How
does college by examination (CBE) work to gain a Bachelors degree by
1/4 the tuition fees of traditional colleges and universities?
How to Finish a College Degree for $8,000 and Less, College-by-Examination or CLEP, Test Out Your Way to a Diploma
College Homeschooling: the Recession Proof Answer to Get a College Education
by Mrs. Treasures
Reprinted from Associated Content
A typical student is expected to garner $15,000 to $120,000 in college debts by the time he or she graduates depending on the degree and college choices. Is there a way to get around this hurdle? How can one acquire a degree from an accredited institution for less than $8,000?
If you are a parent, you can homeschool your child through college. If you are an employed adult but understand the benefits of a college education, there are hidden secrets in the industry that can help you acquire a college degree in less time.
The US recession is creating a slowdown in the job market. Thus, competition will be fierce in the next ten years in the labor force. A college graduate will be faced with the reality that he cannot find a job right away; the pressure to repay the student loans will be demanded by creditors a few months after graduation. The educational institutions in the US are not non-profit ventures disguised as stepping stone for a better life. Going to college is very expensive and becoming out of reach to many middle class Americans.
Parents also worry that their daughters and sons, who may be future homemakers and breadwinners, will be dealing with the college debt burden while raising their families. The financial stress will be a cause of marital breakdowns. Their grandchildren will have to sacrifice too as their parents struggle to make ends meet.
Homeschooling is steadily changing the face of the American society. While there is a deterioration in morality and achievement among many public school youth, the homeschooling movement neutralizes the horizon, giving hope to America. The homeschooling students have higher standards in family life. They understand what it takes to solve the current moral and educational crisis in the United States. The homeschooling movement grasp what environmentalist do not comprehend. Mother earth is a better world with the quality of people that lives in it, not by stopping population growth.
With college homeschooling, not only do you save on college expenses that you typically incur on a "brick or mortar" university, you also prolong the time you spend with your children. Thus, you strengthen the family bond. You have adult teens that can be great examples to younger ones. A family that stays together for longer periods of time, has more chances of contributing to the moral landscape in our society. The family unit is the atom of our society. This new breed of children are self-motivated, family oriented and with hardly any debt.
How Do You Homeschool in College?
The first 60 college credits in a university consist of general arts and education courses. The next 30 college credits are higher level arts and sciences electives. The remaining 30 college credits are majors or areas of concentration. For a total of 120 credits, you can get a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
1. Test out through AP (Advanced Placement), CLEP (College-Level Examination Program), DSST subjects to meet the required general arts and science subjects and electives. Take online courses to fulfill the requirements for your major or field of concentration.
AP and CLEP examinations are administered by Collegeboard.com. This is the same organization that gives out SATs. DSST (Dantes Standardized Subject Test) is administered by Getcollegecredit.com.
A few colleges, such as Excelsior College, grants 30 college credits if you pass the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) subject test.
2. Focus first on the interests and strengths of your child.
If your child is a History aficionado, test out on college credits involving History such as US History 1. If your child has math inclinations, test out on math subjects such as College Mathematics. If your child loves reading, test out on subjects like Analyzing and Interpreting Literature.
3. Compare costs of CLEP exams versus tuition fees.
As of August 2010, a CLEP exam costs approximately $100, $77 goes to College Board and the rest goes to cover the test center's administration fees. Study materials, such as REA, cost $35.
One course in college ranges from $600 to $2,000 in tuition fees. This is not including books, dorm and meal expenses and transportation expenses.
4. Apply for college credits on Regionally Accredited Colleges
Once you have tested out on CLEP, AP and DSST exams or taken online college courses, these can be transferred to colleges such as Excelsior College, Charter Oak State College, Thomas Edison State College which will grant you a degree after you completed the required college credits of their undergraduate program. This approach has been used by the military to advanced their careers.
5. Time frame for completion of an undergraduate program through CBE (credit by examination) is 2 years. Thus, you can finish your Bachelors degree and a master's degree in four years.
Conclusion
A highly motivated child can finish a Bachelor of Arts degree from the above accredited colleges with an $8,000 budget. Some graduates have done it under $8K. With some pencil pushing and research, you can do it for under $6K.
Sources:
Excelsior College
Thomas Edison State College
Charter Oak State College
Collegeboard.com
REA.com
Instantcert.com
Speedyprep.com
Cleprep.tripod.com
