Advise me plz: AAA or AAS (even AGS?) for remedial student

[infradata.it@gmail.com]

Hello,

I haven't asked this publicly before, but I was hoping for advice.

I am helping an adult learner (co-worker/friend) that is trying to find a path to hold ANY degree, for career advancement.

They work in customer service, and wish to advance into management (but they would require at least 2yr degree)

This adult learner is not "learning disabled" (please, forgive me if this term is no longer acceptable), they had been through a testing program in high school, and were rated as a "remedial" student, but not "disabled".

This was in Canada, courses were "basic" (which was the term for "applied", in the "applied, general, advanced" system used at the time).

Their (my for them) original plan was to just "collect" 59 LL credits, do 1 RA credit (College Success/Career Planning/Basic IT/similar?) and degree out Pierpont's BOG AAS (gen studies, or business admin?) ... but they were no where near "fast enough" to beat BOG policy change.

Seeking alt, TESU... but not ideal

They struggle with course work that is at the level of:

• TEEX Cyber101 (they were not successful in passing the 1st course, of the course set)
  
• AWIT (Advancing Women Tech, 2 courses were free .. they were unable to pass either)
  
• and the "See more impact labs" CMS Certificate program (they did pass, but it was a solid, daily, 2 week effort and frustrated them highly)
  

IMHO, they would not pass Eng Comp Modular via CLEP/Modern States (but I believe they "could" pass environmental science, via CLEP, for example).

I was wondering if it was even possible to get them into any, yes any, TESU associates degree, if they were to "payout the waiver" and only need to do a media literacy course and capstone.

The main question ... how do I best advise them (please advise me)

They have 7 LL credits, they did earn already:

• 3 math CMS Certificate
  
• 1 credit: College Success (Saylor)
  
• 3 credit: BUS107: Customer Service (Saylor)
  

They found the Saylor courses above; "common sense" in their own words, but they have worked (for many years) in customer support.

Past this they have: 

• WHMIS/OSHA Safety Certificate
  
• MSI SixSigma Greenbelt (oddly), & "Leadership Workshop", Certificates
  
• Redcross First Aid (level C - top available) Certificate
  

I am trying to come up with a VERY light course load to get them up to 53'ish credits (all LL are fine), but I am stuck... (at about 27 additional "easy" credits)

Any advice?

[bjcheung77]

Great post with some details... What I recommend is to provide a bigger picture by filling in the info asked for on the addendum and template here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

My suggestion is to go with Sophia.org and complete 90+ credits for transfer to UMPI BLS, select a minor or two of choice and complete 3-4 classes that can go towards the MAOL if they ever wanted to do the MAOL later in life.

Basically, add the AALS to the degree program but forget it as the classes taken for residency credits at UMPI will complete the AALS. This will get you an AALS and BLS when done. Another option is doing the UoPeople A/B combo.

UMPI vs UoPeople: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...s-Time-etc
UMPI WIKI: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Un...esque_Isle
UMPI Plans: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

[infradata.it@gmail.com]

I will fill out the Template, I will need the learners assistance, I might be missing details. I did the a similar template for a question about myself.

Learner is very personable, but another need for "credits taken with institution", this greatest limiting factor for their delayed education appears to be a history of "extreme poor academic performance" which caused lifelong self-doubt about higher education

I will get needed info and add it, thanks.

///

Maybe I am slightly confused... how could these degrees be done, without out needing to interact with the schools? Meaning: If learner has all required credits, in correct areas, why does the institution need to do more than "rubber stamp it".

Where is the use past effort & cash to "pay for rubber stamp" options? uninterested in "the experience/process", we want "the papers" (credentials)

[newdegree]

With the utmost respect for your friend's situation, if they can't pass the remedial or introductory English composition course, that will be an issue. Earning a college degree can be challenging, and one may try to use alternative credits, but most programs still require in-house credits to be completed. We have a saying that when the ship sails, it sails, and that was the case for Pierpont AAS BOG. In the past, I was able to catch another "ship", aka college program, from Excelsior College, now known as Excelsior University, which offered a Master's in Public Administration, which accepted 24 out of 30 transfer credits; I only had to complete three courses for an additional master's degree.

In his case, he should first complete all the Sophia courses, as they are some of the easiest to complete. Some alternatives to consider are the University of the People, TESU, UMPI, and WGU. The only problem is that these programs will require actual work to be done, such as writing papers, taking exams, participating in discussion boards, and giving presentations, depending on the school and class. There are no longer programs like Pierpont BOG, which offered transfer credits for a degree. He could consider pursuing an ENEB degree, opting for the exam option, which consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. If he passes, he can get his transcripts evaluated as an RA equivalent to a US bachelor's degree. Will his job in Canada accept that?

[infradata.it@gmail.com]

Thank you, but discouraging. She is very capable in the role, but not "on paper"

Abuse of "Credentialism" has left a very bad taste in my mouth, (and the mouths of 66% the population).

It became a "requirement" over her career, to continue progressing (being leapfrogged by her 24yr old intern, that is now been promoted to her manager, over her application, has really hurt her career outlooks)
/

No the Canadian job has become a bad place after the leap frog and loss of previous manager. She is looking to exit Canada (it has become a tyranny, but off topic), in this case the degree is much more important to acceptance to USA

[newdegree]

Not to come off as harsh, but welcome to life, it's not always fair, but you have the opportunity to make the necessary changes to even the playing field. They can always look for a job that will value their experience over a degree, as they are not obligated to stay with their current employer. Everyone goes through the same struggle of needing a college degree to advance in some way or another. Even if they don't use it, it has essentially become the new standard in many jobs. I consider the bachelor's degree the new high school diploma for entry-level jobs, as there are many available. Unless you are getting a STEM degree or a degree in high demanding field many employers got tons of applicants to fill the vacancy for a manager positon oftentimes drawing people with experience and a degree hence why many people stuck at the lower levels do not move up because they do not meet the "requirements" for the management position.

Now, when trying to hack a degree with college credits, there are only a handful of programs that will let you transfer alternative credits, such as Sophia, study.com, Coursera certificates, etc. No program will simply award you a degree for a combination of random credits, as seen with Pierpont's AAS BOG. You will still need to complete coursework to earn a degree, which typically involves taking courses at the university or college, even if it's just 15 credits.

With that said, Siri, please play Frank Sinatra: That's Life

[bjcheung77]

+1, I agree with what has been mentioned above, it really is a student preference thing... Having said that, by doing the adding the AALS (forgetting it) and completing the BLS using Sophia.org and Study.com (neither is proctored now with video recording, only Geotracking/IP Logging, photo ID, etc), they're using the Honor System basically...

By transferring the max of 90 credits (90+, but only 90 will go to the degree), you can complete the final UMPI requirements in 1 sessions if you have the energy/time to get it done, at most 2, all being non proctored entirely now. By doing a minor or two, plus the 3-4 classes that go towards the MAOL, you're prepping for that Masters if you ever wanted to later.

[infradata.it@gmail.com]

thank you I understand, plan closed.