Editing The Basic Approach

== Overview ==
This is a simple outline of steps to take when starting out. First written up by forum user bjcheung77, it has been expanded on by wiki users. It serves as a basic introduction to the methods discussed at DegreeForum. This is "the basic approach." Nobody ever really gets to go through a process this simple, but this is the general outline of what you should expect to have to do in order to get through this successfully.

==The Basic Approach==

#Find out what you have credit for / what you already know
#Research the [[The Big Three|Big 3]], [[Western Governors University|WGU]], [[Purdue University Global|PUG]], [[University of Maine at Presque Isle|UMPI]], [[Southern New Hampshire University|SNHU]], [[Peirce College]] and [https://study.com/college/school/index.html similar schools] to find candidate [[Degree Plans|degree plans]]
#Decide on one or more schools and get an initial evaluation ($75 or so per school, plus the cost of each transcript you have to send in)
#Based on the initial evaluation, decide on a school and degree
#Build a degree plan using your unique combination of existing credits, [[College Level Examination Program|CLEP]]/[[Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support|DSST]]/[[UExcel Exams|UExcel]]/[[Thomas Edison Credit by Exam Program|TECEP]] tests, <del>[[ALEKS]]</del>/[[Sophia.org|Sophia]]/[[Penn Foster College|Penn Foster]]/[[Saylor Academy|Saylor]]/[[Straighterline]]/[[Study.com]] courses, etc. If you have no credits, it's currently recommended you start with [[Free Sources of Credit]] and [[Sophia.org]] because Sophia can fulfill most of the [[Gen Ed]] requirements of [[The Big Three]]
#To [[Lock In Catalog|lock in a catalog]], enroll at the school you have chosen. At [[Thomas Edison State University|TESU especially]], enrollment unlocks certain benefits (see TESU page for more details). If you're pretty sure that you want a TESU degree, it's a good idea to enroll as early as possible. Alternatively, you can wait until you are all done (all courses/tests completed) to enroll in the school, however you risk the school changing degree plans as you're not locked into a catalog.
#Once completed and approved, pay the graduation fee, then sit back and wait for your sheepskin to arrive!
#Start planning on that Masters Degree as you aren't done learning for life! 

'''Throughout all of the above: Read a lot over at [http://www.DegreeForum.net DegreeForum.net] and ask questions as needed for guidance!!'''

== More Information ==

# [[How/When To Start? Start Now For Cheap|How/When To Start? Start Now For Cheap!]]
# [[Several Sources Of Cheap Credit]]
# [[The Spreadsheet - Track Your Progress - Reference Tool]]
# [[The ABCs - A, CBD, E, F, G - Accreditation, Competency Based Degree, Evaluation, Fees, GPA]]
# [[Overwhelmed - Too Long Didn't Read - Just Help Me Please, Step By Step!]]
[[Category:Beginners]]