06-02-2022, 12:06 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-02-2022, 02:31 PM by christinadq.
Edit Reason: typo
)
I am seeking help with degree planning for my husband. His next promotion up the software engineering management ladder requires a US based Bachelor's degree. 20 years ago I graduated from TESC (now TESU) with an AS and Excelsior with a BS, so I am familiar in general with what is/was out there. There are some new players though that I am not as familiar with at this point and many more options in the realm of competency-based education. I am interested in advice about program offerings that would fit his needs while still allowing for some growth and learning like he wants.
His Location: Texas, United States.
His Age: 40s
What kind of degree does he want?: He has 25 years experience as a software engineer, with experience as a presenter at international conferences and recognized as a leader in his field. If there was a programming based degree that could be significantly competency based or had many courses that could be challenged by exam or even by having someone review his code, software architecture etc in a portfolio review/PLA option, this would be super easy. I don't see anything like that though. WGU's Cloud Computing would be something that he could learn some new things as well as have academic verification of skills he has developed.
BUT -- lately he's gotten into management too, which he never thought he'd like until the last couple of years. A business degree that actually teaches him new things and lets him put that knowledge to good use would also be useful and maybe actually better when looking towards the future. So UMPI's BABA looked like a decent option or even their BLS with a Management or an MIS minor might really work OR perhaps even TAMUC's BAAS in Org Leadership (we are based in Texas and a local university would have more name recognition near us).
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 0
All his previous college is from his childhood in Europe and all those credits are 20+ years old. That program is in software development so not likely considered transferable due to age at this point even if we could get the records translated. It was not a full degree, it was a shorter training program. But for all intents and purposes he is starting from 0 US college credits.
He can do foreign language testing and probably earn 24 credits (12 UL) in one foreign language (native speaker, 100% fluent) and at least 12 in another (raised speaking it at home with Mom).
Other than that I foresee a lot of Sophia credits. He can probably test out of a lot of this or move very smoothly through sophia type courses in history, social sciences, basic business, general ed etc. He has previous work experience as a technical writer/journalist for a tech publication (in english) so writing is a strength.
He has no certifications.
Budget: Would like to accomplish reasonably cheaply, will pay cash most likely. Up to $10k is doable, more could be possible for the right program. The priority is on finding the right program that strikes a balance of being relatively fast and either also teaching him valuable things or quantifying existing skills on paper.
Commitments: He works fulltime and I can take on most household and family things needed, so fulltime work is about it. Right now is a super busy time at work but that will get better in the next 30-60 days.
Dedicated time to study: He can study probably 30-40 hours a week. He is someone who is driven to stay busy and keeps his brain engaged, so some of this will take the place of time/energy currently spent on independent side projects he does to stay on top of his field.
Timeline: Finishing reasonably fast is the goal, with the right program. A year or so would be ideal. Two would also not be out of the realm of reasonable to us.
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: They provide graduate reimbursement only. Everyone hired into the company is assumed to have a Bachelor's so they only reimburse for advanced degrees. He is kind of a special case that they hired because of skill, not education. He is open to MBA or MS down the line to learn new things that would benefit him in the large business he currently works for.
Thanks in advance for any help!
His Location: Texas, United States.
His Age: 40s
What kind of degree does he want?: He has 25 years experience as a software engineer, with experience as a presenter at international conferences and recognized as a leader in his field. If there was a programming based degree that could be significantly competency based or had many courses that could be challenged by exam or even by having someone review his code, software architecture etc in a portfolio review/PLA option, this would be super easy. I don't see anything like that though. WGU's Cloud Computing would be something that he could learn some new things as well as have academic verification of skills he has developed.
BUT -- lately he's gotten into management too, which he never thought he'd like until the last couple of years. A business degree that actually teaches him new things and lets him put that knowledge to good use would also be useful and maybe actually better when looking towards the future. So UMPI's BABA looked like a decent option or even their BLS with a Management or an MIS minor might really work OR perhaps even TAMUC's BAAS in Org Leadership (we are based in Texas and a local university would have more name recognition near us).
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 0
All his previous college is from his childhood in Europe and all those credits are 20+ years old. That program is in software development so not likely considered transferable due to age at this point even if we could get the records translated. It was not a full degree, it was a shorter training program. But for all intents and purposes he is starting from 0 US college credits.
He can do foreign language testing and probably earn 24 credits (12 UL) in one foreign language (native speaker, 100% fluent) and at least 12 in another (raised speaking it at home with Mom).
Other than that I foresee a lot of Sophia credits. He can probably test out of a lot of this or move very smoothly through sophia type courses in history, social sciences, basic business, general ed etc. He has previous work experience as a technical writer/journalist for a tech publication (in english) so writing is a strength.
He has no certifications.
Budget: Would like to accomplish reasonably cheaply, will pay cash most likely. Up to $10k is doable, more could be possible for the right program. The priority is on finding the right program that strikes a balance of being relatively fast and either also teaching him valuable things or quantifying existing skills on paper.
Commitments: He works fulltime and I can take on most household and family things needed, so fulltime work is about it. Right now is a super busy time at work but that will get better in the next 30-60 days.
Dedicated time to study: He can study probably 30-40 hours a week. He is someone who is driven to stay busy and keeps his brain engaged, so some of this will take the place of time/energy currently spent on independent side projects he does to stay on top of his field.
Timeline: Finishing reasonably fast is the goal, with the right program. A year or so would be ideal. Two would also not be out of the realm of reasonable to us.
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: They provide graduate reimbursement only. Everyone hired into the company is assumed to have a Bachelor's so they only reimburse for advanced degrees. He is kind of a special case that they hired because of skill, not education. He is open to MBA or MS down the line to learn new things that would benefit him in the large business he currently works for.
Thanks in advance for any help!
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