Cheap, Easy, Fast Degree - Help Please

[rachel83az]

This won't be perfect, but it should hopefully give you some idea of what to expect.

General Education Requirements

Part A - Intellectual & Practical Skills:

• Written Communication (English Comp I & II) - You should have English Comp I covered. English Comp II can come from ASU or Study.com or a DSST exam. There is a TECEP exam, but it is not easy. I strongly recommend at least taking the ASU class, even if you don't put it on your transcript for credit.
  
• Oral Communication - Presentation Skills in the Workplace from Study.com. No writing, only the standard SDC quizzes and a multiple choice exam. Can be completed in 2-3 days.
  
• Quantitative Literacy - Covered by your Algebra
  
• Information Literacy -  Cornerstone. For ONLY the BACS, you may complete this course on edX. Otherwise, you must complete it at TESU. It's cheaper and possibly easier on edX.
  

Part B - Civic & Global Leadership:

• Diversity & Intercultural Literacy - COMPLETED w/ prior Intro to Sociology
  
• Ethical Leadership - Philosophy 103: Ethics - Theory & Practice from SDC OR ENVS203: Environmental Ethics, Justice, and World Views from Saylor OR BUS200: Business Ethics from Saylor
  
• Civic Engagement & Awareness - POLSC221: Introduction to Comparative Politics OR POLSC201: Intro to Western Political Thought (both from Saylor)
  

Part C - Knowledge of Human Cultures:

• Social Sciences - COMPLETED w/ Intro to Psych
  
• History - US History I @ Sophia
  
• Humanities - Art History I @ Sophia
  
• 6 credits of SocSci, History, and/or Humanities - Pick two of: US History II @ Sophia, Art History II @ Sophia, History-Turning Points in Modern History 15th Century to Present @ OnlineDegree, any Saylor Philosophy course
  
• Scientific Knowledge - COMPLETED w/ Chemistry and Biology
  

Area of Study (Computer Science)

• Programming - Intro to Programming from ASU OR Computer Science 109: Introduction to Programming from Study.com
  
• Data Structures - Computer Science 201: Data Structures & Algorithms @ Study.com (has assignments, but no papers as such)
  
• Calculus I - Calculus I @ Sophia
  
• Discrete Math - Math 108: Discrete Mathematics @ Study.com
  
• Operating Systems - Computer Science 105: Introduction to Operating Systems @ Study.com
  
• Computer Architecture - Computer Science 306: Computer Architecture @ Study.com (upper level) - has projects, but no essays
  

Area of Study Electives - 18 total credits required

• Upper Level - 9 or 12 credits
  • CIS 315 Management Information Systems @ Davar Academy - Make sure to choose RPNow as your proctor.
    
  • Computer Science 302: Systems Analysis & Design @ Study.com - Should be one project where you outline the process an imaginary business needs to take to upgrade its current reservation system; not an essay.
    
  • Computer Science 303: Database Management @ Study.com - This has two projects/assignments now, I think. Not terribly difficult.
    
  • MIGHT be free through TADA: IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate on Coursera - must complete at least one other certificate to gain access to TADA Alumni Academy (should be 3 UL credits, up to 15 LL credits)
    
  • Software Engineering @ Saylor
    
• Lower level (may not be needed if you can do the IBM course above) - 6 or 9 credits
  • Computer Science 115: Programming in Java @ Study.com - makes the required Data Structures course easier when taken first
    
  • Free through TADA - Either/both of the following: Google Information Support Professional certificate (3 credits), IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional (should be 6 credits)
    

Additional AOS Electives - You need at least 15 UL AOS credits + the capstone. If not met with the above courses, it's possible to make up the deficiency here. 6 credits
Math, science, and/or computer science. Pick two of:

• SAS Advanced Programmer Certificate on Coursera. (NOT the "SAS Programmer Professional Certificate") - 3 UL credits. May be free through TADA Alumni Academy
  
• CSM Learn (3 LL credits)
  
• Environmental Science @ Sophia (3 LL credits)
  
• Precalculus @ Sophia (recommended to take to prepare for Calculus) - 3 LL credits
  

That leaves approximately 30 credits of electives. Combined with the Coursera/TADA certificates and your prior RA credit, this should be mostly filled out. If you get to the end of your degree and still don't have electives filled, you can take anything that doesn't duplicate your prior work. At the end of your degree, you should be knowledgeable in which providers do and do not work for you, but, of course, you can always come back and ask questions.

I would recommend the following steps:

1. Sign up for the ASU classes previously recommended. At least do the programming one. $25 is a low price for a sample of how programming works.
   
2. Complete as many TADA/TADA Academy certificates on Coursera as you're willing and able to do. Any extra credits will still show up on your transcript, even if there is no room in your degree program. Start with Google IT Support Professional and go on from there.
   
3. Apply to TESU by December 1st (the deadline is actually the 31st, but the holidays can be hectic and you might forget)
   
4. Pay $52 for the Medical Terminology TECEP exam. DO NOT TAKE THE EXAM. This unlocks full enrollment and unlimited transcript evaluations.
   
5. Send in your prior college transcript + the Credly transcript that shows the TADA certificates you've completed to this point.
   
6. Fill in remaining slots based on the plan above. Suggested starting point is Sophia.
   
7. Complete the Liberal Arts Capstone (LIB-4950)
   
8. Pay residency waiver of $3,354
   
9. Graduate, collect degree
   

I think I covered everything. This plan should be minimal papers, only a few projects. It is challenging, but feasible, for someone with little prior knowledge. The most difficult classes for students tend to be Discrete Math and Calculus. Sophia is open book, however, and this course now makes things a lot easier for students. While not strictly required, completing Sophia's Intro to Statistics (not Foundations of Statistics) course will help make Study.com's Discrete Math easier.

You can do this!

[Zee28]

OMGGGG Thank youuu sooooo sooooo much! Now my sister is telling me that Calc is going to be wayyy to hard for especially since I was struggling with college algebra and suggesting I get a business degree instead. Also, what about the proctored exams? Does TESU have alot?

[rachel83az]

I would give Sophia's Precalc and Calculus a try before dismissing the possibility. A lot of students who previously struggled with math had few/no problems with Sophia. It's open book, so you can use whatever calculator or calculating tools you're most comfortable with. Sophia also doesn't have any standard proctoring.

Study.com's exams are proctored. It's a recorded proctor, not a live person who watches you for the whole exam. They use AI software to look for cheating. Only if detected is your video seen by an actual person.

Davar's RPNow proctor is the same as Study.com

I think ASU's Programming course has a proctored final. Same RPNow.

Ditto for OnlineDegree.

I don't remember if the capstone at TESU has a proctored exam. I think Comp Sci students are supposed to take one, but it's only worth a few grade points.

No proctoring at Coursera.

The edX course might have RPNow proctoring. I don't remember if anyone has mentioned it.

TECEP exams have terrible live proctoring, which is why I hesitate to suggest them to students.

Business degrees require Managerial Accounting, Financial Accounting, Statistics, and CSM Learn. The BSBA CIS would avoid having to take further accounting or finance classes. BSBA Marketing, too.

[davewill]

OMGGGG Thank youuu sooooo sooooo much! Now my sister is telling me that Calc is going to be wayyy to hard for especially since I was struggling with college algebra and suggesting I get a business degree instead. Also, what about the proctored exams? Does TESU have alot?

How long ago were you "struggling" with college algebra? If it's been a long time, I would suggest you give it a go again. Adult students often are able to concentrate and motivate themselves much better than people in their teens and early 20s. You might also consider doing your math through the local CC if you need the extra help of an instructor with office hours and access to a tutoring center.

[bjcheung77]

OMGGGG Thank youuu sooooo sooooo much! Now my sister is telling me that Calc is going to be wayyy to hard for especially since I was struggling with college algebra and suggesting I get a business degree instead. Also, what about the proctored exams? Does TESU have alot?

Your sister may know you well, but you know yourself the most, what you have as in favorite subjects and ones you dislike most... Anyways, from the looks of things, you're going to be pulled in multiple directions. The easiest way is to take the recommendations and work on the ones that are the 'same' for each degree/institution... I would on the cheapies/freebies that go towards both TESU/UMPI.

Roughly 90 credits are the same for each degree, so that means, you can take all the same courses and leave the 30 UMPI credits if you've decided on them... or continue on with more credits until you transfer the max of 114 to TESU. You need to note that the TESU Capstone/Cornerstone combo is probably more work than the 30 credits at UMPI combined. I still say, what I mentioned earlier...

Go at your pace slowly, read through info presented to you, decide on your path... Take the cheapies/freebies to get your feet wet.. you want to get the 'hang of IT' or other similar fields or subfields in computer science such as Data Analysis/Science, Cybersecurity, etc. By doing the CLEP/MS or Sophia.org, along with your Coursera/TADA/TEEX, you get the general education/electives completed.

[Zee28]

I would give Sophia's Precalc and Calculus a try before dismissing the possibility. A lot of students who previously struggled with math had few/no problems with Sophia. It's open book, so you can use whatever calculator or calculating tools you're most comfortable with. Sophia also doesn't have any standard proctoring.

Study.com's exams are proctored. It's a recorded proctor, not a live person who watches you for the whole exam. They use AI software to look for cheating. Only if detected is your video seen by an actual person.

Davar's RPNow proctor is the same as Study.com

I think ASU's Programming course has a proctored final. Same RPNow.

Ditto for OnlineDegree.

I don't remember if the capstone at TESU has a proctored exam. I think Comp Sci students are supposed to take one, but it's only worth a few grade points.

No proctoring at Coursera.

The edX course might have RPNow proctoring. I don't remember if anyone has mentioned it.

TECEP exams have terrible live proctoring, which is why I hesitate to suggest them to students.

Business degrees require Managerial Accounting, Financial Accounting, Statistics, and CSM Learn. The BSBA CIS would avoid having to take further accounting or finance classes. BSBA Marketing, too.

Ohhh okay I see no I rather stick to comp Sci for now and see how I do! I might do okay! Plus it something I like.

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OMGGGG Thank youuu sooooo sooooo much! Now my sister is telling me that Calc is going to be wayyy to hard for especially since I was struggling with college algebra and suggesting I get a business degree instead. Also, what about the proctored exams? Does TESU have alot?

How long ago were you "struggling" with college algebra? If it's been a long time, I would suggest you give it a go again. Adult students often are able to concentrate and motivate themselves much better than people in their teens and early 20s. You might also consider doing your math through the local CC if you need the extra help of an instructor with office hours and access to a tutoring center.

Ohhh I haven't been to school since I was 18 and I'm 29 now so maybe your right I think I should give it a try and see where it takes me.

---

OMGGGG Thank youuu sooooo sooooo much! Now my sister is telling me that Calc is going to be wayyy to hard for especially since I was struggling with college algebra and suggesting I get a business degree instead. Also, what about the proctored exams? Does TESU have alot?

Your sister may know you well, but you know yourself the most, what you have as in favorite subjects and ones you dislike most... Anyways, from the looks of things, you're going to be pulled in multiple directions.  The easiest way is to take the recommendations and work on the ones that are the 'same' for each degree/institution... I would on the cheapies/freebies that go towards both TESU/UMPI.  

Roughly 90 credits are the same for each degree, so that means, you can take all the same courses and leave the 30 UMPI credits if you've decided on them... or continue on with more credits until you transfer the max of 114 to TESU.  You need to note that the TESU Capstone/Cornerstone combo is probably more work than the 30 credits at UMPI combined.  I still say, what I mentioned earlier...

Go at your pace slowly, read through info presented to you, decide on your path... Take the cheapies/freebies to get your feet wet.. you want to get the 'hang of IT' or other similar fields or subfields in computer science such as Data Analysis/Science, Cybersecurity, etc.  By doing the CLEP/MS or Sophia.org, along with your Coursera/TADA/TEEX, you get the general education/electives completed.

Yeahh I think im gonna start on Rachel's plan and see how it goes ! I just want to know like let's say it took me a bit longer to finish at TESU what happens with the waive fee do I just pay more and continue? Also can I still take classes on Sophia as I go during TESU or UMPI and transfer while I'm enrolled with them? And is there anything else that's important that I need to be aware of ??

[bjcheung77]

Yeahh I think im gonna start on Rachel's plan and see how it goes ! I just want to know like let's say it took me a bit longer to finish at TESU what happens with the waive fee do I just pay more and continue? Also can I still take classes on Sophia as I go during TESU or UMPI and transfer while I'm enrolled with them? And is there anything else that's important that I need to be aware of ??

It's great you're asking questions, you want to make sure not to take on too much when you start. We always recommend one provider at a time, so it should always be the TESU/UMPI courses last or whatever institution you end up with... Furthermore, you don't want to pay for two, three or more subscriptions at once, you want to complete one provider at a time, Sophia.org, then Study.com, end with TESU/UMPI. Last but not least, you don't pay the residency waiver until you finish everything... the cost of the residency waiver alone is more than the cost of the two sessions you need to finish at UMPI.

If it was for myself, my advice and recommendation again... I am still leaning towards the UMPI BAS with MIS minor, you can add a Cybersecurity minor or something unrelated to IT if needed. You don't really need a Comp Sci degree to get into the CS/IT and any of the subfields in between, you want to hit the trifecta of certs, degree, experience. An example I mentioned to people, a 48 year old trucker (now in his 50's) without a degree and just the MOOC freebies was able to become a front end developer after 6 months online learning (again, without a degree, just certs and 6 months experience when he landed the job).

[dfrecore]

This thread is long, so I'm not going to read through it all - but is there a reason rachel83az is suggesting SDC courses and Saylor exams over Sophia as the first step on getting credit? Just curious.

And by first step, I mean first step AFTER completing a bunch of the TADA courses, which I agree would be THE best first step for sure.

[davewill]

Yeahh I think im gonna start on Rachel's plan and see how it goes ! I just want to know like let's say it took me a bit longer to finish at TESU what happens with the waive fee do I just pay more and continue? Also can I still take classes on Sophia as I go during TESU or UMPI and transfer while I'm enrolled with them? And is there anything else that's important that I need to be aware of ??

That's one of the nice things about TESU. Taking extra time won't cost you extra money. You won't pay the residency waiver until you you're ready to graduate. Doesn't matter how long it takes you.

With UMPI, you pay by the term, so once you start courses, you don't want to waste time doing anything else, so you don't end up needing an extra term.

[bjcheung77]

This thread is long, so I'm not going to read through it all - but is there a reason rachel83az is suggesting SDC courses and Saylor exams over Sophia as the first step on getting credit? Just curious.

And by first step, I mean first step AFTER completing a bunch of the TADA courses, which I agree would be THE best first step for sure.

It really depends on the student, for me, I like to do cheapies/freebies first and then work on Sophia.org to build momentum, ladder to Study.com and then TESU or UMPI (the institution you end with).