Northern Arizona University Launches Competency-Based Online Degree Program

[Daithi]

A few questions for Rebecca if she is still reading this forum.

I am interested in the CIT degree from NAU. I do not currently have a degree, but I do have over 25 years experience as a software developer. One option would be for me to enroll in NAU and begin your program, but I already have a lot of non-traditional credits (CLEP, DSST, ACE, etc). So, my plan is to just finish the rest of the testing I need to get my BA in Liberal Studies from Thomas Edison State College (TESC). I should be done around Christmas or Q1 of 2014.

The NAU Personalized Learning Info Packet from your website says,

A previous bachelor’s degree fulfills all Liberal Studies, Diversity, and Minor requirements for a Personalized Learning degree.

However, the testing to earn the TESC degree would put me way over your Credit By Exams limits. Will this be a problem or would the degree from TESC be treated as a whole and not analyzed credit-by-credit? Also, if it isn't a problem, would this mean that I would only need to meet the language requirements and also the major requirements for the CIT degree? Lastly, in regards to the language requirement, which would be the best way to handle this requirement?

1) Take the Spanish CLEP as part of earning my TESC degree and try to get a 68 or more. This gives me 12 credits at TESC, but NAU counts 68+ as 16 credits and NAU requires 16 language credits. (Or, would NAU only see this as 12 credits because this was what TESC granted in the degree?)

2) Don't take the CLEP as part of earning my TESC degree. Instead, take the Spanish CLEP after I've earned my degree. This ensures that if I get 68+ then I get credit for 16 credits. (Or would this not work because my TESC degree already put me well over your Credit By Exams limits?)