Back after a decade and I am lost....Need guidance

[MedicOne]

Your Location:Indiana/Illinois
Your Age:45
What kind of degree do you want?: Associates all the way to a Phd
Current Regional Accredited Credits:80ish
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: Aleks College Algebra and and another 1 credit course from CDP
Any certifications or military experience?: Yes See below
Budget:As cheap as possible up to 5k a year
Commitments: I work full time and instruct part time
Dedicated time to study: Roughly an hour or two daily. 
Timeline:ASAP
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: Zero


I’m reaching out for some critical advice and support. Two decades ago, I began my journey in pre-nursing and nursing school but shifted gears to pursue EMT and paramedic training instead. Over the years, I’ve completed around 300 classes with certificates, earning technical diplomas in EMT and Paramedic studies. I am even an instructor. However, I never obtained a formal degree. Recently, a policy change means I now need a degree to be eligible for promotion, which has put me in a challenging position.

I’m seeking honest guidance to navigate my next steps. I have approximately 45 credits from community college and about 35 credits from EMT and paramedic school. I’ve also earned FEMA and other certifications, though I’ve never had them evaluated for credit—and I’ve heard some institutions no longer accept FEMA credits, which is a setback. My goal is to earn an Associate’s degree (or two), a Bachelor’s degree (or two), and potentially a Master’s and PhD down the line. I’ve been following this board for years, but after a decade away, I’m feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start. I’ll be upfront—I can’t do this alone and need help to chart my path. I am literally overwhelmed.

Here are courses I have taken

English 101 and 102.
Biology 101.
A&P 226 & 227 both with lab
Microbiology
Humanities
Social Science
Nursing 102

CNA
EMT
Paramedic
CPR
ACLS
PALS
PHTLS

I also have these certificates

Columbia Southern University
Jail Evacuation Certificate

United States Coast Guard
Vessel Examiner
Fingerprint Technician

Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice
Incident Management System - Awareness Level
Emergency Response Planning
Unified Command - Awareness Level
Evacuation Coordinator
Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen
Hazardous Materials Response Technician
Radiation Safety Awareness
Hospital-Based Decontamination: Hazard Recognition
Container Inspections Customs - Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)

FEMA/Department of Homeland Security

Professional Development Series Certificate
IS-1 Emergency Program Manager
IS-3 Radiological Emergency Management
IS-5 Introduction to Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)
IS-7 A Citizen's Guide to Disaster Assistance
IS-8.A Building for the Earthquakes of Tomorrow Executive Order 12699
IS-10 Animals in Disaster Awareness and Preparedness
IS-11 Animals in Disaster Community Planning
IS-15 Special Events Contingency Planning for Public Safety Agencies
IS-22 Are You Ready An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness
IS-20.11 Diversity Awareness
IS-30 Mitigation eGrant System for the Subgrant Applicant
IS-55 Household Hazardous Materials A Guide for Citizens
IS-100 Introduction to Incident Command System
IS-100.HE Introduction to the Incident Command System for Higher Education
IS-100.HC Introduction to the Incident Command System for Healthcare Hospitals
IS-100.LE Introduction to the Incident Command System for Law Enforcement
IS-100.PW Introduction to the Incident Command System for Public Works Personnel
IS-100.SC Introduction to the Incident Command System for Schools
IS-111 Livestock in Disasters
IS-120 Orientation to Community Disaster Exercises
IS-120.A An Introduction to Exercises
IS-139 Exercise Design
IS-197.SP Special Needs Planning Considerations for Service and Support Providers
IS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
IS-200.HC Applying ICS to Healthcare Organizations
IS-208 State Disaster Management
IS-230 Principles of Emergency Management
IS-235 Emergency Planning
IS-240 Leadership & Influence
IS-241 Decision Making & Problem Solving
IS-242 Effective Communication
IS-244 Developing and Managing Volunteers
IS-253 Coordinating Environmental & Historic Preservation Compliance
IS-271 Anticipating Hazardous Weather & Community Risk
IS-288 Role of Voluntary Agencies in Emergency Management
IS-292 Disaster Basics
IS-301 Radiological Emergency Response
IS-302 Modular Emergency Radiological Response Transportation Training
IS-317 Community Emergency Response Team
IS-324 Community Hurricane Preparedness
IS-331 Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Exercise Evaluation
IS-340 Hazardous Materials Prevention
IS-346 Hazardous Materials for Medical Personnel
IS-386 Introduction to Residential Coastal Construction
IS-547 Introduction to Continuity of Operations (COOP)
IS-630 Introduction to the Public Assistance Process
IS-631 Public Assistance Operation I
IS-632 Introduction to Debris Operations in FEMA's Public Assistance Program
IS-650 Building Partnerships with Tribal Governments
IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS)
IS-706 - NIMS Intrastate Mutual Aid
IS-800.A National Response Plan (NRP)

University of Minnesota Center for Public Health Preparedness
NIMS and ICS: A Primer for Volunteers

United States Joint Forces Command
J3S T-MN042 Introduction to Environmental Awareness Course
J3S T-MN037 Bulgarian Participation in Peace Support Operations Course
J3S T-MN075 Civilian Military Cooperation CIMIC Overview for NATO School Course
J3S T-MN170 Arms Control and Arms Control Agreements
J3OP-MN091 Combined Joint Task Force Training Modules
J3OP-US145 Assessing Risk During JFHQ JTF State Operations
J3OP-US147 Commanders Intent During JFHQ JTF State Operations
J3OP-US209 Commander's Communication Strategy (CJTF-HOA)
J3OP-US219 CJTF-HOA Exercise Scenarios
J3OP-US231 Civil Military Operations and Humanitarian Assistance Program
J3OP-US256 Branch and Sequel Planning (OIF)
J3SN-MN039 Combating Trafficking in Human Beings
J3TA-US030 Combating Trafficking in Persons
J1OP-MN071 Introduction to Medical Intelligence Course

Law Enforcement Thermographers Association
Basic Thermographer

International Association of Arson Investigators
Introduction to Evidence

West Virginia University
AWR-124 Campus Public Safety Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents
AWR-126 Forensic Epidemiology

St. Petersburg College National Terrorism Preparedness Institute
Force Protection
Basic Port Security
Access Control for Ports
Advanced Port Security
General Aviation Security

Army Training Support Center Fort Eustis Virginia
Acute Effects of Health Radiation
National Disaster Medical System

United States Department of Justice
First Responder DNA Preservation
DNA Evidence for Investigators and Evidence Technician
Crime Scene and DNA Basics for Forensic Analysts
Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues for Forensic Analysts

United States Fire Administration National Fire Academy
Emergency Response to Terrorism for EMS


St. Petersburg College, Multi Jurisdictional Counter Drug Task Force
Introduction to Money Laundering
Criminal Street Gangs Overview
Introduction to Basic Clandestine Lab Investigative Techniques
Introduction to Patrol Drug Investigation
Introduction to Interview and Interrogation Techniques


The Texas A&M University-Texas Engineering Extension Service
Basic EMS Concepts for WMD Incidents
WMD/Terrorism Awareness for Emergency Responders
AWR-112 Public Works for WMD Incidents


Bullard
Thermal Imaging Training Certification


Kentucky Department of Public Health
Agro Terrorism Awareness
Terrorism Awareness
Bioterrorism Awareness
Pediatric Terrorism Awareness
Chemical Terrorism Awareness


New Mexico Tech
Understanding and Planning for School Bomb Incidents


Washington State Homeland Security Institute
Technical Rescue Awareness
WMD Awareness Course AWR-160
Operation Safety and Security OPSEC
Personal Protective Equipment PPE
Intro To HAZMAT Response

U.S. General Services Administration
Firefighter Forcible Entry Training

Illinois Poison Control Center
Poison Prevention Educator


Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any advice you can offer.

Best regards,

MedicOne now DinosaureMedicOne

[KagomeH]

May I ask what state you currently work in? Some colleges and universities will offer credit to first responders. West Texas A&M is not cheap but has a great Emergency Management Administration degree and ENMU is also a great university with this emphasis. (Both schools have a criminal justice option but that may align some with your experience). These schools do not take, however, the credits like Sophia or Study.com. Locally, an instructor of CPR attended Eastern Kentucky University. I do not know if these are able to able to be attended online.

TESU could be an option to maximize getting your associates degree and bachelors degree with the overlap. I would recommend another forum member to actually break this down better because I am not familiar with TESU myself. You could begin with an Associates in Applied Science and possibly A.S in Technical Studies (or any other associates), then work your way through possibly any other degree. 

Also, to selfishly plug, your experience could also work well with some of ETAMU's CBE programs. I would personally think your experience would cover the Safety and Health BAAS but any of these would work great. Emergency management or similar areas may seem to fit.

Purdue Global has a known "Fire Science" associates and even bachelor's level but I don't know much or of the price of your budget. Obviously, some of my recommendations are not going to be the cheaper routes though. Good luck!

[bjcheung77]

Welcome back to the board, great post, a bit lengthy with all the info, but missing the addendum and template here in regards to your budget, commitments, study habits, etc, I am moving this thread to the Degree Planning Advice subforum, you may also want to elaborate which bachelors, masters, PhD subject areas interest you most: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

[MedicOne]

Thanks I added what I can. I am up for any degree. I do not car if it is basket weaving. I am looking for easy.

[jg_nuy]

I would apply to TESU and see what totals your ample credits come back. The BALS with a concentration or one of the business degrees could fit pretty well. Given that you only have 1 hour or so daily, I think UMPI may not be a great fit.

[MedicOne]

I would apply to TESU and see what totals your ample credits come back. The BALS with a concentration or one of the business degrees could fit pretty well. Given that you only have 1 hour or so daily, I think UMPI may not be a great fit.

How does UMPI differ?

Does TESC still honor fema credits?

[jg_nuy]

I believe TESU no longer accepts the FEMA credits, but you can check with them.

UMPI is worth it if you have enough time available as they’ve no limit on how many classes you can do in an 8 week session. If you can set enough time aside, doing it in 2-3 sessions is cheaper than TESU & less time is required. Generally you want around 15-20 hours per week available for them. All papers & projects, no proctored exams are advantages.

---

Here is the UMPI Wiki page
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

[Ares]

The two easiest and quickest would be at TESU:

A.S. in Biology (No Capstone)
A.A.S in Applied Health Studies

The A.A.S is directly inline with your credentials but the A.S. in Biology will be quicker, easier and cheaper to complete because you do not need a Capstone course. For the A.S. you can transfer everything in and only take the one cornerstone course at TESU.

You will still have to take a few Sophia classes specifically at least a math course (Introduction to College Mathematics).

If you want to go for a Bachelors I would recommend:

B.S. in Health Studies

TESU is going to be the most friendly to your background.

"Both the A.A.S. and B.S. Health Studies degree programs offer college credits for a wide variety of healthcare credentials licenses and certifications."

[tesu-acct-student]

If you don't mind writing, I think you would be an excellent candidate for earning credits through portfolio evaluation at TESU, assuming there are relevant courses in the portfolio database. I bet there are.

[Duneranger]

Thanks I added what I can. I am up for any degree. I do not car if it is basket weaving. I am looking for easy.

A phd is 5-7 years of absolute suck. lol…