BSBA Accounting - TESU or WGU? Help please!

[Goldilocks!]

Hi everyone,

I applied to both TESU and WGU for their BSBA Accounting (TESU Accounting/CPA) degrees. I'd like some help with figuring out which would be faster/cheaper for me. I've already earned an Associate of Arts degree way back in 2001. 

Here's what I have so far:

Community College and University:
English I - 3cr
English II - 3cr
Speech - 3cr
Intermediate Algebra- 4cr
Intro to Sociology - 3cr
Moral & Social Values - 3cr (philosophy course that fulfills Ethics for TESU)
Art History I - 3 hr
Art History II - 3 hr
Intro to Psychology - 3 hr
Intro to Humanities - 3cr
US History Prior to 1877 - 3cr
Environmental Biology - 4 cr
Astronomy and Earth Science - 4cr
Ethical and Legal Issues - 2 cr
Statistics - 3cr
Intro to Computers - 3cr
Intro to Internet - 3 cr
Latin American History - 3cr
Tourism & Hotel Industry - 3cr
Principles of Marketing - 3cr
Business Communication - 3cr
Human Sexuality – 3cr
Marriage and Family – 3cr
Intro to Film Art – 3cr
Intro to Criminal Justice – 3cr
Intro to Legal Technology – 3cr
Law Office Practice – 3cr
Health Education – 2cr
Physical Fitness – 2cr
Aerobics – 2cr

Sophia:
Ancient Greek Philosophers
Conflict Resolution
Developing Effective Teams
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Project Management
Essentials of Managing Conflict
Visual Communications
Accounting
Principles of Finance (in progress)

I also signed up for Strayer’s free winter term from Sophia, but haven’t finalized my classes yet. It’s nearly impossible to see anything beyond what they recommend you take and since they haven’t added my Sophia classes yet either some are duplicates.

While I was writing this, my evaluation came back from TESU and I have 60 hours towards my degree, not including my Sophia classes. However, they noted that I have 88 hours towards BALS. I was not considering that route, but since it'd be easier and faster, I'm now open to that, too. How useful is BALS versus a more specialized degree?

Thanks in advance!!!

[natshar]

Hi everyone,

I applied to both TESU and WGU for their BSBA Accounting (TESU Accounting/CPA) degrees. I'd like some help with figuring out which would be faster/cheaper for me. I've already earned an Associate of Arts degree way back in 2001. 

Here's what I have so far:

Community College and University:
English I - 3cr
English II - 3cr
Speech - 3cr
Intermediate Algebra- 4cr
Intro to Sociology - 3cr
Moral & Social Values - 3cr (philosophy course that fulfills Ethics for TESU)
Art History I - 3 hr
Art History II - 3 hr
Intro to Psychology - 3 hr
Intro to Humanities - 3cr
US History Prior to 1877 - 3cr
Environmental Biology - 4 cr
Astronomy and Earth Science - 4cr
Ethical and Legal Issues - 2 cr
Statistics - 3cr
Intro to Computers - 3cr
Intro to Internet - 3 cr
Latin American History - 3cr
Tourism & Hotel Industry - 3cr
Principles of Marketing - 3cr
Business Communication - 3cr
Human Sexuality – 3cr
Marriage and Family – 3cr
Intro to Film Art – 3cr
Intro to Criminal Justice – 3cr
Intro to Legal Technology – 3cr
Law Office Practice – 3cr
Health Education – 2cr
Physical Fitness – 2cr
Aerobics – 2cr

Sophia:
Ancient Greek Philosophers
Conflict Resolution
Developing Effective Teams
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Project Management
Essentials of Managing Conflict
Visual Communications
Accounting
Principles of Finance (in progress)

I also signed up for Strayer’s free winter term from Sophia, but haven’t finalized my classes yet. It’s nearly impossible to see anything beyond what they recommend you take and since they haven’t added my Sophia classes yet either some are duplicates.

While I was writing this, my evaluation came back from TESU and I have 60 hours towards my degree, not including my Sophia classes. However, they noted that I have 88 hours towards BALS. I was not considering that route, but since it'd be easier and faster, I'm now open to that, too. How useful is BALS versus a more specialized degree?

Thanks in advance!!!

If your goal is accounting then I think you should go for the BSBA accounting. The BALS won't cut it for an actually accounting career. Additionally, WGUs masters in accounting requires a bachelor's in accounting in order to be accepted into the program. So I'd go for the accounting degree.

As for what school that is up to you. WGU is cheaper than TESU if you can complete WGU in one or two terms. I am not really sure if one is better than another.

[Goldilocks!]

Good to know about the Master's in Accounting requirement! That could make a huge difference.

[dfrecore]

So first, you took a lot of Sophia courses that you didn't need, unfortunately. Bummer.

Second: TESU BSBA/Accounting is your best bet there if you want to go into accounting. But it depends on your ultimate goal?

Here's what you still need at TESU (sticking with Sophia until you need to switch to Study.com)

Quantitative Literacy requirement: College Algebra (Sophia)
Business Law (Sophia)

Civic Engagement requirement (Comparative Politics at Study.com, Am Govt at ICC, etc.)

ACC 102: Intro to Managerial Accounting (Study.com)
BUS 101: Principles of Management (Study.com)
BUS 120: International Business (Study.com)
ACC 201: Intermediate Accounting I (Study.com)
ACC 202: Intermediate Accounting II (Study.com)
ACC 301: Applied Managerial Accounting (Study.com)
ACC 302: Advanced Accounting (Study.com)
ACC 303: Cost Accounting (Study.com)

Federal Income Taxation (TECEP Exam)

If you can do any UL Accounting courses at Strayer, that would be helpful. Especially if you can use something non-duplicating and skip the TECEP.

Also, if you can do even 1 Finance course that doesn't duplicate the following Study.com's Finance courses, you could do a 2nd major in Finance, which would probably be helpful in the Accounting field.
FIN 301: Corporate Finance
FIN 302: International Finance
FIN 303: Financial Institutions & Markets
FIN 304: Security Analysis & Portfolio Management
FIN 306: Small Business Finance
------------------------------

For WGU, if you bring in an AA, then your GE is done. So you'd need the following (from Study.com):

BUS 100: Intro to Business
BUS 101: Principles of Management
BUS 102: Principles of Marketing
BUS 103: Intro to Business Law
BUS 106: Human Resource Management
BUS 107: Organizational Behavior
BUS 120: International Business
BUS 303: Management Info Systems
BUS 312: Advanced Operations Management
BUS 314: Employment Law
FIN 101: Principles of Finance

That leaves 53cr to take at WGU, because 10cr don't have alternatives, and 43cr cannot be transferred in. That's a LOT to take in 1 term, maybe even 2 terms.
-------------------------------

If I were you, I'd probably stick with TESU. It's going to be the easiest, although not sure if it's cheaper. But it's a good way to go.

[ss20ts]

I'm going to throw something else your way.

https://online.umpi.edu/programs/ba-accounting.aspx

UMPI is also competency based. You'll be in great shape to transfer in with an associate degree and Sophia courses.

[dfrecore]

I'm going to throw something else your way.

https://online.umpi.edu/programs/ba-accounting.aspx

UMPI is also competency based. You'll be in great shape to transfer in with an associate degree and Sophia courses.

This is not a bad option either. You could send in your transcripts (CC & University) to see what they give you.

Since you're limited on your ACE credit here, you'd probably want to take a bunch of Study.com courses to get your major courses done as much as possible.  It would mean, I think, that none of your Sophia courses would transfer (or at least, you wouldn't want those to transfer and take up "space" in your ACE credits).

[ss20ts]

I'm going to throw something else your way.

https://online.umpi.edu/programs/ba-accounting.aspx

UMPI is also competency based. You'll be in great shape to transfer in with an associate degree and Sophia courses.

This is not a bad option either. You could send in your transcripts (CC & University) to see what they give you.

Since you're limited on your ACE credit here, you'd probably want to take a bunch of Study.com courses to get your major courses done as much as possible.  It would mean, I think, that none of your Sophia courses would transfer (or at least, you wouldn't want those to transfer and take up "space" in your ACE credits).

UMPI accepts up to 30 ACE credits. Everything needed for their degrees is offered at UMPI. You are required to take 30 credits at UMPI and there's a specific number of upper level courses in the major you have to complete at UMPI.

[Goldilocks!]

Thank you both so much! This is exactly what I needed. Luckily I took the Sophia courses for free this summer and just started a membership this week. I took them before realizing finishing my Bachelor's online was actually doable. The tip about the 2nd major in Finance is awesome. I worked in accounting for six years, but have been in real estate for the last five. I'm wanting to get back into a less client-facing role and be able to continue to work from home for a while. UMPI wasn't even on my radar, so I'll send over my transcripts and see what they'll give me. Thanks!!

[dfrecore]

I'm going to throw something else your way.

https://online.umpi.edu/programs/ba-accounting.aspx

UMPI is also competency based. You'll be in great shape to transfer in with an associate degree and Sophia courses.

This is not a bad option either. You could send in your transcripts (CC & University) to see what they give you.

Since you're limited on your ACE credit here, you'd probably want to take a bunch of Study.com courses to get your major courses done as much as possible.  It would mean, I think, that none of your Sophia courses would transfer (or at least, you wouldn't want those to transfer and take up "space" in your ACE credits).

UMPI accepts up to 30 ACE credits. Everything needed for their degrees is offered at UMPI. You are required to take 30 credits at UMPI and there's a specific number of upper level courses in the major you have to complete at UMPI.

Yes, I saw that.  Her Sophia courses won't maximize what she needs to take; she needs more accounting courses, which SDC offers more of.

In looking at the catalog and degree plan, I can see that her GE is almost completed: she needs to take a "creativity" course, a foreign language, and Civic Knowledge.

Then, in the major, she needs 19 more courses.  There are 8 matching courses at Study.com that may count.  That would leave 11 courses in the major, 9 of which are UL.  That's 27cr.  I guess the next question would be how many UL credits does she have to take there.  And which Study.com and Sophia courses would they take.

Actually I might consider taking Spanish I at Study.com, it will probably go faster than going through UMPI.

[ss20ts]

I'm going to throw something else your way.

https://online.umpi.edu/programs/ba-accounting.aspx

UMPI is also competency based. You'll be in great shape to transfer in with an associate degree and Sophia courses.

This is not a bad option either. You could send in your transcripts (CC & University) to see what they give you.

Since you're limited on your ACE credit here, you'd probably want to take a bunch of Study.com courses to get your major courses done as much as possible.  It would mean, I think, that none of your Sophia courses would transfer (or at least, you wouldn't want those to transfer and take up "space" in your ACE credits).

UMPI accepts up to 30 ACE credits. Everything needed for their degrees is offered at UMPI. You are required to take 30 credits at UMPI and there's a specific number of upper level courses in the major you have to complete at UMPI.

Yes, I saw that.  Her Sophia courses won't maximize what she needs to take; she needs more accounting courses, which SDC offers more of.

In looking at the catalog and degree plan, I can see that her GE is almost completed: she needs to take a "creativity" course, a foreign language, and Civic Knowledge.

Then, in the major, she needs 19 more courses.  There are 8 matching courses at Study.com that may count.  That would leave 11 courses in the major, 9 of which are UL.  That's 27cr.  I guess the next question would be how many UL credits does she have to take there.  And which Study.com and Sophia courses would they take.

Actually I might consider taking Spanish I at Study.com, it will probably go faster than going through UMPI.

It all depends on the student how fast courses can be completed at UMPI. I have completed the course content in several courses in 3 days. That doesn't include the Final Assessment which a final exam, paper, or project. Spanish has a written and oral exam at UMPI. UMPI doesn't have proctors either which is a factor for some folks. 

Keep in mind that just because Study.com calls a course an upper doesn't mean any college agrees. I have several courses from a university that transferred to UMPI as lowers and some courses from Sophia and community college that transferred as uppers. 

If one is going into a CBE program, they should just go into it instead of taking credits all over. They're paying for them and they may not transfer in how they think. Degree programs change all of the time. Also taking the courses at the college makes them RA or NA credit depending on the college which is a big deal if they want to go onto grad school in the future. 

Looking through her course list and the GEC at UMPI she has completed the Critical & Creative Thinking area. She also has some legal/law courses which they may take for Learning Objective E under Global Consciousness & Intercultural Awareness which you're calling civic knowledge.

Every degree is different, but this is what the BLS requires:

Elective Requirements: Students must take a minimum of 24 credit hours of upper-level electives beyond courses taken for the general education core and minor requirements.

Residency Requirements: 30 credit hours at UMPI- 12 must be in the major (Major includes the minor and upper level electives) and 9 of those 12 must be 300 level or higher