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Your Location: Middle East GMT+3
Your Age: 24
What kind of degree do you want?: Computer Science
Current Regional Accredited Credits: ~70 (medical modules: CVS, NVS, GIT, RS, community medicine; evaluation pending, likely free electives)
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 0
Any certifications or military experience?: None
Budget: $10,000 maximum
Commitments: Fully dedicated
Dedicated time to study: Full time
Timeline: Under 1 year
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None
Goal/Concern: The long term goal is competitive research graduate study.
I’ve read that some universities may pause applications when they see a lot of ACE "non graded" credit, which can significantly weaken an application looking to avoid that outcome.
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(01-03-2026, 06:35 AM)Stardeus Wrote: Your Location: Middle East GMT+3
Your Age: 24
What kind of degree do you want?: Computer Science
Current Regional Accredited Credits: ~70 (medical modules: CVS, NVS, GIT, RS, community medicine; evaluation pending, likely free electives)
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 0
Any certifications or military experience?: None
Budget: $10,000 maximum
Commitments: Fully dedicated
Dedicated time to study: Full time
Timeline: Under 1 year
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None
Goal/Concern: The long term goal is competitive research graduate study.
I’ve read that some universities may pause applications when they see a lot of ACE "non graded" credit, which can significantly weaken an application looking to avoid that outcome.
TESU would be your best bet. I would start off with finishing all of your GEN Eds, followed by Coursera Certs to max out transfer credits towards CS/IT courses at TESU, and work on TECEPs to waive the residency fee. Take a look at our Wiki page for the Computer Science major, and if you want, you could do a double:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...University
TESU
2026: Doctor of Business Admin
UIUC
2026: MS Management
WPUNJ
2027: MS Finance
2024: M.Ed - Educational Leadership
2026: B.S Information Technology
CCAF:
2024: A.A.S - Emergency Management
UMPI:
2024: M.A.O.L
2024: BABA - PM/IS
2023: B.A. - His & Poli Sci
2023: B.L.S. - Mgmt
2023: A.A. - LS
RCSJ:
2022: A.A.A.S. - Soc
2023: A.A.A.S. - His
2023: A.A.A.S. - Phil
2023: A.A.A.S. - Psy
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01-03-2026, 03:07 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-03-2026, 03:10 PM by Stardeus.)
[quote pid='449199' dateline='1767444844']
TESU would be your best bet. I would start off with finishing all of your GEN Eds, followed by Coursera Certs to max out transfer credits towards CS/IT courses at TESU, and work on TECEPs to waive the residency fee. Take a look at our Wiki page for the Computer Science major, and if you want, you could do a double:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...University
[/quote]
(01-03-2026, 07:54 AM)Mint Berry Crunch Wrote: (01-03-2026, 06:35 AM)Stardeus Wrote: Your Location: Middle East GMT+3
Your Age: 24
What kind of degree do you want?: Computer Science
Current Regional Accredited Credits: ~70 (medical modules: CVS, NVS, GIT, RS, community medicine; evaluation pending, likely free electives)
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 0
Any certifications or military experience?: None
Budget: $10,000 maximum
Commitments: Fully dedicated
Dedicated time to study: Full time
Timeline: Under 1 year
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None
Goal/Concern: The long term goal is competitive research graduate study.
I’ve read that some universities may pause applications when they see a lot of ACE "non graded" credit, which can significantly weaken an application looking to avoid that outcome.
TESU would be your best bet. I would start off with finishing all of your GEN Eds, followed by Coursera Certs to max out transfer credits towards CS/IT courses at TESU, and work on TECEPs to waive the residency fee. Take a look at our Wiki page for the Computer Science major, and if you want, you could do a double:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...University
Quick question regarding grad school prep: [quote pid='449199' dateline='1767444844']
If most coursework is transferred Coursera/ACE + TECEPs, leaving few graded courses in the last 60 credits, could this be an issue for research focused or funded master’s programs that emphasize GPA?
[/quote]
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(01-03-2026, 03:07 PM)Stardeus Wrote: [quote pid='449199' dateline='1767444844']
TESU would be your best bet. I would start off with finishing all of your GEN Eds, followed by Coursera Certs to max out transfer credits towards CS/IT courses at TESU, and work on TECEPs to waive the residency fee. Take a look at our Wiki page for the Computer Science major, and if you want, you could do a double:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...University
(01-03-2026, 07:54 AM)Mint Berry Crunch Wrote: (01-03-2026, 06:35 AM)Stardeus Wrote: Your Location: Middle East GMT+3
Your Age: 24
What kind of degree do you want?: Computer Science
Current Regional Accredited Credits: ~70 (medical modules: CVS, NVS, GIT, RS, community medicine; evaluation pending, likely free electives)
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 0
Any certifications or military experience?: None
Budget: $10,000 maximum
Commitments: Fully dedicated
Dedicated time to study: Full time
Timeline: Under 1 year
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None
Goal/Concern: The long term goal is competitive research graduate study.
I’ve read that some universities may pause applications when they see a lot of ACE "non graded" credit, which can significantly weaken an application looking to avoid that outcome.
TESU would be your best bet. I would start off with finishing all of your GEN Eds, followed by Coursera Certs to max out transfer credits towards CS/IT courses at TESU, and work on TECEPs to waive the residency fee. Take a look at our Wiki page for the Computer Science major, and if you want, you could do a double:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...University
Quick question regarding grad school prep: [quote pid='449199' dateline='1767444844']
If most coursework is transferred Coursera/ACE + TECEPs, leaving few graded courses in the last 60 credits, could this be an issue for research focused or funded master’s programs that emphasize GPA?
[/quote]
[/quote]
You'll have to do some more digging and look into those programs. If that is a concern for you, I would ask the school or research those specific programs to see if that would hinder you.
TESU
2026: Doctor of Business Admin
UIUC
2026: MS Management
WPUNJ
2027: MS Finance
2024: M.Ed - Educational Leadership
2026: B.S Information Technology
CCAF:
2024: A.A.S - Emergency Management
UMPI:
2024: M.A.O.L
2024: BABA - PM/IS
2023: B.A. - His & Poli Sci
2023: B.L.S. - Mgmt
2023: A.A. - LS
RCSJ:
2022: A.A.A.S. - Soc
2023: A.A.A.S. - His
2023: A.A.A.S. - Phil
2023: A.A.A.S. - Psy
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University of the People is the cheapest way to go. Can be done for around $2000.
Study.com – Get 10% Off: https://altcredit.click/study10
Degrees: BA Comp Sci; BS Business Admin (CIS); AS Nat Sci & Math — TESU (4.0 GPA)
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(01-04-2026, 01:44 AM)LevelUP Wrote: University of the People is the cheapest way to go. Can be done for around $2000. I'm not asking for the cheapest; I want to get a legit degree for competitive programs
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01-04-2026, 05:27 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-04-2026, 06:00 PM by wow.
Edit Reason: corrected pricing
)
(01-04-2026, 10:44 AM)Stardeus Wrote: (01-04-2026, 01:44 AM)LevelUP Wrote: University of the People is the cheapest way to go. Can be done for around $2000. I'm not asking for the cheapest; I want to get a legit degree for competitive programs
Well, you're lucky then, because UoPeople is also legit (WASC accredited). Since you're worried about non-graded transfer courses, you can do the whole degree there with no transfers and still keep under your budget of $10,000. The total should be around $6,500.
There may be others, but under $10,000 is tough to find.
-------
Current
University of the People—B.S. Health Science
TESU—BA Biology & something else, AS Mathematics
Completed
MBA, UMass Global
MS Psychology, Walden University
BA in Linguistics, traditional route
Online traditional credits (undergrad & U.S. unless otherwise stated)
Eastern Gateway Community College (28); ASU (10); New Mexico Junior College (8); Strayer (3); Purdue University Global (3); TESU (6); XAMK Finland (57 ECTS + 10 grad ECTS), University of the People (3 grad), Lamar (3 grad)
Alternative credits
Sophia (81), Study.com (27), Saylor (6 credits), Onlinedegree.com (12), CLEP (6)
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• LevelUP
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Basically...You can do the combo of UofPeople BS Comp Sci and MSIT, then, you can do the MOOC Masters of your choice, such as from Coursera or EdX partner. You can get the triple degree for a bit over 10K USD, yes, that's Bachelors, Masters, and a second one of your choice from a higher ranked US institution on Coursera, EdX, or another MOOC.
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(01-06-2026, 10:45 AM)bjcheung77 Wrote: Basically...You can do the combo of UofPeople BS Comp Sci and MSIT, then, you can do the MOOC Masters of your choice, such as from Coursera or EdX partner. You can get the triple degree for a bit over 10K USD, yes, that's Bachelors, Masters, and a second one of your choice from a higher ranked US institution on Coursera, EdX, or another MOOC. Dear bjcheung77,
Do you have some of the mentioned MOOC-provided graduate programs in mind? CU Boulder, for example, is listed with around $15k.
The undergraduate program at UoPeople would cost approximately $2k (after transferring 20 ACE-approved credits). The MSIT would cost the full price, $5.5k. We have now reached over 70% of the initial budget. How can someone now add another master's for approximately 4-5k? The only option I am aware of is the MBA from HAU.
Please correct me if my mathematics is wrong or if there are any other opportunities that I am not aware of.
I am asking because I am considering a similar option. Currently working on my BSc in CS and want to continue with the MSIT program at UoPeople.
Thanks in advance!
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Basically, the one I am referring to is the UIUC IMSM for 13K USD (much cheaper for those who can get it with the 70% scholarship, at roughly $4K), this is a top 10 program. There are other programs that are similar pricing like the HAU MBA for 3K, WGU MSML/MBA for 5K, UMPI MAOL/MSB, etc. It really depends on what you're looking for at the Masters level, you can do the MS AI from Udacity with the Woolf partnership for $5K, whatever floats your boat and hits your requirements...
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