DSST Prep Materials

https://connect.ebsco.com/s/article/Get-Official-DSST-Test-Prep-Materials-from-EBSCO-LearningExpress?language=en_US 

EBSCO LearningExpress has been certified by Prometric as an official DSST^® prep provider. The following LearningExpress e-learning platforms include full-length practice tests, comprehensive study guides and more for many popular DSST^® tests:

• LearningExpress Library Complete
• PrepSTEP for Community Colleges
• PrepSTEP for Colleges & Universities

The benefits of accessing DSST^® test prep resources via LearningExpress include:

• Unlimited remote access
• Responsive design for mobile devices
• Timed and untimed practice tests
• Instant, diagnostic test scoring
• Detailed answer explanations

Note: Military veterans, service members and their families enjoy free access to DSST^® test preparation resources through the DoD MWR Digital Library. Contact a Service Librarian for more information.

In addition, the free EBSCO LearningExpress Mobile App can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.

Modern States for Clep Exams

 From their site: 

Our free online courses are taught by professors from world-class universities and cover the content taught in freshman-level college classes. Learners who complete our courses can take the exams through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), which are recognized for credit by nearly 3,000 colleges and universities, for free.

It’s a simple and powerful way to make college accessible and affordable. Want to learn more and join more than 700,000 people who have used Modern States? Watch our student journey video or testimonials from real learners.

https://modernstates.org/ 

Portfolio Learning Assessment

 Most every college has a process for examining a portfolio submission and awarding appropriate credit. As you look back at what you have already done, look over the courses you need. Do you feel competent you could pass a final exam in one of them? If your school offers challenge exams (take the final and pass, you get credit) you could go that route. If that isn't an option, build a portfolio and submit it to the school to be assessed for credit. Some schools have forms which must be included, so ask at advising first. 

Think of a portfolio as a proof of your knowledge in the form of a project. You should use either a digital process which neatly presents your information or a physical method like a folder bound together to be read by faculty. 

You will match a course from the catalog at your school, print or save the course outcomes. They will be included in the portfolio. This is your roadmap to matching the course to what you already know. Use the outcomes to address specifics in your knowledge, training and experience.

As an example, you want credit for an IT course, Introduction to Word Processing. You have trained at your local library and earned a certificate of completion. You will place the certificate in the portfolio. If your current job has you using Word every day to complete documents, you include your job description and years of experience with a letter from your HR department or supervisor stating this is what you do each day. If you have a Microsoft certification from taking the exam, include this certificate in the portfolio.

Each college accepts these in different manners. You may need to go to the cashier's office and pay a fee first, get a receipt and then drop off the portfolio in the department examining it. Again, your advisor will be able to give you the information if your college does not have a web page explaining it already.

Here are links to two schools portfolio pages: 

https://www.waldenu.edu/online-bachelors-programs/resource/creating-an-undergraduate-prior-learning-portfolio

https://www.cmich.edu/academics/innovation-online/resources/credit-for-prior-learning/ugandg/forms-and-resources

These are typical of the process and fees. It can be a big time saver to those with significant experience outside of college. 

Beta Exams and Training

 If you are looking to enter any professional field, you need skills in MS Word and Excel. Most local and county libraries hold free training classes in these applications. Taking the free training can prepare you for the exams to get certification in these valuable programs. Beta exams happen quite often and are a great way to get resume material, and future college credit.

Candidates who register for and take the exam using the eighty percent discount code receive a twenty-five percent discount from the exam provider on their next exam once rescoring is complete--approximately two weeks after the exam goes live. 

The ACE Transcript service from a previous post explains how to get credit for you exam certifications. So, once you have everything in place, send the transcript from ACE to your college. You will have IT credit added to the program you are pursuing at next to zero cost. 

TECEP Tests

 There is a long list of credit by exam test from Thomas Edison State University. If your college does not accept them directly, they are a great addition to a portfolio for credit submission. They demonstrate competency and provide a solid foundation for showing you know the material. So, if you've covered all the CLEP, DSST and Excelsior exams you need, this is worth adding to your list of resources for a quick degree.

https://www2.tesu.edu/graduate/courselistall.php

They are one of the few places where you can use exams for graduate credit too, look at all of the options they offer. Once you are finished earning your undergraduate degree fast, do the same for a graduate degree. 

Tuition Reimbursement

 Always check, no matter where you work, if tuition reimbursement is available. Many employers provide this benefit in hopes it retains employees in jobs with high turnover. It is a way to show you want to stay, work your way up and be a better employee overall at any job. Most colleges now have accelerated online courses you can finish in as quick as 5-6 weeks. If you use your credit card to pay tuition, especially a cash back or reward card, you should be able to pay yourself back a bit on each round of classes. 

If this benefit isn't available to you, look for it in your job search. The ability to get your degree on someone else's dime is major. Even the action of being enrolled in college enhances your resume. It is worth the effort of seeking out and using. 

Free Courses Online

 If you field of study is in the emergency management area of careers, FEMA has free training online to enhance your resume or portfolio for credit. 

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/training 

I'll be tackling the portfolio process in a future post and how to create, compile and submit one. It is an easy way to get credit recognized for competencies and knowledge you acquired in other ways. Programs like those at FEMA or Harvard* can add to your knowledge, help you study for an exam for credit or just add to a portfolio of knowledge.

*https://pll.harvard.edu/catalog/free 

Check What Counts Already

 Many training programs, certifications or military service create college credits. You use a service like ACE Transcripts to get a copy for your college to use. The official ACE Transcript is powered by Credly and Accredible. It includes credit recommendations and competencies earned through prior learning. These can include workplace training, certifications, and exams. 

https://www.acenet.edu/Programs-Services/Pages/Credit-Transcripts/Request-Transcripts.aspx

Look over all of the credit transferring items which can be sent via ACE. You could be father along than you think. Front load any program you choose with what you already have. If you are ready to choose a college, pay the enrollment fee and start sending in what you have before registering for any class.

In that same arena is NCCRS, they have a transcript service for corporate training programs. Look over the list here: https://www.nationalccrs.org/course-credit-directory If you are eligible to take one of the courses or already have, send the transcript before you determine what classes you need, don't take a needless course!

Finding Your College

 There's more to getting a degree quick than taking the tests or writing the portfolios, you need to research the college you will use first. Many colleges require you to take a certain number of credits from them. That can be expensive! Look over the requirements before enrolling.

Some colleges, fully accredited and recognized for federal aid, don't require a minimum. Charter Oak State College is a great choice, https://www.charteroak.edu/prospective/programs/

Look at the programs available and the class list required. Test according to what is needed. If there isn't a test, can you submit a portfolio? (More on those in another post)  Some schools have their own exams, like Excelsior College. https://www.excelsior.edu/ This is another good way to speed up the process and save money.

Schools like SNHU have partnered with testing organizations to make it convenient to get transferred credits quickly. Check their transfer credit page and look at the options, they are abundant. https://www.snhu.edu/admission/transferring-credits/work-life-experience#/home

Best free courses & lectures http://diyscholar.wordpress.com/best-webcasts-podcasts/

Free Graduate Credits

http://www.emich.edu/visit/ V. I. S. I. T. is an Online Collaboratory for secondary school science teachers to participate in ongoing scientific investigations of contemporary problems in their localities through applying spatial analysis technologies. VISIT is a three-year project supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation Teacher Enhancement program. Getting free graduate Credits:  http://www.emich.edu/visit/Visit_1stPage_Announcements.htm

Free Online Grant Writing Courses

http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/workshp7.htm If you are a first-time grantseeker, a new nonprofit staff or board member, or a volunteer for your favorite charity, this online guide was created with you in mind. It is intended both as a basic primer on the grantseeking process and as an introduction to the resources available. Free online advice for those who can't attend a regularly scheduled training session

Free Graduate Credit

http://www.tbc.edu/pages/page.asp?page_id=31199 You may continue your study of the Philosphy of Education material for FREE graduate studies credit in one of our Master of Education programs.  This course and the earned credit are FREE.  So plan to take advantage of this great opportunity!

6 Free Online Courses to Beef Up Your Resume

http://www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance/employment/6-free-online-courses-to-beef-up-your-resume/ In this competitive job market, any extra skills you acquire can help beef up your resume and boost your odds of getting hired. And the best part is: You don't have to pay a dime to do so.

Online Training Sources

http://www.greencareersguide.com/Online-Training-Sources.html With our economy shifting towards an internet savvy system; Are you ready? Are you filled with good ideas and want to share them with the word. It is so easy to go online and find the resources to start your own career, get training, or start your very own website. Why waste time with the extensive websearching. We are constantly adding the resources you need for you.