How You Can "Test Out" of College and Earn a Regionally Accredited Degree
Are you passed up for promotions because you don't have a degree, even though you know more than any college graduate in your field? If you have demonstrable knowledge and life experience, you can earn a diploma by enrolling in a nontraditional credit program. Three regionally accredited schools offer students the chance to bypass months or even years of study by demonstrating what they already know. Unlike diploma mills, these legitimate programs require that students prove what they know through rigorous testing and make up any remaining credits by enrolling in distance learning courses.
Here's how it works: You choose a major and send in your transcripts as well as a description of your life experience. The college evaluates your transcripts and helps you put together a plan to earn a college diploma.
You complete your diploma by taking exams, demonstrating your life experience knowledge, and completing additional coursework.
Nontraditional credit programs are a good choice for self-motivated adult learners who have many years of experience and strong test-taking skills. Generally, these programs should be avoided by recent high school graduates. Some very motivated learners have been able to earn a degree almost completely by taking tests in a very short period of time. However, most people cannot pass all of the required subject matter exams without dedicating a lot of time to independent study.
If earning nontraditional credit sounds like a fit for your life, consider one of these three regionally accredited programs:
Thomas Edison State College (off-site link)
Accredited by: The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
You can complete a college degree from Thomas Edison State College by:
Transferring credit earned at other colleges with regional accreditation
Transferring credit from workplace courses that have been approved by the American Council on Education
Transferring credit from military service schools that have been approved by the American Council on Education
Transferring credits earned for professional licenses and certificates
Taking Thomas Edison online courses
Taking Thomas Edison guided study courses (traditional correspondence courses with email support)
Passing TECP subject matter examinations
Demonstrating life experience through a prior learning assessment
Excelsior College (off-site link)
Accredited by: The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
You can complete a college degree from Excelsior College by:
Transferring credit earned at other colleges with regional accreditation
Transferring credit from workplace courses that have been approved by the
American Council on Education
Transferring credit from military service schools that have been approved by the American Council on Education
Transferring credits earned for professional licenses and certificates
Taking Excelsior online courses
Taking Excelsior instructor-led CD courses
Passing Excelsior College Exams
Passing CLEP or DANTES exams
Demonstrating life experience through a portfolio assessment
Charter Oak State College (off-site link)
Accredited by: The New England Association of Schools and Colleges
You can complete a college degree from Charter Oak State College by:
Transferring credit earned at other colleges with regional accreditation
Transferring credit from workplace courses that have been approved by the
American Council on Education
Transferring credit from military service schools that have been approved by the American Council on Education
Taking Charter Oak's online courses
Passing CLEP or DANTES exams
Demonstrating life experience through a portfolio assessment
Completing independent study "contract learning"
source: Distance Learning
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
What You Need to Know about Distance Learning Charter Schools
Interested in enrolling your son or daughter in an online charter school? Here are the answers to the most common questions about charter school learning.
How are distance learning charter schools different from traditional public schools?
Charter schools generally have more freedom than traditional schools. They are often able to select their own type of instruction and may avoid many of the bureaucratic regulations that public schools must submit to. Consequently, a growing number of charter schools offer an online curriculum and give students the chance to work on their own.
How are distance learning charter schools different from distance learning private schools?
Distance learning charter schools are funded by the government, while distance learning private schools charge tuition.
Distance learning charter schools must meet several state and federal requirements, while private schools have more freedom to do as they please. Students enrolled in distance learning charter schools are provided with instruction and supplies free of charge. Some programs even provide students with a personal computer and an internet connection.
What type of curriculum do distance learning charter schools use?
The curriculum requirements vary from school to school. Some states have strict curriculum requirements that charter schools must adhere to. Others allow charter schools to select their own curriculum. Generally speaking, most distance learning charter schools offer the same types of courses as traditional schools in their state. Because students do not have access to physical facilities, classes such as gym, woodshop, and home economics may be limited.
Do distance learning students have to take tests?
Most states require that charter school students take state exams. Additionally, distance learning programs often use unit tests to measure students' progress. Some states do allow parents to sign a testing waiver form that exempts their child from mandated state testing.
Can a diploma from a distance learning charter school be used for college admission?
Yes – Most charter school diplomas are accepted in the same way that public school diplomas are accepted (particularly if the charter school is regionally accredited). In most cases, colleges and employers are unable to tell the difference.
Can adults finish their high school diploma through an online charter school?
Like traditional public schools, charter schools are aimed at educating minors. The cut-off age varies from state to state. Some states allow students to continue using public education until they are 21. Older adults interested in earning a high school diploma may want to consider enrolling in a private online high school program.
How do I find out more about distance learning charter schools in my area?
Most states now allow charter schools. To learn about legislation in your state and to locate online charter schools, see: How to Find a Distance Learning Charter School in Your Area.
source: http://distancelearn.about.com
How are distance learning charter schools different from traditional public schools?
Charter schools generally have more freedom than traditional schools. They are often able to select their own type of instruction and may avoid many of the bureaucratic regulations that public schools must submit to. Consequently, a growing number of charter schools offer an online curriculum and give students the chance to work on their own.
How are distance learning charter schools different from distance learning private schools?
Distance learning charter schools are funded by the government, while distance learning private schools charge tuition.
Distance learning charter schools must meet several state and federal requirements, while private schools have more freedom to do as they please. Students enrolled in distance learning charter schools are provided with instruction and supplies free of charge. Some programs even provide students with a personal computer and an internet connection.
What type of curriculum do distance learning charter schools use?
The curriculum requirements vary from school to school. Some states have strict curriculum requirements that charter schools must adhere to. Others allow charter schools to select their own curriculum. Generally speaking, most distance learning charter schools offer the same types of courses as traditional schools in their state. Because students do not have access to physical facilities, classes such as gym, woodshop, and home economics may be limited.
Do distance learning students have to take tests?
Most states require that charter school students take state exams. Additionally, distance learning programs often use unit tests to measure students' progress. Some states do allow parents to sign a testing waiver form that exempts their child from mandated state testing.
Can a diploma from a distance learning charter school be used for college admission?
Yes – Most charter school diplomas are accepted in the same way that public school diplomas are accepted (particularly if the charter school is regionally accredited). In most cases, colleges and employers are unable to tell the difference.
Can adults finish their high school diploma through an online charter school?
Like traditional public schools, charter schools are aimed at educating minors. The cut-off age varies from state to state. Some states allow students to continue using public education until they are 21. Older adults interested in earning a high school diploma may want to consider enrolling in a private online high school program.
How do I find out more about distance learning charter schools in my area?
Most states now allow charter schools. To learn about legislation in your state and to locate online charter schools, see: How to Find a Distance Learning Charter School in Your Area.
source: http://distancelearn.about.com
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