Seeking Guidance on beginning degree

[BeginAgain_1980]

Hello,
I'm excited to share that I'm finally ready to pursue my degree now that my oldest child has moved out and is living independently. Initially, I began taking classes in early childhood development, but I had to leave school to work full-time.

After spending some time browsing this board, I've been truly inspired by seeing so many others complete their degrees. Although I don't have many credits to my name, I've listed the few I have below. I am currently working my way through Sophia.org.

Southeastern University 
ENGL 002 Credit awarded 0.00
HIST 101 Credit awarded 3.00
CHDE 101 Credit awarded 3.00
CHDE104 Credit awarded 3.00
ART 101 Credit awarded 0.00

Sophia.org
Intro to Business (PHIL Elective)
Ancient Greek Philosopher (BMGT110)

Pursuing a degree is something I see as fulfilling for myself, especially since I paused my education journey when I got married and started my own family. Thank you for considering my situation.

[LevelUP]

I would suggest reading this guide here:
https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...hoose-From

You could start with a Pierpont AS degree, then move on to a bachelor's degree from UMPI or TESU, which would be the quickest and cheapest option.

[bjcheung77]

@BeginAgain_1980, Welcome to the board, that's a great initial introduction, however, it's missing many details in regards to your budget, commitments, study habits, tuition assistance or reimbursement, that's the main reason I get people to fill in the addendum and template, this allows us to view an overall picture of your situation. With more details, we'll be better equipped to assist you in deciding what may be viable options. Please update us with the info asked for here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

[rachel83az]

What kind of degree do you want now? What sort of budget? Please fill out the template and addendum as linked by bjcheung77.

[BeginAgain_1980]

Many thanks for responding! I've provided the necessary details to help with crafting out a plan for finalizing my degree.

Your Location: Frederick, MD
Your Age: 45
What kind of degree do you want?: For years, I’ve wanted to be a teacher, and I still personally think that is an important career and meaningful career aspiration. I am interested in marketing, liberal education, and project management /organizational leadership.
Current Regional Accredited Credits:
Southeastern University Total Credits: 9
ENGL 002 – Basic Reading, Credit awarded 0.00, Grade: A
HIST 101 – National History, Credit awarded 3.00, Grade: B
CHDE 101 – Intro to Early Childhood, Credit awarded 3.00, Grade: D
CHDE104 – Curriculum and Instruction Credit awarded 3.00, Grade: D
ART 101- Art Appreciation Credit awarded 0.00, Grade: F

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:
Sophia Credits: 6
Intro to Business (PHIL Elective)
Ancient Greek Philosopher (BMGT110)

Any certifications or military experience? No military experience, however, I am a certified meeting planner.
Budget: just under 10k
Commitments: While I do work full time and can committee to 3 hrs in the evenings and up to 8 hrs weekends.
Dedicated time to study: While I do work full time and can committee to 3 hrs in the evenings and up to 8 hrs weekends. Total would be roughly 30 hours a week.
Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible. I would like to finish within 1-2 years.
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: Yes, my workplace offers up to 4k in tuition reimbursement

[davewill]

What sort of teaching did you have in mind? Primary or secondary school? College? Something else like corporate training? The paths for each of those is quite different. What subjects do you see yourself teaching?

[BeginAgain_1980]

What sort of teaching did you have in mind? Primary or secondary school? College? Something else like corporate training? The paths for each of those is quite different. What subjects do you see yourself teaching?

Primary education, elementary school. Although, I would love to teach adjunct hospitality courses.

[rachel83az]

Primary school and organizational leadership are kind of different things! That said, you could do a BLS in Education at UMPI. There are four of their Bachelor-level Business courses that you can transfer into their MAOL program. Take three of them for your electives. Between Sophia and your tuition reimbursement, you could get a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree for almost nothing out of pocket.

[jg_nuy]

UMPI links for review:

All links for UMPI: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI
General Education Requirements: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...quirements
Degree Plan for BLS Educational Studies: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan
Certificates on Coursera: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Coursera

UMPI MAOL
You could consider doing 3 classes in Business Administration towards the MAOL at UMPI. Undergrad classes that can be taken to speed the UMPI MAOL from 12 classes to 9 classes:
OLS 550 Team Leadership and Collaboration is subbed by BUS 335 Organizational Behavior
OLS 610 Leadership and Business Operations is subbed by BUS 440 Business Analytics
OLS 620 Strategic Communications is subbed by BUS 469 Strategic Professional Communication

[bjcheung77]

Amazing, that's exactly what I was going to recommend, spend the $4K tuition reimbursement towards the BLS Educational Studies Minor plus 3-4 classes that go towards the MAOL for next year. Then in 2025, take another $4K tuition reimbursement to complete the MAOL, this ladder from your previous BLS studies into the MAOL. You'll just have to pay for alternative credits too.

You'll only need a few hundred dollars to pay for the entire Bachelors and Masters combo out of pocket... As two sessions for Bachelors is $3000, but you may need to take 3, for $4500. Then the Masters would be $4300 for two sessions, so each degree is going to cost you $300 to $500 out of pocket! BA+MA for $800 flat, plus alternative credits through Sophia.org, so under $1K.