no FEMA yet...

I haven't taken a single FEMA class yet--but for good reason. My major research client called and gave me another project, so that's taking up my time. As much as I would like to be knocking out those FEMA classes I know I need to work in order to come up with the $3000+ for TESC!

Just do it!

OK, I still haven't really made up my mind about which degree to pursue--the BALS, the BA in Humanities, or the BA in Communications. But I'm going to start this weekend anyway!

As I see it, there's no reason not to start taking FEMA classes. They will be a good way to ease back into academic life, and if nothing else I can get some nifty FEMA certificate to hang on my wall!

My goal is to take one FEMA test every days so that I'll be finished with the 9 FEMAs by the end of the month.

Once I've got those FEMA hours behind me it may be easier to make a decision about which degree I'm working toward.

Stay tuned!

Too many choices!

Well, I went and did it. I fiddled with that little button that TESC has to let you see how your evaluated credits will fit into another degree plan. And so now I've got more decisions to make!

Originally I asked TESC to evaluate my credits for a BA in Liberal Studies. It came back saying that I need 9 hours of free electives, all of which I can take from FEMA online for free.

Then I decided to see what classes I would need if I decided to pursue a BA in Humanities instead. Surprise--I still only need 9 hours! A 3 hour upper level humanities class and 6 free electives (those FEMA classes again) and I can have a BA in Humanities. There is a 3 hour Straighterline class I can take, it will set me back less than $150, and will take a month or two longer to finish. Maybe the change in degree title is worth it...

And never one to leave well enough alone, I asked to see what I would need if I changed my degree to a BA in Communications. WHAT? ONLY 9 HOURS? These will be a little harder (and more expensive) to pursue: 3 hours in either Mass Communications or Interpersonal Communications (lower level OK), and 6 credits of Communications electives. I'm not sure that I can test out of all of these requirements, so right now I can't estimate what the additional costs might be. And it would take me maybe a year to finish if I can't test out of everything.

So what to do? I'm wondering how important it is to me to have a degree in a subject area--especially at this point in my life. After all, my first reason to finish my degree is to honor the promise I made to myself and my parents when I 'stopped out' of college in 1979. The second is to be able to check the box 'college graduate' on application forms and to be able to apply for jobs that require a degree--any degree.

So I have three choices: quick and cheap, a little slower and a little more expensive, or much slower with an unknown (at this time) increase in expense.

What to do... what to do...what to do...

A new Fatima miracle!

Yesterday TESC finished my evaluation and posted the results online. I ONLY NEED 9 HOURS OF FREE ELECTIVES TO FINISH MY DEGREE! And I can take those as FEMA online courses for no cost...I cannot believe I'm so close to my degree!

A coincidence that my evaluation was completed on the anniversary of the "Miracle of the Sun" at Fatima? I think not!

Now I've got to figure out how to pay TESC...the total will be: $3242

Enrollment fee: $2858

Technology fee: $113

Graduation fee: $272

Add to this the $75 fee to have my transcripts reviewed and the total cost for my diploma will be: $3318.

Time to start a novena for some work to come in so that I can start saving up to write the check to TESC as soon as I finish my FEMA classes!