TESU Course approval

[Gymfan15]

So originally I had planned to just do all my courses based off of Study.com and Straighterline equivalency guides, but these days it seems like it would be wiser to get specific course approvals from TESU in writing in case something changes between now and graduation. I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what is the most efficient way to do that? Who to call/email; etc.

Thanks!

[High_Order1]

I'll take a stab at this:

Until you enroll and the credits are evaluated, nothing is for certain. It can change between the time you take it and the time they assess it.

Don't use the SL or any other provider equivalency guides. I recently fell into this with DAVAR. Go to the college / university you are interested in, and look at theirs. I used to have it bookmarked, but can't find it atm. sorry!

here it is:

Alternative Credit Project

[Synicaal]

So originally I had planned to just do all my courses based off of Study.com and Straighterline equivalency guides, but these days it seems like it would be wiser to get specific course approvals from TESU in writing in case something changes between now and graduation. I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what is the most efficient way to do that? Who to call/email; etc.

Thanks!

First thing is to get yourself ENROLLED in a degree program. That way it can't change as long as you keep it current (1 TECEP per year). Once you are applied and accepted into the school you can take your first TECEP. Simple one would be to take the easiest one they have (for you). I am not 100% sure or not if they will pre approve courses before you are actually enrolled. Either way I started just e-mailing academic advising of the courses I was planning on and they approved them and put them as pending on my evaluation. Doing it this way you have the responding e-mail saying the courses are APPROVED and they should easily go where you want them too when it come time to transfer them in.

Hope this helps!

[davewill]

Yes, I always got tests and courses planned into my evaluation before I took them. Basically, there is no way to be 100% certain, but having it planned in provides some peace of mind.

[dfrecore]

Alternative Credit Project

This only lists courses through ACP, which is a pretty small list. TESU also posts what they will accept through CLEP & DSST on their website. SL and Study.com have course equivalencies on their websites. There are also TONS of credits not on any of these lists that they accept (anything NCCRS-approved, lots of other ACE-approved courses, TEEX, the Institutes, anything new that's been added by any of these course providers, AP exams, etc.).

BUT, in spite of this, if you have any questions, I would get them approved first.

Personally, since it's not a ton of money, and might be more hassle than it's worth, especially for the BSBA-GM degree which is VERY discussed here on this forum, I would probably just take everything and transfer it in. If there are questions later, you can ask. But generally for this degree, there are so many options that have been successfully transferred in for many years, I wouldn't worry about it a ton.

Of course, I also wouldn't wait until 3 days before I think I want to apply for graduation to send everything in either. I would probably start taking courses, apply as a Study.com affiliate member, and transfer in courses occasionally (depends on how much you want to spend and how long it's going to take you). But maybe once a year, or every 6 months if you're going quickly, and make sure everything is going where you thought it would. That leaves you time to make corrections if you need to well in advance of graduation.

[TrailRunr]

It's not enough just to start taking courses at SL and study.com. You may get lucky and nothing happens. Or TESU may change guidelines midstream and screw you over.

1) Apply to TESU and send in transcripts.
2) Enroll by taking a TECEP ASAP after you become an applicant. You need to take one TECEP every 365 days or less. Don't let your enrollment expire without refreshing your enrollment with another TECEP. There are lists of easy TECEPs depending on your strengths and weaknesses. If you know you need a specific TECEP, no need to wait for the 25 business days to get your initial eval.
3) Get all courses preapproved in your eval after enrollment even if there is a TESU transfer guide from the course provider like SL and study.com. You can put in a ticket or call them. The transfer guide doesn't mean squat. It can change at any time. If it changes, it's almost always not in your favor and will cost you time and money.
4) Transfer your courses in a timely manner. Within a few months is fine if transcripts are expensive. If it is cheap or free to transfer, transfer early and often.

Do not skip step 2 because of test phobias or cost. You could get seriously screwed over with courses being downgraded all the time nowadays. And the tests aren't that bad anyway.

[Ideas]

2) Enroll by taking a TECEP ASAP after you become an applicant. You need to take one TECEP every 365 days or less. Don't let your enrollment expire without refreshing your enrollment with another TECEP. There are lists of easy TECEPs depending on your strengths and weaknesses.

Do not skip step 2 because of test phobias or cost. You could get seriously screwed over with courses being downgraded all the time nowadays. And the tests aren't that bad anyway.

So is it not enough to enroll in a TECEP, you also have to take it before the year change over? I was planning to take my first TECEP in early to mid July, but I guess I should do it by June 30th?

[davewill]

No, if you're enrolled in the June term, you're​ considered enrolled and locked in for the 16/17 catalog. You do need to take it (and pass) before the term ends in Aug, though.

[Gymfan15]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. To clarify, I AM enrolled in TESU and am in the process of taking the SM capstone TECEP. So this is more about just making sure that my course plan is as "safe" as it can possibly be by getting the rest of my courses pre-approved so I don't need to worry about the requirements changing on me.

[dfrecore]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. To clarify, I AM enrolled in TESU and am in the process of taking the SM capstone TECEP. So this is more about just making sure that my course plan is as "safe" as it can possibly be by getting the rest of my courses pre-approved so I don't need to worry about the requirements changing on me.

Requirements won't change once you're enrolled. You have "locked in" your catalog, and those requirements will stay until graduation unless you let your enrollment lapse.