Help a newbie

[MedicOne]

Ladies and gentlemen I am in need of some major help. About ten years ago I started pre nursing then started actual nursing school. I stopped and went to EMT school then paramedic school. Along the way I picked up about 200 classes with certificates. I never received a degree just a technical diploma for EMT and Paramedic. My dilemma is I cannot be promoted without actually holding a degree. This recently just changed.

What I need from everyone is some honest advice and guidance. I have about 45 credits from community college, another 35 ish from medic and EMT school, I never had my fema and other certs checked for credit, I would like to obtain a Bachelors and maybe a Masters afterwards. I have been reading this board for the last month and I am thoroughly confused. I literally need someone to guide me on my path. I am not ashamed to say I can't do this on my own. I thank you for your time.

I have taken:
English 101 and 102.
Biology 101.
A&P 226 & 227 both with lab
Microbiology
Humanities
Social Science
Nursing 102

CNA
EMT
Paramedic
CPR
ACLS
PALS
PHTLS


Thanks

MedicOne

[MedicOne]

I also have these certificates

Columbia Southern University
Jail Evacuation Certificate

United States Coast Guard
Vessel Examiner
Fingerprint Technician

Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice
Incident Management System - Awareness Level
Emergency Response Planning
Unified Command - Awareness Level
Evacuation Coordinator
Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen
Hazardous Materials Response Technician
Radiation Safety Awareness
Hospital-Based Decontamination: Hazard Recognition
Container Inspections Customs - Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)

FEMA/Department of Homeland Security

Professional Development Series Certificate
IS-1 Emergency Program Manager
IS-3 Radiological Emergency Management
IS-5 Introduction to Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)
IS-7 A Citizen's Guide to Disaster Assistance
IS-8.A Building for the Earthquakes of Tomorrow Executive Order 12699
IS-10 Animals in Disaster Awareness and Preparedness
IS-11 Animals in Disaster Community Planning
IS-15 Special Events Contingency Planning for Public Safety Agencies
IS-22 Are You Ready An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness
IS-20.11 Diversity Awareness
IS-30 Mitigation eGrant System for the Subgrant Applicant
IS-55 Household Hazardous Materials A Guide for Citizens
IS-100 Introduction to Incident Command System
IS-100.HE Introduction to the Incident Command System for Higher Education
IS-100.HC Introduction to the Incident Command System for Healthcare Hospitals
IS-100.LE Introduction to the Incident Command System for Law Enforcement
IS-100.PW Introduction to the Incident Command System for Public Works Personnel
IS-100.SC Introduction to the Incident Command System for Schools
IS-111 Livestock in Disasters
IS-120 Orientation to Community Disaster Exercises
IS-120.A An Introduction to Exercises
IS-139 Exercise Design
IS-197.SP Special Needs Planning Considerations for Service and Support Providers
IS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
IS-200.HC Applying ICS to Healthcare Organizations
IS-208 State Disaster Management
IS-230 Principles of Emergency Management
IS-235 Emergency Planning
IS-240 Leadership & Influence
IS-241 Decision Making & Problem Solving
IS-242 Effective Communication
IS-244 Developing and Managing Volunteers
IS-253 Coordinating Environmental & Historic Preservation Compliance
IS-271 Anticipating Hazardous Weather & Community Risk
IS-288 Role of Voluntary Agencies in Emergency Management
IS-292 Disaster Basics
IS-301 Radiological Emergency Response
IS-302 Modular Emergency Radiological Response Transportation Training
IS-317 Community Emergency Response Team
IS-324 Community Hurricane Preparedness
IS-331 Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Exercise Evaluation
IS-340 Hazardous Materials Prevention
IS-346 Hazardous Materials for Medical Personnel
IS-386 Introduction to Residential Coastal Construction
IS-547 Introduction to Continuity of Operations (COOP)
IS-630 Introduction to the Public Assistance Process
IS-631 Public Assistance Operation I
IS-632 Introduction to Debris Operations in FEMA's Public Assistance Program
IS-650 Building Partnerships with Tribal Governments
IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS)
IS-706 - NIMS Intrastate Mutual Aid
IS-800.A National Response Plan (NRP)

University of Minnesota Center for Public Health Preparedness
NIMS and ICS: A Primer for Volunteers

United States Joint Forces Command
J3S T-MN042 Introduction to Environmental Awareness Course
J3S T-MN037 Bulgarian Participation in Peace Support Operations Course
J3S T-MN075 Civilian Military Cooperation CIMIC Overview for NATO School Course
J3S T-MN170 Arms Control and Arms Control Agreements
J3OP-MN091 Combined Joint Task Force Training Modules
J3OP-US145 Assessing Risk During JFHQ JTF State Operations
J3OP-US147 Commanders Intent During JFHQ JTF State Operations
J3OP-US209 Commander's Communication Strategy (CJTF-HOA)
J3OP-US219 CJTF-HOA Exercise Scenarios
J3OP-US231 Civil Military Operations and Humanitarian Assistance Program
J3OP-US256 Branch and Sequel Planning (OIF)
J3SN-MN039 Combating Trafficking in Human Beings
J3TA-US030 Combating Trafficking in Persons
J1OP-MN071 Introduction to Medical Intelligence Course

Law Enforcement Thermographers Association
Basic Thermographer

International Association of Arson Investigators
Introduction to Evidence

West Virginia University
AWR-124 Campus Public Safety Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents
AWR-126 Forensic Epidemiology

St. Petersburg College National Terrorism Preparedness Institute
Force Protection
Basic Port Security
Access Control for Ports
Advanced Port Security
General Aviation Security

Army Training Support Center Fort Eustis Virginia
Acute Effects of Health Radiation
National Disaster Medical System

United States Department of Justice
First Responder DNA Preservation
DNA Evidence for Investigators and Evidence Technician
Crime Scene and DNA Basics for Forensic Analysts
Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues for Forensic Analysts

United States Fire Administration National Fire Academy
Emergency Response to Terrorism for EMS


St. Petersburg College, Multi Jurisdictional Counter Drug Task Force
Introduction to Money Laundering
Criminal Street Gangs Overview
Introduction to Basic Clandestine Lab Investigative Techniques
Introduction to Patrol Drug Investigation
Introduction to Interview and Interrogation Techniques


The Texas A&M University-Texas Engineering Extension Service
Basic EMS Concepts for WMD Incidents
WMD/Terrorism Awareness for Emergency Responders
AWR-112 Public Works for WMD Incidents


Bullard
Thermal Imaging Training Certification


Kentucky Department of Public Health
Agro Terrorism Awareness
Terrorism Awareness
Bioterrorism Awareness
Pediatric Terrorism Awareness
Chemical Terrorism Awareness


New Mexico Tech
Understanding and Planning for School Bomb Incidents


Washington State Homeland Security Institute
Technical Rescue Awareness
WMD Awareness Course AWR-160
Operation Safety and Security OPSEC
Personal Protective Equipment PPE
Intro To HAZMAT Response


National Children’s Advocacy Center
Law Enforcement’s Initial Response to Child Sexual Abuse


U.S. General Services Administration
Firefighter Forcible Entry Training

Illinois Poison Control Center
Poison Prevention Educator

[marianne202]

Hi,

I would put all your FEMA's on ACE if they can transfer. You should also check on your other certifications, as some of them my be awarded ACE credit. I would send your transcript to Excelsior to see what they will accept. EC did accept my EMT classes for my first degree, but wouldn't accept my EMT proper class, but they did take my re-cert classes and my EMS courses such as cardiac care and pharmacology. Excelsior accepts a lot of military training and IT certs, so some of these they may accept as well. After you have an evaluation you will know where you stand. What type of degree are you wanting to pursue? You could almost totally test out of a liberal studies bachelor's degree. If we knew the degree you wanted it would be easier. You can also find a TESC degree plan in the Wiki or on here that might help you too. Just do a search.

[clep3705]

Use this site's search feature toward the upper right corner and use Clackamas as your search string.

[rebel100]

Man you've been busy!
ACE won't transcribe FEMA, but Charter Oak and TESC will take it direct from FEMA for free....at a glance I would say that's a year of free electives depending on the degree chosen.

Here is the nut shell:

You have to complete 30-36 credits in "general Ed" courses Here are COSC's:
http://www.charteroak.edu/current/academ...ements.cfm
You can test out of these, you have the bulk of them...some exams count in more than one area. For example the DSST Human Cultural Geography fills the requirement for social science, natural science, and non US Culture....it's a threefore Here is the COSC Master List of Exams where you can figure this stuff out http://www.charteroak.edu/Current/Academ...r-list.pdf

Next you will need 30 Upper Level credits (300-400 level) In some degrees you can test out of these, or you can take UL courses elsewhere to meet this requirement. University of Idaho Independent Study, BYU, LSU, and CSU-Pueblo are some cheap self paced course options if you need classes. I suspect you don't have many UL credits....but you have a lot of free electives and gen eds...your not too far off.

You could do a dual concentration at COSC (18UL in one discipline and 9-18 in another with room for a couple of UL electives) One UL exam thats obvios for you is the DSST Substance Abuse....you could probably take and pass it tomorrow, you certainly have the background.

With Gen eds and 30 UL credits finished the rest can be the FEMA and other credit you already have plus any "easy" CLEP/DSST.

BTW COSC gave me credit for both EMT and Paramedic...around 24 credits or so altogether.

[Yanji]

COSC, being very liberal arts-ish/flexible, is probably going to be the most effective school for your scenario. rebel100 is one of the resident COSC gurus so I don't have too much to add to his comments.
University of Wyoming has some very cheap distance courses (for now... tuition will slowly go up for out-of-state over the next few years) as well.

[MedicOne]

This may sound foolish but I am looking to get any degree I can. I just need one and quickly. My experience helps but I was recently passed over for no degree even though I was the best suited candidate. But enough of that, onto the challenge. If someone will guide me I will listen.

Hi,

I would put all your FEMA's on ACE if they can transfer. You should also check on your other certifications, as some of them my be awarded ACE credit. I would send your transcript to Excelsior to see what they will accept. EC did accept my EMT classes for my first degree, but wouldn't accept my EMT proper class, but they did take my re-cert classes and my EMS courses such as cardiac care and pharmacology. Excelsior accepts a lot of military training and IT certs, so some of these they may accept as well. After you have an evaluation you will know where you stand. What type of degree are you wanting to pursue? You could almost totally test out of a liberal studies bachelor's degree. If we knew the degree you wanted it would be easier. You can also find a TESC degree plan in the Wiki or on here that might help you too. Just do a search.

[rebel100]

Ok, a couple of things...

First it might be helpful to know what state your in...often it's irrelevant, but there are some exceptional programs out there that could change the advice you receive.

Second you really should complete your FAFSA application at fafsa.gov It's free to complete and you will then know if there are any grants out there. If you receive grant money it may change how you can most economically finish the program. Money opens doors...

I completed my degree at Charter Oak due primarily to their customer service and the fact that they bent over backwards in working with my financial aid. TESC and EC are also great choices...but I don't know nearly as much about their programs so the following is geared towards COSC.

You need the following Gen Eds

General Education requirements.

(6)English Comp 1,2 YOUR DONE WITH THIS

(3)Oral Communications Speech, DSST (3 credits)

(3)Literature/Fine Arts Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP (6 credits)

(3)Math ALEKS College Algebra (3) OR CLEP College Math (6) OR CLEP College Algebra (3) OR Straighterline College math (3)

(3)Ethics Saylor Organization Business Ethics (3 credits)

(4-6)Natural Science YOUR DONE WITH THIS

(3)US History or US Gov. Any US History/Government DSST or CLEP (3)

Behavioral Science
Global Studies
Non-US History All three of these requirements are satisfied by the single exam DSST Human Cultural Geography (3)

You may have some of those done...look though your CC credits and see if I missed any.

With the above completed I think you have enough credit from FEMA, EMS, and the other certs to qualify for an AS degree once you take the Cornerstone Course is complete. That's only 6 exams/courses and a single COSC class. Around $500 for the exams and $1000 or so for the Cornerstone, application fee, enrollment fee, etc...

While your completing the above the rest of your credit will be evaluated and you will see what you need to finish the last 60 credits. I think your going to have about 30 credits at the UL left at least 15 of those UL credits will have to be in your concentration. Health Care makes a sensible choice for you...but your not likely to find enough UL credit by exam in that to test out....are classes an option? You can also go Organizational Leadership but you run into the same problem plus you would need the Principles of Marketing and Management CLEP's to round out the plan of study (I think).

Look through the Master list of exams and try to find enough UL between TECEP, DSST,and EC exams to round out an UL concentration of at least 15 credits (those 15 with the capstone will give you the magic 18 you need) the other 12 credits can have at least 9 in a concentration or even be free UL electives (if you write it up right) We are only talking 9 courses or exams here there are some cheap self paced credit options out there:

The University of Idaho Independent studies courses are only $300 there are plenty of courses here in History, Psychology. The psych courses should be able to fit a health care concentration with a little creative writing Psychology-Independent Study in Idaho-University of Idaho Social Science has an ethics course that would satisfy your LL ethics requirement and count as an UL course...always nice to find a twofer History makes sense as there are at least a ccouple of credit by exam options like the Civil War DSST and U of Idaho has all of these History-Independent Study in Idaho-University of Idaho If you like history this might be a good fit for you. I don't believe there is any way to use financial aid for these...so it would have to come out of pocket.

CSU-Pueblo has a bunch of self paced courses that would be useful in a sociology/organizational leadership concentration. They worked with me and COSC to maximize my use of financial aid...the customer service was excellent. Here are a couple courses in Health Care Nursing > Division of Continuing Education > Colorado State University-Pueblo note one is in ethics and would satisfy two requirements these two along with the DSST Substance Abuse could be your secondary concentration. Under Management they have enough courses to just about complete a primary concentration in Organizational Leadership/Management Management > Division of Continuing Education > Colorado State University-Pueblo

And of course if you can find enough CBE at the UL you wouldn't have to take any actual courses except the cornerstone and capstone. The COSC Master List of Exams link is in my previous post.

[MedicOne]

I am in the State of Illinois.

Yes I can take classes but I'm looking to do this as easily as possible. You should know being a medic that we rather study our rear off for weeks and pass a test than take a class lol. What I am looking to do is start ALEKS to hoard some math credit because I have zero college math on my transcript. I figure this cannot hurt. I alreaady have credit from colleges for my EMT and my Paramedic. Did you gain additional credit for this through COSC? I did not receive any credit for my CCEMT-P. I am going to check out Saylor. What do you recommend for UL credits? I saw a similar plan for Public Safety/Organizational Development.

I would like to do it where I can get several Bachelors from COSC in a short amount of time.

Ok, a couple of things...

First it might be helpful to know what state your in...often it's irrelevant, but there are some exceptional programs out there that could change the advice you receive.

Second you really should complete your FAFSA application at fafsa.gov It's free to complete and you will then know if there are any grants out there. If you receive grant money it may change how you can most economically finish the program. Money opens doors...

I completed my degree at Charter Oak due primarily to their customer service and the fact that they bent over backwards in working with my financial aid. TESC and EC are also great choices...but I don't know nearly as much about their programs so the following is geared towards COSC.

You need the following Gen Eds

General Education requirements.

(6)English Comp 1,2 YOUR DONE WITH THIS

(3)Oral Communications Speech, DSST (3 credits)

(3)Literature/Fine Arts Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP (6 credits)

(3)Math ALEKS College Algebra (3) OR CLEP College Math (6) OR CLEP College Algebra (3) OR Straighterline College math (3)

(3)Ethics Saylor Organization Business Ethics (3 credits)

(4-6)Natural Science YOUR DONE WITH THIS

(3)US History or US Gov. Any US History/Government DSST or CLEP (3)

Behavioral Science
Global Studies
Non-US History All three of these requirements are satisfied by the single exam DSST Human Cultural Geography (3)

You may have some of those done...look though your CC credits and see if I missed any.

With the above completed I think you have enough credit from FEMA, EMS, and the other certs to qualify for an AS degree once you take the Cornerstone Course is complete. That's only 6 exams/courses and a single COSC class. Around $500 for the exams and $1000 or so for the Cornerstone, application fee, enrollment fee, etc...

While your completing the above the rest of your credit will be evaluated and you will see what you need to finish the last 60 credits. I think your going to have about 30 credits at the UL left at least 15 of those UL credits will have to be in your concentration. Health Care makes a sensible choice for you...but your not likely to find enough UL credit by exam in that to test out....are classes an option? You can also go Organizational Leadership but you run into the same problem plus you would need the Principles of Marketing and Management CLEP's to round out the plan of study (I think).

Look through the Master list of exams and try to find enough UL between TECEP, DSST,and EC exams to round out an UL concentration of at least 15 credits (those 15 with the capstone will give you the magic 18 you need) the other 12 credits can have at least 9 in a concentration or even be free UL electives (if you write it up right) We are only talking 9 courses or exams here there are some cheap self paced credit options out there:

The University of Idaho Independent studies courses are only $300 there are plenty of courses here in History, Psychology. The psych courses should be able to fit a health care concentration with a little creative writing Psychology-Independent Study in Idaho-University of Idaho Social Science has an ethics course that would satisfy your LL ethics requirement and count as an UL course...always nice to find a twofer History makes sense as there are at least a ccouple of credit by exam options like the Civil War DSST and U of Idaho has all of these History-Independent Study in Idaho-University of Idaho If you like history this might be a good fit for you. I don't believe there is any way to use financial aid for these...so it would have to come out of pocket.

CSU-Pueblo has a bunch of self paced courses that would be useful in a sociology/organizational leadership concentration. They worked with me and COSC to maximize my use of financial aid...the customer service was excellent. Here are a couple courses in Health Care Nursing > Division of Continuing Education > Colorado State University-Pueblo note one is in ethics and would satisfy two requirements these two along with the DSST Substance Abuse could be your secondary concentration. Under Management they have enough courses to just about complete a primary concentration in Organizational Leadership/Management Management > Division of Continuing Education > Colorado State University-Pueblo

And of course if you can find enough CBE at the UL you wouldn't have to take any actual courses except the cornerstone and capstone. The COSC Master List of Exams link is in my previous post.

[cookderosa]

Rebel is holding your hand, follow his suggestions to a tee and you'll be golden.

Also, let me throw out there a few things to consider. If you're testing out of your gen eds (that you don't have) that's the same amount of time no matter which degree you choose. So, those 60 credits must be earned (math, social science, humanities, English) no matter who you are or what you study. A few posts up, Rebel crafted a test plan for you on those.

The difference in time comes down to the major you choose. You have TONS of job-specific/career education credit. This credit will NOT count in the liberal arts area, so when looking at degrees, keep that in mind. In liberal arts majors, you are allowed 27 "free electives" which is where all of your job-specific/career education credit will fall. That leaves the core to complete. Those 33 remaining credits are essentially your major. In your case, I don't think (I could be wrong) that you have any credit in this area yet. My point? The speed issue comes down to only one issue- how you fill those 33. Some major have test out options all over the place (any of the social sciences, especially psychology or history) and others are impossible via testing (any science, math, art).

I'm not the best one to help you, but I think there is a Bachelor of Professional Studies (Excelsior maybe?) in which all of those 33 can come from job-specific/career education credit. As you can imagine, that would be a HUGE time/money/effort savor. In fact, if that's the case, you're simply rocking out gen eds and calling it done.

I disagree with the idea of hoarding math, I think you need to focus on understanding the process- how to form a degree plan- how to accumulate credit- learn the costs associated with various decisions- and run it past the people who will mentor you through the process. Spending a month learning will give you the tools to complete your degree as quickly as possible, and also give you the tools to combat any obstacles that come up in the process. It's all here, you're in the right place. Slow down so you can speed up. Just my two cents, and welcome to the board! Glad you posted