Posts: 191
Threads: 22
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2008
I'm trying to do some research on the big 3 for my son. He's earned his paramedic certificate & passed the national registry. He wants to be a firefighter/paramedic. He's going to be taking his fire academy online. I'm wanting to understand how the big 3 work because I think it will be the fastest way for him to earn his bachelors. I'm willing to pay for his fees to have his credits evaluated when he completes the fire academy.
My husband and I were talking about TESC and now I'm confused. It was my understanding that my son should be able to take tests, and transfer in his credits under the Enrolled Options Plan (2858 for out of state plus $33 per credit hour/test). My husband said that he will have to pay an additional fee of $200 for all the hours our son transfers into TESC. Is this right? I'm now very confused.

Cleps:
Introduction Business Law 65
Principles of Management 70
Principles of Marketing 71
A&I Literature 68
American Lit 59
Educational Psychology 68
Social sciences & history 65
Western Civilization I 64
What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
•
Posts: 11,163
Threads: 660
Likes Received: 2,132 in 1,294 posts
Likes Given: 502
Joined: Apr 2011
08-16-2011, 03:14 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-16-2011, 03:17 AM by sanantone.)
All you have is the annual enrollment fee and yearly technology services fee ($113). That is it. Your son can take TECEPs for $99 each through TESC; but he can also take CLEPs, DSSTs, and ECEs which are a little bit cheaper (with the exception of some ECEs that are $250). TESC does not charge extra for every course you transfer or CLEP/DSST/ECE accepted. The good thing about TESC is that you can earn up to 32 credits with FEMAs which are free to take and transfer to TESC. Most other schools require you to transcribe them through FEMA's partner college which charges $70 per credit or some might accept them on a TESC transcript that requires you to pay a few hundred dollars for credit banking if you aren't a TESC student.
If your son is planning to take any TESC courses, those cost $212 per credit hour. If he's taking more than 24 credit hours a year through TESC courses, then the Comprehensive Tuition Plan is cheaper.
•
Posts: 191
Threads: 22
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2008
Thanks for helping clear that up for me. My son already has a little over 50 hours that can transfer into TESC. I think the liberal arts degree will probably offer him the most flexibility. I'm hoping that some of the classes he was required to take (like Anatomy and Physiology for healthcare professionals) will transfer as science credits. I really want to get the evaluation done and see where he's at....I think that he'll be much closer than he realizes. I think once he sees how close he is, and realizes how much momentum he can gain with the tests that he'll get a renewed interest in pursuing his bachelors.
He's really a very good test taker. He passed his EMT-B and EMT-P national registry exams on his first attempt. He's only 20, so I know we'll have to apply for the waiver for admission. I don't think that will be an issue given his 3.0 + gpa for the 50 hours.
How hard is it to find a proctor for the various tests? I have only taken clep tests, so I don't know about the other test formats. Thanks for any help or advice.

Cleps:
Introduction Business Law 65
Principles of Management 70
Principles of Marketing 71
A&I Literature 68
American Lit 59
Educational Psychology 68
Social sciences & history 65
Western Civilization I 64
What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
•
Posts: 11,163
Threads: 660
Likes Received: 2,132 in 1,294 posts
Likes Given: 502
Joined: Apr 2011
08-16-2011, 05:55 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-16-2011, 05:58 AM by sanantone.)
ECE testing centers.
Pearson VUE
DSST testing centers.
DSST - GetCollegeCredit.com
CLEP testing centers.
CLEP Test Center Search
He's going to have to call each school and determine which ones offer the tests to non-students. I could only find two schools in my area that offer DSSTs to non-students and only one offered the online version. With the paper version, it can take 4-6 weeks to get the results. I have no experience with TECEPs, but I think you just have to find a willing proctor at a college or library that TESC will approve.
I don't know much about EMT certification, but if his training isn't on a transcript, then TESC will probably require a notarized copy of his certificate. After he gets his evaluation, he can use Online Student Services to compare his credits to other degree programs. Liberal studies is the most flexible, but if he can just as easily get something else, then he should go for it. It's easy to test out of the social science and psychology programs. You can also test out of business administration, but the required exams will be very specific.
I thank God everyday for TESC. I have been going to school off and on for 6 years. When I got my evaluation earlier this year with TESC, I only had 51 credits. My community college transcript came really late and TESC added 6 more credits for a total of 57. Since Oct. 2010, I have completed 33 credits at my CC with a 4.0 and TESC gave me upper level credit for many of the courses. I have completed the rest of my, now, 110 credits with testing. The advisors at Charter Oak and TESC didn't think I could complete my degree by this October, but I will.
•
Posts: 191
Threads: 22
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2008
Good for you! I know how awesome it feels to come up with a plan and really start making progress on the degree. I'm certain you'll get there very soon. Congratulations on all your progress and hard work. I'm sure it will pay off.

Cleps:
Introduction Business Law 65
Principles of Management 70
Principles of Marketing 71
A&I Literature 68
American Lit 59
Educational Psychology 68
Social sciences & history 65
Western Civilization I 64
What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
•
Posts: 191
Threads: 22
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2008
Good for you! I know how awesome it feels to come up with a plan and really start making progress on the degree. I'm certain you'll get there very soon. Congratulations on all your progress and hard work. I'm sure it will pay off.

Cleps:
Introduction Business Law 65
Principles of Management 70
Principles of Marketing 71
A&I Literature 68
American Lit 59
Educational Psychology 68
Social sciences & history 65
Western Civilization I 64
What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
•
Posts: 11,163
Threads: 660
Likes Received: 2,132 in 1,294 posts
Likes Given: 502
Joined: Apr 2011
Namivie Wrote:Good for you! I know how awesome it feels to come up with a plan and really start making progress on the degree. I'm certain you'll get there very soon. Congratulations on all your progress and hard work. I'm sure it will pay off.
Thank you and good luck to your son.
•