Need advice on how to move forward strayer/tesu

[colexian]

Long time lurker, first time poster trying to get some experienced advice on what to do next and in the near future to finish up my degree (for now.)


I am an obsessive learner, and instead of making a plan at the beginning of my college journey instead just took every class I could gobble up.
I am now left with a bloated number of credits with tons of electives, and a very hazy way forward requiring a lot of credit transfers.
I want to try and achieve a degree that will help me get my foot in the door as a data analyst.
I currently have an associate's of arts focus on Gen. Ed. (My CC didn't have a clear path for IT majors back when I finished my degree, so I just focused on transferring which I couldn't afford.)
I have used all of my federal tuition allowance (US citizen, east coast) finishing my associate's degree.

My employer is currently providing tuition reimbursement of around $3500 per year.
They also currently have a partnership with Strayer to provide FREE*** college classes. (Tuition is delayed to end of semester, tuition reimbursement requires no cash down, classes half off. Effectively no cost to me at the slow rate of 1 class per quarter, 4 classes per year.)
They are also providing free Sophia classes if I need it.


I am enrolled at Strayer U for a BSIT Data Analysis focus.
I'm not a big fan of the clout of Strayer, and am more or less fine with just using it to gain more free*** transfer credits to go towards one of the big three.
I'm very interested in TESU, specifically the Data Science BS or the BSCS.


I'm also currently studying for my A+ (Followed by Security+ and Networking+) cert.
I contacted my employer about tuition reimbursement, they confirmed they would cover any regionally or nationally accredited school, but no longer cover certs/CLEP.

I also took big advantage of the free Sophia opportunity and finished 9 courses totally 23 credits, no real direction other than stuff that hopefully wont overlap with my AA.

So my question is this,
What direction should I take to encounter least resistance and spend the least amount of money while also achieving a desirable degree for data analysis?
Should I take TESU's Data Analytics BS and possibly earn a ASNSM CS at the same time?
Should I take WGU's Data Analytics BS and possibly earn a Udacity Nanodegree at the same time?
Is there any universe with sticking with Strayer till graduation is worth the effort? Is a degree with the Strayer name on it worth anything?
I'd prefer classes that use Python and R for programming, just a personal preference.

I'm also willing to take any certs/CLEP/Sophia/TEEX/Study.com/Whatever outside credits to get this done faster/cheaper.

Please experienced people of degree forum, I know I can finish this uphill battle, I just need a better heading.
There are so many options that its very hard to know which pieces fit best where.

I'm also attaching my credits from CC and Sophia if there are any questions.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...sp=sharing

[rachel83az]

I've heard really good things about the value of an Udacity Nanodegree in at least some circles. If you have the option, I would suggest that WGU with the Udacity option might open more doors in the future than just a regular bachelor's degree would.

If you do opt for TESU, go for the CS degree and not data analytics. With data analytics, you complete courses through Statistics.com and that's something it sounds like your employer might not cover. With TESU's flat-rate tuition and the CS degree, you'd be able to take 3 or 4 TESU classes per year with an out of pocket cost of about $1200 for you. Unless you're in NJ - in which case your tuition reimbursement would make the flat-rate tuition free. (You could take 5 or 6 at once, but that might be a bit much depending on which classes you take and what your job is like.) Once you hit 16 or more TESU credits, you no longer have to pay the residency waiver.

One suggestion:
1. Apply to TESU and see where they put your credits exactly. You appear to be missing at least some core GE requirements like English Composition if TESU doesn't bring your English classes in under written communication (which they might).
2. Use tuition reimbursement to take the cornerstone, discrete math, intro to programming, and (maybe) network technology; if not that, then something relatively easy.
3. Fill out the rest of your GE requirements with Sophia.
4. Take courses at SDC to fill out the rest of your degree except below.
5. Use tuition reimbursement to take the capstone, linear algebra, and two "easy" classes.

The following UL CS courses are available:
Systems Analysis & Design 302 (study.com)
Database Management 303 (study.com)
Management Information Systems 303 (study.com)
Computer Architecture 306 (study.com)
Network Technology CMP-354 (TECEP)
Linear Algebra (CooperSmith NCCRS)

You only need to pick 5 out of the 6 of those. But network technology is not an easy TECEP - the course ought to be (slightly) easier. Discrete math at SDC is also supposedly not easy, hence why taking it from TESU might be your best option.

With linear algebra, calculus, discrete math, & statistics, you'd be able to get an ASNSM in math as well with the addition of CSM learn and maybe one more SDC math. The ASNSM isn't worth much on its own, but it should be worth getting it for under $200 extra investment.

[colexian]

 With TESU's flat-rate tuition and the CS degree, you'd be able to take 3 or 4 TESU classes per year with an out of pocket cost of about $1200 for you. Unless you're in NJ - in which case your tuition reimbursement would make the flat-rate tuition free. (You could take 5 or 6 at once, but that might be a bit much depending on which classes you take and what your job is like.) Once you hit 16 or more TESU credits, you no longer have to pay the residency waiver. 
If you do opt for TESU, go for the CS degree and not data analytics. With data analytics, you complete courses through Statistics.com and that's something it sounds like your employer might not cover.

Not in NJ. As for Statistics.com, they will cover it. I reached out to them about study.com, statistics.com, and Sophia to see if they would offer reimbursement for non-accredited sources going towards transfer credit at an accredited university. They said they are familiar with these systems and as long as I provide a passing grade from an accredited university after the transfer, they will cover it. Would that make it any cheaper than the CS degree?

One suggestion: 
1. Apply to TESU and see where they put your credits exactly. You appear to be missing at least some core GE requirements like English Composition if TESU doesn't bring your English classes in under written communication (which they might).

My Eng-111 and Eng-114 wouldn't cover that? They fulfilled my GE requirement for my AA.

2. Use tuition reimbursement to take the cornerstone, discrete math, intro to programming, and (maybe) network technology; if not that, then something relatively easy.
3. Fill out the rest of your GE requirements with Sophia.

Which remaining Sophia courses do you think would be needed? I can go ahead and start them today.

You only need to pick 5 out of the 6 of those. But network technology is not an easy TECEP - the course ought to be (slightly) easier. Discrete math at SDC is also supposedly not easy, hence why taking it from TESU might be your best option. 

With linear algebra, calculus, discrete math, & statistics, you'd be able to get an ASNSM in math as well with the addition of CSM learn and maybe one more SDC math. The ASNSM isn't worth much on its own, but it should be worth getting it for under $200 extra investment.

So is the "free" Strayer of any value at all? 
I know they are akin to UoPhoenix and other for-profit hot garbage, but at the cost of effectively free, is there anything worth using from them towards my BS?

[rachel83az]

I am not sure if the Statistics.com courses count as TESU credits for the purpose of residency - I don't think they do. If they do not, you would pay $3125 as a residency waiver; tuition reimbursement doesn't usually cover that fee. This could make the analytics degree cost more than the CS degree out of pocket. Since Statistics.com classes are scheduled (only start on certain dates) rather than take-whenever-you-want like SDC courses this could slow down your graduation process. This is something that you'd need to consider.

I don't know for certain whether your ENG 111 and 114 classes would cover your GE requirements; I did say that they might. TESU is pretty reasonable about credit transfer but, on occasion, they will do something that doesn't make much sense.

As for courses you might need, possibly US history and micro/macro econ at the very least. But, again, I would highly recommend applying and see where they put your credits. It's possible you don't need anything else from Sophia. It's only $50 to apply and will save a lot of hassle and guesswork to do so. You don't even need to enroll yet so you won't lose your status with Strayer. Simply apply, send in your transcripts, and see where they get you.

If you check https://www.tesu.edu/admissions/transfer-credit there are a number of Strayer courses that will transfer into TESU (and there may be more but they haven't been transferred in yet). But, if at all possible, you really want to take at least 16 credits at TESU to avoid paying that residency waiver. I don't think Strayer is completely worthless but it doesn't seem to fulfill the goals that you currently hope to achieve.

[colexian]

As for courses you might need, possibly US history and micro/macro econ at the very least. But, again, I would highly recommend applying and see where they put your credits. It's possible you don't need anything else from Sophia. It's only $50 to apply and will save a lot of hassle and guesswork to do so.

I submitted an application just now. 
Couldn't hurt to at least make a better road map.
Hopefully the TESU guys are cool with me taking the bare minimum classes with them.

[rachel83az]

Awesome! Good luck. Once you get your eval back from TESU, post it here (with identifying info removed) and more help can be provided.

[colexian]

I was accepted into TESU.
Strayer has evaluated my Sophia courses, still waiting for my CC to send my transcript.
TESU is waiting on both, both have been ordered.

[bjcheung77]

Question: Where did you get your Associates from and what is it, AA, AS, AAS? BTW, What concentration or subject was it in?
Here is my suggestion: For the cost - Go for a TESU ASNSM Math and the BACS instead of TESU BS Data Analytics

If you really want the BS Data Analytics, do a double degree, TESU BACS & BS Data Analytics by using up all your tuition credits.
Basically, you can split that within two years, do 9 credits this year and do 9 credits next year. It'll come out very inexpensively.

[colexian]

I got my AA evaluation back today, pretty quick response from both my CC and TESU.
They still have not evaluated my Sophia credits which include ethics, which is not fulfilled, as well as many electives.
Conversely, Strayer almost immediately evaluated Sophia (Same company, makes sense.) but have not evaluated my CC degree credits.



Program Summary: (In Progress)
Semester Hours (SH) Required: 120.00
SH Applied to Degree: 65.00
SH Remaining: 55.00
SH To Be Planned: 55.00
Thomas Edison State University GPA Needed: 2.000
Thomas Edison State University GPA Earned:
Overall Degree GPA Needed: 2.000
Overall Degree GPA Requirement Met: Yes
Community College SH (90 SH Maximum): 65.00
These institutions/organizations are those from which credit has been applied toward your degree requirements. Use the number next to the institution in this list to identify the original source of a transfer course on your Academic Evaluation.
1 Southeastern CC
Program Requirements:
1: BA General Education (60 SH) (In progress)
SH Earned: 54 Complete all 5 subrequirements:

A: INTEL & PRACT SKILLS (In progress)
For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Intellectual and Practical Skills Courses

SH Earned: 12

Written Communication 3SH (Complete)
Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) option: ENC-101 English Composition I *must earn a grade of C/CR or better
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
1 ENG111 Freshman English 08/01/13 B 3.00 ENC-101
*CC *TE
Written Communication 3SH (Complete)
Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) option: ENC-102 English Composition II *must earn a grade of C/CR or better
1 ENG114 Prof Research & Reporting 05/01/14 A 3.00 ENC-102
*CC *TE
Oral Communication 3SH (Complete)
Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) option: COM-209 Public Speaking
1 COM231 Public Speaking 08/01/14 A 3.00 COM-209
*CC *TE
Quantitative Literacy 3SH (Complete)
Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) option: MAT-121 College Algebra
1 MAT161 College Algebra 08/01/13 B 3.00 MAT-121
*CC *TE
Information Literacy 3SH (INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT) (Not started)
To meet this requirement, students MUST take SOS-110 Critical Information Literacy at Thomas Edison State University.
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
B: CIV & GLOBAL LDRSHP (In progress)
For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Civic and Global Leadership Courses

SH Earned: 6

Diversity Intercultural Literacy 3SH (Complete)
Zero Textbook option: SOC-101 Introduction to Sociology (Students pursuing a BA in Sociology should select a different course to satisfy the Diversity requirement.)
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
1 HIS111 World Civilizations I 12/01/13 A 3.00 HIS-121
*CC *TE
Ethical Leadership 3SH (Not started)
Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) option: ETH-230 Ethics in a Digital Age
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
Civic Engagement 3SH (Complete)
Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) option: POS-110 American Government (Students pursuing the BA in Political Science should select a different course to satisfy the Civic Engagement requirement.)
1 POL120 Amer Gov 12/01/13 B 3.00 POS-110
*CC *TE
C: KNOWLDG HUMAN CULTRS (Complete)
For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Knowledge of Human Cultures Courses

Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) options, include but are not limited to:

HIS-114 American History II (Students pursuing a BA in History should select GOG-230 World Geography)

LIB-342 Online Obsessions: Determining and Dealing with Digital Dependency

PHI-130 Critical Reasoning

PSY-305 Brain and Mind
Humanities and/or Social Sciences 12SH
SH Earned: 12
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
1 ART131P Drawing I 05/01/11 B 3.00 ART-101
*CC *TE
1 ART111 Art Appreciation 05/01/10 B 3.00 ART-100
*CC *TE
1 PSY150 General Psychology 08/01/10 C 3.00 PSY-101
*CC *TE
1 MUS110 Music Appreciation 05/01/10 A 3.00 MUS-100
*CC *TE
D: UNDRST PHYS&NAT WRLD (Complete)
For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Understanding the Physical and Natural World Courses
Natural Sciences 4SH
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
1 CHM151 General Chemistry I 05/01/14 A 4.00 CHE-121
*CC *TE
E: GE ELECTIVES (Complete)
GEN ED ELECTIVES:
For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to General Education Elective Courses.

To identify which of these courses is Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC), go to Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Courses.
General Education Electives 20SH
SH Earned: 20
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
1 WEB110 Internet Web Fundamentals 12/01/08 A 3.00 CAP-140
*CC *TE
1 PHY151 College Physics I 12/01/13 A 4.00 PHY-115
*CC *TE
1 MAT161AP College Algebra Lab 08/01/13 A 1.00 MAT-199
*CC *TE
1 ART231P Printmaking I 05/01/11 C 3.00 ART-299
*CC *TE
1 ENG231 American Literature I 08/01/14 C 3.00 LIT-205
*CC *TE
1 GEO111 World Regional Geography 05/01/14 A 3.00 GOG-230
*CC *TE
1 MAT151 Statistics I 12/01/13 A 3.00 STA-201
*CC *TE

2: Computer Science (36SH: 15SH must be upper level) (In progress)
SH Earned: 3 GPA Achieved/Needed: 4.000 / 2.000 Complete all 7 subrequirements:

A: Intro to Programming (Not started)
3 SH

*must earn a grade of C/CR or better

For TESU course options, go to COS-111 Introduction to Programming
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
B: Data Structures (Not started)
3 SH

*must earn a grade of C/CR or better

For TESU course options, go to COS-241 Data Structures
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
C: Calculus I (Not started)
3 SH

*must earn a grade of C/CR or better

For TESU course options, go to MAT-231 Calculus I
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
D: Discrete Math (Not started)
3 SH

*must earn a grade of C/CR or better

For TESU course options, go to MAT-270 Discrete Mathematics.
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
E: Operating Systems (Not started)
3 SH

*must earn a grade of C/CR or better

For TESU course options, go to COS-240 Operating Systems
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
F: Comp. Architecture (Not started)
3 SH

*must earn a grade of C/CR or better

For TESU course options, go to COS-330 Computer Architecture
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
G: AOS Electives (In progress)
18 SH

**At least 15 of the 36 credits required within the entire Area of Study must be at the 300/400 level.**

*must earn grades of C/CR or better

For TESU and other course options, please contact an Advisor

SH Earned: 3

Group 1 (Not started)
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
Group 2 (In progress)
1 CIS110 Introduction to Computers 05/01/10 A 3.00 CIS-107
*CC *TE
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed

3: Liberal Arts Capstone (3 SH) (Not started)

*must earn a grade of C/CR or better
This Capstone course must be taken with Thomas Edison State University or via an approved Thomas Edison State University Academic Program Review. Baccalaureate students will not be permitted to register for a capstone course unless they have 100 credits applied toward the requirements for the declared degree and a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

For TESU course options, go to LIB-495 Liberal Arts Capstone Course
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed

4: Electives (21SH) (In progress)

For TESU course options, go to Elective Courses
SH Earned: 8
Required: 21
Remaining: 13
Source Course Title Term Grade SH TESU # Notes
1 CIS126 Graphics Software Intro 12/01/08 A 3.00 CIS-299
*CC *TE
1 PED120 Walking for Fitness 08/01/14 A 1.00 PEA-199
*CC *TE
1 PED138 Archery 05/01/14 A 1.00 PEA-199
*CC *TE
1 PED110 Fit and Well for Life 05/01/14 A 2.00 PEA-199
*CC *TE
1 ACA115 Success & Study Skills 05/01/14 A 1.00 FEL-101
*CC *TE
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
3 credits needed
______ _______________ _________________________ __________ _______ _______ __________
1 credit needed

Prior Degrees:
Degree: Date: Institution:
Associate in Arts 07/31/14 Southeastern CC

---

Question: Where did you get your Associates from and what is it, AA, AS, AAS? BTW, What concentration or subject was it in?
Here is my suggestion:  For the cost - Go for a TESU ASNSM Math and the BACS instead of TESU BS Data Analytics

If you really want the BS Data Analytics, do a double degree, TESU BACS & BS Data Analytics by using up all your tuition credits.
Basically, you can split that within two years, do 9 credits this year and do 9 credits next year.  It'll come out very inexpensively.

Got my associates from a community college near my home town, ended with an AA in Fine Arts (Had a lot of arts electives and didn't want to take a lot of PE classes, and no real IT degree was offered when I attended.) I changed majors several times and ended with way more credits than I needed, which is coming in handy now.

I used Sophia to fill in the gaps.

I agree with your suggestion and the suggestion of others here on the forum, and am going for the BACS & ASNSM Math.

[dfrecore]

If you really want a Data Analytics Degree, I would look at WGU. They will be cheaper than TESU, and your employer should cover the full cost if you start the first term this year (2020) and then the 2nd term next year (2021). I'm not sure why you'd completely switch to a CS degree when you want a degree in Data Analytics? That just doesn't make sense.

I would also take a couple of courses at Strayer, and do the free Sophia courses, if that will make it possible to complete WGU in a single term. But I wouldn't let that hold me up at all.