Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
CS/SWE Degree - I need help making a game plan...
#1
Your Location: Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Your Age: 30
What kind of degree do you want?: Computer Science or Software Engineering (Bachelor's or Master's)
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 49
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 101
Any certifications or military experience?: N/A
Budget: $15,000
Commitments: Spouse + dog, Software Developer job (WFH, 40hrs/wk), Web Developer job (WFH, 4hrs/wk)
Dedicated time to study: 2+ hrs/day and flexible weekends ---> ~20hrs/wk max
Timeline: 2 years (arbitrary, flexible on this)
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: N/A
Additional Context: I have a Liberal Studies degree from UMPI. I want to formalize my education and career as a software developer. I have about 4 YOE and my current education has helped me get into the role I currently am in (my second software development job). I want to make sure that my education doesn't hold me back from getting an interview in the future. Filling in any gaps of knowledge in the CS/SWE space from academics would be a bonus, but I genuinely love reading through technical textbooks so I know I'll learn about a topic if I am curious. With all of this said, I am open to either a second Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree. I'm not sure what is the right choice. I started talking to WGU about their new Master's in Software Engineering, but I'm curious about a second Bachelor's in Computer Science from a school like TESU. Any feedback would be super welcomed!

I have attached my unofficial transcript if my course load is of any help when driving this decision.


Attached Files
.pdf   Anonymized Transcript.pdf (Size: 408.3 KB / Downloads: 15)
Reply
#2
(04-26-2025, 09:12 AM)diablo Wrote: Your Location: Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Your Age: 30
What kind of degree do you want?: Computer Science or Software Engineering (Bachelor's or Master's)
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 49
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 101
Any certifications or military experience?: N/A
Budget: $15,000
Commitments: Spouse + dog, Software Developer job (WFH, 40hrs/wk), Web Developer job (WFH, 4hrs/wk)
Dedicated time to study: 2+ hrs/day and flexible weekends ---> ~20hrs/wk max
Timeline: 2 years (arbitrary, flexible on this)
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: N/A
Additional Context: I have a Liberal Studies degree from UMPI. I want to formalize my education and career as a software developer. I have about 4 YOE and my current education has helped me get into the role I currently am in (my second software development job). I want to make sure that my education doesn't hold me back from getting an interview in the future. Filling in any gaps of knowledge in the CS/SWE space from academics would be a bonus, but I genuinely love reading through technical textbooks so I know I'll learn about a topic if I am curious. With all of this said, I am open to either a second Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree. I'm not sure what is the right choice. I started talking to WGU about their new Master's in Software Engineering, but I'm curious about a second Bachelor's in Computer Science from a school like TESU. Any feedback would be super welcomed!

I have attached my unofficial transcript if my course load is of any help when driving this decision.


I hate to break out my I Told You So! hat, but I predicted this back in 2023

Since your career is software development, it does make sense to go with a CS degree.  TESU will waive your GE so all you have to do is take the capstone with them to graduate once you fulfill the AOS requirements.

TESU is the best and only choice for your situation IMO. 

A lot of hiring managers on DF might say a master's in CS doesn't add much value for a software developer. Maybe it helps a bit in salary negotiation.
Degrees: BA Computer Science, BS Business Administration with a concentration in CIS, AS Natural Science & Math, TESU. 4.0 GPA 2022.
Course Experience:  CLEP, Instantcert, Sophia.org, Study.com, Straighterline.com, Onlinedegree.org, Saylor.org, Csmlearn.com, and TEL Learning.
Certifications: W3Schools PHP, Google IT Support, Google Digital Marketing, Google Project Management
Reply
#3
That's totally fair. Part of me wishes I went that route, but I'm happy with the way things turned out due to financial reasons. My current degree did help me land my current job where I got a pretty good pay bump, which is why I'm definitely more comfortable re-investing a little more of that into my education.

With the AOS for TESU BACS, I'm seeing on the sample degree plan that I could take:
- Data Structures & Algorithms (SDC)
- Discrete Maths (SDC)
- Introduction to Operating Systems (SDC)
- Computer Architecture (SDC)

This would leave me with just the electives. The electives say 18 credits are required, but 15 credits + Capstone need to be UL. Is the 15 UL credits including the capstone, or in addition to (meaning that all 18 would be UL)? I have 3 LL credits from Sophia. I'm curious, if I decide to go this route, would I be able to accomplish all of this outside of TESU and then just do the capstone there?
[-] The following 1 user Likes diablo's post:
  • LevelUP
Reply
#4
UMPI is also expected to release a YourPace BSCS, hopefully this fall.
[-] The following 1 user Likes Jonathan Whatley's post:
  • diablo
Reply
#5
No, the capstone doesn't count towards the AOS 18cr UL requirement. You can indeed take just the corner and capstone at TESU, you just have to pay the residency waiver fee if you don't take at least 15cr at TESU.
NanoDegree: Intro to Self-Driving Cars (2019)
Coursera: Stanford Machine Learning (2019)
TESU: BA in Comp Sci (2016)
TECEP:Env Ethics (2015); TESU PLA:Software Eng, Computer Arch, C++, Advanced C++, Data Struct (2015); TESU Courses:Capstone, Database Mngmnt Sys, Op Sys, Artificial Intel, Discrete Math, Intro to Portfolio Dev, Intro PLA (2014-16); DSST:Anthro, Pers Fin, Astronomy (2014); CLEP:Intro to Soc (2014); Saylor.org:Intro to Computers (2014); CC: 69 units (1980-88)

PLA Tips Thread - TESU: What is in a Portfolio?
[-] The following 2 users Like davewill's post:
  • diablo, origamishuttle
Reply
#6
(04-26-2025, 11:34 AM)Jonathan Whatley Wrote: UMPI is also expected to release a YourPace BSCS, hopefully this fall.

I know it's expected at some point, but I haven't seen a realistic estimate for this fall. Did I miss an update?
Pierpont Community & Technical College 2022
Associate of Applied Science - Board of Governors - Area of Emphasis: Information Systems
Western Governors University 
2022
Bachelor of Science - Cloud Computing
Charter Oak State College
2023
Bachelor of Science - General Studies - Concentration: Information Systems Studies
Thomas Edison State University
2023
Bachelor of Arts - Computer Science
Associate in Science in Natural Sciences and Mathematics - Mathematics
University of Maine at Presque Isle 
2023
Bachelor of Applied Science - Minor: Project Management
Reply
#7
If the stars all align properly... With that budget and time frame, you can do the degree I recommended in your other post/thread, ladder that to the MAOL, then do one of the Applied CS Masters that are 1 year in length, thus within 2 years and within budget, you get a secondary Bachelors, and a double Masters to round our your educational journey of a lifetime... https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...I-BABA-M-L
Study.com Offer https://bit.ly/4iAABIu
In Progress: UMPI BAS & MAOL | UoPeople BS Health Science
Graduate Certificate: ASU Global Management & Entrepreneurship

Completed: TESU ASNSM Biology, BSBA (ACBSP Accredited 2017)
Universidad Isabel I: ENEB MBA, Big Data & BI, Digital Marketing & E-Commerce
Certs: 6Sigma/Lean/Scrum, ITIL | Cisco/CompTIA/MTA | Coursera/Edx/Udacity

The Basic Approach | Plans | DegreeForum Community Supported Wiki
~Note~ Read/Review forum posts & Wiki Links to Sample Degree Plans
Degree Planning Advice | New To DegreeForum? How This Area Works

[Image: e7P9EJ4.jpeg]
Reply
#8
(04-26-2025, 10:34 PM)origamishuttle Wrote:
(04-26-2025, 11:34 AM)Jonathan Whatley Wrote: UMPI is also expected to release a YourPace BSCS, hopefully this fall.

I know it's expected at some point, but I haven't seen a realistic estimate for this fall. Did I miss an update?

In December 2024 a member posted on the unofficial UMPI Discord that they received this email from UMPI:

Quote:The Computer Science program is being developed with the goal of it being available to students starting with the 2025 Fall 2 session. That session is slated to begin on October 27, 2025. The program should be added to the application in June of 2025 at the latest. Once it is on the application we will be admitting students and moving them to the enrollment team.
[-] The following 1 user Likes Jonathan Whatley's post:
  • origamishuttle
Reply
#9
If that's the case, I would apply for the October cohort, since you have some time right now, you can do some certs or something and continue gaining experience in the field. You may also want to take a look at MOOC Masters from Coursera, EdX, FutureLearn, etc, and see which ones fall within budget, ease, speed and timeline to finish... Create a shortlist and a backup option to select from.
Study.com Offer https://bit.ly/4iAABIu
In Progress: UMPI BAS & MAOL | UoPeople BS Health Science
Graduate Certificate: ASU Global Management & Entrepreneurship

Completed: TESU ASNSM Biology, BSBA (ACBSP Accredited 2017)
Universidad Isabel I: ENEB MBA, Big Data & BI, Digital Marketing & E-Commerce
Certs: 6Sigma/Lean/Scrum, ITIL | Cisco/CompTIA/MTA | Coursera/Edx/Udacity

The Basic Approach | Plans | DegreeForum Community Supported Wiki
~Note~ Read/Review forum posts & Wiki Links to Sample Degree Plans
Degree Planning Advice | New To DegreeForum? How This Area Works

[Image: e7P9EJ4.jpeg]
Reply
#10
You might be able to transfer in a large number of applicable "free" credits (only mentioned due to "free" ... but you might have already???)

Coursera, Education partner (free) >> IBM Professional Certs are a good grab.

A good set of credits is, as seen here https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pa...Active%22) :
  • IBM Data Engineering Professional Certificate
  • IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate 
  • IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate
  • IBM Product Manager Professional Certificate
  • IBM Product Manager Professional Certificate

I have been absent from forum... moving (done) and "sprinting" THESE EXACT IBM pro certs on Coursera as I await for 1st of month, for Sophia "sprint".

If you know subject, they are basically "give me's" of free credits
[-] The following 1 user Likes infradata.it@gmail.com's post:
  • Pikachu
Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Recommendation on which TESU Business Degree to get? RejuvenationOclock 3 271 05-19-2025, 09:21 PM
Last Post: tesu-acct-student
  Advice needed for Health Degree thethinker58 17 3,202 05-19-2025, 03:11 PM
Last Post: wow
  Fast and affordable Business Management or Computer Science degree. Oz4323 12 857 05-18-2025, 05:19 PM
Last Post: Oz4323
  Need Help Planning Degree Path TravelFanatic 3 707 05-17-2025, 12:50 PM
Last Post: bjcheung77
  New user - Looking for fast and easy degree supernoms 6 314 05-13-2025, 09:21 AM
Last Post: bjcheung77
Question CS Degree - What would be the best path? Edwardss44 9 1,818 05-04-2025, 11:58 PM
Last Post: bjcheung77
  Tesu Music Degree rixbae 7 495 05-02-2025, 03:58 PM
Last Post: rixbae
  Help needed for degree planning Epiphany.y 5 338 05-02-2025, 09:43 AM
Last Post: bjcheung77
  Help with choosing Statistics degree Pilotpivot3 6 428 04-30-2025, 08:02 PM
Last Post: bjcheung77
  degree plan and fastest degree kinfolk 5 537 04-25-2025, 01:36 PM
Last Post: kinfolk

Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)