Advice on Degree path

[Kirpow1010]

Hi group, i'm new to the forums, i stumbled across the forum when somebody mentioned it on reddit. I was looking up information on getting some comptia certs and became very interested in the idea of being able to get a possible bachelors through the online colleges. I had went to a community college right out of high school and it did not go well to say the least, i ended up flunking my 1st semester, withdrew my 2nd semester, then tried to go back a year later and ended up completely dropping out. Fast forward 20 years and this forum has piqued my interest in pursuing a degree(sophia and study.com), which I thought was impossible at this point of my life with my work. I ordered my transcripts from my old college just to see what I had completed, and it was less than great, my GPA showed a .64 across the semesters, so i'm not sure if that would prevent me from moving forward now with pursing anything or if I should just focus on getting certifications instead. 

I work on average around 60 hours a week as a Senior Project Manager currently and would like to expand my knowledge in the IT field and possibly transition into a different role or find a technical project manager role in the future. For free time I have usually my weekends and a couple hours after work every day I could devote to studying. Money isn't that big of a roadblock, my company offers tuition reimbursement up to 10k a year toward college, and I can afford to spend out of pocket if need be. My free time is limited by my job though.

Your Location: North Carolina, Charlotte
Your Age: 39
What kind of degree do you want?: BSIT 

Current Regional Accredited Credits: Break apart by school for ease of reading. Regional means the school has a regional accrediation. If you don't have any, that's okay leave it blank!

Jefferson Community College: 6
ANT 104 Intro to Anthropology, 3, D
CIS 110 Intro to Computing 3, A
The rest were Withdraws/fails

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: These are things like Study, Sophia, InstantCert InstantCredit, CLEP, Straighterline, Davar etc

None

Any certifications or military experience?  PMP through PMI, planning on getting my CSM soon.

[rachel83az]

Your low GPA may be a problem at some schools. For instance, I think if you wanted a business degree from UMPI then you'd need to request to apply as a provisional student. It wouldn't necessarily keep you from getting a degree, but it's an issue nevertheless.

How many fails/withdraws do you have? Which Jefferson CC is it? I see several.

[Kirpow1010]

jefferson community college in watertown NY. 1st semester, i had 1 F and 1 Withdrawl without penatlty. I had a total withdrawl from my 2nd semester which was without penalty(4 courses). my 3rd semester, was 5 Y's for abandonded/fail. I signed up and didn't go, ended up moving out of the town.

[allvia]

For you I'm going to recommend (mostly quoting from LevelUp's post from here) - this plan will utilize your company tuition reimbursement the most (very small out of pocket to you)

"A quick and free Associates degree would be the Pierpont BOG AAS with an Area of Emphasis in Information Systems
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Pi...egree_Plan

Your Google IT support cert brings in 12 credits (still free through TADA I believe)... I would do the rest with Sophia finishing out the general education and taking IT-related courses such as Intro to IT, Web, DB, Python.

https://www.sophia.org/"

Start now with above - once that is complete...then UMPI. You have many terms available to complete this due to your generous tuition reimbursement, so no need to rush through - but you can if you wish .  I'd recommend the BABA-Project Management, but you're old enough (meaning you have the work experience now) that a BLS-PM (and MIS minor) would give you about the same ROI. Since you are already PMP certified, you could go just for the BLS-MIS minor (if speed is what you're after) 


- My 2nd choice (due to being more costly, and you'll have more out of pocket as generally tuition reimbursement won't cover the residency waiver - it alone is over $3k) would be TESU for the BSBA-CIS. You could work on the Pierpont BOG AAS from above in route, OR add the TESU ASNSM-CS  (it's a free add on, if you graduate with both at the same time).

Don't worry about 20 years ago, you weren't ready - so many of us here were exactly where you are. For some of us '20 years ago' was like yesterday - I mean you're not even 40 yet  - but if you start now, I bet you'll be done before you turn 41.

[DolceDolce]

For you I'm going to recommend (mostly quoting from LevelUp's post from here) - this plan will utilize your company tuition reimbursement the most (very small out of pocket to you)

"A quick and free Associates degree would be the Pierpont BOG AAS with an Area of Emphasis in Information Systems
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Pi...egree_Plan

Your Google IT support cert brings in 12 credits (still free through TADA I believe)... I would do the rest with Sophia finishing out the general education and taking IT-related courses such as Intro to IT, Web, DB, Python.

https://www.sophia.org/"

Start now with above - once that is complete...then UMPI. You have many terms available to complete this due to your generous tuition reimbursement, so no need to rush through - but you can if you wish .  I'd recommend the BABA-Project Management, but you're old enough (meaning you have the work experience now) that a BLS-PM (and MIS minor) would give you about the same ROI. Since you are already PMP certified, you could go just for the BLS-MIS minor (if speed is what you're after) 


- My 2nd choice (due to being more costly, and you'll have more out of pocket as generally tuition reimbursement won't cover the residency waiver - it alone is over $3k) would be TESU for the BSBA-CIS. You could work on the Pierpont BOG AAS from above in route, OR add the TESU ASNSM-CS  (it's a free add on, if you graduate with both at the same time).

Don't worry about 20 years ago, you weren't ready - so many of us here where exactly where you are. For some of us '20 years ago' was like yesterday - I mean you're not even 40 yet - but if you start now, I bet you'll be done before you turn 41.

I love this forum for this type of advice that they give, so thorough! 

I'm not sure what your GPA is, without knowing the fails/withdraws, but if you average a 2.0 at Pierpoint (the experts will tell you which class at ASU online to get to transfer it to Pierpoint for a letter grade); with a 2.0 you can transfer to WGU, which will do a blanket lower division fulfillment of classes based on having an Associates Degree, leaving you with less classes to take. So you'll get a lot of mileage that way but know that WGU is proctored exams per class, and not at UMPI. UMPI YourPace programs accepts 1.75 GPA, and below that you can apply and submit any supporting documents for an exception or provisional acceptance.  They basically want to know that you are academically ready and if you are PMP Certified, you are well-equipped to succeed.

[allvia]

For you I'm going to recommend (mostly quoting from LevelUp's post from here) - this plan will utilize your company tuition reimbursement the most (very small out of pocket to you)

"A quick and free Associates degree would be the Pierpont BOG AAS with an Area of Emphasis in Information Systems
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Pi...egree_Plan

Your Google IT support cert brings in 12 credits (still free through TADA I believe)... I would do the rest with Sophia finishing out the general education and taking IT-related courses such as Intro to IT, Web, DB, Python.

https://www.sophia.org/"

Start now with above - once that is complete...then UMPI. You have many terms available to complete this due to your generous tuition reimbursement, so no need to rush through - but you can if you wish .  I'd recommend the BABA-Project Management, but you're old enough (meaning you have the work experience now) that a BLS-PM (and MIS minor) would give you about the same ROI. Since you are already PMP certified, you could go just for the BLS-MIS minor (if speed is what you're after) 


- My 2nd choice (due to being more costly, and you'll have more out of pocket as generally tuition reimbursement won't cover the residency waiver - it alone is over $3k) would be TESU for the BSBA-CIS. You could work on the Pierpont BOG AAS from above in route, OR add the TESU ASNSM-CS  (it's a free add on, if you graduate with both at the same time).

Don't worry about 20 years ago, you weren't ready - so many of us here were exactly where you are. For some of us '20 years ago' was like yesterday - I mean you're not even 40 yet - but if you start now, I bet you'll be done before you turn 41.

I love this forum for this type of advice that they give so thorough! 

I'm not sure what your GPA is, without knowing the fails/withdraws, but if you average a 2.0 at Pierpoint (the experts will tell you which class at ASU online to get to transfer it to Pierpoint for a letter grade); with a 2.0 you can transfer to WGU, which will do a blanket lower division fulfillment of classes based on having an Associates Degree, leaving you with less classes to take. So you'll get a lot of mileage that way but know that WGU is proctored exams per class, and not at Pierpoint. Pierpoint YourPace programs accepts 1.75 GPA, and below that you can apply and submit any supporting documents for an exception or provisional acceptance.  They basically want to know that you are academically ready and if you are PMP Certified, you are well-equipped to succeed.

The poster, Kirpow1010, already has the graded credit required for the Pierpont Degree (their CIS 110 Intro to Computing), the point of getting the BOG AAS is to show not only the OP, but UMPI that they are now ready to move forward (sure was a poor student due to historical low GPA, dropped out - but again, that was then, and  'this AAS is now').  It also gives them something to add to that resume quickly related to their objective, while gaining some knowledge in IT.  If for some reason they are not admitted to UMPI (conditionally or otherwise) after the AAS then TESU is still on the table.  Based on the work schedule and long term goals of the OP they listed, I would not suggest WGU for them at the bachelor level. UMPI would allow for a need to skip a term (8 weeks) for a big project if needed, where WGU is a set 6 month commitment - not all competency programs are equal. This OP needs a program that doesn't add pressure, their tuition reimbursement is very generous - they would only need to get through 2 courses a term to move steadily towards the bachelor goal (very doable, especially since many here are getting through far more). From personal experience having '6 months' to get things done when you're job is demanding isn't the comforting thing you'd think - it tends to cause personal life procrastination (again, in my experience - I did a term at WGU). For Project People...having milestones and deadlines tend to be just better

[rachel83az]

Which classes, exactly, did you fail? Your best chance of raising your GPA is to retake those exact same classes at JCC, if allowed/able. They do have a handful of online classes (though not many). If any of your failed classes are online, I probably would start by using your tuition reimbursement to take them.

If you can't do that, for whatever reason, all is not lost. I would not recommend WGU for someone who works 60 hours per week. First of all, I don't think the Pierpont BOG AAS degree would raise your academic GPA for admission (could be wrong). Secondly, you'd probably either need to cut back on your hours, overwork yourself trying to do both job and WGU, or spend an inordinate time getting your WGU degree. Granted, with 10k/year in tuition reimbursement and WGU costing $3975 for 6 months, WGU would be almost nothing out of pocket. But if you're not already in IT, this isn't going to be an "easy" degree.

I would say that your best options right now would probably be either a UMPI Project Management/Management Information Systems business degree (if possible) or a TESU BA in Computer Science. Neither is easy-easy, but both of them are (IMO) probably going to be more easy-going than a WGU BSIT. Both have their own benefits and drawbacks.

[bjcheung77]

@Kirpow1010, You completed the template but missed the addendum where it gives a better overview of your situation. By reading your details, it's a close call for TESU or UMPI, it depends how much energy, money, time you want to spend on this educational journey. My suggestion is to fill in the addendum, complete the most Sophia.org courses that will transfer to the Pierpont BOG AAS and then ladder up to either the UMPI PM & IS or another degree such as their UMPI BLS MIS & PM minors.

[teejayb]

Like many said on here, focus on that AA degree. Do not even look at anything bachelors related until that is completed. It's easy to get lost on wanting to see the finish line when hitting major milestones is more attainable and easier to plan. The only thing I would add is to plan for the IRS with that reimbursement. Anything over $5,250 will be taxable income this year I believe. Verify that before you trust that.

[DolceDolce]

For you I'm going to recommend (mostly quoting from LevelUp's post from here) - this plan will utilize your company tuition reimbursement the most (very small out of pocket to you)

"A quick and free Associates degree would be the Pierpont BOG AAS with an Area of Emphasis in Information Systems
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Pi...egree_Plan

Your Google IT support cert brings in 12 credits (still free through TADA I believe)... I would do the rest with Sophia finishing out the general education and taking IT-related courses such as Intro to IT, Web, DB, Python.

https://www.sophia.org/"

Start now with above - once that is complete...then UMPI. You have many terms available to complete this due to your generous tuition reimbursement, so no need to rush through - but you can if you wish .  I'd recommend the BABA-Project Management, but you're old enough (meaning you have the work experience now) that a BLS-PM (and MIS minor) would give you about the same ROI. Since you are already PMP certified, you could go just for the BLS-MIS minor (if speed is what you're after) 


- My 2nd choice (due to being more costly, and you'll have more out of pocket as generally tuition reimbursement won't cover the residency waiver - it alone is over $3k) would be TESU for the BSBA-CIS. You could work on the Pierpont BOG AAS from above in route, OR add the TESU ASNSM-CS  (it's a free add on, if you graduate with both at the same time).

Don't worry about 20 years ago, you weren't ready - so many of us here were exactly where you are. For some of us '20 years ago' was like yesterday - I mean you're not even 40 yet - but if you start now, I bet you'll be done before you turn 41.

I love this forum for this type of advice that they give so thorough! 

I'm not sure what your GPA is, without knowing the fails/withdraws, but if you average a 2.0 at Pierpoint (the experts will tell you which class at ASU online to get to transfer it to Pierpoint for a letter grade); with a 2.0 you can transfer to WGU, which will do a blanket lower division fulfillment of classes based on having an Associates Degree, leaving you with less classes to take. So you'll get a lot of mileage that way but know that WGU is proctored exams per class, and not at Pierpoint. Pierpoint YourPace programs accepts 1.75 GPA, and below that you can apply and submit any supporting documents for an exception or provisional acceptance.  They basically want to know that you are academically ready and if you are PMP Certified, you are well-equipped to succeed.

The poster, Kirpow1010, already has the graded credit required for the Pierpont Degree (their CIS 110 Intro to Computing), the point of getting the BOG AAS is to show not only the OP, but UMPI that they are now ready to move forward (sure was a poor student due to historical low GPA, dropped out - but again, that was then, and  'this AAS is now').  It also gives them something to add to that resume quickly related to their objective, while gaining some knowledge in IT.  If for some reason they are not admitted to UMPI (conditionally or otherwise) after the AAS then TESU is still on the table.  Based on the work schedule and long term goals of the OP they listed, I would not suggest WGU for them at the bachelor level. UMPI would allow for a need to skip a term (8 weeks) for a big project if needed, where WGU is a set 6 month commitment - not all competency programs are equal. This OP needs a program that doesn't add pressure, their tuition reimbursement is very generous - they would only need to get through 2 courses a term to move steadily towards the bachelor goal (very doable, especially since many here are getting through far more). From personal experience having '6 months' to get things done when you're job is demanding isn't the comforting thing you'd think - it tends to cause personal life procrastination (again, in my experience - I did a term at WGU). For Project People...having milestones and deadlines tend to be just better

I didn't see the original post at the top of the page, explaining his story.  When I logged into the forums, I went to New Post, and thought THAT was the start of the thread, where his 2 line post was that you had replied to.  I've gone back to read his introduction. Now I'm caught up.

However, in your reply above now, a couple things come to mind:

The poster didn't seem to be in distress, emotional, nor mention that he felt that it was a lot of pressure.  They indicated they work 60 hours a week.
I already know he is capable, having the PMP certification.  If you know anything about the PMP certification, is that he does know how to study, it takes extensive preparation. 

Having reviewed his information in entirely now, the WGU school is a solid choice as a suggestion, for someone who can retain information and pass exams, versus a lot of writing that will be planned at UMPI. 

WGU after the BOG Degree is also on the "table" as with an A.A.S. Board of Governors Degree, he can eliminate a lot of classes quickly, depending on what's left, due to WGU blanket fulfillment of requirements fulfilled by an Associates Degree.  It's unknown at this time the extent of it since we don't know what he needs left for the BOG Degree or what he will take for that, but since Pierpoint only requires the 21 to be across a common core (sometimes referred to as GenEd), it's possible he fills the rest with General Electives, which still qualifies him for a blanket sweep in any left unfilled category at WGU in the lower levels.

Furthermore, (since you advised him of a BOG Degree with an IS emphasis), WGU is known as placing in Top 5, Top 7, and Top 10 of several lists referring to the WGU College of IT - which has 10 specialized degrees. Maybe someone who is going to go through the trouble of any of this, wants to know not just the easiest programs, but some of the programs that have been ranked so highly in a key area.

The OP can research the different options.  I know when I asked for suggestions, it helped me far more to know about several choices and a few top choices, versus just an A or B option.

There are different experiences for everyone. 

As you advised him based on your own experience with classes and school, I have advised him based on my experience as a certified coach and in the career services industry.  And that is this fact:many people have more potential than which they are given credit for - such as in your post.  My confidence is in this OP.  I like to present options to people, so that they can make the best choice for them, especially in the absence of additional background information. Likely he can do any of the options presented.  And my information is just as valuable to someone just entering this area of research. His employer may like/prefer one school more than the other and may offer advise - outside of the mere fact that he has tuition reimbursement available.  If IT is a consideration, no doubt WGU will come up somewhere, from someone.

The OP can now decide what he has additional interest or questions on.