Self-paced or standard?

[Kate22192]

I'm looking into courses to fulfill ASHA's science pre-reqs but I'm very confused and frustrated. Ideally I'd like to take both bio and physics (or chem) at the same online school. My question is, without the option of a county college as mine does not offer these courses online, does anyone have opinions on self-paced courses? At this point, since I'm already doing pre-reqs at USU, I'm inclined to take bio and chem there. I was just really hoping to NOT spend $2000 on these courses. I know there are options like BYU's courses for about $600 each, but the self-pacing scares me. It looks like SO much material, and given that you have a YEAR to complete it? 

Anyone have thoughts or experience? 

[jpiccolo]

I used to work with an independent study program so I can tell you some pitfalls to watch out for if you choose that route. The info should still be accurate even though I left awhile ago. 

You do get a whole year but it is still only designed as a semesters worth of material like on campus. If you can motivate yourself to work on it consistently then it should not take all year. That's one of the toughest parts. The biggest problem I saw with students is them trying to hurry through it so fast (even shorter than 3-4 months) that they didn't really learn the info and struggled to pass the exams. I believe they do have a suggested outline of dates to follow to help you stay on track and you could change the end date to try sooner then the year. The dates aren't set in stone so you don't get penalized for missing. But it does help with the self pacing to give you recommended deadlines for assignments. 

My other tip off the top of my head is to realize that BYU does paper/proctored exams. So wherever you live you'd need it mailed to a university testing center certified with the program. That throws people off especially when they have to wait for it to get mailed or that they may have to pay for proctoring. But it'll still be cheaper than $2000. 

Oh and they do generally have free tutoring for science subjects during the weekdays by students on phone/email/possibly skype. 

I hope that gives you a better idea what they'd be like. They won't necessarily be easy but they are doable. Good luck!

[Kate22192]

Interesting. Thanks so much for this response. I didn't even realize the proctoring part. Does it have to be university testing centers?? For my USU courses, I've been using a proctor through my local library. I don't even know the closest test center to me; I live in the middle of nowhere hahaha.

I'm wondering if the USU courses might just be a better idea. I'm used to their format and would know what to expect. I guess the biggest thing to consider is do I want to spend over $2000 instead of about $1200. That $800 difference is pretty darn big.

[jpiccolo]

yeah for university courses they require it to be proctored at a college or university testing center. They have a testing center locator on their website under support where you can search if there are any places near you that are already certified like even a community college could be I think if it meets testing standards. 

The money is sure something to think about. I'm over halfway through my program and would love to have any extra money right now. Even for basic living expenses since my loan from fafsa didn't cover everything during the year nor anything in the summer semester. But obviously you want to do well and if you think you might be more successful with the usu one then that's a factor to consider. You could test out one course from byu and see what you think. You can get most of your money refunded up until 60 days after enrolling. ( don't wait long to withdraw if you change your mind. Trust me they will stick to no refunds after 60 days.) 

[slporbust2016]

I'd either take them from USU or look around for a cheaper online community college option personally. Self-paced classes like that would be a bad fit for me. (I took those classes during my first BA, so I don't have any relevant options to name.)