Advise for criminal justice degree

[dfrecore]

So just looking at your credits, and to save money: you don't have the UL credits needed for a BA in CJ from any of the Big 3. And there aren't enough UL credits to be had anywhere inexpensively. So I think you're better off doing one of two options (and I don't even know if one is still in existence:

1) go to Snow College for a competency-based AS degree ($1743 for 4 months), and then enroll in AMU/APU's Momentum program, also competency-based, for the BA in CJ

2) take a bunch of Sophia courses (planned out) and then go to UMPI for a BA in CJ. This will be one where you can get most of your GEC's done, and all of your electives, through Sophia. I might also consider grabbing a few CJ courses from Study.com, as well as think about doing your lab science there as well. Truly though, the key here would be to get through Sophia and Study.com as quickly as possible, to "prove" to yourself that you could get through UMPI quickly as well. Then, with your previous experience, I think you'll do fine in the remaining CJ courses for the major (you'll probably have to take 10 of them).

The Big 3 are still an option for a BALS/BSLS, but honestly I think you'll just do better and go faster through UMPI.

[huero]

So just looking at your credits, and to save money: you don't have the UL credits needed for a BA in CJ from any of the Big 3.  And there aren't enough UL credits to be had anywhere inexpensively.  So I think you're better off doing one of two options (and I don't even know if one is still in existence:

1) go to Snow College for a competency-based AS degree ($1743 for 4 months), and then enroll in AMU/APU's Momentum program, also competency-based, for the BA in CJ

2) take a bunch of Sophia courses (planned out) and then go to UMPI for a BA in CJ.  This will be one where you can get most of your GEC's done, and all of your electives, through Sophia.  I might also consider grabbing a few CJ courses from Study.com, as well as think about doing your lab science there as well.  Truly though, the key here would be to get through Sophia and Study.com as quickly as possible, to "prove" to yourself that you could get through UMPI quickly as well.  Then, with your previous experience, I think you'll do fine in the remaining CJ courses for the major (you'll probably have to take 10 of them).

The Big 3 are still an option for a BALS/BSLS, but honestly I think you'll just do better and go faster through UMPI.

Thank you for all the advice.  I swear you guys are better than the advisor I talked to. I am grateful. I have a call into snow collage and and call to APUS.  Neither called me back today. May be I will hear from them on Monday. 

An any rate, it kinda sounds like it may be easier to finish the 8 transfer credits(3 non-traditional and 5 traditional), then just complete the final 8 classes at APUS. I could do another straighterline pretty quickly, I’ll bet.  I would need to just find 5 credits hours of traditional credit someplace fast/easy and then keep taking classes at APUS. 

Thanks again, 
Huero

[natshar]

So just looking at your credits, and to save money: you don't have the UL credits needed for a BA in CJ from any of the Big 3.  And there aren't enough UL credits to be had anywhere inexpensively.  So I think you're better off doing one of two options (and I don't even know if one is still in existence:

1) go to Snow College for a competency-based AS degree ($1743 for 4 months), and then enroll in AMU/APU's Momentum program, also competency-based, for the BA in CJ

2) take a bunch of Sophia courses (planned out) and then go to UMPI for a BA in CJ.  This will be one where you can get most of your GEC's done, and all of your electives, through Sophia.  I might also consider grabbing a few CJ courses from Study.com, as well as think about doing your lab science there as well.  Truly though, the key here would be to get through Sophia and Study.com as quickly as possible, to "prove" to yourself that you could get through UMPI quickly as well.  Then, with your previous experience, I think you'll do fine in the remaining CJ courses for the major (you'll probably have to take 10 of them).

The Big 3 are still an option for a BALS/BSLS, but honestly I think you'll just do better and go faster through UMPI.

Thank you for all the advice.  I swear you guys are better than the advisor I talked to. I am grateful. I have a call into snow collage and and call to APUS.  Neither called me back today. May be I will hear from them on Monday. 

An any rate, it kinda sounds like it may be easier to finish the 8 transfer credits(3 non-traditional and 5 traditional), then just complete the final 8 classes at APUS. I could do another straighterline pretty quickly, I’ll bet.  I would need to just find 5 credits hours of traditional credit someplace fast/easy and then keep taking classes at APUS. 

Thanks again, 
Huero

What about Walden Tempo Learning BS in Criminal Justice?

https://info.waldenu.edu/walden-programs...al-justice

It is competency-based and you can transfer up to 75% of the degree. Walden accepts alternative credit.

[dfrecore]

So just looking at your credits, and to save money: you don't have the UL credits needed for a BA in CJ from any of the Big 3.  And there aren't enough UL credits to be had anywhere inexpensively.  So I think you're better off doing one of two options (and I don't even know if one is still in existence:

1) go to Snow College for a competency-based AS degree ($1743 for 4 months), and then enroll in AMU/APU's Momentum program, also competency-based, for the BA in CJ

2) take a bunch of Sophia courses (planned out) and then go to UMPI for a BA in CJ.  This will be one where you can get most of your GEC's done, and all of your electives, through Sophia.  I might also consider grabbing a few CJ courses from Study.com, as well as think about doing your lab science there as well.  Truly though, the key here would be to get through Sophia and Study.com as quickly as possible, to "prove" to yourself that you could get through UMPI quickly as well.  Then, with your previous experience, I think you'll do fine in the remaining CJ courses for the major (you'll probably have to take 10 of them).

The Big 3 are still an option for a BALS/BSLS, but honestly I think you'll just do better and go faster through UMPI.

Thank you for all the advice.  I swear you guys are better than the advisor I talked to. I am grateful. I have a call into snow collage and and call to APUS.  Neither called me back today. May be I will hear from them on Monday. 

An any rate, it kinda sounds like it may be easier to finish the 8 transfer credits(3 non-traditional and 5 traditional), then just complete the final 8 classes at APUS. I could do another straighterline pretty quickly, I’ll bet.  I would need to just find 5 credits hours of traditional credit someplace fast/easy and then keep taking classes at APUS. 

Thanks again, 
Huero

ONU is going to be the cheapest RA credit at $150/cr.  It's limited though, so it depends on what you need.

I know APU takes Sophia and Study.com, they even have a transfer page on APU's website to show how everything will come in.

[bjcheung77]

Ya, I'm weird, If you are going to further your education to a Masters level for example - I would recommend any "degree" from the Big 3 or Competency Based Degree providers such as WGU, UMPI or UMASS Global and get a Masters in Criminal Justice from Walden when they have the 50% off discount for the life of the program (if they ever get it again).

Option 2: If you have the energy/money/time, you can go for a Bachelors in CJ at the Big 3 or if you want to go UMPI for the BA CJ and a Masters in CJ or in a completely different field. One thing to note, some Masters in CJ doesn't really require you to have a Bachelors in CJ. So you can get a more usable BA or BS in something else then ladder into MA CJ...

So, Option 3 was missed: Complete what you can through alternative methods and finish at APUS the CJ Bachelors... I think that's a great option and something you're looking at.

Anyways, Huero - if you are not in Utah, I would suggest some alternative options other than Snow College. You really don't need an associates to complete the CJ Bachelors at APUS - you need the general education requirements. It's great to have, if you need it though, I suggest to get the BOG AAS if it isn't too much trouble, but work on your required RA credits from any inexpensive community college or through TEL/ONU, or even TECEP/UEXCEL etc. Snow is expensive unless you're in Utah OR get a scholarship: https://www.snow.edu/admissions/cost.html

Costs, If you continue with APUS and using their momentum competency based degree program, I think it'll be similar in "final price" as if you're going with another CBE provider such as UMPI or Walden. I would use a calculator and just quickly find out if it's better to stay or go with another option. If you were really close to finishing at APUS, it may be better to stay - it seems like you need at least 15+ courses (9 from APUS alone). You can finish all that you can transfer with Sophia/Study.com combo and see if it would be easier to finish 10 courses at UMPI YourPace. Decisions, decisions is what it all boils down to...

[freeloader]

Not that you need more options/decisions to make, OP, but...  Is your union AFGE or are you eligible to join FOP?  If so, you certainly might be able to save some pretty good money.  I was represented by AFGE and joined pretty much exclusively for the UnionPlus free college benefit.  My total dues each year for AFGE cost roughly the same as 1 3-credit class at my local CC. FOP also has the UnionPlus free college benefit. You could get an associates in CJ plus any other Gen Ed’s you would need for the BA with no out of pocket costs besides dues/membership fees.

[huero]

So just looking at your credits, and to save money: you don't have the UL credits needed for a BA in CJ from any of the Big 3.  And there aren't enough UL credits to be had anywhere inexpensively.  So I think you're better off doing one of two options (and I don't even know if one is still in existence:

1) go to Snow College for a competency-based AS degree ($1743 for 4 months), and then enroll in AMU/APU's Momentum program, also competency-based, for the BA in CJ

2) take a bunch of Sophia courses (planned out) and then go to UMPI for a BA in CJ.  This will be one where you can get most of your GEC's done, and all of your electives, through Sophia.  I might also consider grabbing a few CJ courses from Study.com, as well as think about doing your lab science there as well.  Truly though, the key here would be to get through Sophia and Study.com as quickly as possible, to "prove" to yourself that you could get through UMPI quickly as well.  Then, with your previous experience, I think you'll do fine in the remaining CJ courses for the major (you'll probably have to take 10 of them).

The Big 3 are still an option for a BALS/BSLS, but honestly I think you'll just do better and go faster through UMPI.

Thank you for all the advice.  I swear you guys are better than the advisor I talked to. I am grateful. I have a call into snow collage and and call to APUS.  Neither called me back today. May be I will hear from them on Monday. 

An any rate, it kinda sounds like it may be easier to finish the 8 transfer credits(3 non-traditional and 5 traditional), then just complete the final 8 classes at APUS. I could do another straighterline pretty quickly, I’ll bet.  I would need to just find 5 credits hours of traditional credit someplace fast/easy and then keep taking classes at APUS. 

Thanks again, 
Huero

ONU is going to be the cheapest RA credit at $150/cr.  It's limited though, so it depends on what you need.

I know APU takes Sophia and Study.com, they even have a transfer page on APU's website to show how everything will come in.

Thank you for your advice.  I appreciate it.  Which school is ONU? Ohio northern?

Thanks again, 
Huero

---

Not that you need more options/decisions to make, OP, but...  Is your union AFGE or are you eligible to join FOP?  If so, you certainly might be able to save some pretty good money.  I was represented by AFGE and joined pretty much exclusively for the UnionPlus free college benefit.  My total dues each year for AFGE cost roughly the same as 1 3-credit class at my local CC. FOP also has the UnionPlus free college benefit. You could get an associates in CJ plus any other Gen Ed’s you would need for the BA with no out of pocket costs besides dues/membership fees.

Freeloader, 
Thanks for the heads up regarding a union.  I am retired, so that kinda leaves me out for this approach.  I appreciate your suggestion and your taking time to post it. 

Thank you, 
Huero

[dfrecore]

ONU is going to be the cheapest RA credit at $150/cr.  It's limited though, so it depends on what you need.

I know APU takes Sophia and Study.com, they even have a transfer page on APU's website to show how everything will come in.

Thank you for your advice.  I appreciate it.  Which school is ONU? Ohio northern?

Thanks again, 
Huero

Sorry, it's only $50/cr, so $150/course!


ONU = Olivet Nazarene University, they have a program called YourWay, it's self-paced, you have 4 months to complete each course.

[huero]

Olivet Nazerine,
Got it.
Thank you

[huero]

I thought I would tell you guys that Apus gave me 12 hours of omnibus elective credit for the FEMA classes. That seems pretty good.

Huero