Advice needed! (CLEP/ACE/Prior Learning Credit/Degree Plan)

[brodie]

Hopefully I can explain myself a bit better now that it's daytime and my thoughts are more organized. My primary goal is to get a degree in an area approved by my company, so that it will be paid for via reimbursement. Since that hems me in slightly (in an ideal world, I'd major in history), I am a bit flexible when it comes to subject matter because it is going to have to ultimately relate back to business one way or another. I am interested in the name on the degree (to an extent, it's not like Central Michigan or IU East are Harvard and Yale), but more for reasons relating to where I live and what kind of career/networking opportunities they can provide me. I work with many CMU alums along with alumni from Big Ten universities and branch campuses, so getting a degree from such a school would be doubly beneficial. I've researched COSC and TESU pretty extensively and have come away with a profound respect for what they do, I've even chatted extensively with the people at COSC but I worry that it may not be the right choice for me given my own interests.

In terms of time, I want to cut down on it because I am entering my 30s and feel that a degree will benefit me in the near term more than in the long term. That is to say, attending school half time will get me a degree in around 10 years but it won't help me if I need to change jobs in that decade. By CLEPing out of half the degree or otherwise eliminating a number of classes, I could graduate in 4-5 years, which would make me safe® when it comes to protecting my income and the like. I think the Modern States recommendation was very good and do appreciate the advice. Thanks, Degree Forum!