Has anyone mapped a degree through Stayer or Capella?

[Insert Name]

So, we were 4th of Julying it with some friends yesterday, and one of their kids (almost 21) mentioned that his job does tuition assistance to Stayer or Capella. My first instinct was to recommend using that TA to pick up classes to transfer to TESU/EU/UMPI/ETC, but this morning I decided to look at those two schools a little. Both claim to be RA, and both mention being Sophia partners. Now I’m wondering, depending on the TA he would get, how much they allow to transfer from Sophia, and graduation requirements, if it may be better for him to just complete through one of those two schools? Curious if anyone has experience with, or mapped a plan for either?

[allvia]

Both are Sophia partners, and they are both RA.  I would think that if they can get a degree done for free with either there would be no advantage to switch. It's pretty clear his current employer approves of degrees from the school(s).  Also, the degree path with the least resistance (ease) is the path that ends up with a completed degree (this may be that path for this student). If they leave the company the Sophia and RA credits earned can always be used for a Plan B (one of the schools we commonly discuss here). Is there a particular degree program they are looking at?

https://strayer.sophia.org/
https://capella.sophia.org/

[Vle045]

Sophia is included for free with both schools. I am doing my MBA through Strayer because I also get a significant discount through my employer. They do allow for breaks, so I take a class or two every other term. If I were doing a bachelors degree, I could probably do Sophia courses when I am not doing a regular class. I can’t confirm this for sure though. As a graduate student, I don’t have access to Sophia. Strayer has been fantastic with support. They provide a lot of student resources. It sounds like he has a great opportunity through his employer and there is really no reason to switch.

[Insert Name]

the degree path with the least resistance (ease) is the path that ends up with a completed degree (this may be that path for this student).

That’s what I’m thinking too. If the RA is solid (and not some small percentage), and the school doesn’t have some over the top rule when it comes transfer credits, one of those two may be the smoothest sail for him.

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Is there a particular degree program they are looking at?

We didn’t get that deep into conversation yesterday. I figured I’d hit him up when and go deeper into convo when we weren’t BBQing and lighting off fireworks.

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Sophia is included for free with both schools.

Oh REALLY!? So, is the potential recommendations to sign up with the school, and then start knocking out Sophia for free?

[Vle045]

I don’t know how soon they get access, but it is possible he might be able to start right away.  When he logs into icampus, it will show him all the courses that are available on Sophia and would fit in his degree plan.   Strayer and Capella are fully accredited.  It’s possible that through his employer, he won’t have to pay anything.  There’s many employers who have partnerships with them where they get a discount and then the rest is covered by reimbursement.  Mine is a discount and I get partial employer reimbursement - not quite free…. But it’s still a better deal than most any other option out there.   I think one of the biggest criticisms is the price (without assistance).  Other than that, they have all the tools and resources you need. There’s nothing bad… at least from my experience.  I’ve been a student for a year so far.

[rachel83az]

I've done some Strayer classes. I would absolutely not recommend them for undergrad if you have to pay. They're accredited, but they don't feel accredited, if you know what I mean? Capella's also been embroiled in controversy over the years.

If nothing else, though, it's probably worth giving them a shot and knocking out as much at Sophia as possible while it's free. Maybe the kid wants to switch later, maybe not. But there are worse things than getting 50-75% of a way through a degree without paying a dime.

One further consideration is that UMPI and TESU are state universities. Capella and Strayer are not.

[Insert Name]

One further consideration is that UMPI and TESU are state universities. Capella and Strayer are not.

Are you pointing this out as a how it looks on resume thing, or is there something I’m missing?

[rachel83az]

State schools may look better on a resume, yes.

Also might work better if the kid ever wants to potentially move abroad.

[Kab]

If you want to move abroad and have to select any of these two, I would go Capella.
In my opinion for profit can sometimes be a problem and public universities are better perceived.

[Insert Name]

If you want to move abroad and have to select any of these two, I would go Capella.  

Is there a reason you recommend Capella over Strayer?