Basic Questions Compilation (Primer/FAQ for Newcomers)

[pws]

I've been reading the forum and building my degree plan for the past few days. Having spent 12 hours each day for three days in a row (and probably around 10 hours by the end of today), I created a decent number of threads.  I didn't want to start too many, so I instead compiled the questions on more basic topics, so that I could post them in a single thread. Feel free to answer to few or as many as you feel like answering.  

Basics
- For Free Electives, can you take any ACE-evaluated course on Study.com/SL/Saylor, or are TESU equivalencies still needed (even for Free Electives, you have to choose courses in the equivalency lists)?
- Are DSST online tests similar TECEP, or they're only in-person at test centers (I searched 15 minutes for this but couldn't find an answer)?

TESU/TECEP/AOS/UL
- For the TESU English Area of Study courses, can they be only English or Literature courses—or it's possible to include Communication, Language, Education or another type of course?
- UL courses must be an Area of Study course to meet your UL course minimum, correct?
- For courses that contribute to your GPA, do UL courses count more for GPA , and do 2xx-level courses count more for GPA than 1xx courses?
- What is the maximum number of TECEPs you can take during the 12-week period, and the maximum you can take in a month?
- Can you take the Cornerstone anytime?

[Merlin]

- For Free Electives, can you take any ACE-evaluated course on Study.com/SL/Saylor, or are TESU equivalencies still needed (even for Free Electives, you have to choose courses in the equivalency lists)?

You can generally take any ACE/NCCRS recommended course for free electives. Well, other than Shmoop courses.

- Are DSST online tests similar TECEP, or they're only in-person at test centers (I searched 15 minutes for this but couldn't find an answer)?

They are the same as CLEP exams. You have to take them in-person at a proctored test center.

- UL courses must be an Area of Study course to meet your UL course minimum, correct?

Yes.

- For courses that contribute to your GPA, do UL courses count more for GPA , and do 2xx-level courses count more for GPA than 1xx courses?

All graded courses are the same as far as GPA goes.

- What is the maximum number of TECEPs you can take during the 12-week period, and the maximum you can take in a month?

There is none as far as I know. Well other than the number of available TECEP's anyway.

- Can you take the Cornerstone anytime?

Because it's not a normal course, it is possible that you may be able to take the capstone as soon as the registration is official, but I'm not sure about that. At the least you can take it any time after the term begins.

[pws]

[...]

Thank you, Merlin.

[mysonx3]

You have to wait until the term you're registered for starts to do the cornerstone. (12/3 can't come quick enough for me!)

[zzzz24]

You have to wait until the term you're registered for starts to do the cornerstone. (12/3 can't come quick enough for me!)

I enrolled in mine late. I just sent them an email and they let me register for the previous term that had already begun.

[pws]

For ACE transcripts, do you decide which credits you transfer over to TESU, or when you have your ACE transcript sent to TESU, they all get transferred automatically (no choice in the matter)?

I'm wondering because, if someone wants to do two degrees, would that mean that it wouldn't be possible to do courses of the second degree while doing the first, because they could end up being transferred over as Free or General Electives in the 1st degree?

[davewill]

For ACE transcripts, do you decide which credits you transfer over to TESU, or when you have your ACE transcript sent to TESU, they all get transferred automatically (no choice in the matter)?

I'm wondering because, if someone wants to do two degrees, would that mean that it wouldn't be possible to do courses of the second degree while doing the first, because they could end up being transferred over as Free or General Electives in the 1st degree?

For starters, if they aren't in the AOS, it doesn't matter, the courses can be used for both degrees. Otherwise, if you're doing both degrees at the same time, you'll declare that and both degrees will show up in your academic eval, and you'll be able to ask advising to place courses in one or the other, if it matters. If you're doing them serially, then you'll want to wait until the first degree confers before taking courses for the second so they'll be new ones as it's not enough that the courses weren't used in the first degree, you actually need 24 NEW credits taken after the first degree is conferred.

[pws]

For starters, if they aren't in the AOS, it doesn't matter, the courses can be used for both degrees. Otherwise, if you're doing both degrees at the same time, you'll declare that and both degrees will show up in your academic eval, and you'll be able to ask advising to place courses in one or the other, if it matters. If you're doing them serially, then you'll want to wait until the first degree confers before taking courses for the second so they'll be new ones as it's not enough that the courses weren't used in the first degree, you actually need 24 NEW credits taken after the first degree is conferred.

Great, thanks!

[natshar]

For ACE transcripts, do you decide which credits you transfer over to TESU, or when you have your ACE transcript sent to TESU, they all get transferred automatically (no choice in the matter)?

I'm wondering because, if someone wants to do two degrees, would that mean that it wouldn't be possible to do courses of the second degree while doing the first, because they could end up being transferred over as Free or General Electives in the 1st degree?

For starters, if they aren't in the AOS, it doesn't matter, the courses can be used for both degrees. Otherwise, if you're doing both degrees at the same time, you'll declare that and both degrees will show up in your academic eval, and you'll be able to ask advising to place courses in one or the other, if it matters. If you're doing them serially, then you'll want to wait until the first degree confers before taking courses for the second so they'll be new ones as it's not enough that the courses weren't used in the first degree, you actually need 24 NEW credits taken after the first degree is conferred.

What if you are trying to earn the two degrees in the same graduation cycle? Does this still apply?

[dfrecore]

For ACE transcripts, do you decide which credits you transfer over to TESU, or when you have your ACE transcript sent to TESU, they all get transferred automatically (no choice in the matter)?

I'm wondering because, if someone wants to do two degrees, would that mean that it wouldn't be possible to do courses of the second degree while doing the first, because they could end up being transferred over as Free or General Electives in the 1st degree?

You ACE transcript lists when each course was completed, which matters.  If you get a 2nd degree (conferred after the 1st), you wouldn't be able to have any courses that you completed prior to the first conferral apply as a "new" credit.

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TESU/TECEP/AOS/UL
- For the TESU English Area of Study courses, can they be only English or Literature courses—or it's possible to include Communication, Language, Education or another type of  course?
- For courses that contribute to your GPA, do UL courses count more for GPA , and do 2xx-level courses count more for GPA than 1xx courses?

Only English & Lit courses count towards the AOS.  There might be some exceptions that I don't know of, but in general, ENG or LIT.

No, UL counts the same as LL.  The only thing where this may make a difference at some point is if you wanted to go to a MA program - they may want a certain GPA of courses in your major, and would expect a certain number of UL credits in there to make your GPA.  It probably wouldn't be applicable to an English degree though.