Too Rich For Financial Aid, Too Poor To Pay For Classes

Education Direct

I did Education Direct's Visual Basic Diploma program and I liked it and I learned what I needed to in order to feel I could confidently teach Visual Basic to other students. Most of my "education" has been courses presented with the idea that I would be teaching the subject rather than actually using what I learn from the subject in a career or business setting. I already know how to teach and I feel that I if have a grasp of the content and application of any subject area, I can also successfully teach that subject to others. This was a good choice for me and I am glad that I did not have to waste part of my learning on theory on how to convey this to others.

I completed this in late 2002 and I earned a diploma. As far as I can tell, the diploma programs are figured differently than the Associate Degree programs. I am curious whether any of my Education Direct program would transfer anywhere as college credits and if so, what the equivalent college credits would be, but as far as I can tell they only figure the college credit values from Associate Degree programs and not from the Career Diplomas. I was mostly on my own with the program without a lot of help if I had questions but this suits me very well and I don't mind learning independently from the books and materials provided. The tests were quite easy open book tests but there were several application projects that were not easy at all and that is where I was forced to do the serious learning. I actually don't mind the "easy" open book tests because they force you to become very familiar with your text books when you look up answers. A lot of people criticize this type of test but I find them to be a very useful part of the overall learning experience.

My only complaint about Education Direct is that they are constantly sending more advertisements in hopes that I will sign up for something else. Even though I got what I wanted from this diploma program, I think they should assume I am now working as successful Visual Basic Programmer, and I would not want to sign up for another career program diploma so soon! (I had little intention of making a career as a programmer but I was teaching high school at the time and wanted out of that career so it was in the back of my mind at least a little).

 

I am also using Education Direct to pick up a diploma. I have a Bachelors and want to work in our local hospital. They want you to have Medical Terminology and Anatomy which are both components of Education Direct Medical Office Assistant. I find the classes interesting and I am learning quite a bit. I wish I would have had their Microcomputer class while I was going for my Bachelors, it would have helped with creating some cool assignments.
While going for my Bachelors, I did take some classes that were done at your own pace so I am used to pushing myself to get things done.

 

TCORD...you and I are in almost the same exact boat buddy. I am at a complete loss and have been for a few months now. I want to go to school full time though and cant figure out how to supplement at least part of my salary and pay for tuition at the same time. This whole scenario is frustrating to say the least, and I am beginning to think it's just not possible.

 

I came to the realization I will have to work full-time and study part-time. I had looked at pharmacy, but it will simply take too long to get through all of the courses I would need to take for that. I have worked in journalism for a long time, so a move to PR is a more logical transition for me. In order to do so, I need either a marketing, journalism or PR degree. I already have several journalism credits through my military training, so the marketing courses at Education Direct would be useful as I move into PR. I plan on tranferring both the military credits and the Education Direct credits to TESC or COSC for a BA in communications or journalism.

I appreciate the feedback on Education Direct. If anybody has info about the monthly payments, I would appreciate it.

 

I don't think COSC or TESC have payment plans. Both participate in Title IV and have student loans. Excelsior has a payment plan that allows you to pay the annual fee in 3 or 4 payments.

 

COSC allows fees to be spread out over 3 months if over I think $200.

 

I know TESC and COSC don't have monthly payments. My question was about the monthly payments at Education Direct.

Sorry for any confusion.