Scoring Free TEEX Credits for Your Degree 🚀

Hey folks! Want to stack college credits without spending a dime? Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is like a hidden gem in the open-source world of education, offering free ACE-approved credits that transfer to schools like TESU, Excelsior, and Pierpont. 📚 This guide, based on TEEX’s offerings from 2021–2023, details its free Cybersecurity and Disaster Management courses, plus low-cost options for Criminal Justice and Liberal Studies degrees. Confirm ACE status and transferability, as renewals can be as spotty as a flaky package manager.

Big thanks to student communities for their tips on TEEX. Let’s optimize your degree plan like a finely tuned shell script! 😎

Note: Always verify ACE approval at ACE National Guide and transferability with your school’s registrar (e.g., TESU: advising@tesu.edu, Excelsior: admissions@excelsior.edu, Pierpont: registrar@pierpont.edu). Get approvals in writing to avoid glitches.

Table of Contents

• Why Use TEEX Credits?
• Free TEEX Courses
• Paid TEEX Courses
• TEEX Certificates
• Tips for Maximizing TEEX Credits
• Final Thoughts: You’re Ready to Stack Credits!

Why Use TEEX Credits?

TEEX, a Texas A&M division, provides free and low-cost ACE-recommended courses, perfect for non-traditional students:

• Free Credits: Up to 13–26 credits at $0 via Cybersecurity and Disaster Management courses, funded by DHS/FEMA.
• Non-Proctored: No proctoring fees or hassle, unlike Saylor Academy ($5/exam).
• Flexible Format: Self-paced, online, with video-based or reading/quiz styles. Some courses (e.g., Basic Property Technician) feel like video games!
• Transferability: Accepted by TESU (114/120 credits), Excelsior (113/120), and Pierpont (48/60 for BOG AAS, post-October 2024). COSC does not accept TEEX.
• Degree Fit: Ideal for Criminal Justice, Liberal Studies, or Cybersecurity at TESU/Excelsior; electives for Pierpont.
• Low-Cost Options: Paid courses ($57–$97) for Criminal Justice, cheaper than Coopersmith ($150).

TEEX is like a lightweight CLI tool—simple, effective, and budget-friendly.

Free TEEX Courses

These DHS/FEMA-funded courses are 100% free, ACE-approved, and non-proctored. Verify status at ACE National Guide.

• Total: 14 credits (13 without MGT343, as some schools bundle it separately).
• Pierpont Bonus: Individual Cyber 101/201/301 modules yield 13 additional credits (26 total) for BOG AAS.
• Details: Self-paced, online, completable in hours. Enroll at TEEX Cybersecurity and access via my.teex.org.
• Use: Electives for TESU/Excelsior B.S. (Liberal Studies, Cybersecurity) or Pierpont BOG AAS. Excelsior may accept as lower-level (LL) credits.

Paid TEEX Courses

These paid courses (December 2023 prices) are ACE-recommended, non-proctored, and ideal for Criminal Justice or Liberal Studies at TESU. Excelsior’s acceptance varies; confirm with advisors.

• Total: 13 credits for $427 (~$33/credit).
• Details: Self-paced, online, with reading/quiz or interactive formats. Access at TEEX Forensic Science.
• Use: Major courses for TESU B.S. Criminal Justice; electives for Liberal Studies or Excelsior.

TEEX Certificates

Combine paid courses with non-credit TEEX courses for Forensic & Investigative Sciences certificates:

• Courses: Death Investigation, Basic Property Technician, Fingerprint Comparison, Forensic Photography, Courtroom Testimony, plus additional non-credit courses.
• Cost: ~$590 (December 2021, confirm 2025 pricing).
• Credits: 13 credits (from paid courses above), no extra credits for certificate completion.
• Use: Enhances resume for Criminal Justice careers, but not required for degree credit.
• Details: Contact TEEX at info@teex.org for certificate requirements.

Tips for Maximizing TEEX Credits

Treat TEEX like a sysadmin deploying a free-tier cloud instance:

• Verify ACE Status ✅: Check ACE National Guide for active renewals, as TEEX courses may lapse.
• Start Free: Complete Cyber 101/201/301 (13 credits, $0) and MGT343 (1 credit, $0) first. Enroll at TEEX.
• Target TESU/Excelsior: TESU maps TEEX to Criminal Justice (e.g., AOJ-340) or Liberal Studies; Excelsior accepts free courses (e.g., Death Investigation as UL). COSC rejects TEEX.
• Pierpont Bonus: Claim 26 credits for Cyber modules in BOG AAS ($350, 12-credit residency post-October 2024). See Free Credits Guide.
• Add Paid Courses: Budget $427 for 13 Criminal Justice credits ($57–$97/course) if pursuing TESU B.S. Criminal Justice. Confirm Excelsior transfers.
• Combine Sources: Pair TEEX with Sophia.org (70–86 credits, $99/month), Modern States CLEP ($0), or Pima CC ($90/7 credits) for 113/120 credits at TESU/Excelsior.
• Claim Transcripts: Use ACE Credit Registry for TEEX credits. Submit to TESU/Excelsior/Pierpont via Credly or direct transcript.
• Track Credits: Log in Excel (CTRL+C/CTRL+V) to hit 60 (Pierpont) or 120 (TESU/Excelsior). Ensure 30 UL credits for B.S. degrees.

Final Thoughts: You’re Ready to Stack Credits!

There you go—a playbook to score free TEEX credits, as efficient as a well-crafted cron job. With 14 free credits (Cybersecurity, Disaster Management), 13 paid credits ($427), and transfers to TESU, Excelsior, or Pierpont, you’re slashing degree costs to ~$3,780 (Excelsior) or $350 (Pierpont). Your next steps:

• Enroll in free courses at TEEX Cybersecurity and TEEX Disaster Management.
• Add paid courses at TEEX Forensic Science for Criminal Justice.
• Verify transfers with TESU (advising@tesu.edu), Excelsior (admissions@excelsior.edu), or Pierpont (registrar@pierpont.edu).
• Pair with Sophia or CLEP for max credits.
• Track in Excel to hit 60 (Pierpont) or 120 (Big Three).

You’re building a degree as lean as a custom Arch install. Questions? Contact TEEX (info@teex.org) or student communities. Now go stack those credits and land that diploma! 🌟

Based on TEEX offerings from 2021–2023 and student insights. Confirm ACE status and transferability with schools.