Beginners Guide To Getting Cheap/Fast College Credit

[bjcheung77]

Accreditation - In order of recognition and preference.
Regionally Accredited schools are the gold standard and most recognized.
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_accreditation
Specialized Accreditation - Accrediting bodies that overseas special programs such as business, engineering, nursing, etc.
Link here: Our Members | ASPA-USA
Nationally Accredited schools may be of same quality, but perceived sub standard.

GAAP (Generally Accepted Accrediting Principles) - Overseas, Internationally Recognized educational institutions of higher learning similar to US accreditation. Example, Australia has accreditation by state/territory and Canada has accreditation by province, neither are by the Dept of Education within the country (not federally/nationally or regionally accredited). The Dept of Education is there for overseeing student loans and grants.

For some reason or another, you may be taking courses at a Nationally Accredited institution for undergrad studies or something. If you would like to transfer to a Regionally Accredited institution, it will be harder as it's less recognized unless the school fully recognizes those courses, has an articulation agreement or if it's either ACE/NCCRS recommended.

Don't worry much, as there are few yet enough schools out there that will accept your courses or undergrad degree into their programs, either by individual courses or block transfer/articulation. This is true for individuals with internationally recognized degrees, as long as it's evaluated, you may or may not need to take makeup courses.


Competency Based Degree - Exactly what it means, you get credit for what you know, how well you know it
There are several schools that have this type of degree offering, from undergrad to graduate studies.
Many of those programs are much cheaper than their in class or online counterparts, as it's "self study".
Essentially, you go through the courses at your own speed, and complete assignments/projects/exams.

Individuals may choose these programs over the Big 3 (credit by transfer) as you decide how much time it will take and how much the fees will be by going at your own pace and speed of completing assignments/exams. One reason I like these type of programs is, for example, is to transfer the majority of your courses into the program, if you finish the remainder of a degree in one term at one of these universities, it may only cost you 2-3 grand for that term. That is the beauty of competency degrees, the cost and amount of time finishing a degree is cheaper and faster.

Short example list of Competency Based Degree institutions/providers
Capella University : $2500/12 Weeks - FlexPath : Self-Paced Courses Online - Capella University
Northern Arizona University : $2500-3000/6 months - | Tuition | NAU Extended Campuses
Patten University : $2000+/4 months - Online College Tuition Cost | Price of Online Degrees | Patten University
Hodges University : $2500-$3000/6 months - UPOWER - Self-Paced Learning | Hodges University
Western Governors University : $2500+/6 months - Affordable Accredited Online University | WGU Tuition and Fees | Western Governors University

An example where this shines is for individuals interested in a BSIT from WGU. You get to do your general studies and transfer them in, while at the school, you get credit for industry certifications you will take anyways. The main reason I'm interested in it is, you get the recognition of a degree and also use your knowledge and expertise to gain industry certifications. The added value is that there's no need to pay extra for the exams as the tuition should cover them.


Evaluation - Time to choose that degree path/school and have your credentials evaluated for credit
The majority of the time, I will recommend to have your credentials evaluated when you're ready to transfer to that school.
These are for the general Associates and Bachelors BA/BS/BSBA, but there are special cases of course; for example, if you have a specific field of study where the transfers are unexpected or unknown (electronic/mechanical engineering, pilot license). For the odd reason you have credits from way back or from unusual cases of documented learning, it's best to send those credentials in earlier. Once you have your credentials evaluated, you'll be able to see where you stand and make the proper moves to obtaining the degree.

Fees - For many degree programs that allow transfer of courses, there will be fees involved in regards to residency
The main requirements are usually the capstone/cornerstone courses in addition to residency requirements.
Capstone - Usually the final course in a degree program that is a project, or thesis - documentation of what has been learned throughout the entire degree/major area of study.
Cornerstone - Usually a course in the first semester of a program to get the student acquainted with what will be the program, similar to an overview of upcoming coursework.
GPA - Grade Point Average attained at the school you are attending, transferred courses usually won't affect this.