Lowering the cost of a college degree: Charter Oak expands exam-for-credit offerings

We recently made the following announcement:

Charter Oak State College has partnered with the non-profit Excelsior College to expand credit-by-examination options for Charter Oak students.  Through an agreement reached with Excelsior College, Charter Oak will offer registration for Excelsior College Examinations on its website CharterOak.edu.  Students who register for exams will take them at a secure Pearson VUE testing center (www.pearsonvue.com).   Students can review the new exam offerings and register online at www.CharterOak.edu/examreg.

What this means is that we are working to expand the available tests that our students can take for credit.  Testing for credit is the lowest-cost approach to building your transcript.  It is possible to meet every Charter Oak requirement—except the Cornerstone and the Capstone courses—through testing.  We have even had students who accomplished their entire bachelor’s degree this way.  The key point here is that a test costs on average $150, which is approximately $600 LESS than a course.

The process for taking a test is very simple.  For the Excelsior exams, you sign up and purchase their test preparation packet.  This set of materials contains exactly what you need to know to pass the test.  It also includes sample questions so you can prepare for the type of test you will be taking.  When you feel you are ready, you sign up for the test itself, schedule at a test center near you, and take the exam in a proctored setting (which just means you are supervised as you take the test). The other national credit-by-exam organizations have similar processes.

That’s it.  Just choose a subject, register, purchase the test preparations materials, study at your own pace, and then take the test.

Yes, I know that most of our adult students hate tests.  But we also know that most of you get A’s and B’s in all your courses.  In other words, you are all good test-takers.  So here’s my proposition: try one.  It’s a $150 investment.  If you hate it, then you never have to do another one.  But if you pass the test, think of all the money and time you can save by testing for credit.  I am not imagining that you will do your whole degree this way, but if you did even five tests, that would be a savings of $3,000.  And that is real money.

America is looking for a way to lower the cost of a college education, and Charter Oak is committed to providing the solution.  I am traveling to Washington, D.C. every month trying to get federal financial aid extended to include testing (and portfolios as well).  Together we can show America the way.

If you decide to pursue taking an exam for credit, I would be interested in hearing about your experience here, or feel free to email me at eklonoski@charteroak.edu.

Thank you for your feedback!

Two weeks ago, I asked students to share with me what was working for you as a Charter Oak student – and what was not working. I was extremely pleased by the large turnout of responses I received. Your feedback is integral in shaping future plans for the College, and I thank you very much for taking the time to write such thoughtful and honest responses. I plan to share your thoughts with my staff as we work towards making your experience as a Charter Oak student the best it can possibly be. Below, I share with you a small sampling of the emails I received.

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I tell everyone I meet that's considering on online school to check out COSC. I am proud to be graduating from COSC.

I spoke with Allison the first time I called.  She was very pleasant and helpful.  The best was when she called me back to let me know she had the paperwork needed and I didn't have to do anything. She took an extra step and the time to look through my file, which I believe she didn't have to do. That effort made such an impression on me that I just had to share. Going back to school as an adult can be somewhat intimidating. It’s reassuring to know that there are people available to help with guidance and understanding.

It is a significant drawback that COSC does not, at least, offer master's programs in Education, Political Science and some other fields. I have several friends that are interested in graduate studies at COSC based on my positive experience, but they were disappointed to learn that the school does not offer any master's programs. am finishing my Bachelor’s soon, and I would have liked to pursue my education here at COSC, had the school offered master's programs.

If it weren't for my advisor at COSC, I would have continued to take college courses, but would never have obtained a degree in anything.  I started taking classes at MCC many years ago, but never really knew anything about matriculation.  In 2009 when I first started inquiring at COSC, it was an advisor that told me about matriculation, transferred credits that were transferrable and I received my Associates degree with 100 credits!  I can't say enough about my advisor, Karen Schultz. She has changed my life.

I understand the difficulties inherent in the online experience – I’m an IT professional.  But the challenges at COSC are daunting.  Some classes work well apart from classmates and instructor, but other require that you be able to communicate with them in more immediate ways than email.  I didn’t mind registering for my own conference line, but a student who was not aware of that option would be trapped. 

2013 will hopefully be my last year as I plan to graduate. I actually am so proud of myself that I am going to put on a cap and gown. I have two classes, and two capstones to complete. I have not dropped out or given up partly due to my counselor, Doris Cassiday. When frustrated that I would never get done, she told me that I have gone too far to turn back now.

I never would have finished up my degree if I'd had to attend traditional classes.  I really enjoyed the pace of learning and doing assignments at any time of day, or while away on business or vacation.

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I will be reaching out to you again in the fall to see how things are going for you, and I hope you will consider sharing your thoughts again.