Hello- Brief overview-Help Needed

[michigan0626]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post. I am currently attending a community college in Florida. I am really thinking of signing up for InstantCert because I plan on taking the summer sumester off. I thought about doing it last summer but forgot about it. So, I figure I'll give a rundown of all the classes I have completed:

ENC 1101 CR College Composition I A
MAT 0024 CR Elementary Algebra S (Not for credit)
PSY 2012 CR Introduction/Psychology A
SYG 2000 CR Introduction/Sociology A
DEP 2004 CR Psychology/Human Development A
ECO 2013 CR Principles/Economics I -Macro B
MAT 1033 CR Intermediate Algebra B
CGS 1530 CR Microcomputer Applications F (FAILED)
GEO 2474 CR Geography & World Affairs A
HUM 1230 CR Intro/Human: Renais/Mod Times A
MAC 1105 CR College Algebra D (No credit received)
CCJ 1020 CR Intro to Criminal Justice C
REL 2300 CR World Religions A
SYG 2010 CR Social Problems A
SYG 2430 CR Marriage and the Family A
AMH 2010 CR U.S. History to 1877 (Taking Currently)
CGS 1530 CR Microcomputer Applications(Taking Currently)
ENC 1102 CR Composition: Literature (Taking Currently)

I received 15 credits for this 4 criminal justice classes for working in a federal prison:
CCJ 2999 CRIM JUST ELECT (CORRECTIONS)
CJC 1000 Introduction to Corrections S
CJC 2160 Community Based Corrections S
CJE 2946 Criminal Justice Practicum S

These do not include any possible credits from my DD-214, or any ACE credits from my Marine Corps SMART transcript.

So, to complete my AA in general studies I still need:
College Algebra
A second math- most likely Statistics
1-Biological Science and 1-Physical Science; or 2-consecutive sciences in a program (one of these must contain a lab)
1-Oral Communications English- probably speak

So, is it possible to test out completely of these 5 classes? Now, my real questions. After my AA I thought about trying to test out as much as possible and get the fastest degree I can from Excelsior. I think for me, either the Sociology or the Criminal Justice would be the fastest for me. However, I have really started considering the B.S. in Health Care Management degree from Excelsior. I work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and I see this as the degree that can propel me up the ladder the fastest in the Feds. Based on Excelsior's class list, how many of the classes for the Health Care Management degree can be tested out of?

Extra Credit question-does anyone provide, or is it even possible, to test out of graduate level courses to work towards a masters?

Well first, thank you for reading my questions. And and help is appreciated.

[rebel100]

Which CC? At least 1 (Florida Gateway) is a Straighterline partner....that would open up your options.

You can't test out of a Lab ... gotta find another way for at least that. There are testing options for the rest if your school accepts both CLEP and DSST.

Are you planning on staying at your CC or transferring to one of the big 3? The big 3 would allow you to skip the lab science and only require 3 credits in Math (some programs anyway). College Math and ALEKS are possibilities at the big 3.

[michigan0626]

I go to Lake-Sumter CC in Central Florida. I do know they take CLEP, Im doubtful they accept anything else. I have been going here for 3 years already. I know that the end goal is a bachelors and I dont where I get it, Im just a little apprehensive to quit my progress at LSCC with only 5 more classes and not be able to walk with a graduating class. Has anybody traveled to New York to actually wear the robes and receive the degree?

I am heavily leaning to going to Excelsior for their Health Care Management. The degree requirement chart says for Math/Natural Sciences Requirements: Statistics, Electives (6 credits with 2 being natural sciences)

So, would you abandon trying to get the AA from the CC, and just concentrate on BS from Excelsior?

[marianne202]

Welcome! I completed the BSHS in management at Excelsior. You can test out of all your gen-eds, although you may already those covered. You can test out of two core required classes with ECE's the rest are online classes through EC. They do have a new BSHS / MBA bridge which would allow you to complete your MBA in one year after you complete the BSHS. Their MBA isn't accredited, which might be a problem for some employers, but probably not for the Federal Govt. I didn't get a chance to attend graduation for any of my EC degrees. My understanding is that I can walk at any time if I choose. As for abandoning your current program it would depend on how many credits you have and how quickly you can complete your BSHS. If you have spent 3 years on an AA and can finish your BS in another year, that may be your best bet, since it may take you another year to finish 5 more classes at the CC. It depends on how many classes you can take at a time and now fast you want to finish. It is very hard to complete online classes and test out at the same time. I can certainly attest to that! As for schools allowing transfer of grad level credits, each school has different rules. Most won't accept credits that were earned prior to obtaining your bachelor's degree. So I encourage you to look into the requirements for the schools you are interested in for grad school. Good luck!

[michigan0626]

So, based on the degree requirements chart, https://my.excelsior.edu/c/document_libr...upId=78666 , your saying that out of the 5 business core classes and 7 health care management core classes, there are only 2 available tests? Im pretty sure that there are at least 3 of the business core classes available to test out of.

So, would the best bet be to pay Excelsior 75 bucks and have my transcript, dd-214, and smart transcript sent to them to see where i stand, and know exactly what classes to go after? I was wanting to to test out of every possible class that i can, then apply to excelsior and take the last classes online. But i guess it doesnt matter does it? If i send them all of my credits then take about a year before i take any of the classes, will i have to start the process over?

Marianne, I was actually going to pm you to see how you like the career field. How different is the Health Science with Management concentration from the Health Care Management major?

I do like the idea of the fast track for the MBA, but I figure I'll just take it one degree at a time. Not sure if I would go MBA or MHA. The MBA would probably offer more opportunities outside of the health care field.

[dcan]

You've gotten good advice from people who know what they are talking about. I'll tackle this one specifically:

So, is it possible to test out completely of these 5 classes?

The only way to answer this question is to ask the school. No school is obligated to take any credit, of any kind, from anyone. It's up to their policies, so you will need to talk to your adviser/counselor there.

[GoodYellowDogs]

I go to Lake-Sumter CC in Central Florida. I do know they take CLEP, Im doubtful they accept anything else. I have been going here for 3 years already. I know that the end goal is a bachelors and I dont where I get it, Im just a little apprehensive to quit my progress at LSCC with only 5 more classes and not be able to walk with a graduating class. Has anybody traveled to New York to actually wear the robes and receive the degree?

I am heavily leaning to going to Excelsior for their Health Care Management. The degree requirement chart says for Math/Natural Sciences Requirements: Statistics, Electives (6 credits with 2 being natural sciences)

So, would you abandon trying to get the AA from the CC, and just concentrate on BS from Excelsior?

Just my two cents, but I would try to get an AA first - either from your CCC or Excelsior. My AA opened a lot of doors for me in the last million years.

[michigan0626]

Yeah, an aa in gen. studies wont anything for me as far as advancement goes. I want it as a milestone and reward for actually doing it. My wife actually applied for fafsa and enrolled me without me knowing about it, then told me and said pick some classes you're in college now. I really owe her for kicking my butt into motion.

[rebel100]

Yeah, an aa in gen. studies wont anything for me as far as advancement goes. I want it as a milestone and reward for actually doing it. My wife actually applied for fafsa and enrolled me without me knowing about it, then told me and said pick some classes you're in college now. I really owe her for kicking my butt into motion.

I like her!

Do you work in a hospital now? I work for HC just down the road from the area where you live...I think we are neighbors.

You can likely take the College Math CLEP for your math. Typically (in Florida)passing it with a 50 earns 3 credits in MAC 1105, score a 62 (I think) and you are also awarded 3 ceredits in MAC 1107....6 credits for the one test. I can't confirm this on the LSCC website as the CLEP page they had a few weeks ago is no longer up there.

You can test out of Biology/Chemistry/Physical science for at least three credits via CLEP...but you will still need a lab science. My daughter had success with the CLEP Biology, but it was after acing general Chem taken as a class. Did you know that LSCC has it's owb in house program of challenge exams? Lake-Sumter Community College | Credit By Exam You might ask them is these count towards the lab requirement...they are cheap enough at $25/cr. Worth looking into but the exam date is close.

There are some great study aids listed for each CLEP exam here Clep Exams - Free CLEP Study Guides at Free-Clep-Prep.com and of course the flashcards and specific feedback sections here on IC are excellent.

DSST has the public speaking you need...but I don't think LS will accept them.

You could test down to just a lab science and speach.

I would try really hard to finish the AA. You deserve something to show for all your hard work. Note that NMJC has everything your looking for over the summer in an 8 week format. You could take it there via distance and transfer it back to graduate. New Mexico Junior College - Distance Learning just a thought.

[rebel100]

BTW, the Florida Distance Learning Consortium is here: Florida Distance Learning Consortium You can find a course online at pretty much any public Florida institution. I assume your a resident, so it's in state rates.