Looking into AA/AALS/AAS BOG options, with an eventual BA in mind

[degreedude80]

Your Location: Midwest US
Your Age: Late 30s
What kind of degree do you want?: Currently need 60 hours for licensure as a paraprofessional. Eventually want to get an AA/AAS and BA (long shot, but it's the plan)

Current Regional Accredited Credits: 52

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:  Have modern states voucher for one exam, need to take the exam in a few weeks. 

Any certifications or military experience?: Short term paraprofessional license in Illinois. 

Budget: Cheaper the better.

Commitments: Occupied full time (work and parenting)

Dedicated time to study: 2 hours a day

Timeline: Summer 2026

*I am native Hindi speaker and was looking into getting credit via ATCFL or equivalent. Suggestions welcome.

I am currently first trying to obtain 60 hours for full paraprofessional licensure.  I would like to eventually obtain an associates degree as I am just a few classes away from such (I need to take a science class, and an English class).  While a BA is a long shot, I am not opposed to pursuing an AA/AAS that meshes easily with an eventual BA.

Looking into - UWisconsin system (some colleges offer the AA degree with eventual path to a BA), Upper Iowa University, UMPI, TESU, WV Community College System (the few options that remain). 

Currently, UMPI looks quite appealing, but it is far so regional recognition may be an issue (has anyone experienced this?).

[ss20ts]

You can complete an associate degree with UMPI. It's a state university with regional accreditation which is the gold standard in accreditation. Distance has nothing to do with accreditation. You could also complete a bachelor's degree at UMPI. I've seen most people complete both together. Rarely does one complete just an associate degree because bachelor's degrees go further in careers for most people. The time to complete the bachelor's degree is not much longer.