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Seeking Advice for Quick Bachelor’s Completion in Computer Science - Printable Version

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Seeking Advice for Quick Bachelor’s Completion in Computer Science - luna7890 - 05-09-2025

Hello everyone , I’m currently trying to plan my bachelor’s (mainly in Computer Science) and need serious advice with plan for it. Below are my details : 


Your Location: India
Your Age: 21 (turning 22 in August)
What kind of degree do you want?
- Bachelor’s in Computer Science (followed by a Master’s which you can recommend from where to do), or open to other suggested fields. 
- 12th-grade subjects: Physics, Math, Chemistry, Computer Science (Python), English (Non medical path).
- Main Plan: Enroll in an Indian offline or online Computer Science degree under NEP 2020 syllabus (implemented in 2024) for July 2025 session ; open to suggestions.
- Backup Plan: Either earn credits  (ACE credit courses, CLEP tests, etc.), then transfer and complete ~1 year or less on-campus in the U.S. to finish the bachelor’s later; or complete a fully online U.S. degree quickly through credit-earning.In India, dual degrees are allowed only if one is offline and the other is online.
- Goal: Globally recognized, reputable, accredited U.S. degree (valid internationally, including India).
Current Regional Accredited Credits:
- Completed 40 credits  ~1 year (July 2023–2024) of BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) in India which is a 3 year degree, old syllabus.
- Main subjects studied: C++, Computer Organization, Web Programming, Mathematical Statistics, C language, Computer Fundamentals.
- Dropped out due to pressure from studies and attending classes difficult to join 2nd year as syllabus has changed need a formal inquiry but it is challenging to study old syllabus as every college/university teach new syllabus now.

One thing I like about India’s new syllabus is the multiple entry and exit option — Certificate (1 year), Diploma (2 years), Bachelor’s Degree (3 years), Honours/Research (4 years) — with the flexibility to re-enter the program within three years after you exit and degree must be completed within a maximum of seven years from the original date of admission.

- No WES evaluation; unsure if credits transfer internationally.
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: None
Certifications or Military Experience: No
Budget: Estimated $8,000–$12,000 USD; open to more affordable options if it is reputed.
Commitments:
- Family at home; no spouse or children.
- Not Employed; full-time student. 
Dedicated Study Time:
- ~22–28 hours/week (3–4 hours evenings, 6–8 hours weekends); can increase if needed.
Timeline: Prefer to complete the U.S. bachelor’s quickly, ideally within 1–2 years or less if it is possible, since Indian degrees have a fixed minimum duration (typically 3-4 years of study).
Tuition Assistance / Reimbursement: No (self-funded by parents)

Have heard about lots of people doing degree from WGU ( Western Governors University ) but looks like they dont accept International student. 

Additional Preferences / Notes:
- Please provide a clear roadmap or checklist (spreadsheet style) to track the online courses or offline tests I need to take, the full process for storing credits, and how to transfer them — basically, a step-by-step plan for completing the degree efficiently.
- Aware of English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo); unsure if SAT/ACT is required but can take test if it is necessary.
- Want a realistically achievable degree — not necessarily easy, but not overly complex.
- Strongly prefer credit-earning (ACE credit course, CLEP test, etc.) to speed up.
- Love programming (Python, C++); want to learn Java.
- Enjoys mathematics (or any subject realistically speaking) when explained in a simple, easy-to-understand way. 
- Open to extra certificates or credentials alongside degree.
- Curious about best specialization (software dev, data science, cybersecurity, AI/ML).
- Want to know if degree enables international work or work from India preferably remote for now.
- Prefer clear, structured learning: guidebooks, video lectures, assignments, practicals, with straightforward easy materials from college/university.
- Hesitant to join offline college/university as i will be older 3-4 years from my peers and it will be difficult to fit in as i have mental issues of my own but want to pursue higher education at any cost. 

Thank you to anyone who reads and helps!


RE: Seeking Advice for Quick Bachelor’s Completion in Computer Science - jg_nuy - 05-09-2025

Your likely best bet is TESU BA in CS - you could do 90 credits through Sophia, Study and other providers, 15 free or cheap RA credits and then a term of 15 credits to finish up. Here is the plan for the BACS: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sample_TESU_BA_Computer_Science_Plan

You could also do a combined degree, which takes a little longer, but could travel pretty well. Here are other links for TESU:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:TESU


RE: Seeking Advice for Quick Bachelor’s Completion in Computer Science - infradata.it@gmail.com - 05-10-2025

Computer Science is getting close to a actual science/math degree, in many cases (feels that way with heavy requirements for both)
Data Analytics/Science is less mathy it seems
Cybersecurity feels more like "level FOUR" support (there are only 3 levels of support), so just "more advanced general IT"
These are a few other "achievable" (easy) IT degrees I think
/
Check out the degree plan I'm running, its BS in Cybersecurity at TESU...

"Borrow" the template I "borrowed" and edit it for your plan... I hope it helps here:

Coursera (NY/NY DOL, *cough* free access) will feed you a TON of credits, MANY UL
TEEX Cyber101/201/301 feels like an obligatory suggestion, due to freeness
/
Welcome to the hunt for RA credits,,,, (I do not know if this still applies from India... should, right?)
/
If I can help you... I will


RE: Seeking Advice for Quick Bachelor’s Completion in Computer Science - Duneranger - 05-10-2025

Uproad battle for international work, no country has a shortage of CS graduates from India...


RE: Seeking Advice for Quick Bachelor’s Completion in Computer Science - Pikachu - 05-10-2025

Are you interested in immigration now or in the future or is that not a concern? I'll post my suggestions depending on your reply to this.

You don't need a WES eval for US unis btw, scholaro is the better option (it's cheaper, quicker, and overall less hassle). WES should only be done for Canada.

Get the English proficiency test out of the way. Duolingo (DET) if you're comfortable giving it at home (it's the cheapest option). TOEFL if you want to give it at a center. Don't bother with prepping for this, just go through a couple YouTube vids to familiarize yourself with the format and you'll score enough for the online admissions.


RE: Seeking Advice for Quick Bachelor’s Completion in Computer Science - Tomas - 05-10-2025

I don't think Indian degrees offer any quick options. IIT Madras for data science or BITS Pilani for computer science.


RE: Seeking Advice for Quick Bachelor’s Completion in Computer Science - infradata.it@gmail.com - 05-10-2025

Answer me this please (to project my suggestion)...

What was the "best", what was the worst, to you personally out of:
  • C++
  • Computer Organization
  • Web Programming
  • Mathematical Statistics
  • C language
  • Computer Fundamentals


You also say:
  • Love programming (Python, C++); want to learn Java.
  • Enjoys mathematics (or any subject realistically speaking) when explained in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
  • Open to extra certificates or credentials alongside degree. (IMHO: YOU WANT COURSERA, esp for IT credits/certs that are "ACE" (pm me about this))
  • Curious about best specialization (software dev, data science, cybersecurity, AI/ML).
I am reading "Product Manager" and/or "Data Engineer", maybe something more directly "Data Science'y"

Ease(/Prestige)
General IT > Information Systems/Informatics > Cybersecurity/Data Science (with a slight edge to DS) > Roll Your Own Stuff, from Scratch ("Programmers" / "Developers") / Manage Complex Stuff (High-end Engineers, True Computer Scientists)

You seem to lean into the area of programming, with an interest in web based language (Java), and skills in Math + Data Science...

Check out the IBM Professional Certification overviews and see which seems "most fun" .. it may help pinpoint final degree target

I assume: You "know advanced fundamentals of IT and have applied them" with some honing over a few years IRL (even at home solo, hobby based)
You know programming: C/C++, R, Python, and some Java
You know SQL/NoSQL databases, and Excel/Sheets/Etc
You can use at least 1/some of: Wordpress, Grav, Joomla, Drupel or Etc
I'm 99.99% sure you "have a Github" actively, right now, from the sound of this
/
Given the number of credits that you "could get for free" in Data Analytics/Science and UI/UX design >> I think this is your "easiest option"
Over-all "easiest" is still cybersecurity IMHO, but I dont know if "that would make you happy long term"


RE: Seeking Advice for Quick Bachelor’s Completion in Computer Science - bjcheung77 - 05-10-2025

Welcome to the board, great intro post with the addendum and template, if I was in your shoes, I would do the UMPI BBA PM & IS, ladder to the MAOL, and come back for the BACS, by getting all three under your lower end of the budget, you can then do the MCA within India...


RE: Seeking Advice for Quick Bachelor’s Completion in Computer Science - animuscerebri - 05-16-2025

@Pikachu, do you know specific colleges / unis (especially from the Big 3) that would accept transcripts evaluated by Scholaro?
If they are not officially listed on any of the universities' accepted foreign credentials evaluators, I'd be cautious and double-check that. Being associated with a group does not necessarily translate into equal recognition.


RE: Seeking Advice for Quick Bachelor’s Completion in Computer Science - Pikachu - 05-16-2025

(05-16-2025, 08:14 AM)animuscerebri Wrote: @Pikachu, do you know specific colleges / unis (especially from the Big 3) that would accept transcripts evaluated by Scholaro?
If they are not officially listed on any of the universities' accepted foreign credentials evaluators, I'd be cautious and double-check that. Being associated with a group does not necessarily translate into equal recognition.

What's the big 3? TESU et al? I don't think I've heard of a single uni rejecting scholaro. WES is usually only listed because it's the most famous and recognized. Most American unis will accept any evaluator as long as it's accredited by NACES/AICE.

UMichigan even has a dedicated page on Scholaro:
https://academicservices.engin.umich.edu/ordering-a-gpa-report-for-michigan-engineering-meng-deng-graduate-programs/

The only exception is if they've explicitly written on their site that they'll reject evals from anyone who isn't their partner. Like GeorgiaTech's graduate school, for instance:
https://grad.gatech.edu/admissions/international/credential-evaluation-services-partners

WES is just the absolute worst because they're unreasonably strict, expensive, and take too long to issue an eval if you're from the global south.