocational associates programs (nursing, respiratory therapy etc) have a pretty strict order to courses and competition can be fierce to get into certain necessary courses. So, even if you test out of say, Human Anatomy I, you may not be able to get into course X in the spring which could be a problem if it is a prerequisite for course y in the fall (and course x is only offered in the spring and course y is only offered in the fall).

    I say this not intending to discourage your search here. But your situation is different from someone trying to crank out a bachelors degree in liberal studies through TESC. Community college professional programs (if you are going through a community college) are often not as flexible as their four year alternatives. Accordingly, they are somewhat less amused by clever credit maneuvers. Just something to consider.

    I have a family member who dropped out of two CCnursing programs after seeing it was unlikely that they would earn their AAS in less than three years because of these restrictions. Meanwhile, she switched to a BSN program and finished with significantly less drama.

    It's possible that none of this applies to you at all but I thought it was worth mentioning.
     
  4. major56

    major56 Active Member

  5. icecom3

    icecom3 New Member

    @ Neuhaus

    Thanks for all the info. I believe the next program starts in August of 2015. I think that is enough time to get the prerequisites done, as far as I know I only need two. I would try to get an unofficial eval of my credits to determine what I need, and also ask them specifically if the anatomy and physiology courses I plan to take will transfer. Since there is a review process I would probably try to assess if transferring online courses would be a negative. Not sure if they would admit to that or not.

    Not sure what you meant by clever credit maneuver. What such maneuvers are out there? I am thinking along the lines of the credit will either transfer or it will not, and I am hoping the school I would be transferring to would be able to tell me that before I bother taking the course.
     
  6. Afterhours

    Afterhours Member

    Anatomy and Physiology - for most allied health programs - involves a lab. I have never heard of it being given online.
     
  7. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Wow. I hope you have a job with a lot of downtime, or have the ability to do homework in your sleep. That's quite a schedule you maintain. I work less than half that many hours and commute less than half that many hours and I barely have energy to iron and fold clothes at the end of the day.

    Anyway, I wish you the best. With that work ethic, I'm sure that you'll obliterate that college debt.
     
  8. GoodYellowDogs

    GoodYellowDogs New Member

    There are several really good A&P with labs online (Clovis, US University, and others) However, please confirm with your intended college that they will accept them. One of the programs I'm looking at will only take "butt in seat" A&P with lab for their programs.
     
  9. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    Straighterline.com is a business that sells inexpensive general education courses. I've never used it, but it looks cheap and practical.
     
  10. icecom3

    icecom3 New Member

    @Afterhours
    Agree 100%, and yet it still needs to happen, thankfully I am no stranger to working and going to school

    @yellow
    thanks, I will search those schools you suggested. By the way, I notice you are in Woodland, I once lived there, graduated in 93. :bigeyes2:
     
  11. GoodYellowDogs

    GoodYellowDogs New Member

    Most people don't even know where Woodland is... so funny to hear that someone lived here :)
     
  12. icecom3

    icecom3 New Member

    @ yellow,
    yeah, what are the odds.

    update: still trying to get a straight answer from my school on if they will accept straighterline general ed courses.
     
  13. icecom3

    icecom3 New Member

    Straighterline.com courses will not transfer

    I just got feedback from the college I am applying to and they said they DO NOT accept courses from Straighterline.com. Even though they provide ACE credits, and my school accepts ACE credits, they denied these courses anyway.
    So before taking those courses, verify first!!

    Honestly its probably one of those "we don't believe in it" type deals, but what can I do. I am not going to fight it and risk getting denied come application time.

    I decided to go with the Colorado Consortium of Community Colleges online. Expensive for CC courses in my opinion but its transferable.

    Thanks all!
     
  14. Neuhaus

    Neuhaus Well-Known Member

    It's true that you should always check first. And it's a good thing to consider the limitations of any alternative credit.

    But one should also be aware that "checking first" has its own limitations. For starters, always make sure you check with the people who are actually evaluating transfer credits. Most people call admissions. And most admissions people are more than willing to fire off their mouths about things they know nothing about.

    This works both ways.

    A good friend of mine "checked" and was told that "absolutely" her psych credits would transfer into her social work program. Not so.

    I once asked an admissions person at Kings if credits from an NA school would be considered, she said "No." Then I talked to the registrar's office who said that they would be considered but they have a policy that only 18 credits can be accepted from NA sources into a bachelors program and NA credits are not considered for transfer at the graduate level (this was around 2003-ish). Two very, very different answers.

    If a college accepts ACE credits it is odd to specifically exclude one source of credits. Of course, it is a college's prerogative to have odd policies, especially when it comes to credit transfer.

    Still, I think that services like Straighterline have a definite utility provided you use them with schools that are either partnered with Straighterline or where collective experience tells us that ACE recommended credits, regardless of source, will be welcome (i.e. Big Three). If you venture outside the perimeter fence your mileage may vary (greatly).
     

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