Is there an affordable or competency-based Digital Arts program?

[Pelican]

I am a secondary teacher who, through workplace politics, has been pushed into teaching computer classes. They'll give me a one-year waiver to teach that subject, after that I need to be qualified with 12 lower-level and 12 upper-level credits. As such, I'll looking for cheap 2nd BA (or even a master's programs not requiring computer science background).

My local college has a choice of Computer Science pr BAAS in Programming that can completed at ~$2,000 per semester, in 3-4 semesters. I also know NAU has an IT program that would be about $6000 for a year of study, but I have no idea how practical it is finishing that in one year while also working full-time.

These programs would meet the qualifications for me to teach computer classes, but are maybe too technical for what I'm actually teaching in class. I need to teach simpler, fun subjects, such as using PhotoShop, 3D animation, game design, programming a robot arm, using a digital camera, etc. I think a program in Digital Arts/Digital Media/Media Arts/Game Design would have this broader focus.

I believe a school in Florida (Hodges University?) used to have a program, but I heard it was cancelled. Does anyone know a cheap program in Digital Arts? I think competency programs are usually cheaper, which is why I bring them up.

[natshar]

How about this: https://www.umgc.edu/academic-programs/b...-major.cfm

Not compentency based. But 7 week online terms. They accept 90 credits and a partner for sophia, straighterline, etc. So if you need to fill in the gaps with those you can as well.

Ideally you only do 30 credits at umgc. If you do 6 credits (2 courses) in every 7 week term you could finish in 35 weeks. And you could finish even quicker if you did 9 credits a term.

Also sophia offers intro to IT and visual communications among their free courses. So be sure to do those.

---

500/cr though so 500 x 30 would be 15k. Out of your budget? Unless you live Maryland its cheaper. Also they offer discounts for military. Maybe you job can pay for part of it especially since you need it teach.

---

Also this: https://ufonline.ufl.edu/degrees/undergr...-sciences/

Again 7 week terms ( i think) generous policy for clep and dsst might accept ace idk. Again transfer 90 credits. Plus UF brand recognition.

But 550/cr unless you live in Florida then its only 130/cr a real bargin. If you live in Florida thats your best bet.


If you live Maryland then U Maryland Global is the best.


If you don't live in Maryland or Florida then idk.

---

And then of course there is wgu that has IT and computer science degrees. But idk if they meet your needs. But can't beat the price. Transfer 90 credits they accept ace, clep etc. Finish in 6 months for 4k or less. But might not meet your needs.

---

Hodges does have one: https://pathways.hodges.edu/courses/digi...-graphics/

But Undergraduate Tuition for All Credit Hour Courses: $575 per credit hour. So not any better than UMGC or UF. UMGC seems the quickest and most flexible because you transfer in a lot and the 7 week courses. Also Hodges looks like less room for electives and more courses in the major compared to the others so it might take longer to complete.

---

Another UMGC major: https://www.umgc.edu/academic-programs/b...-major.cfm

To me either one of the Maryland ones seems best. The major is only 30 credits so with your prior degree you would probably have all the gen eds and free electives done. They allow like 49 credits free electives I belive.

If you somehow didn't have a gen ed or free elective done, then just do it on sophia for free. UMGC requires 30 credits with them so you do the whole major with them. They also have 4 week sessions during the summer as well. Seems like you could easily finish in less than a year if you worked at it.

I also found this:
"UMGC TUITION DISCOUNT : A special offer to students who successfully complete at least 4 StraighterLine courses, the UMGC Partner Tuition Discount earns you a 25% tuition discount on future UMGC courses,"

https://www.straighterline.com/colleges/...y-college/

So if you do that it brings it down to only $375 /cr (you can't do the offer if you already get in state or are military)

375 x 30 = 11,250

Straighterline is 99/month plus 59 a course but they have coupons. You need found do the discount. and if you already have StraighterLine previously then you are set.

Plus the application is free.

Idk the difference between "digital design and graphics" and "digital media and web technology" both sound similar to me. Hopefully either of those two majors would work for you.


They are also probably other fees and books and the cost of StraighterLine. But after everything you probably do it all for 12k in under a year.

[eriehiker]

Does this need to be a program, or do you just need loose credits? Also, do EDU or related course prefixes qualify as long as they have digital arts focus? I just ask because there are MANY teaching/ed. courses on these topics for cheap if you don't necessarily need a degree.

---

University of Alaska Anchorage:
https://www.mylearningplan.com/webreg/ca...=1&D=10563
Idaho State University:
https://reg.abcsignup.com/view/cal4a.asp...UCE&rf=&pn=
North Dakota State University:
https://www.ndsu.edu/dce/k-12/k12_listing/
Valley City State University:
https://www.vcsu.edu/extend/
https://www.vcsu.edu/extend/course-avail...gistration
https://www.vcsu.edu/extend/ed2go-for-credit

There are more.

---

This also could be a situation in which the credit registries are actually useful. If the credits just need to show up on a transcript, then take the alternative credits and pop them onto a TESU transcript.

[natshar]

Does this need to be a program, or do you just need loose credits?  Also, do EDU or related course prefixes qualify as long as they have digital arts focus?  I just ask because there are MANY teaching/ed. courses on these topics for cheap if you don't necessarily need a degree.

---

University of Alaska Anchorage:
https://www.mylearningplan.com/webreg/ca...=1&D=10563
Idaho State University:
https://reg.abcsignup.com/view/cal4a.asp...UCE&rf=&pn=
North Dakota State University:
https://www.ndsu.edu/dce/k-12/k12_listing/
Valley City State University:
https://www.vcsu.edu/extend/
https://www.vcsu.edu/extend/course-avail...gistration
https://www.vcsu.edu/extend/ed2go-for-credit

There are more.

---

This also could be a situation in which the credit registries are actually useful.  If the credits just need to show up on a transcript, then take the alternative credits and pop them onto a TESU transcript.

Do those grant college credit? I'm always confused with all the teacher credit so cheap.

[eriehiker]

Yes. These all grant graduate credit. However, teacher grad. credit is kind of in the eye of the beholder. The prefix can make a difference. EDU and variants make the credit less desirable. Also, any notation that the credit is "professional development" makes the credit less desirable. Also, it makes a difference if the school allows the credit to be used as credit towards a program. Credit that can be used is much more desirable.

For example, this page from Advancement Courses shows the caste system in terms of teacher grad. credit:
https://www.advancementcourses.com/our-partners/ The best option on that page is for Concordia University, St. Paul because the credits have a departmental prefix and they can be used towards a program at the school.

I think that in this situation, the original poster has a reasonable chance of using cheap loose credits. My district in Michigan gets audited every couple of years in terms of teacher credentials and the teacher/administration just needs to be able to make a plausible case that the credits involved meet the criteria. Computer classes are most often not viewed as core curriculum by state departments of education. So it would be much easier to qualify to teach a computer class than an English or math class. People with business degrees often end up teaching these classes.

[dfrecore]

I think the Hodges degree, while having some courses that you need, is not the best choice unless they actually waive at least 60cr for GE. Even then, you'd need 60cr.

Honestly, if you just need credits, then finding a school that will just let you take 8 courses (4 LL, 4 UL) that you want is a much better option.

Second choice is doing an undergrad or graduate certificate. Trying to get a whole additional degree when you only need 24 credits is more work than I think you need. Unless the school was willing to offer you a 2nd Bachelor's in whatever you want.

Even EC's BSLA would be hard, because you need to choose 2 depths, and I don't think you want 2. COSC's BSLS might be ok, if you could just choose your major, but I'm not sure you'll be ok to get that particular degree.

[nyvrem]

U Mass has a 2nd degree in IT program that's possible to be completed in 1 year.

I see quite a few courses from multimedia, digital design and web dev.

https://gps.uml.edu/degrees/undergrad/on...degree.cfm