School selection

[jacanyardie]

I am presently enrolled with TESC,...and not enjoying it... I was told about Penn Foster and University of Maryland.....can anyone share their expriences with these colleges.....because I really want to switch..

[marianne202]

I haven't used either school, but I do not think Penn Foster is regionally accredited. I know the CC that I work at will not accept their courses for credit. I would recommend checking that out. I can highly recommend Excelsior College if you haven't looked into them. I was also impressed with the staff and response at Charter Oak State College when I talked with them. Good luck! You should get some good suggestions here.

[jonasling]

I am presently enrolled with TESC,...and not enjoying it... I was told about Penn Foster and University of Maryland.....can anyone share their expriences with these colleges.....because I really want to switch..

What kind of issues do you have with TESC?

[ideafx]

I am presently enrolled with TESC,...and not enjoying it... I was told about Penn Foster and University of Maryland.....can anyone share their expriences with these colleges.....because I really want to switch..

Tuition at UMUC is ridiculous for non-Maryland residents ($499/credit). Perhaps you can look into Excelsior or COSC instead.

[jacanyardie]

I think tution package is limited......I plan on testing out on most...so I just need to do one or two courses with them...

[candothis]

I think tution package is limited......I plan on testing out on most...so I just need to do one or two courses with them...

I don't know if you have checked, but most schools have a minimum residency requirement. I don't know about the UNI of Maryland. But you do need to find out.

[categ]

Off the top of my head, I believe (at UMUC) we need 30 credits from them and 15 of them have to be upper level. Not 100% sure of exact numbers, though.

[Nana]

I'm not enrolledl at Penn Foster College in a program, but I did take Information Literacy there because Excelsior College requires it and would take PF's Info Lit. I also took Physical Science with PF and Excelsior College approved that course. As long as the Penn Foster courses are ACE approved, the chance that regionally accredited colleges with take them is pretty good. All the dealings I had with PF were very good. Of course, I think I blew the Physical Science proctored exam last night and even with my pretty high class average, I think I'm going to get a "D" and Excelsior will not take that. If anyone ever says that PF is an "easy" way to get college hours, I now can tell them they have no idea what they are talking about!!!

I have been very pleased with Excelsior College in my dealings with them. I lack 3 hours of Natural Science/Math to have my Associates Degree, which I should have finished back 30 years ago. But now that my kids have their degrees, including Master's, etc., I'm back to finishing mine and I'm happy I chose Excelsior College. I debated on TESC.

Nana

[perrik]

UMUC allows up to 60 credits from CLEP/DSST/ECE. You cannot take an exam if you already have equivalent course credit, nor can you take a course if you already have equivalent exam credit. Once you've accumulated 90 credits (out of 120 for the BA or BS), you may only earn additional 6 credits via exam, assuming you haven't already used up your maximum 60 exam credits.

You can transfer up to 90 credits from your previous institution, but the final 30 credits (including at least half of your major credits) must be taken at UMUC.

Course challenge exams are available for a number of classes, but the cost is the same as the tuition for the class - you'd save time but not money.

UMUC tuition is $230/credit hour for in-state and active military (including spouses); otherwise it's $499/credit hour.

If you want to just take a few classes and get the rest of the degree via exam, transfer to EC or COSC. I've confirmed that you can take UMUC classes as a non-enrolled student, but unless you're military or an Maryland resident you can find the same class elsewhere for less!

[killerkitty]

I love Penn Foster, I'm in their Criminal Justice program and MOSt of these classes are ACE approved, so transferability of these credits shouldn't be a problem. The program is great, textbooks are included (and then you can sell your textbooks on amazon, lowering the cost of your credits) if you want more info you can PM me. I really do love it though, I'm about to start my 3rd semester.... good luck!