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Online college selection and help?

Old 11-29-2021, 04:15 AM
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Question Online college selection and help?

I searched older threads but still have some specific questions. I’m European looking to select an online college for a Bachelor’s degree (Aviation), while trying receive max credits for previous studies/experience. Priority being fast completion time and total cost, these are the institutions I’m currently considering: Liberty, UVU, Texas A&M, ERAU Online, TESU, Florida Tech, UND.

I have attended virtual information sessions and 1-on-1 meetings and have gotten some of my questions answered but some places haven’t been so helpful. What I do receive from every institution is almost daily spam email. Some questions:


1) Every place keeps saying “apply now for 50$”. This seems to be the only way in finding out how many credits I will actually receive (some offer unofficial free consultation prior). Is there an obligation / contract after applying? In other words, can I apply to 3 different colleges and then pick the most suitable and not be stuck with 3 tuition fees?

2) Do the transcripts along with the Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) need to be sent prior application deadline in general or can they be finished later (prior program start/early on in the program)? The FCE process has quite a long turnaround time.

3) Can these online programs in general be completed at your own pace (and be finished sooner) / do they have a set schedule you need to stick with?


This is something a 21-month (and counting) furlough with 0-pay (no CARES Act here) motivate you to do. Don’t suggest to get an degree “in anything but aviation” as I won’t: FAA ATP, 1 year of foreign college and 14 EASA ATPL subjects will hopefully knock off 2+ years off of these degrees. I’ve been lucky enough to been busy in business aviation this pandemic and plan to survive the next one too without a non-aviation degree. I’m just looking to check the degree mark to have more opportunities in the near future. I’ll also be financing the studies myself as it’s unlikely I’ll be eligible for any type of financial aid/scholarship (no GI bill here either) - thus the emphasis on max credit/minimum total cost. Thank you.
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Old 11-29-2021, 04:36 AM
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Originally Posted by thomaskies View Post
I searched older threads but still have some specific questions. I’m European looking to select an online college for a Bachelor’s degree (Aviation), while trying receive max credits for previous studies/experience. Priority being fast completion time and total cost, these are the institutions I’m currently considering: Liberty, UVU, Texas A&M, ERAU Online, TESU, Florida Tech, UND.

I have attended virtual information sessions and 1-on-1 meetings and have gotten some of my questions answered but some places haven’t been so helpful. What I do receive from every institution is almost daily spam email. Some questions:


1) Every place keeps saying “apply now for 50$”. This seems to be the only way in finding out how many credits I will actually receive (some offer unofficial free consultation prior). Is there an obligation / contract after applying? In other words, can I apply to 3 different colleges and then pick the most suitable and not be stuck with 3 tuition fees?

2) Do the transcripts along with the Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) need to be sent prior application deadline in general or can they be finished later (prior program start/early on in the program)? The FCE process has quite a long turnaround time.

3) Can these online programs in general be completed at your own pace (and be finished sooner) / do they have a set schedule you need to stick with?


This is something a 21-month (and counting) furlough with 0-pay (no CARES Act here) motivate you to do. Don’t suggest to get an degree “in anything but aviation” as I won’t: FAA ATP, 1 year of foreign college and 14 EASA ATPL subjects will hopefully knock off 2+ years off of these degrees. I’ve been lucky enough to been busy in business aviation this pandemic and plan to survive the next one too without a non-aviation degree. I’m just looking to check the degree mark to have more opportunities in the near future. I’ll also be financing the studies myself as it’s unlikely I’ll be eligible for any type of financial aid/scholarship (no GI bill here either) - thus the emphasis on max credit/minimum total cost. Thank you.
Not sure about all your parameters but have you looked at:
https://www.tesu.edu/ast/programs/av...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

They offer on line study (not sure if aviation degree is avail)
They offer a set number of credits for your aviation accomplishments to date( FAA ATP with a CPT course looks like 10 to me, + credit for your comm and inst depending on how long ago you took them)
They will allow you to submit past "life experience" from other careers and accomplishments to be considered for other credits.

Good Luck,
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Old 11-29-2021, 04:55 AM
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Originally Posted by thomaskies View Post
I searched older threads but still have some specific questions. I’m European looking to select an online college for a Bachelor’s degree (Aviation), while trying receive max credits for previous studies/experience. Priority being fast completion time and total cost, these are the institutions I’m currently considering: Liberty, UVU, Texas A&M, ERAU Online, TESU, Florida Tech, UND.



I have attended virtual information sessions and 1-on-1 meetings and have gotten some of my questions answered but some places haven’t been so helpful. What I do receive from every institution is almost daily spam email. Some questions:





1) Every place keeps saying “apply now for 50$”. This seems to be the only way in finding out how many credits I will actually receive (some offer unofficial free consultation prior). Is there an obligation / contract after applying? In other words, can I apply to 3 different colleges and then pick the most suitable and not be stuck with 3 tuition fees?



2) Do the transcripts along with the Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) need to be sent prior application deadline in general or can they be finished later (prior program start/early on in the program)? The FCE process has quite a long turnaround time.



3) Can these online programs in general be completed at your own pace (and be finished sooner) / do they have a set schedule you need to stick with?





This is something a 21-month (and counting) furlough with 0-pay (no CARES Act here) motivate you to do. Don’t suggest to get an degree “in anything but aviation” as I won’t: FAA ATP, 1 year of foreign college and 14 EASA ATPL subjects will hopefully knock off 2+ years off of these degrees. I’ve been lucky enough to been busy in business aviation this pandemic and plan to survive the next one too without a non-aviation degree. I’m just looking to check the degree mark to have more opportunities in the near future. I’ll also be financing the studies myself as it’s unlikely I’ll be eligible for any type of financial aid/scholarship (no GI bill here either) - thus the emphasis on max credit/minimum total cost. Thank you.
At TESU you can apply for $50 and that's only what you have to pay in order to get an acedemic evaluation and talk to an advisor. It's good for one year, after that you'd have to reapply and pay $50 again. You only start paying tuition when you take one of their classes. It's all based on your own pace, you can transfer up to 90 credits from any single source (like clep, stud.,com etc.) and have to take at least 16 credits at their college.
For the aviation flight technology BS they give you up to 57 credits if you have an ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI and 121 training. You can see the full list on their website. That's half of the degree already done!
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Old 11-29-2021, 07:15 AM
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At any college the process should be...

1. Apply (small fee)
2. Get Accepted
3. Enroll

Enrollment is when you pay tuition, and I would certainly not commit or pay for more than one semester at a time.
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Old 11-29-2021, 09:32 AM
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Thank you for the helpful answers. Good to know there’s not much to lose in applying (maybe 50$). I actually did have a virtual information session at TESU. While their credit hour rate is higher than most others, it might be a wash (or better) if they give you most transfer credit.
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Old 11-29-2021, 04:07 PM
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From my experience, I didn’t find anyone who would give me credits for the 14 EASA written subjects. Unfortunately looks like most/ all consider FAA training and licenses only. Just a heads up.
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Old 11-29-2021, 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Sunrig View Post
From my experience, I didn’t find anyone who would give me credits for the 14 EASA written subjects. Unfortunately looks like most/ all consider FAA training and licenses only. Just a heads up.
Exactly, I’m not holding my breath either. Would be nice though as there is overlap in some courses.. and it was a 6 month full-time study. MCC/CRM courses on top too. Different FCE evaluators also only seem to be able to assess foreign academics on secondary school/higher education levels. Aviation studies seem to fall in between, unless they were part of college.
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