CS Degree - What would be the best path?

[Edwardss44]

Your Location: Romania

Your Age: 25

What kind of degree do you want?: Computer Science

Current Regional Accredited Credits: -

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: -

Any certifications or military experience?: edX Harvard CS50P

Budget: ~$6000 (the cheaper, the better of course, but willing to go a little over if worth it)

Commitments: Freelance developer, cat, girlfriend.

Dedicated time to study: To be honest, I can probably dedicate 6-8 hours/ day just to finish as fast as possible.

Timeline: ASAP, ideally within 0-1.5 years.

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: -

Although I have some years experience as a SWE, the job market is not looking that great for those without a degree (at least from my experience). So I decided that this would be a good time to pursue a Computer Science degree. In the future, I would also like to transition into cybersecurity, where a degree would be even more helpful.

From my research and understanding, there are 2 good candidates for my choice:

1. TESU double degree, BA CS + BS CIS.

• Pricier (~$5000-6000 for both degrees, is that right?)
  
• You get 2 degrees (does this actually have any positive impact?)
  

2. UMPI BS CS.

• Not yet announced, but some info that it will come this year. If you would recommend UMPI over the others, I could start working on credits that would likely transfer to other schools anyway (such as general education courses, intro to programming, etc.).
  
• Way cheaper (~$2000, is that right?)
  
  

If there are better alternatives please let me know!

I thought that the rough long term plan should look something like this (I would love your input on this as well):

1. Get the CS degree.

2. Earn some certifications (starting with CompTIA Security+, unsure what else yet)

3. Try to transition into a cybersecurity role.

4. Master's in cybersecurity (would this be worth it?)

And on a sidenote, from reading the forum, it seems the usual advice is to take courses through Sophia first, and only use Study.com if necessary. However, with the recent Study.com changes, is it now better to just use Study.com from the beginning? (I've never used either platform, so I might be wrong)

Thank you!

[davewill]

Now that University of the People has regional accreditation, you could consider them as well. Especially if you are granted reduced tuition or a scholarship.

[Tomas]

UMPI price would be for one 8 week session. Finishing in one session might be harder than with BA degree, if at all possible.

[LevelUP]

Your Location: Romania

Your Age: 25

What kind of degree do you want?: Computer Science

Current Regional Accredited Credits: -

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: -

Any certifications or military experience?: edX Harvard CS50P

Budget: ~$6000 (the cheaper, the better of course, but willing to go a little over if worth it)

Commitments: Freelance developer, cat, girlfriend.

Dedicated time to study: To be honest, I can probably dedicate 6-8 hours/ day just to finish as fast as possible.

Timeline: ASAP, ideally within 0-1.5 years.

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: -

Although I have some years experience as a SWE, the job market is not looking that great for those without a degree (at least from my experience). So I decided that this would be a good time to pursue a Computer Science degree. In the future, I would also like to transition into cybersecurity, where a degree would be even more helpful.

From my research and understanding, there are 2 good candidates for my choice:

1. TESU double degree, BA CS + BS CIS.

• Pricier (~$5000-6000 for both degrees, is that right?)
  
• You get 2 degrees (does this actually have any positive impact?)
  

2. UMPI BS CS.

• Not yet announced, but some info that it will come this year. If you would recommend UMPI over the others, I could start working on credits that would likely transfer to other schools anyway (such as general education courses, intro to programming, etc.).
  
• Way cheaper (~$2000, is that right?)
  
  

If there are better alternatives please let me know!

I thought that the rough long term plan should look something like this (I would love your input on this as well):

1. Get the CS degree.

2. Earn some certifications (starting with CompTIA Security+, unsure what else yet)

3. Try to transition into a cybersecurity role.

4. Master's in cybersecurity (would this be worth it?)

And on a sidenote, from reading the forum, it seems the usual advice is to take courses through Sophia first, and only use Study.com if necessary. However, with the recent Study.com changes, is it now better to just use Study.com from the beginning? (I've never used either platform, so I might be wrong)

Thank you!

I would start with Sophia first since while you are getting the GE stuff, you might change your mind on your major. 

Also, overall, Sophia is quicker and cheaper.  The Study.com unlimited rate doesn't include all courses.

[Edwardss44]

Now that University of the People has regional accreditation, you could consider them as well. Especially if you are granted reduced tuition or a scholarship.

Thank you, will have to look more into them as well.

UMPI price would be for one 8 week session. Finishing in one session might be harder than with BA degree, if at all possible.

So what I heard on youtube and read on other forums is wrong, that UMPI is doable in one session?

I would start with Sophia first since while you are getting the GE stuff, you might change your mind on your major. 

Also, overall, Sophia is quicker and cheaper.  The Study.com unlimited rate doesn't include all courses.

Got it! Didn't know that Study.com doesn't include all courses, thanks for the info. I'll start with Sophia then for the GE stuff first.
As for the UMPI, in case that they will actually get CS this year, vs TESU (and vs University of the People, as davewill recommended) what would you recommend and why?

[Tomas]

What you have heard that UMPI is doable in one session concerns some of the existing degrees.
We know nothing about CS degree yet but some feel it will be harder, due to a number of reasons (harder subjects, prerequisites, lack of Sophia substitutes, etc.). We will only see once it opens.

[Edwardss44]

What you have heard that UMPI is doable in one session concerns some of the existing degrees.
We know nothing about CS degree yet but some feel it will be harder, due to a number of reasons (harder subjects, prerequisites, lack of Sophia substitutes, etc.). We will only see once it opens.

Ah, okay. Makes total sense now, thank you!

[bjcheung77]

In response to your PM, great intro post with the addendum and template, along with the recommendations above, I'd still slice things a little differently. In two areas, Sophia.org vs Study.com and completing the degree with a triple trifecta of cheap, easy, fast, plus certs, degree, experience, and A/B (Associates/Bachelors), added ROI/Value, and customize/personalize your educational courses to the way you want by taking the classes that interest you most...

It's going to be virtually the same for Sophia.org and Study.com as they have 75 and 67 classes on that price point... Depending on the institution you're going to graduate from, their classes may come in as lower level or upper level. Even though Study.com's College Starter account is for lower level credit, just like sophia.org, they have a small sample that's actually upper level.

Last but not least, I would swing it this way, UMPI BABA PM & IS > UMPI MAOL > UMPI BS CS when it comes out... Why? You can get all the alternative credit to finish UMPI BS CS and only complete it within the session. Thus, the cost would be within budget to get 3 degrees vs the two you mentioned at TESU. $1700+$2350+1700 = $5750. Yes, that includes the Masters!