Computer Science/Software Engineering - 2nd Try

[optimisticCoder3]

Hi everyone. I'm lookin for some advice. I attempted to complete my degree at WGU back in 2017 - 2018 but unfortunately life got in the way. Now I'm back to it and trying to figure out where the best place would be to finish this up quickly and inexpensively. I'm interested in either Software Engineering or Computer Science.

I currently am waiting for my transcript to be evaluated at WGU to see what old classes would transfer to the new program. ( I was previously in the software development program). 

I guess overall I'm looking for advise on what route to take. Go back to WGU? Switch to TESU? Something else I haven't considered?


b]Your Location:[/b] Iowa, USA
Your Age:  31
What kind of degree do you want?:  Software Engineering or Computer Science
Current Regional Accredited Credits:  
  
WGU Total Credits: 72
C169 Scripting and Programming - Applications 
C173 Scripting and Programming - Foundations
C175 Data Management - Foundations
C170 Data Management - Applications
C168 Critical Thinking and Logic
C182 Introduction to IT
C132 Elements of Effective Communication
C172 Network and Security - Foundations
C176 Business of IT - Project Management
C393 IT Foundations
C459 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
C483 Principles of Management
C768 Technical Communication
C777 Web Development Applications
C779 Web Development Foundation
C165 Integrated Physical Sciences
C683 Natural Science Lab
C188 Software Engineering
C482 Software I
C484 Organizational Behavior and Leadership



Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:  
  
Sophia Credits: 3
Introduction to Nutrition, 3, 89

  
Straighterline Credits: 18
English Composition I, 3, 86%
English Composition II 3, 86%
United States History I 3, 88%
United States History II 3, 84%
Introduction to Sociology , 3, 87%
Introduction to Philosophy , 3, 99%


Any certifications or military experience?
no

[rachel83az]

How many terms did those WGU classes take you? If you got 72 credits in 1 term, I would suggest seeing if anything else can be filled in with SDC/Sophia and then going back again. If that was 2 terms, I'd say TESU will probably be faster/cheaper for you at this point.

[origamishuttle]

Hi everyone. I'm lookin for some advice. I attempted to complete my degree at WGU back in 2017 - 2018 but unfortunately life got in the way. Now I'm back to it and trying to figure out where the best place would be to finish this up quickly and inexpensively.

Welcome back! I'm excited for you, and I wish you the best of luck!

I currently am waiting for my transcript to be evaluated at WGU to see what old classes would transfer to the new program. ( I was previously in the software development program). 

I assume you reapplied to WGU for the new Software Engineering degree? Your transcript evaluation will probably be the most important criterion for your decision. You know your capabilities best, and as Rachel suggested, you know that inexpensive/fast at WGU depends on your ability to complete the degree program within one (maybe two??) six-month term(s). However, I'm a bit worried that WGU may not accept even their own courses due to how long ago they were completed, so that could be significant.

I don't know if switching to the BACS at TESU will save in time, money (assuming one term at WGU), or the number of courses left to complete (depending on WGU transcript eval), but it would allow you to move at a slower pace for most of the courses you have left, which would be primarily at Study.com/Sophia/Saylor. If you haven't already, I recommend that you also apply to TESU to see where you stand currently. This would give you a clear comparison of what it will take to finish each degree.

[davewill]

Definitely apply to TESU as well. If you think that life might possibly get in the way again, TESU could be a much better fit as there's no time pressure except for the subscription fees at Study.com and Sophia, which can be stopped anytime you need to.

[bjcheung77]

@optimisticCoder3, great template, you missed the addendum where it has more important details that paint a bigger overall picture! I would also check out WGU's changes and see what options can be transferred in with Sophia.org and Study.com, even the Coursera $1/first month ACE options. Anything that is available for inexpensive and can go towards the transferrable requirements, complete those through the partners.wgu.edu webpage. You should also create a spreadsheet and link us to it from your google or one drive, make it viewable and not editable, we'll then advise on remaining credits if you've not mapped it out yet...

[optimisticCoder3]

How many terms did those WGU classes take you? If you got 72 credits in 1 term, I would suggest seeing if anything else can be filled in with SDC/Sophia and then going back again. If that was 2 terms, I'd say TESU will probably be faster/cheaper for you at this point.

It took me 2 terms. I did about half in each term.

I assume you reapplied to WGU for the new Software Engineering degree? Your transcript evaluation will probably be the most important criterion for your decision. You know your capabilities best, and as Rachel suggested, you know that inexpensive/fast at WGU depends on your ability to complete the degree program within one (maybe two??) six-month term(s). However, I'm a bit worried that WGU may not accept even their own courses due to how long ago they were completed, so that could be significant.

I don't know if switching to the BACS at TESU will save in time, money (assuming one term at WGU), or the number of courses left to complete (depending on WGU transcript eval), but it would allow you to move at a slower pace for most of the courses you have left, which would be primarily at Study.com/Sophia/Saylor. If you haven't already, I recommend that you also apply to TESU to see where you stand currently. This would give you a clear comparison of what it will take to finish each degree.

Yes, I reapplied for the new Software Engineering degree. If WGU doesn't accept all the courses over, it makes TESU more interesting. I did apply to TESU and waiting for some transcript evaluation. The biggest question mark I have with TESU is how to easily bypass the residency fee without taking on a lot more workload. 

@optimisticCoder3, great template, you missed the addendum where it has more important details that paint a bigger overall picture! I would also check out WGU's changes and see what options can be transferred in with Sophia.org and Study.com, even the Coursera $1/first month ACE options.  Anything that is available for inexpensive and can go towards the transferrable requirements, complete those through the partners.wgu.edu webpage.  You should also create a spreadsheet and link us to it from your google or one drive, make it viewable and not editable, we'll then advise on remaining credits if you've not mapped it out yet...

I definitely missed the addendum. I will update this post once I get the transcript evaluation back with a spreadsheet. Thank you all so much for your responses. I'm feeling encouraged. I started taking courses 10 years ago and it always felt out of reach. I'm ready to bring it all home.

[origamishuttle]

I would also check out WGU's changes and see what options can be transferred in with Sophia.org and Study.com, even the Coursera $1/first month ACE options.  Anything that is available for inexpensive and can go towards the transferrable requirements, complete those through the partners.wgu.edu webpage.  You should also create a spreadsheet and link us to it from your google or one drive, make it viewable and not editable, we'll then advise on remaining credits if you've not mapped it out yet...

100% this! My WGU degree was the only one where I did this, and it was invaluable. The others were easy enough to track directly through the school's portal, but WGU only gives you one shot to transfer courses before you enroll, so strategy and organization are extremely helpful.

It took me 2 terms. I did about half in each term.

That's a solid pace. If you can get close to the ~89 max prior CUs, then you should be in good shape to complete the remaining ~30 CUs in a single term.

The biggest question mark I have with TESU is how to easily bypass the residency fee without taking on a lot more workload.

That would be the 15-credit flat-rate term. The general advice is to take the cornerstone and capstone together, along with three of the easiest ePacks you can find. The BACS degree allows you to transfer the cornerstone from edX, so you can swap that out if you think there's an easier course to take at TESU along with the capstone. I never quite figured it out, so I paid the fee.

[optimisticCoder3]

The biggest question mark I have with TESU is how to easily bypass the residency fee without taking on a lot more workload.

That would be the 15-credit flat-rate term. The general advice is to take the cornerstone and capstone together, along with three of the easiest ePacks you can find. The BACS degree allows you to transfer the cornerstone from edX, so you can swap that out if you think there's an easier course to take at TESU along with the capstone. I never quite figured it out, so I paid the fee.

Thats interesting, I did not realize you could transfer the cornerstone in from edX. If I go the TESU route, I feel like I like the idea of taking the harder classes at study.com at my own pace/timeline. Then taking easy ePack courses from TESU. Are the ePack courses a lot like taking courses at WGU? Just a final exam whenever I want to take it? Does it matter if If the courses apply to my degree plan? Do I have to just take 15 credits total at TESU?

I can see why you just paid the fee. 2K extra essentially to not have to take the extra classes.

[origamishuttle]

Thats interesting, I did not realize you could transfer the cornerstone in from edX.

Yes, theoretically it's only for the BACS degree. However, if you transfer it in for the BACS and decide to add on another degree, e.g., an associate's degree, it may also apply to that degree. I'm not sure if anyone has actually done this, but if you really only want the BACS degree, I guess it doesn't matter, lol.

If I go the TESU route, I feel like I like the idea of taking the harder classes at study.com at my own pace/timeline.

Yes, it's somewhat of a time pressure tradeoff with TESU. The major courses can be completed at your own pace, which is nice, although I still finished them in less than two months. The capstone (and possibly other TESU courses you take) has weekly deadlines over the twelve weeks of the term, but you can pay for an extension if you fall behind.

Are the ePack courses a lot like taking courses at WGU? Just a final exam whenever I want to take it?

I think so, but I haven't taken any, so I'm not really sure. I think some (most?) also require a textbook, but they can be purchased used or rented for cheap in most cases.

Does it matter if If the courses apply to my degree plan? Do I have to just take 15 credits total at TESU?

Yes, 15 credits will avoid the residency waiver. My understanding is that course selection should be wide open.

[LevelUP]

It took me 2 terms. I did about half in each term.

That is a fast pace enough to do WGU in one term if you max transfer credits.

WGU Computer Science Degree Plan
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/WG...egree_Plan

WGU Software Engineering Degree Plan
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/WG...egree_Plan

Yes, I reapplied for the new Software Engineering degree. If WGU doesn't accept all the courses over, it makes TESU more interesting. I did apply to TESU and waiting for some transcript evaluation. The biggest question mark I have with TESU is how to easily bypass the residency fee without taking on a lot more workload.

I would suggest taking the edX course for the cornerstone and only taking the capstone at TESU. Saving $1000 isn't worth all the extra time and stress.

I definitely missed the addendum. I will update this post once I get the transcript evaluation back with a spreadsheet. Thank you all so much for your responses. I'm feeling encouraged. I started taking courses 10 years ago and it always felt out of reach. I'm ready to bring it all home.

You should create three degree plans for WGU CS/Eng, TESU CS, and compare them to determine which plan is the fastest, most efficient, etc. Then, make your final choice.