Any Brandman Students?

[Brownie82]

Looks like life threw me a curveball - just when I thought I had it figured out. My time line is a little shorter than expected, so I'm looking at my maybe list which includes WGU's Data Management and Analytics and Brandman's Information Systems Management - where I can also get a certificate in Business Analytics on the way.

Brandman looks a little cheaper than WGU. Plus, I could take up to 21 computer science credits from Saylor, on top of the normal general ed ACE nominated courses. Because I'm having trouble with taxes and my financial aid, it'll be some time before I start. I may be able to put a good dent into the degree over at there. Also, I'd have to get a database cert to get entrance into WGU.

I'm hoping to be almost done by the beginning of next year.

So, anyway I just wanted to see if there were any students lurking around. I almost never hear about this school.

Thanks!

[dfrecore]

Looks like life threw me a curveball - just when I thought I had it figured out. My time line is a little shorter than expected, so I'm looking at my maybe list which includes WGU's Data Management and Analytics and Brandman's Information Systems Management - where I can also get a certificate in Business Analytics on the way.

Brandman looks a little cheaper than WGU. Plus, I could take up to 21 computer science credits from Saylor, on top of the normal general ed ACE nominated courses. Because I'm having trouble with taxes and my financial aid, it'll be some time before I start. I may be able to put a good dent into the degree over at there. Also, I'd have to get a database cert to get entrance into WGU.

I'm hoping to be almost done by the beginning of next year.

So, anyway I just wanted to see if there were any students lurking around. I almost never hear about this school.

Thanks!

Just a quick note about Saylor courses - there are some that are just terrible. My husband took the Networks proctored exam, and was seriously frustrated, as there were many wrong answers on it. Another poster here experienced the same thing. You may want to read about that before you get all hot and heavy on the Saylor stuff; if you are hoping for some "easy" credits, they may not be as easy as you think. My husband has worked in IT for almost 20 years, and had a bunch of certs couldn't pass the exam, and it's not because he was wrong - the exam was. He figured that no matter how much he studied for it, he didn't think he could pass an exam that had incorrect info on it (and I'm guessing he's right).

Not trying to tell you not to take them, just beware of the issues going into it. But obviously, you should still try to complete as many credits as you can.

[Ideas]

Are you thinking of enrolling in Brandman or just taking a course? I have never heard of them.

You should probably do a whole bunch of ALEKS immediately (by the end of April 30th) in case they don't get renewed for ACE credit. Stats, College Algebra, Trig, etc.

[sanantone]

Brandman University is one of the few schools that offers competency-based programs.

I remember they had a partnership with Saylor to accept their non-ACE/NCCRS-approved courses. I don't know what they mean by ACE recommendations for the courses listed on their page. Most of those courses are not ACE-approved.

[dfrecore]

Are you thinking of enrolling in Brandman or just taking a course? I have never heard of them.

They used to be Chapman University, but rebranded their Online University part to Brandman (I think that's what happened).

[Brownie82]

Brandman University is one of the few schools that offers competency-based programs.

I remember they had a partnership with Saylor to accept their non-ACE/NCCRS-approved courses. I don't know what they mean by ACE recommendations for the courses listed on their page. Most of those courses are not ACE-approved.

I was curious about that, too. On Study.com's Brandman page, it looks like you'd take the courses and accumulate credits on your Saylor transcript. Saylor will send that to Brandman to apply to the degree.

Just a quick note about Saylor courses - there are some that are just terrible. My husband took the Networks proctored exam, and was seriously frustrated, as there were many wrong answers on it. Another poster here experienced the same thing. You may want to read about that before you get all hot and heavy on the Saylor stuff; if you are hoping for some "easy" credits, they may not be as easy as you think. My husband has worked in IT for almost 20 years, and had a bunch of certs couldn't pass the exam, and it's not because he was wrong - the exam was. He figured that no matter how much he studied for it, he didn't think he could pass an exam that had incorrect info on it (and I'm guessing he's right).

Not trying to tell you not to take them, just beware of the issues going into it. But obviously, you should still try to complete as many credits as you can.

And thanks for the heads up about their courses, I haven't taken any from Saylor yet, but I did read that review post. I figured I'd try it out. If anything, I'd learn something new that I can use once I actually start the program and fly through that competency/unit/etc.

[bjcheung77]

I was curious about that, too. On Study.com's Brandman page, it looks like you'd take the courses and accumulate credits on your Saylor transcript. Saylor will send that to Brandman to apply to the degree.

And thanks for the heads up about their courses, I haven't taken any from Saylor yet, but I did read that review post. I figured I'd try it out. If anything, I'd learn something new that I can use once I actually start the program and fly through that competency/unit/etc.

Going by memory, Brandman was the only school a few months ago that actually accepted the non-proctored exams for credit at Saylor.
However, I think they only accepted up to 21 credits in total for transfer. They're not that cheap as I think they're a for-profit.
How did you figure out it'll be cheaper than WGU? Brandman Tuition: https://www.brandman.edu/admissions/tuition

[Brownie82]

Going by memory, Brandman was the only school a few months ago that actually accepted the non-proctored exams for credit at Saylor.
However, I think they only accepted up to 21 credits in total for transfer. They're not that cheap as I think they're a for-profit.
How did you figure out it'll be cheaper than WGU? Brandman Tuition: https://www.brandman.edu/admissions/tuition

I was looking at the MyPath Degree which is competency-based:

Brandman’s MyPath competency-based bachelor's programs cost $5,400 per CBE Academic Year consisting of two billing periods of $2,700 each. The first billing period begins when the student starts their competencies and ends when the student has completed a minimum of 12 credits and 24 weeks of instruction. The second billing period begins after the first period is over and ends when the student has completed a minimum of 24 credits and 48 weeks of instruction.

WGU is only *slightly* more expensive at $5780 + fees. From their calculator, Brandman's $5,400 includes tuition and fees. That's not considering any scholarships. I know I can't take advantage of SL scholarship of $500/term off, but if I decide on WGU, I'll shoot for one of the other ones that I am eligible for. Brandman also has a scholarship, but you'd need to start my May 31th, which would be cutting close for me.

[jsd]

They're not that cheap as I think they're a for-profit.
How did you figure out it'll be cheaper than WGU? Brandman Tuition: https://www.brandman.edu/admissions/tuition

They're non-profit, as the page you linked to says, and they're cheaper than WGU. The page you linked to is for their more traditional online program, not their competency based program.

Here's the CBE pricing: https://www.brandman.edu/mypath/affordability
$5,400/year, two $2,700 6-month terms. Slightly cheaper than WGU.

I looked into them, but I decided against them primarily because they don't offer the certs that WGU does. Cost wasn't so much an issue since my employer is paying for pretty much all of it. On top of that, as you pointed out, they don't accept a lot of transfer credit.

[Brownie82]

From the email that my coach sent me, they don't have an official limit of transfer credit. But, they do limit those Saylor credits to a max of 21 credits.

I was looking through their catalog and there are differences between the competency based and regular programs. But for both, it ooks like you only have to take 30 credits with at Brandman.

HI Eboni
*
My name is Ryan and I am one of the enrollment coaches for MyPath. *It is great to hear that you are considering the program and we do not have an official limit on transfer credit. Not all credits might apply but we can find out what does. Since you already submitted an application, all you have to do is get your official transcripts sent to us.* We will then see how your courses match up with the courses with the program. I attached the guide for you and information on where to have transcripts sent below.
*
You are welcome to call me at 949-383-3013 if you have any

I can attach the guide if anyone is interested.