Adult Learner starting new

[ReyMysterioso]

COSC grad that started from scratch here. I used to highly recommend COSC when Thomas Edison State (TESU) was the more popular one on the forum. But I agree with my colleague, rachel83az.

I no longer recommend COSC for anyone starting from scratch. The reason being, they changed several policies in the last two years becoming far stricter in what they accept for credit, and now require 24 credits minimum from regionally accredited colleges before allowing you to graduate with only two classes from COSC.

University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) is now what I recommend for people with no college credits. They are far more accepting of "alternative credits".

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(Continued) As far as Gen Ed credits go. There are a few differences in requirements from college to college, but in general it's more or less the same spread of stuff. 

For UMPI that would be

1. Effective Written & Oral Communication
English Comp I
English Comp II
(written or oral com elective)
(written or oral com elective)

2. Critical & Creative Thinking 
(Four slots that different things could fill like Intro to Psych, comparative religion etc)

3. Quantitative & Scientific Reasoning 
(Four slots where you fill in College Algebra, one science with lab, an additional science and then another math most likely)

4. Information Literacy 
(Two slots. You need an intro to philosophy or ancient greek philosophers or something like that. Then some kind of information literacy class. Some classes are literally titled that.)

5. Global Consciousness & Intercultural Awareness 
(Four slots here. You fill this up with like US History I and II, Western Civ, comparative religion class, comparative government class, American government class. A lot of different stuff could fill it.)

So no matter what college you go to, they'll all want something like 24 credits spread out across those fields. Sometimes in different proportions. 
In general, if you took most of the Sophia classes it would generally knock out almost all the Gen Ed requirements at most colleges (so long as the college would accept Sophia for credit.) Usually plus some free electives.

This message board can help you find all the classes you need to fill anything you're missing to maximize what you transfer into the college of your choice with, whether it be TESU, UMPI, Excelsior, WGU, Purdue University Global or some other option (there are a few more choices out there.) 

If you decide on a college and degree, we can help you put together a degree plan so you know exactly what to take, where to get it, and how much it is. If you can't decide, board members can model several different degree plans that might help you decide. We generally lean toward the path of least resistance around here!