Charter Oak changes degree requirements

[Chip White]

I just got an interesting mailing from Charter Oak announcing that they're
changing their general education requirements effective July 1st, 1998. (The
new policy will apply only to people enrolling after that date).

I haven't really taken the time to compare it to the existing requirements,
nor to compare it with Regents or Thomas Edison, but I'm curious to hear
comments from folks who have completed DL degrees as to whether these new
requirements would have been advantageous or disadvantageous in terms of the
time spent getting the degree.

COSC general degree requirements, and abbreviated descriptions (from a
letter dated April, 1998):

Research (3 credits required)
Ability to discover and formulate problems and synthesize solutions

Written communication (6 credits required)
Develop competence in written communication, including structure, grammar,
editing, spelling and syntax, etc.

Analytic and Quantitative Reasoning and Data Interpretation (3 credits)
The only example offered is college-level math, but I could see an argument
based on the title for computer science coursework to fulfill the
requirement.

Aesthetic Dimensions (3 credits)
Knowledge and appreciation of the aesthetic dimensions of human existence.
(art,creative writing, dance, design, etc)

Historical Development (3 credits)
Knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the ideas that have shaped
civilizations. (Political Science, Art History, Music Appreciation, History)

Relationship to Groups and Communities (3 credits)
Knowledge, understanding and appreciation of relationships to groups and
communities.

Global society (3 credits)
Knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the implications and
responsibilities of living in a global society (Global Economics, Business
Economics, History, Literature, Politics, or Religion)

Scientific Process (4-6 credits)
Knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the scientific process and
impact of science and technology on the physical world and societies.
Either 1-4 credit with lab, or 2-3 credit courses from the following
*examples* (emphasis in original) of natural science subjects: Astronomy,
Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Geology, Environmental Science, Physics.

Ethical Dimensions and Citizenship (3 credits)
Awareness of the ethical dimensions of their political, social and personal
lives, and understand the ways in which to exercise responsible and
productive citizenship. Examples: Government, Community Organization, Intro
to Criminal Justice, Moral or Ethical Issues.

Western Civilization and Culture (3 credits)
Knowledge and understanding necessary to develop a historical perspective on
Western civilization and culture. Examples: Art, History, Literature, or
Politics of the U.S. or other Western cultures.

All the above are required to be "liberal arts credits" according to the
sheet provided.

All in all, it seems sensible and well-rounded. My only question is whether
it will require additional coursework over the present structure, or will
instead be more flexible.

I'd be interested in comments.

Chip

[Ellis]

In article <6goskq$d...@dfw-ixnews3.ix.netcom.com>, ch...@ix.netcom.com
says...

>
> I just got an interesting mailing from Charter Oak announcing that they're
> changing their general education requirements effective July 1st, 1998. (The
> new policy will apply only to people enrolling after that date).
>

Just a quick note about my experience with Charter Oak. I have 120
credits from a regionally accredited 4 year state college. The college
requires 128 credits to graduate with a C.S. degree.

I am short 8 credits in the math department. The problem is that these
classes are not scheduled in the evening for the next two years. (Ugh!)
I require evening courses due to a work schedule. The college will NOT
let me take these courses at another school. (So they've got my buy the
<explictive> )

I sent my transcripts to Charter Oak hoping to speed up this process.

They would NOT TAKE many of the credits from this state college. (NJ). I
would have needed an additional 30 credits to graduate with a "General
Education" degree there. I wasn't impressed.

I'm still waiting on the Regent's evaluation. I hope that comes back in
a more positive light.

[Thomas Nixon]

Ellis wrote:

> In article <6goskq$d...@dfw-ixnews3.ix.netcom.com>, ch...@ix.netcom.com
> says...
> >
> > I just got an interesting mailing from Charter Oak announcing that they're
> > changing their general education requirements effective July 1st, 1998. (The
> > new policy will apply only to people enrolling after that date).
> >
>
> Just a quick note about my experience with Charter Oak. I have 120
> credits from a regionally accredited 4 year state college. The college
> requires 128 credits to graduate with a C.S. degree.
>
> I am short 8 credits in the math department. The problem is that these
> classes are not scheduled in the evening for the next two years. (Ugh!)
> I require evening courses due to a work schedule. The college will NOT
> let me take these courses at another school. (So they've got my buy the
> <explictive> )

And you can't find a professor there who is willing to take you on as an
independent study student? I graduated from a state university and my last
semester did exactly that because the course was not due to be offered again for a
year. It was quite easy to set up. Just a couple of signatures. You might want
to check it out.

Tom Nixon

[Ellis]

In article <35302CF4...@ix.netcom.com>, tcn...@ix.netcom.com
says...

I did just as you suggested. The college will not allow indepenant study
for the entire math department.

Like I said.... I'm basically screwed. I would never have enrolled in
this college had I known this is how it would end.

[bt...@erols.com]

Ellis wrote:
> Just a quick note about my experience with Charter Oak. I have 120
> credits from a regionally accredited 4 year state college. The college
> requires 128 credits to graduate with a C.S. degree.
>
> I am short 8 credits in the math department. The problem is that these
> classes are not scheduled in the evening for the next two years. (Ugh!)
> I require evening courses due to a work schedule. The college will NOT
> let me take these courses at another school. (So they've got my buy the
> <explictive> )
>

> I sent my transcripts to Charter Oak hoping to speed up this process.
>
> They would NOT TAKE many of the credits from this state college. (NJ). I
> would have needed an additional 30 credits to graduate with a "General
> Education" degree there. I wasn't impressed.
>
> I'm still waiting on the Regent's evaluation. I hope that comes back in
> a more positive light.

I don't know much about Regents, but I've heard from several people that Edison will
accept almost any regionally-accredited transfer credits, provided they are grade "C" or
better and fit into either the general education or concentration requirement.

Have a great day,

Bruce

[TWallen327]

I'm waiting on an official evaluation of my transcripts from Charter Oak now.
Did they give a reason why they wouldn't let you transfer so many credits?