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Is Computer Science the best path? Please help! - MJ75 - 10-07-2023
My husband is ready to knock out his bachelor's degree! Can you help him decide on a path to pursue? I was thinking TESC Computer Science, but maybe there is a better path. All suggestions are welcome!! Here are his stats:
Location: Michigan, United States
Age: 51
What degree do you want?: Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Project Management, or Data Analytics preferred, even Business… Really just need the fastest and cheapest degree possible. Career is headed towards Senior Leadership in Project Management, and he really enjoys it.
Current Regional Accredited Credits
*Highline and Bellevue both operate on the quarter credit system. I listed the credits below, as converted by Pierpont.
Highline Community College, Total Credits: 20*
CSCI 100, Survey of Computing, 3, B
HIST 120, US History in One Quarter, 3, D
PE 123, Weight Training, 1.0, A
PE 223, Weight Training, 1.0, A
SOC 100, Social Problems, 3, B
BIOL 100, Survey of Life Principles, 3, B
PHIL 110, Ethical Sys/Moral Decision, 3, B
WRIT 101, Principles of Writing, 3, B
Bellevue College, Total Credits: 6*
ACCT 101, Survey of Accounting, 3, C
GBUS 101, Intro to Business, 3, C
Devry University (Online), Total Credits: 45
CIS 115, Logic and Design, 3, A
COLL 148, Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving, 3, A
Comp 100, Computer Applications for Business with Lab, 2, A
MGMT 404, Project Management, 4, B
CIS 206 Architecture and Operating Systems with Lab, 4, B
ENGL 135, Advanced Composition, 4, B
BUSN 115, Intro to Business and Technology, 3, A
PSYC 110, Psychology, 3, A
BIS 155, Data Analysis with Spreadsheets with Lab, 3, B
HUMN 303, Intro to the Humanities, 3, A
BIS 245, Database Essentials for Business with Lab, 4, A
SPCH 282, Small Group Communication, 3, A
LAWS 310, The Legal Environment, 3, A
MGMT 303, Principles of Management, 3, B
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits
ALEKS, Acclaim (formerly ACE): 3
Beginning Algebra, 3
Sophia, Acclaim (Formerly ACE): 3
Environmental Science, 3
Any certifications or military experience?:
Expected 10/2023, Certified Scrum Product Owner
2014, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification
2013, Microsoft Excel with Business, Advanced Competency
8/2021 Pierpont AAS, Major: Board of Governors, Area of Emphasis: Business
Budget: As inexpensive as possible.
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: Up to $2500 tuition reimbursement/year.
Dedicated time to study: 10 hrs/week is probably realistic. Our schedule is very full.
Timeline: ASAP
This is what I filled in for the TESC Computer Science degree: TESU BA in Computer Science - Mark 2021.xlsx
RE: Is Computer Science the best path? Please help! - allvia - 10-07-2023
Due to his career path and age I would recommend the UMPI YourPace - BLS PM minor - https://online.umpi.edu/degrees/undergraduate/bachelor-of-liberal-studies/project-management-minor/ My 2nd choice would also be a UMPI degree, that would be BABA PM - https://online.umpi.edu/degrees/undergraduate/bba/project-management/
He is at an age where he needs to be able to 'check the box' more than a degree in something specific, the BLS will be the quickest and cheapest while allow him to not lose any existing credit (as it has many electives). He would likely be able to make the most of his tuition reimbursement with the UMPI programs, even if he had to take longer than the common 2/3 terms.
RE: Is Computer Science the best path? Please help! - MJ75 - 10-07-2023
(10-07-2023, 04:45 PM)allvia Wrote: Due to his career path and age I would recommend the UMPI YourPace - BLS PM minor - https://online.umpi.edu/degrees/undergraduate/bachelor-of-liberal-studies/project-management-minor/ My 2nd choice would also be a UMPI degree, that would be BABA PM - https://online.umpi.edu/degrees/undergraduate/bba/project-management/
He is at an age where he needs to be able to 'check the box' more than a degree in something specific, the BLS will be the quickest and cheapest while allow him to not lose any existing credit (as it has many electives). He would likely be able to make the most of his tuition reimbursement with the UMPI programs, even if he had to take longer than the common 2/3 terms.
Thank you very much for this advice!
RE: Is Computer Science the best path? Please help! - LevelUP - 10-07-2023
I would not suggest doing the bachelor's in computer science since your husband's career isn't directly related to CS.
Though you could do TESU BSBA CIS and then grab the Associate's in CS
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sample_TESU_BSBA_CIS_Degree_Plan
TESU online degrees
https://www.tesu.edu/academics/online-degrees
UMPI's BABA Project Management and MIS is another option
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UMPI_BABA_Project_Management_Degree_Plan
UMPI YourPace
https://online.umpi.edu/degrees/undergraduate/
Both TESU and UMPI are about the same speed, considering you have transfer credit.
RE: Is Computer Science the best path? Please help! - MJ75 - 10-07-2023
(10-07-2023, 04:53 PM)LevelUP Wrote: I would not suggest doing the bachelor's in computer science since your husband's career isn't directly related to CS.
Though you could do TESU BSBA CIS and then grab the Associate's in CS
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sample_TESU_BSBA_CIS_Degree_Plan
TESU online degrees
https://www.tesu.edu/academics/online-degrees
UMPI's BABA Project Management and MIS is another option
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UMPI_BABA_Project_Management_Degree_Plan
UMPI YourPace
https://online.umpi.edu/degrees/undergraduate/
Both TESU and UMPI are about the same speed, considering you have transfer credit.
Thank you... Much appreciated!
RE: Is Computer Science the best path? Please help! - bjcheung77 - 10-07-2023
For the time being, I am on board with UMPI as well, I would apply to UMPI and get everything evaluated. Your top pick would be the BLS with a double minor in PM and MIS, it will take 60 electives that can be anything you want, this maximizes your current credits and gives you some extra credits to learn whatever subject area suits you most. Second choice is to do the BABA PM & IS option... it'll have lesser electives, but if you're looking for PM & IS as the concentration, this would have more credits in those fields. With tuition assistance, you can practically get this done without much out of pocket expenses...
RE: Is Computer Science the best path? Please help! - dfrecore - 10-07-2023
Just an FYI, you should always put the info down from your actual transcripts, rather than what any school brings them in as. This is because each school is different, and will bring in things differently. For instance TESU brings in credits without rounding - so a 5qcr = 3.33cr, 4qcr = 2.67cr, etc. Same thing with course numbers - put the course number down from the school you took the course as, because it may make a difference.
Also, just because it might cause some confusion for someone - Acclaim was just the name of the company that transcripted the courses, and is not a replacement for ACE credit. These are ACE credits. Now, Credly is the company that transcripts ACE credits, but you don't call them Credly credits, they are ACE credits, and the transcript is from Credly. (Acclaim was an arm of Credly, or a former name, or something kooky).
RE: Is Computer Science the best path? Please help! - davewill - 10-07-2023
I would only recommend CS if his knowledge/experience would allow him to move through the courses quickly and easily, AND his field would value a CS degree for management. Otherwise, he'd probably be better off with the business degree.
It's hard to recommend a bachelor's in Data Analytics simply because we don't have a quick and cheap path for that, and that seems important to you. He'd have to spend more time and money than for the other two choices, but it is available.
RE: Is Computer Science the best path? Please help! - MJ75 - 10-07-2023
(10-07-2023, 08:18 PM)dfrecore Wrote: Just an FYI, you should always put the info down from your actual transcripts, rather than what any school brings them in as. This is because each school is different, and will bring in things differently. For instance TESU brings in credits without rounding - so a 5qcr = 3.33cr, 4qcr = 2.67cr, etc. Same thing with course numbers - put the course number down from the school you took the course as, because it may make a difference.
Also, just because it might cause some confusion for someone - Acclaim was just the name of the company that transcripted the courses, and is not a replacement for ACE credit. These are ACE credits. Now, Credly is the company that transcripts ACE credits, but you don't call them Credly credits, they are ACE credits, and the transcript is from Credly. (Acclaim was an arm of Credly, or a former name, or something kooky).
That makes sense. Thank you for clarifying about how the credit system works!
(10-07-2023, 08:51 PM)davewill Wrote: I would only recommend CS if his knowledge/experience would allow him to move through the courses quickly and easily, AND his field would value a CS degree for management. Otherwise, he'd probably be better off with the business degree.
It's hard to recommend a bachelor's in Data Analytics simply because we don't have a quick and cheap path for that, and that seems important to you. He'd have to spend more time and money than for the other two choices, but it is available.
Yes, I think being able to "check the box" quickly is most important right now. I think UMPI looks like it has a good path for him. Thanks!
RE: Is Computer Science the best path? Please help! - bjcheung77 - 10-08-2023
With regards to the credits, I usually get people to fill in the addendum/template as best as possible, then attach an evaluation when you've applied to the institution of choice for us to review. Make sure to remove any personal details when sending screenshots, otherwise, you'll have both the transcript of classes, and the evaluation of what comes through. Review post #6 and the info below...
In regards to having Data Analytics or Project Management, Info Systems or whatever else you're looking at, you can do the trifecta of certs, degree, experience. You have some certs and plenty of experience, if you wanted to break into or gain more info in Data Analytics or Project Management, you can always add the Coursera, Google certs with ACE credit recommendations in addition to the BLS or BABA you decide on.