Degree Options for Adults

5 Steps to Earning your Degree

in months (not years) for under $10,000*

  • More than 100 areas of study
  • Completely online options, maximizing your time
  • Regionally Accredited: The most commonly accepted and national recognized accreditation
  • Work at your own pace: Whether 6 months or 6 years – your time and motivation determine your pace
  • Previously earned credits from Regionally Accredited Colleges are accepted
  • Total Cost Est: $7,000 – $10,000* Depending on Degree choice

Step 1: Set your Course – Choose one of the degree options offered by Thomas Edison State College, Excelsior College or Charter Oak State College.  Why these three?  They are all Regionally Accredited, do not have a residency requirement, and accept an unlimited number of CLEP and DSST Credits.  Which college is right for you?  Read about your choices … and from this site as well.

Step 2: Earn all lower-level undergraduate credits through proficiency or Credit-by-Exam options.  CLEP and DSST are nationally recognized and cost under $100 for 3 credits.  Already have college credits from a Regionally Accredited Institutions (even if they are from days gone by)?  Send your transcripts to the college (TESC, EC or COSC) and receive an evaluation (cost $75 plus transcript fees).  This will give you a big jump start toward earning those 120 credits that are needed for a 4-year degree.  If you choose TESC, consider completing FREE FEMA courses for elective credits.

Several sites are created just to help with this process.  The absolute best is from InstantCert Users.  Another favorite will highlight free study material and how to access free practice tests.  This site also has a resource page that gives some excellent tools and advice.

Step 3: Meet your upper-level degree requirements through other Credit-by-Exam options including DSST, ECE, TECEPs, or low-cost online courses offered by a variety of universities detailed on this facebook page (estimated cost: $3,000-$5,000)

Step 4: When you are within a year a graduation, enroll at TESC (cost about $2800), EC or COSC.  This ensures you will pay only one annual enrollment fee.  You now have access to an academic advisor to help choose courses to complete your remaining degree plan.

Step 5: Graduate

Footnotes:  A great read is Accelerated Distance Learning.  If you have kids and want different for them, consider picking up College Without Compromise.  Gary North has also written an excellent 77-page document that will explain how to take advantage of these options in detail.

If I can answer questions to help get you started on this journey, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  My 18-year-old son graduate from TESC in May, 2011 so I’ve navigated the journey!  You’ll also find CreditsBeforeCollege on Facebook.

To your success,
Cheri