Fastest programming, cyber security degree?

[grozaguy00]

Hello I was wondering the fastest way to complete a programming, or security engineering degree?
I was thinking of doing Sophia learning credits + WGU completely online, but Im scared of having a WGU degree compared to my local university. This path could take under >2 years.
I am already 22, should I just go back to community college and try to transfer to my local (University of Arizona) and attempt a bachelors degree in 2-3 years?
I can learn fast and have spare time from my part time job. What is your guys advice?

[tdat314]

WGU is pretty well respected, and on top of that, programming and cybersecurity are both professions where the degree is mostly a checkbox. Those kinds of jobs care about your skill and certifications more often. WGU offers several certifications within their degree program and would help you out immensely. I 100% recommend WGU unless there's something else you need specifically.

I would recommend you check out of the instructional thread and follow the plan for getting the best advice

https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

[bjcheung77]

@grozaguy00, Welcome to the board, good intro post to get the ball rolling, for the last few months, I've been telling people to work on the balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience. At 22, you're missing the three, WGU is a very good option for those who 'know' the subject matter really well and can finish in one or two terms at most, otherwise, it gets expensive. I also suggest doing the addendum and template that was linked to you in post #2, with the extra details about your scenario, we can provide much better and concrete advice as we'll know your budget, commitments, current credits, study habits, etc...

[grozaguy00]

@grozaguy00, Welcome to the board, good intro post to get the ball rolling, for the last few months, I've been telling people to work on the balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience.  At 22, you're missing the three, WGU is a very good option for those who 'know' the subject matter really well and can finish in one or two terms at most, otherwise, it gets expensive.  I also suggest doing the addendum and template that was linked to you in post #2, with the extra details about your scenario, we can provide much better and concrete advice as we'll know your budget, commitments, current credits, study habits, etc...

I have no previous credits and live by the University of Arizona. Ive talked to an advisor there about doing 50 clep credits and then transferring to the University, and having to complete 70 credits for a security engineering degree. Still sounds like a lot of money and time. I want to be able to complete whatever in 2-3 years total

[allvia]

If you do go the max CLEP route you can take those exams for free when using Modern States - https://modernstates.org/

[bjcheung77]

Basically... Going with the CLEP/MS option to get 50 or so credits is a great start, ask them if you can transfer a max of 90 credits or 75% into the degree of choice and just take the major requirements at the institution... https://catalog.arizona.edu/policy/cours...fer-credit

Essentially, if they only require 25% or the major done for residency... In addition to CLEP/MS, You can also complete a max of 64 credits from a community college and transfer into University of Arizona as per their link here: https://catalog.arizona.edu/policy/cours...e-transfer

[grozaguy00]

Basically... Going with the CLEP/MS option to get 50 or so credits is a great start, ask them if you can transfer a max of 90 credits or 75% into the degree of choice and just take the major requirements at the institution... https://catalog.arizona.edu/policy/cours...fer-credit

Essentially, if they only require 25% or the major done for residency... In addition to CLEP/MS, You can also complete a max of 64 credits from a community college and transfer into University of Arizona as per their link here: https://catalog.arizona.edu/policy/cours...e-transfer

This is what the advisor told me below. So I dont think 90 credits of clep is possible. Thats why I mentioned 50. Is it possible I do Clep + community college, and THEN transfer to the University? Or should I just do one or the other, because the advisor mentioned that security engineering has 63 units at University of Arizona. Wouldnt it be pointless to complete more than 57 credits elsewhere? (120 total) I dont know anymore theres so much information to handle, someone please make the decision for me before i lose my mind

"Yes, theoretically it is possible to transfer in up to 60 unit of exam credit, per the policy I linked. However, what coursework you would have remaining would likely still exceed 60 units, depending on what specific requirements are met by what you transfer in. There could also still be remaining foundation and general education coursework needed, depending on what you transfer in. Cyber Engineering, specifically, has approximately 63 units built into the major itself due to programming and math pre-requisites. As I mentioned, CLEP exam credit does not count towards major requirements."

[bjcheung77]

Interesting as always, think of it in a simple and straight forward way, exactly what I mentioned... You max the CLEP/MS option (or even the ACE option if they allow you to).  You then finish the requirements for third and fourth year, those are just two years and you'll be done, as per their link: https://cyber-operations.azcast.arizona....ngineering  For extra info, here are the gen ed requirements, all if not most can be done with CLEP/MS: https://catalog.arizona.edu/programs/CYBRBAPS

[evergreen]

For cybersecurity, I think WGU is a great value as it includes so many professional certifications. These certs can be a big plus when applying to internships.

[grozaguy00]

Interesting as always, think of it in a simple and straight forward way, exactly what I mentioned... You max the CLEP/MS option (or even the ACE option if they allow you to).  You then finish the requirements for third and fourth year, those are just two years and you'll be done, as per their link: https://cyber-operations.azcast.arizona....ngineering  For extra info, here are the gen ed requirements, all if not most can be done with CLEP/MS: https://catalog.arizona.edu/programs/CYBRBAPS

What is the ACE option?