Hmmm, Problem with AMU and Science Credit , Are the Big three like this too?

[Travis4687]

Hey everyone,

Im writing because I'm wanting to know if there is a work around to a little problem I'm having with AMU (American Military University), basically I have clepped out of every single gen ed. class using CLEP/DSST exams thanks to the wonderful advice on this site, But no matter what I try, AMU will simply not acknowledge the 12 science credits I have from completing CLEP : Chemisty, and CLEP : Natural Sciences.


I've emailed them twice, spread out over a few months just to see if I would get a different answer and this is my latest email :



Travis,

CLEP credit in Natural Science and General Chemistry are all considered electives courses because they have no laboratory components. For students to get general education science credit, all science courses must include a laboratory component taken concurrently with the course. I am really sorry if you were expecting to receive general education credit out of these courses, but per our policy, CLEP science credits don’t meet the general education science requirement.

Please understand that we want to award the most credit possible, but we must adhere to the policies and procedures set forth by our accrediting bodies and our academics department.

Kindest Regards,

AMU Transfer Credit Dept.





So as you read above, because those CLEPS dont have a "lab" component , I have to take 2 legitimate science classes with the school and do an "online lab", then they give me a list of classes to choose from :

SCIN130 - Introduction to Biology with Lab
SCIN131 - Introduction to Chemistry with Lab
SCIN132 - Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology with Lab
SCIN133 - Introduction to Physics with Lab
SCIN134 - Introduction to Astronomy with Lab
SCIN135 - Introduction to Forestry with Lab
SCIN136 - Introduction to Oceanography with Lab
SCIN137 - Introduction to Meteorology with Lab
SCIN138 - Introduction to Physical Geology with Lab
SCIN139 - Introduction to Human Ecology with Lab
SCIN140 - Introduction to Environmental Science with Lab
SCIN233 - Physics I with Lab
SCIN234 - Physics II with Lab


Has anyone ran into this issue with the big 3 Online schools? Is there a way to get around this or am I pretty much at the mercy of AMU and will have to abide by their rules?

[sanantone]

The Big 3 accept science CLEPs and DSSTs for general education credit. I don't know if there is a work around, but if AMU is adamant about not accepting your science credits, then you'll just have to transfer or take science courses through Straighterline, AMU, or another college.

[Travis4687]

The Big 3 accept science CLEPs and DSSTs for general education credit. I don't know if there is a work around, but if AMU is adamant about not accepting your science credits, then you'll just have to transfer or take science courses through Straighterline, AMU, or another college.

It's funny you mentioned straighterline, Ive been looking into them as of about 40 minutes ago, then I stumbled across a thread saying that amu WILL accept the straighterline science courses with labs. So that may be my best option.

I've already Tested out of 70 credits of my degree, and when I get these two science courses done i'll be at 78, leaving me with only a little over a year of actual classes to do with AMU.

Do you have any idea how long the straighterline science courses typically last? I cant get a general answer, I'm hearing anything from a few hours to a few months.

[rebel100]

You won't be done in a few hours, but it won't take months either (unless you mess around). Search for Ryoder's post on Anatomy and Physiology via Straighterline, if memory serves he did A&P 1 and 2 in about 1 month......of course he is a superstar education machine. But if motivated there is no reason why you couldn't do it too (to?....I can never remember).

[marianne202]

Most schools won't accept science related courses without a lab component so this requirement doesn't surprise me. If you decide to look at SL I encourage you to make sure AMU will accept it before you start it. Make sure you look at the grade level and type of credit assigned to the SL courses before you start, not all their courses are approved as AS level, some are only AAS level and may not transfer. EC will accept CLEP/DSST without the lab so transferring may be worthwhile. The other least expensive option is to search out a class at your local community college. You may also look into the Ocean class option, but again make sure AMU will accept it before you start. Good Luck!

[cookderosa]

Hey everyone,

Im writing because I'm wanting to know if there is a work around to a little problem I'm having with AMU (American Military University), basically I have clepped out of every single gen ed. class using CLEP/DSST exams thanks to the wonderful advice on this site, But no matter what I try, AMU will simply not acknowledge the 12 science credits I have from completing CLEP : Chemisty, and CLEP : Natural Sciences.


I've emailed them twice, spread out over a few months just to see if I would get a different answer and this is my latest email :



Travis,

CLEP credit in Natural Science and General Chemistry are all considered electives courses because they have no laboratory components. For students to get general education science credit, all science courses must include a laboratory component taken concurrently with the course. I am really sorry if you were expecting to receive general education credit out of these courses, but per our policy, CLEP science credits don’t meet the general education science requirement.

Please understand that we want to award the most credit possible, but we must adhere to the policies and procedures set forth by our accrediting bodies and our academics department.

Kindest Regards,

AMU Transfer Credit Dept.





So as you read above, because those CLEPS dont have a "lab" component , I have to take 2 legitimate science classes with the school and do an "online lab", then they give me a list of classes to choose from :

SCIN130 - Introduction to Biology with Lab
SCIN131 - Introduction to Chemistry with Lab
SCIN132 - Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology with Lab
SCIN133 - Introduction to Physics with Lab
SCIN134 - Introduction to Astronomy with Lab
SCIN135 - Introduction to Forestry with Lab
SCIN136 - Introduction to Oceanography with Lab
SCIN137 - Introduction to Meteorology with Lab
SCIN138 - Introduction to Physical Geology with Lab
SCIN139 - Introduction to Human Ecology with Lab
SCIN140 - Introduction to Environmental Science with Lab
SCIN233 - Physics I with Lab
SCIN234 - Physics II with Lab


Has anyone ran into this issue with the big 3 Online schools? Is there a way to get around this or am I pretty much at the mercy of AMU and will have to abide by their rules?

Sure, it's common for colleges to distinguish between lab and non-lab science. CLEPs are never lab science. Even the big three have some degrees that require lab science. You'll probably get a good price through APUS, but if you're looking elsewhere, be sure your sciences are in multiples of 4 (not 3 which is non-lab) and say "with lab" in the course title. Even then, you'll want to confirm with your advisor that the course you are considering will count.

I don't know if APUS accepts Straighterline, but they offer lab options and might be the faster of the options. Like Linda mentioned, Ocean offers labs Ocean County College which is where I took mine, and APUS absolutely does accept them.

[Travis4687]

Can someone who has used StraighterLine chime in here, I Have a few questions :

AMU will in fact accept the SL Science courses with labs, and its a cheaper option than paying the 750 per class so I think I'm going to go this route :

Is SL like ALEKS where If i fail something I can simply re-do it over and over to get a passing score?

Lets say I fail an exam, is it failed for good or can I retake it and eventually do it with everything I fail and get the 70% PASS rate to get credit for the course?

[rebel100]

No do-overs as far as I know. These courses are designed for student success. Here is a link to the courses...click on the titles and go to "evaluation criteria" to see how each is assessed. Online College Courses - Take College Courses Through Our Distance Learning Courses - StraighterLine

[Gooberman11]

Just finished SL Anatomy 1 and 2 in a month. It took the entire month working very diligently each day. I had a good working knowledge of Anatomy, but not Physiology. So the Physiology parts took more time. I passed with 90% and 88%. You can't "re-take" a failed score on a test, but the grade is averaged over the whole class. So if you fail a test, just make sure to ace the next one and you are back in business. Good luck and I have to say they were fun classes! I enjoyed them--but glad the month is over--I'm worn out from testing .

[hkhart]

You have to have a cumalative grade of 70% in the course. If you do not, you can retake the course but the new cumalative will be averaged with the old - so you still have to get better than 70% combined. At least that is how I understood their policy. I took A&P II w/o lab, didn't need it and it took just a few days.