Our event calendar kicks off with an appearance at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) conference in Philadelphia, PA.  The theme of the show, “Investing in the Future of Higher Education,” fits perfectly with the mission of the DSST program – which is to make learning easy, affordable, accessible and flexible for all.

Come summer time we’ll be heading first to Las Vegas for the Department of Defense (DoD) Worldwide Education Symposium. The theme for the DoD Symposium is: “Educating the Force - Joint Effort, Joint Success” and will explore strategies to effectively deliver voluntary education programs that enhance the service member's capacity to serve while enabling them to improve their quality of life. A perfect match for DSST and the advantage that it provides to veterans and active military!

A few days later we’re on to Minneapolis and the National College Testing Association (NCTA) show. You can become an advocate for your school to accept DSST so that you or your students earn credit for what they already know!

Back-to-school season will kick off for DSST with the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Annual Conference in Nashville, which will provide an ideal opportunity for school advisors of all kinds to learn about the benefits that DSST can bring to their institutions and students. Fittingly, the theme is: “Empowering Students to Write Their Own Songs of Success.” We encourage all advisors to come by to learn how DSST can help on this mission!

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) show in Washington, D.C is next. “Open Doors and Unlock Opportunities,” the CAEL 2012 International Conference, will take place in November, and DSST will be there to communicate exactly how we help students and learners to do just that.

With shows scattered in multiple cities around the U.S. planned for the next few months, there is plenty of opportunity to take a moment to learn more about how DSST can speed up the path to a degree in an affordable and convenient way. We hope to see you on the road!

Schedule at a glance – Come See Us!

AACRAO                                                         April 1 - 3, 2012                                  Philadelphia, PA
DoD Worldwide                                              July 23 - 27, 2012                               Las Vegas, NV
NCTA                                                               August 1 – 4, 2012                            Minneapolis, MN
NACADA Annual Conference                      October 4 – 7, 2012                           Nashville, TN
CAEL                                                               November 7 -9, 2012                        Washington, D.C.

The promotion, which has been extended through May 31, 2012, will allow you to take any of the 38 Internet-based DSST exam titles offered for the low cost of $70.  Now through May 31, 2012, take as many internet-based DSST exams as you want for the discounted price by using promotional code: WEB10OFF.

Depending on the number of exams you take, the $10 discount per exam can add up to quite a bit of savings. Consider that the average three-credit college course costs approximately $750. Taking a DSST exam in a similar course for the currently discounted price of $70 will award you the same three credits for $680 LESS. Think of all the things you could do with an extra $680 in your pocket! And that’s just for one exam; the savings multiply when you take more than one test.

To sign up for an exam or to find a test center near you that delivers them, please visit: http://www.getcollegecredit.com/test_takers/.

Take advantage of the DSST $10 discount now to ensure you have all the graduation credits you need to get that degree – for the right price!

Non-traditional students are a diverse group, but usually consist of adult learners over the age of 23 who not only finance their educational expenses on their own, but also work 25-40 hours per week while attending classes. Often these students are active military members, veterans, single mothers, or baby boomers. But regardless of specific situations, new information from Dr. Tracey Wilen-Daugenti, Vice President and Managing Director of Apollo Research Institute, indicates that “those who earn a college degree while employed can expect to earn on average a 22% return on their educational investment, compared to an average 12% return for traditional full-time students.” Yes, you read that correctly - by working and attending college simultaneously, you’re actually increasing the value of your education, thereby increasing your potential for success upon graduation.

As a program that helps non-traditional students from all walks of life quickly and cost efficiently earn a degree, we’re thrilled to hear that DSST test takers actually have the upper hand. We hope this information provides some comfort when the stress and frustration of doing it all becomes overwhelming.

DSST, formerly known as DANTES, is a unique college credit by exam program suited to the specific needs of non-traditional students. Though an average 3-credit college course costs around $750, earning three credits via a DSST exam costs just $80 (plus a sitting fee). What’s more, DSST tests are taken in a single sitting, and allow for studying and learning on your own time.

Which college course do you wish you could’ve taken a DSST test for instead? Tell us in the comments below!

Non-traditional students are a diverse group, but usually consist of adult learners over the age of 23 who not only finance their educational expenses on their own, but also work 25-40 hours per week while attending classes. Often these students are active military members, veterans, single mothers, or baby boomers. But regardless of specific situations, new information from Dr. Tracey Wilen-Daugenti, Vice President and Managing Director of Apollo Research Institute, indicates that “those who earn a college degree while employed can expect to earn on average a 22% return on their educational investment, compared to an average 12% return for traditional full-time students.” Yes, you read that correctly - by working and attending college simultaneously, you’re actually increasing the value of your education, thereby increasing your potential for success upon graduation.

As a program that helps non-traditional students from all walks of life quickly and cost efficiently earn a degree, we’re thrilled to hear that DSST test takers actually have the upper hand. We hope this information provides some comfort when the stress and frustration of doing it all becomes overwhelming.

DSST, formerly known as DANTES, is a unique college credit by exam program suited to the specific needs of non-traditional students. Though an average 3-credit college course costs around $750, earning three credits via a DSST exam costs just $80 (plus a sitting fee). What’s more, DSST tests are taken in a single sitting, and allow for studying and learning on your own time. Which college course do you wish you could’ve taken a DSST test for instead? Tell us in the comments below!

The Veterans Upward Bound Program at Yavapai College is designed to help veterans with this process. The program, a non-profit organization funded by the U.S Department of Education, was established on campus in 2009. Just a handful of the many offerings available to veterans through this free program:

• Academic skills training & tutoring
• Career workshops & one-on-one counseling
• Books & other materials needed in the classroom
• Computer literacy training

"We want veterans to be more successful in their post-secondary education by providing the support and influence they need to be successful," said Deborah Pfingston, program manager of Veterans Upward Bound. "Our office is a hub for veterans on campus, a place where veterans can seek help in numerous aspects of their college career."

Because this program operates at no cost to the veterans taking advantage of it, Upward Bound helps lighten the financial burden of these non-traditional students in addition to helping them cope emotionally. Another way for veterans to significantly decrease the often sky-high costs associated with going to college is by earning credits through DSST. Though the average 3-credit course at a university in the US costs around $750, a DSST test - which, if passed, awards students those same three credits - costs just $80 (plus a sitting fee). And with 38 unique subjects from which to choose, it’s easy to find several exams to earn credit for, ultimately saving students hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.

What would you do with the money saved by earning college credit through a DSST exam? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Many first year students go into college without really knowing what to expect.

Because starting college can be quite a challenge, it is becoming more popular for high school students to get a leg up on graduation by earning college credits before physically stepping into a college classroom. There are several ways for a high schooler to do this: Advanced Placement (AP) classes and International Baccalaureate courses (IB) are two examples being offered to students prior to Freshman year. 

DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam) provide another opportunity for high school students to start accruing credits prior to entering college. With 38 unique subjects to choose from, a high school senior can earn credit for a three month course in just a single sitting. And while the average three-credit college course costs around $750, a DSST exam is only $80 (plus a sitting fee). Especially for high school students who worry about managing their time during their first year of college, earning credits in advance can allow for a lighter schedule during Freshman year without falling behind and requiring additional semesters to graduate. This can also help students gain a better understanding of what college-level courses and exams might be like.

A few DSST exam titles that high school students can look into taking include: Astronomy, Fundamentals of College Algebra, Here’s to Your Health, Introduction to Computing, Money and Banking and Principles of Statistics.

Have you taken advantage of college credit programs while still in high school? Tell us your story in the comments below!

It wasn’t long after the start of her first semester back that Allison became aware of the many questions she had – how to find a building, where to go for help, how to use a computer, etc. 33 years away from the classroom is a long time, but fortunately for Allison, the smart minds at MSU-Billings (an institution that delivers DSST exams) are well aware of this. That’s why they’ve put together a free seminar for non-traditional students called “Return to Learn.”

Kelly Buck, director of the group that organizes these seminars, says of the Return to Learn program: “The college is here to help students. We want to support them so they can be successful.”

40% of MSU-Billings’ students are considered non-traditional students. According to Buck, 97% of those who complete the free program go on to complete their second year of college or further. When one considers the challenges that non-traditional students must overcome in order to earn a degree, this statistic is no small feat.

Programs like Return to Learn can make college significantly easier for students like Allison, who have been out of the classroom for 10, 20, or 30+ years. Adult learners who take advantage of DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam) in addition to new and innovative programs like these are turning their dreams of earning a college degree into reality. But why doesn’t MSU accept DSST exams for credit? There are still a few institutions that offer our exams at their college campus but they don’t necessarily award college credit for it. MSU’s Return to Learn students can benefit from DSST tests as a form of prior learning assessment. We are willing to bet that Allison has valuable knowledge acquired in the 33 years she’s been out in the workplace. She could very well prove her knowledge with credit by examination. With 38 unique subjects exams offered at just $80 per test (plus a sitting fee), students of any age can get on the fast track to graduation. Does your university offer programs to help non-traditional students adjust to college life? Are you a MSU student and would like to use credit by examination to bypass courses you know well? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Republican Rep. Tom Massey said the goal of their recently presented proposal is to allow students to graduate faster and move into the job market quicker and easier “if their experience applies to some college courses.” According to Massey, that could be “someone who has spent months in the military working on a submarine who has gained technological expertise or a writer who can get credit for an English or literature course.”

Known as House Bill 72, the proposal would direct the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to work with public colleges in order to develop a system for awarding credit for experiences by July 1, 2013.

There are a number of institutions of higher education in the state of Colorado that already grant college credit for a passing DSST exam score. These include Adams State College, Colorado Christian University, Colorado Northwestern Community College, Colorado State University, Community College of Denver, Pikes Peak Community College, Regis University, amongst others. However, the level of acceptance varies from institution to institution; from accepting just one or two exam titles for credit at a particular department within the institution, to a college-wide acceptance. The challenge is to have all Colorado institutions of higher education accept credit by examination as a viable, trusted form of prior learning assessment.

Though it is not yet known whether the bill will pass or not and what the implications of implementing the proposal might be, non-traditional students can always count on DSST to offer exams for college credit in a variety of subjects which they may already be familiar with. For just $80 per exam (plus a sitting fee), DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam) provide students the opportunity to graduate college in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost.

Do you think House Bill 72 will pass? Tell us about it in the comments below!

The G.I Bill was created to provide military veterans with financial assistance for earning a college degree after service. In August, however, the G.I Bill changed. According to Mark Waple, a lawyer who represents the Student Veterans Advocacy Group of North Carolina, the G.I Bill no longer pays for out-of-state tuition rates at public universities and community colleges. This means that in order to attend a public university or community college and still be fully covered by the G.I. Bill, veterans must be accepted as in-state students.

Different states come with different requirements, though many won’t classify a student as in-state until they’ve resided there for at least one year. For military veterans returning to civilian life and attempting to earn a college degree, this means paying the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, or waiting another year before enrolling. For those who have already postponed their college careers to serve their country, a year can be a long time.

Fortunately for these brave servicemen and women, DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam) provide an easy and cost-efficient alternative while they solve their in-state/out-of-state situation. By taking exams for college credit, these veterans can earn three credit hours in a single sitting, and for just $80 (plus a sitting fee). With exams in 38 different subjects, these tests can help veterans awaiting residency get a head-start on their degree and graduate faster.

UPCEA, the leading association for colleges and universities engaged in professional, continuing, and online education, and InsideTrack, a leading provider of student coaching, plans to conduct a unique benchmark survey, publish a joint report, and co-host an educational webinar as part of this initiative. Says Robert Hansen, CEO of UPCEA, about the partnership: "UPCEA takes very seriously our responsibility to serve as an important resource to colleges and universities serving nontraditional learners. That is why we launched our Center for Research and Consulting (CRC) and partnered with InsideTrack.” Kai Drekmeier, founder and president of InsideTrack, continues: "Our collaboration with the CRC will provide many exciting opportunities to identify how we can increase graduation rates for working adults."

This research marks a very important step in bettering the education of non-traditional students and making sure that opportunities which exist for them are geared towards their specific needs and lifestyle, much like DSST exams already are. By earning college credit through DSST, a non-traditional student can save both money and time - two especially important factors for adult learners. Adult learners just choose from one of 38 available subject exams, schedule their test, and earn a total of three college credits in a single sitting.