Thread: TESC, COSC or EXCL? 2012

Hello everyone.

Ive been an observer of the forums for a while now (trying to get as much information as I can), and decided to join to get some more sound advice. I'm looking to join one of the Big Three. I first decided to go with TESC and even started preparing to knock out the free electives with FEMA courses, but I'm back into deliberation again. I definitely want to make the most of my transfer credits. 10 of which are Nationally accredited. The rest are RA. They are as follows:

English 101 & 102 (6 crs)
Workplace Human Relations 117 (2 crs)
Elementary Algebra 100 (3 crs)
College Math 101 (3 crs)
Computer Literacy 101 (3crs)
Electronic Spreadsheets 106 (2 crs)
Keyboarding 101 (1 crs)
Introduction to Law & Legal 100 (4crs)
EMI/NFA Courses (20 crs)

Fundamentals of Design 120 (3 crs)
Drawing 110 (3 crs)
Digital Imaging Multimedia 133 (3 crs)
Perspective 113 (3 crs)
Color Theory 111 (3 crs)

for a TOTAL: 58 credits

My preferred area or major would be a Bachelor of Arts. As you can see, I have a few Art related courses. Ive also done a nice amount of work experience running my own creative service business for the past 7 years. I do family photography, portrait paintings, graphic design, and web design. I have an elance account and have done gallery shows and such. I even had the white house ask to commission me for a piece.

Does anyone with current knowledge of these school's policies have a good suggestion for me to make the most of my credits, and put me on that straight line to graduation? Also, has anyone had more success with StraighterLine than with CLEP/DSST as far as time is concerned? Are there any other CHEAP ACE approved ways to get credit online? I pretty much have quite a bit of time on my hands to dedicate to studying and testing. And although cost IS an issue, my priority #1 is advancing as quickly and smoothly as I can.

Thank you all in advance for helping me on this journey!

Does anyone with current knowledge of these school's policies have a good suggestion for me to make the most of my credits, and put me on that straight line to graduation? Also, has anyone had more success with StraighterLine than with CLEP/DSST as far as time is concerned? Are there any other CHEAP ACE approved ways to get credit online?

Yes, yes, and yes. Newbie links and wiki link in my sig. Lots more people here will be able to give you good advice. The wiki is built from this forum's advice and designed for people like you who are new to the game, so use it.

The Bachelor of Arts is more of a type of a degree as opposed to a major or concentration. All of the schools offer a BA in various areas such as general studies/liberal arts, humanities, psychology, and history. Are you looking for a fine arts or humanities degree?

The TESC description of the degree I want is simply Bachelor of Arts, though EC and COSC call it Studio Arts. I was looking at going with StraighterLine to knock out all of my gen ed courses, but I've heard from others that taking CLEPS would be quicker if I have absolute free time on my hands. I do want to pursue a masters in the future, but I'm not trying to spend too much time contemplating that until I get through the BA. I have to admit I'm getting a bit flustered with trying to work out a degree plan with TESC's catalog. Has anyone had any experience transcribing NA credit through EC or COSC to TESC? I have 10 NA credits I just dont want to lose! It means going backwards in my plans. :-/

All of the Big 3 will have advantages and disadvantages depending on what your goals are. Luckily it sounds like you've got some flexibility. A BA can be obtained from any of the Big 3 so you may want to read through the Wiki and different threads to see which one suits your interest.

Here are some questions that might help narrow it down:
What is more important to you - time or money?
Would you rather test out of EVERYTHING, or do you want to take a class or two (or more?)
Do you have a preference for a state or a private school?
Do you live in either CT, NY or NJ?
Do you plan on getting a Masters degree or is a bachelors your final stop?

Think through these questions and add a bit more info if you have it and we can help you get things figured out unless you've already found something based on the info you find at the Wiki or in the forum.

Straighterline can essentially go as fast as you are willing to work. Look up posts by ryoder that include straighterline as a topic for an idea on just how quick that can be. Also note that straighterline has several science courses with labs if you are inclined to them, those are not available via clep/dsst. I like the straighterline format and they worked for me when aleks just didn't get me there for math. Some folks have reported problems with them that really shouldn't be happening....read the fine print and really understand the refund/cancellation policy if you go with straihgterline that seems to be the biggest stumbling block.

What are your 10 NA credits in? What school granted them? Are they ACE accredited courses? I understand not wanting to lose credits....but 10 isn't really gonna make or break you when you need 120 total. I would check it out thoroughly, but don't get hung up on it. Most likely if one of the big three accept them than they all will....though not always.

You can maximize the return on clep/dsst study by grouping the tests. Psychology/Sociology/Human growth and development/educational psych all overlap quite a bit so study for them and take one after the other. Likewise with science courses there is a good bit of overlap from Chemistry to Biology to Natural Science. American History/American Gov have some obvious crossover.

ACE has approved thousands of hours of credit. Delta airlines and in class FEMA/EMI courses are often listed. I would go to the ACE site and sniff around. But with COSC and TESC both accepting the online FEMA's directly that is really the tried and true way to knock out any free electives you might need. Online, self paced, free.....why re-invent the wheel?

The schools might look at your photography/visual arts as applied professional credit (might be the wrong term...its late). If so you might be closer to a BS than a BA. There is not a whole lot of practical difference between the two. Both are Bachelor degree's, both are widely accepted by employers and grad schools. I can't really think of a good reason to choose one over the other. I would choose whichever got me through the process fastest. Is there any specific reason that you are leaning towards the BA?

Good luck on the plan.....we can get you sorted out.

Time is more important for sure, although of course I want to make the most of my funds. I have about a 6 month window to get done as much as I can with no distractions that I want to take full advantage of. I'm familiar with taking classes online ( a la pearsonlabs & blackboard), but have never used standardized tests. I only know the advantages of doing the first. What appealed to me about TESC is their more relaxed criteria for upper level credits, which I believe are 18 compared to the other two's 30. To me, that seems to make sense that I can gather many more, easier, lower level credits to fill my requirements.

I'm interest to know which tests people found easier to pass on common knowledge alone. I already know which ones I think I can do based on my studio background. Researching these things is a study topic in itself. -_-

EDIT: Rebel100, Thank you for your input. By far the most informative advice I've gotten. I figured that since my experience and preferred major has more of the arts, that my area of study credits wouldnt apply to a bachelor of science. I do like that TESC accepts so many FEMA for free electives, which is what initially drew me to them to jump start things.

The 10 NA credits are not ACE approved, so I guess Im just SOL when it comes to them.

I may be asking for people to repeat like a broken record, but is there a place online where I can find what tests overlap as you say? If I can knock out 3 tests in the same week after a good study, that would be as efficient as I'm hoping to get.

The degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Art.

Thomas Edison State College | BA in Art Credit Distribution

Applied professional credits can be used for BAs at TESC. Some of my criminal justice courses wouldn't count as social science credits because they were applied professional, but they would have counted toward a BA in Criminal Justice. TESC doesn't give the option between completing a BA in Psychology versus a BS in Psychology, for example. I know that's an option at Charter Oak and Excelsior though.

Originally Posted by esummer

I may be asking for people to repeat like a broken record, but is there a place online where I can find what tests overlap as you say? If I can knock out 3 tests in the same week after a good study, that would be as efficient as I'm hoping to get.

CLEP and DSST Overlap List! - Free-Clep-Prep.com

Once on this page, check the tabs. It's a great resource for difficulty ratings, overlap lists, study guides, as well as links to straighterline.

I looked into the BS applied professional degrees that EC offers. I don't see an "Art major" but see that most of my classes will probably fit into the BSLS as applied professional credits. Has anyone had success with transferring FEMA credits to EC? Do they accept them straight from FEMA? How many will they accept? I remember reading somewhere that they accepted 50, but if they wont accept them "raw", I would rather transfer them through TESC. FCC is too expensive.

Also, are any of these FEMA courses considered upper level?