FEMA & FREE College Credit courses

[barcotta]

Intrigued by the spirited debate on this topic (as well as the opportunity to acquire some "fill-in" credits) I decided to pursue the issue of FEMA credits for Excelsior students via Thomas Edison. If you don't know what I'm talking about, read the earlier messages in this thread first.

I just got off the phone with Jennifer (x1331) at Excelsior. She's a Business program advisor. I first spoke to her this morning re. this issue. She informed me that she would not expect that FEMA credits transferred through Thomas Edison would be accepted at Excelsior because Excelsior does not accept "3rd party" credits. She explained that, for example, if I had taken CLEP exams while enrolled at Thomas Edison that they would not accept the credit from Thomas Edison. Instead, they would transfer it directly from the College Board. I'm not sure if all this is true or if it even matters--but I figured I'll get everything down and those who have been exploring this longer and more intently than I may or may not benefit.

I then explained the cost issue and what had been discussed on this forum. She said she would research and call me back. When she called me back she informed me that FEMA credits transferred from Thomas Edison WOULD be accepted at Excelsior as elective credits. She also said that was true of Frederick Community College, Clackamus CC and Lewis & Clark CC. Turns out Lewis & Clark CC no longer supports this program and Clackamus CC is $60 per unit--just like Frederick. What we need is a California Community College to get in on this. My community college is only $20 per unit! In any event, Jennifer made it a point to tell me that FEMA credits are OK, but NETC (National Emergency Training Center?) credits would NOT be accepted this was. NETC would have to come through another channel (of which I'm not familiar and don't recall at the moment--since I had never dealt with NETC until this phone call).

Also, Jennifer told me that the Excelsior policy on this changed in November (assumably 2006) so anyone inquiring prior to that date may have received a different answer. Finally, to make sure I had this 100% correct, I called back and spoke with another advisor named Sandy, and Sandy confirmed for me that the credits could be transferred in to Excelsior specifically through the Thomas Edison credit bank.

So, obviously, the tipping point is at 6 credits. It costs $380 to join the credit bank at Thomas Edison and $60 per credit through the community colleges. In the Excelsior Business program, you only have 15 electives, so if you've met some of them in some other, less expensive way, the best deal may be to round out the last few you need using Frederick Community College. I'm trying to challenge some courses at my local community college at $20 per credit. Depending on how far I get, I'll likely just use the FEMA credits for 4-6 of my elective credits.