FEMA--> EC via TESC

[ShotoJuku]

I would consider consulting an attorney.

In the long run you would spend more $$$$$$ on any attorney who would take this type of case then just going ahead and spending a few dollars in the first place.

Remember, these FEMA "credits" are often considered the best thing since FREE sliced bread; "waste not want not."

[kimberlyaz]

I tried to have FEMA send my transcript directly to the school I'm attending (Ottawa University) for the 5 courses that I completed through online independent study, but no dice. No credit.

So -- today I'm mailing off my application to Frederick Community College in order for them to transcript the FEMA courses.

Once these get sent and transferred, I only have to complete the course I'm currently enrolled in (Graduation Review) and one more through my school (Interpersonal Communication), and I'll be completely finished with my degree!

Yay!

Thanks to InstantCert and this forum for opening my eyes to the many alternative ways to earn credit.

[GettinMyBA]

So -- today I'm mailing off my application to Frederick Community College in order for them to transcript the FEMA courses.

[SIZE="5"]kimberlyaz, Wait...[/SIZE]
[SIZE="3"]Read the previous posts in this thread (from me)... don't use Frederick - use Clackamas if you want to spend a lot less money![/SIZE]

[kimberlyaz]

don't use Frederick - use Clackamas if you want to spend a lot less money!

Wow! Thanks GettinMyBA for stopping me before I headed out the door to the post office. I can always use a little bit of extra money in my pocket!

[GettinMyBA]

Just an FYI - Clackamas CC operates on the quarter credit hour system.

1 quarter hours credit = 0.67 semester hours credit
Source: conversion tables

- Tom

Tom,
I'm not sure why this would matter.... they charge $30 per course to transcribe FEMA courses. It doesn't matter how many credits or semester hours it is.

[japhy4529]

Tom,
I'm not sure why this would matter.... they charge $30 per course to transcribe FEMA courses. It doesn't matter how many credits or semester hours it is.

I'm not doubting that CCC charges less per FEMA course than FCC. You are correct here. My point is that CCC will only award .67 semester hour credits per FEMA course, whereas FCC will award 1 semester hour credit per FEMA course. Think about it for a minute: Excelsior requires 120 SEMESTER hours to graduate from most of their BA/BS programs. If you want to obtain the maximum amount of credits for those FEMA courses, you will need to go through FCC.

For example - transferring over 30 FEMA courses from CCC to Excelsior will only get you 20 semester hour credits. However, transferring over the SAME 30 FEMA courses from FCC to Excelsior will get you 30 semester hour credits. Make sense?

- Tom

[GettinMyBA]

I'm not doubting that CCC charges less per FEMA course than FCC. You are correct here. My point is that CCC will only award .67 semester hour credits per FEMA course, whereas FCC will award 1 semester hour credit per FEMA course. Think about it for a minute: Excelsior requires 120 SEMESTER hours to graduate from most of their BA/BS programs. If you want to obtain the maximum amount of credits for those FEMA courses, you will need to go through FCC.

For example - transferring over 30 FEMA courses from CCC to Excelsior will only get you 20 semester hour credits. However, transferring over the SAME 30 FEMA courses from FCC to Excelsior will get you 30 semester hour credits. Make sense?

- Tom

I think I see what you are saying, and I don't have any experience with this, so understand that I'm not saying that I'm certain about this, but it still seems to me when you give EC (or whatever school) the transcripts from CCC, they will see that it's based in semester hours and they will convert it to credits. In other words, if EC receives a transcript that gives 20.1 of a different measurement than they use, they'll translate it. No?

[japhy4529]

I think I see what you are saying, and I don't have any experience with this, so understand that I'm not saying that I'm certain about this, but it still seems to me when you give EC (or whatever school) the transcripts from CCC, they will see that it's based in semester hours and they will convert it to credits. In other words, if EC receives a transcript that gives 20.1 of a different measurement than they use, they'll translate it. No?

Yes, this is correct. Excelsior WILL translate quarter credits (from CCC for instance) to semester credits. 1 quarter credit from CCC equals 0.67 credit at Excelsior.

By going with FCC, there will be no conversion of credit when transferring FEMA courses to Excelsior. It is a 1 to 1 relationship. 1 course, equals 1 credit.

For more info about quarters and semesters, read the following entry from Wikipedia (the emphasis is mine):

Collegiate calendars
Three calendar systems are used by most American colleges and universities: quarter system, semester system, and trimester system. These are ways the calendar year, measured September–August or August–August, are organized into a formal academic year. Some schools, particularly some business schools and community colleges, use the minimester or mini-semester system.

The quarter system divides the calendar year into four quarters, three of which constitute a complete academic year. Quarters are typically 10 weeks long so that three quarters amount to 30 weeks of instruction. Approximately 20% of universities are on the quarter system.[3]

The semester system divides the calendar year into two semesters of 15 weeks each, plus optional summer sessions of varying lengths. The two semesters together constitute 30 weeks of instruction, so that three academic quarters equal two academic semesters. Thus, academic credit earned in quarter hours converts to semester hours at 2/3 of its value, while credit earned in semester hours converts to quarter hours at 3/2 of its value. Or, to put it another way, 3 quarter hours = 2 semester hours, and 2 semester hours = 3 quarter hours.

- Tom

[mlwilliamsiv]

I sent an email to the admissions office at Excelsior back in January 08 and they replied stating that they will only accept up to 15 credits from FEMA. I believe some say 27 through TESC, but TESC's website catalog states...up to 25.

I plan on going to Excelsior but I am still torn between them and TESC. I personally have 25 raw FEMA credits and I like that TESC will take them as is...whereas Excelsior wants you to transcribe them through FCC or CCC. I personally don't understand why Excelsior makes such a big deal about this. The FEMA classes are ACE approved so I don't get why they put you through the hassle of getting them transcribed.

So for me, personally, (based on the conversion tables from the previous pages) I would need to pay for 23 credits at CCC to get 15 credits transferred to Excelsior, costing $690 ($30 x 23). If I do FCC instead of CCC I would pay $60 per credit x 15 credits, costing me $900.

To me it just doesn't make economic sense to pay $690 at CCC or $900 at FCC to get 15 credits transcribed & transferred to Excelsior...when you could just take 5 Cleps or Dantes (3 credits each) for around $325 - $350 + testing center fees. Unless you are rolling in the dough and the money doesn't matter then by all means transcribe....but if you are like me and struggling...I would just go the CLEP & DANTES route...it's cheaper.

Now if you are going through TESC, then you don't have to worry about transcribing credits. That is why I am taking a look at TESC. They take up to 27 FEMA credits for free. Courses there are only $165 per credit hour, compared to EC's $290. TESC doesn't have that stupid Written English Requirement that EC has and for the business policy requirement you can take that course anywhere for credit. Excelsior requires you to take "their" course for the credit.

The only downside I see to TESC is that precalc is required, instead of just college algebra for Excelsior. And that they (TESC) do not accept payment plans. I also have heard that TESC is alot more lenient when it comes to Upper/Lower level credits. I am still torn between both schools though and haven't decided because of my financial situation. But if I had the money to pay for my tuition up front right now...I would enroll at TESC.

Hope this post helps at all. In case you're wondering I plan on getting a BSBA at TESC and a BSGB at Excelsior.

From a loyal degree seeker,

Marshall

[Devilry]

I couldn't find this on FEMA site, but if you fail an exam, how long until you can re-test? Anyone know?