Crippling self doubt! (aka starting college at 40!)

[Merlin]

In any case, since you're starting from scratch, the sky's the limit. You really just need to figure out what kind of degree you're interested in and then make a decision of where to get it. I'm sure most folks here will suggest the TESU BA in Liberal Studies (BALS) as the fastest and easiest degree, followed by the TESU BS in Business Administration (BSBA).

I want a degree in emergency & crisis management. My original post has all of the links in it directly for each school, as well as the school that I'm currently enrolled in and to the one that I'll attend for my masters. I also included the link to the degree advising document that says all the credit hours that are needed.

That is what you want for your masters, but it doesn't have to be what you take to get there. If your ultimate goal is a masters degree, your best plan is to pursue a fast bachelor's program that will get you to the point where you can start the master's program. It doesn't have to be the same or even a similar degree. In fact, with a BALS you can take courses that are supportive of your master's plan but are still test-out friendly.

If you have need for a bachelors credential in the same area for work, or because its a requirement for the masters program, then obviously you need to focus on that, but it will mean it takes longer.

I don't know how test-out friendly those Homeland Security/Emergency Management/Public Safety Administration degrees are, or if there are better alternatives, but I'm sure someone here will know.

The only thing you can't necessarily test out of would be the actual major courses. For the associates, the school I'm enrolled in accepts 45 credits and you have to take 15 there but that works out anyway because that''s how many there are in the core classes for the concentration.

I'd recommend you drop the AA plan and jump directly into an accelerated bachelor's program, unless there is a compelling reason why you need the AA. Even if you can transfer in 45 of the 60 credits necessary for your AA, the balance of courses is going to be the slowest part. Plus you'll then have to wait for the degree to be conferred. In the time that takes you could probably be finished with the entire bachelor's degree, depending on the courses you take and how much prior knowledge you can use towards them.

Its possible to complete a bachelor's degree from scratch in under 6 months from WGU and in less than a year (maybe less than 9 months–though that would be pushing it) from TESU. The longest delays for TESU is the capstone, which takes 3 months no matter what, and waiting until the next degree conferral, which only happens quarterly (and you have to apply at least 3 months in advance).

So for study.com, when you say you can pay $70 each for additional exams, does that give you access to the study materials so that you can prepare for the exam?

You pay $199 per month for a Study.com (aka SDC) subscription which gives you unlimited access to study materials for one month and includes two free exams. You can take as long as you like to finish the courses, but it is in your best interest to finish at least two per month so you don't miss out on any of the free final exams. Any additional exams cost $70 each and there is no limit to the number of additional exams you can take per month.

So you have the full picture, I'll describe StraighterLine (aka SL) as well since it is also a subscription service, but works differently.

For SL, you pay $99/month for the subscription. While your subscription is active you can take as many courses as you like, but there is a one-time fee to register for each course which varies (most run between $59 and $99). Once the fee is paid, you get access to the textbook and lessons and you can take as long as you like to finish the course, assuming your subscription is up to date. If you fail the course, you just have to pay the registration fee again to re-take the course.

For both providers, the final exams are proctored using your home PC and a webcam. The quizzes are not proctored. Some of the courses also require essays or project-based assignments in addition to quizzes and a final exam.