Computer Science

[CSstudent0725]

Hey everyone,

I have been working on earning credits through Study.com, Straighterline, and Sophia. My initial plan was to transfer everything into WGU for the CS degree, then I had second thoughts and was looking to just go the Software Development route. Now, I'm not sure exactly if I want to do either, WGU changed some of the courses and are refusing to give me credit for the work I have done. I also don't really want to have to do the A+ cert if I go SD, seems pointless. Now I'm wondering if TESU would be a better choice for the CS degree. I wanted to see if you guys know if there was a way to check which of my completed courses would transfer. I don't want to pay the 50 dollar fee unless I'm sure I want to finish through TESU.

Study.com
Spanish 101: Beginning Spanish
Earth Science 104: Intro to Meteorology 
Political Science 102: American Government
Computer Science 107: Introductions to Database Fundamentals
Computer Science 108: Introduction to Networking
Computer Science 109: Introduction to Programming
Computer Science 110: Introduction to Cybersecurity
Computer Science 204: Database Programming
Computer Science 303: Database Management
Business 311: Project Management
Business 303: Management Information Systems
English 104: College Composition I
English 305 Advanced Technical Writing

Sophia
Introduction to Statistics
Algebra

Straighterline
IT 101 - Information Technology Fundamentals
REL 101 - Introduction to Religion
CIV 101 - Western Civilization I
BUS 120 - Organizational Behavior

Obviously, I would have to take Calculus if I want to do CS. I could also do more courses at SDC (Algorithms, Operating Systems, etc). Also, I believe TESU would be more expensive overall if I compare it to 1 semester of WGU, correct?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

[natshar]

Yeah TESU is definitely more expensive with the 6 credits plus waiver with no aid it is around 9k. WGU is about 4k for a semester. Of course, all of this assumes no aid or scholarships. With WGU you would get the straigherline scholarship.

[bluebooger]

so why are you not doing WGU for computer science

the CS degree doesn't degree the A+ certificate

and WGU accepts a lot of study.com courses for the CS transfer
here is a list
https://partners.wgu.edu/Pages/Single.as...142&pid=86#

[bjcheung77]

Hmm... I would suggest if you don't have 24 RA credits already, continuing on with WGU would be a better option. Even if you take 2 terms to complete more courses than you would at TESU, it's slightly cheaper with WGU than it will be with TESU. Just because they won't accept "some" credit for transfer doesn't make it a compelling reason to no longer look at that institution... you should look at the over cost, energy, time and the ROI/Value of the degree from WGU versus TESU or any other institution you have your eyes on!

[StoicJ]

Hmm... I would suggest if you don't have 24 RA credits already, continuing on with WGU would be a better option.  Even if you take 2 terms to complete more courses than you would at TESU, it's slightly cheaper with WGU than it will be with TESU.  Just because they won't accept "some" credit for transfer doesn't make it a compelling reason to no longer look at that institution... you should look at the over cost, energy, time and the ROI/Value of the degree from WGU versus TESU or any other institution you have your eyes on!

BJ, how do YOU determine value of a degree?

[dfrecore]

I think your problem is that you're not checking prior to taking courses, so you're going to run across this problem no matter where you go. Unless you have a degree planned out fully, knowing exactly where you're going to get every single credit, you're going to lose credits.

TESU won't take some of these courses either:
Computer Science 107: Introductions to Database Fundamentals
Computer Science 108: Introduction to Networking
Computer Science 110: Introduction to Cybersecurity
Computer Science 204: Database Programming

WGU is $3,520/term, which is $7,040 for 2 terms. TESU is $6,654, but that's IF they don't raise the residency waiver fee, tuition, or fees - which I doubt, since they raise them every year. So I think TESU will be the same or more than WGU for 2 terms.

[bluebooger]

I think your problem is that you're not checking prior to taking courses, so you're going to run across this problem no matter where you go.  Unless you have a degree planned out fully, knowing exactly where you're going to get every single credit, you're going to lose credits.

TESU won't take some of these courses either:
Computer Science 107: Introductions to Database Fundamentals
Computer Science 108: Introduction to Networking
Computer Science 110: Introduction to Cybersecurity
Computer Science 204: Database Programming

WGU is $3,520/term, which is $7,040 for 2 terms.  TESU is $6,654, but that's IF they don't raise the residency waiver fee, tuition, or fees - which I doubt, since they raise them every year.  So I think TESU will be the same or more than WGU for 2 terms.

and WGU takes all of those courses

[bjcheung77]

Question, what were the courses that WGU didn't accept? You mentioned WGU changed something and now won't give you credit for them. I still think they're your best option as per my previous post above... they should be the cheaper/easier/faster option as well... Unless you want to try TESU and willing to pay the residency waiver or taking 16 credits from them, stick with WGU.

[CSstudent0725]

Thanks for the advice fellas. I suppose I was a little irritated by them refusing to take the courses I spent time and effort on. I spoke with my enrollment counselor and it seems they will accept Computer Science 204 after all. Back when they made changes to the IT programs, they briefly removed it. Also they stopped accepting Business 303 just recently, which unfortunately was the last course I finished at Study.com.

I will say this, WGU has been inconsistent with their transfer guidelines. When I was making plan, I asked them if I could transfer over Operating Systems from Study.com since they had both upper and lower level courses. They told me neither was advanced enough to meet the requirement. I checked today and I see they now accept Computer Science 106: Intro to Linux...doesn't make much sense.

One more question, if I decide to go for CS, do you guys have any recommendations on study material in order to prepare for Calculus? Seems that might take me a lot of time and effort, but at the same time I won't have to study for the A+ certification so it might just be worth it.

Thanks again

[rachel83az]

If you haven't already done precalc anywhere or if it's been a while since you did any significant math, I would suggest signing up for it at ASU. https://ea.asu.edu/courses/precalculus-mat-170/ As long as you're not taking it for credit, precalc is 100% free. To work on Calculus, you could again use ASU. ASU Brief Calculus uses the Gradarius system which I didn't enjoy but some people think it's fine.

ModernStates also has both Precalc and Calculus study materials for free.