Few questions, pretty new to this

[Nowell]

Hi there! I've been lurking the clep forum for a bit now, trying to soak in as much as I possibly can, but I'm still having some issues trying to get a degree plan set up and was hoping I may be able to get some help. I've looked over the plans on the wiki, but most seem to be outdated and need to have a bunch of things swapped/changed out to be valid. Are there any links floating around to plans current to this year?

The other question I had was, in your opinion, what would be the fastest (exam difficulty, overlapping courses, etc) BA program to complete. My goal is to begin a TEFL career overseas, which has a strict BA requirement (regardless of my TEFL cert), so I don't mind if the degree path I take doesn't turn into a marketable job. My normal career is in IT, where I've got a solid resume without an applicable degree and will probably pursue certifications to further that once I move on from TEFL. Just wanted to clarify, as I know the generic "How do I get any degree fast and cheap" is lobbed about quite often. For what it's worth, I've got some personal interest in history and business, so would probably have fun with a degree in those fields.

Any links or help would be greatly appreciated.

[JTP]

TESC test out plans after July 2015

Try starting there for ideas on test out plans.

Do you have any prior college credits, certifications, technical training? If so post some of them here along with course name, course number, credit hours and I'm sure some of the members here can help map out a plan for you.

[dfrecore]

Yes, giving us something to work with is helpful.

A BSBA from TESC is easy to test out of (including the capstone), but doesn't offer much flexibility or many electives (only 6cr free electives). There are a lot of specific courses you have to take. The good news is there are multiple ways to take most of the courses.

A BA in Liberal Studies is also test-out-able, except for the Capstone, and offers a lot of flexibility. It just depends on what kinds of credits you already have (if any), and the direction you want to take.

For instance, if you want to take a bunch of business courses, they will fit into the BSBA OR the free electives portion of the BALS. If you want to take a lot of computer courses/exams, they will fit into the BALS, but there will be less flexibility with fitting them into the BSBA (depending on whether they're considered CIS/CS/NatSci, or not). A bunch of history courses will fit into both, but you will max out on where you can put them in the BSBA (9cr in section C, 15cr in Gen Ed & 2cr in Free Electives). You just have more space for those kinds of exams in the BALS.

So, you should look at the degree plans for both, and try to determine whether you want more flexibility to take what you like, or a more specific list of courses to take, and whether you want to take all of those courses or not. The cost for the BALS will be more expensive only because you have to take the capstone; I would say start-to-finish (including graduation), with zero credits to start with, a BSBA can be had for $3000 while a BALS would be closer to $4500.

Others can chime in with their experiences at COSC and EC.

[rebel100]

Can you provide us with your currnet completed course list including course numbers and credit value? Make it much easier to speak to your specific situation.

[Nowell]

Thanks for the input so far! some info that was asked for: I currently have maybe 3 credits in humanities (Can't remember the course name for the life of me) and another 3 from US History I to transfer in, so I would be starting almost from scratch.

I'd prefer to be able to bypass a capstone (while I'm not optimistic about it being an option, a bulk of the cost seems to sit in that class), but since it's not likely, it's not a big deal.

As for plans with more 'flexibility', I could go either way. Currently, a liberal studies plan is looking most attractive just due to the wide range of material covered.

[dfrecore]

Thanks for the input so far! some info that was asked for: I currently have maybe 3 credits in humanities (Can't remember the course name for the life of me) and another 3 from US History I to transfer in, so I would be starting almost from scratch.

I'd prefer to be able to bypass a capstone (while I'm not optimistic about it being an option, a bulk of the cost seems to sit in that class), but since it's not likely, it's not a big deal.

As for plans with more 'flexibility', I could go either way. Currently, a liberal studies plan is looking most attractive just due to the wide range of material covered.

The BSBA does have a capstone, but it can be done cheaply (via TECEP or Penn Foster course), so if cost is the main issue, then you could easily go this way. You can also create 2 spreadsheets; the first is a BSBA, and the 2nd is a BALS, with as many BSBA courses in there as can fit. Then fill in the rest of the BALS. At that point, take all of the classes that are in both plans. Last; decide which way you want to go! You don't have to decide until AFTER you're quite a ways through and have a lot more info on what kinds of courses you want to take, and what direction you want to go in. Not a bad option, in my opinion.

[davewill]

... You don't have to decide until AFTER you're quite a ways through and have a lot more info on what kinds of courses you want to take, and what direction you want to go in. Not a bad option, in my opinion.

If you change your course of study, do you have to move to the current catalog or do you get to stay with the catalog active at the time you enrolled?

[dfrecore]

If you change your course of study, do you have to move to the current catalog or do you get to stay with the catalog active at the time you enrolled?

If you're switching, you would have to switch to the new catalog - so I would make the switch before July 1. I assumed that the OP wouldn't actually enroll until further along, so there wouldn't be any switching going on in the first place; he/she would take courses/exams, then make the decision and enroll at that point.

[Nowell]

It'll be a month or two before I pull the trigger and enroll/start testing. Have a couple things I need to get situated first. Not worried about switching anything up, and the BSBA so far is looking like the most attractive plan. While not terribly exciting, it at least has some applicability to my IT career.