Adult Learner - looking for a solid route for a degree

[davewill]

...So, I really just want to obtain the 60 lower level credits I need to join the completion program locally. I am open to suggestions for online/distant learning for sure. My struggle is I just need to figure out (I bet from the big three) where I can clep out from alot of the classes and transfer and associates degree (from the big three) to a local school?

Does that sound like a plan?

Unfortunately, not. The problem is that you don't transfer degrees, just credits*. If the program you're targeting will not accept the alternative credit, earning an associate's will not cause them to do so. If you really want to use that local program, you'll have to understand and abide by their rules, earning credit they will accept. Do you know what kinds of credit they will accept?

*There are cases where an associate's is accepted this way, called a block transfer agreement, but this is a special case. For instance, NJ public 4 year schools are required to accept an associate's earned at NJ community colleges as completing 60 units.

P.S. The rules change once you earn your bachelor's. Grad programs don't use your existing credits, they just require that you have your bachelor's degree for acceptance... plus other requirements. That's not to say they can't get stuffy about alternative credit, but they usually don't.