Anybody's experience with Snow College CBE?

[berlinerd]

Basically subject line.

I've searched the forum for a while and could not find (apologize if I am as always missing something) - did somebody here actually study at Snow College's CBE?

I am currently setting up my "plan B" career and would like to give a try at a new sphere, and their associate degrees really look interesting and affordable, without too much commitment as with Bachelor in WGU for example. I've seen a few posts there where it was recommended option for associate degree, but did not see if anybody went over there.

I've wrote them an email two weeks ago but did not really receive any answer
I am going to call them and ask a few questions, buy maybe somebody from this forum has their own recent experience?

[Jonathan Whatley]

Snow's Compare Online Options page states their CBE courses have section numbers between N50 and N59.

In Snow's online course listings for the Fall 2023 term, they list these courses available with these section numbers indicating the CBE format: about a dozen networking/cybersecurity courses, several medical assistant courses, and a small number of other gen eds. Most of their online courses are traditionally scheduled.

[bjcheung77]

Just curious, which Snow Associates are you looking at? Is there a specific reason for getting the Snow Associates degree? If you're going for a TESU or UMPI Bachelors, you can get the Associates on route for free, even COSC can provide the same. I wouldn't suggest going for Excelsior Associates as they require an Associates Capstone.

[berlinerd]

Just curious, which Snow Associates are you looking at?  Is there a specific reason for getting the Snow Associates degree?  If you're going for a TESU or UMPI Bachelors, you can get the Associates on route for free, even COSC can provide the same.  I wouldn't suggest going for Excelsior Associates as they require an Associates Capstone.

Thank you for asking! 
I am looking at A.S. in Computer Science at Snow College.

Why Associate - because I am considering serious career change as an opportunity (yeah it's funny as I literally was writing about different career in my thread a few weeks ago, but at that time I wrote that life may happen) and would like to start getting into that field without committing too serious at this stage taking a Bachelor. I would later probably go for WGU's Computer Science degree, but as it is quite challenging I'd rather prepare myself step by step studying outside of school for which I pay. So it's good opportunity to have a some degree for sure in the middle of the way.
A few "ticks" why it looks good for me (not necessarily for everyone else):

• Associate - I look at it as a good opportunity to take a sneak peek into theoretical knowledge, get some RA credit if you need some (I may need) and lay foundation for future education. At least something to show on a CV for an entry level or middle level job in computing/software, considering that for some jobs education "is an asset" rather than necessity.
  
• Awesome naming which uses classic naming convention for this type of a degree. It just makes things easier for people who have their degree named like this rather than "Computer Information Technology" (like in NAU). I know that name is just a name, completely agree, but I've seen enough dull recruiters who may trash one's resume just because the name of the degree does not follow naming convention in job posting. Sad but true.
  
• CBE. Awesome. I am sick and tired of traditionally paced schooling back in Europe, so that's huge "pro" criterion. I'll never go for pay-for-credit again too. Just no.
  
• Genuine brick and mortar, college with long history and a non-profit (public community college to be precise). Once again, it's not that important in 2023, but if it's included in the price, why not? Though it's not that important for Associate, but still. 
  

I know I exaggerate importance of lots of different things but maybe that's my German paranoia 

[berlinerd]

I've spoken with them over the phone. I'll continue speaking to them over a few days to find out more information. Some feedback from me which may be of interest for somebody who contemplates applying there:

Friendly staff. You can just call them directly and ask, they will reach out to other departments to ask if they do not not the answer. So that's good. You really have almost immediate access to people. however...

Website is just as obscure as information from representatives regarding CBE. This is one of the biggest problems: they do not now much regarding CBE. And sometimes they open the website during the call to find out the answer (and the website does not have the answer, that's why you call).

Their CBE may be capped. From what I was told, they usually limit you to take 12 credits per semester (it's 12 weeks) and then, if you finish them before the end of the term you have to ask for permission to top up. As they told, the permission depends of how much time is left in the semester. 

Maybe I was wrong and they do not have A.S. in Computer Science, but maybe they do. What is written on their website is not to be read as it is written, per the words they say, which is weird. It is written: "Earn an Associate of Science (AS) degree in General Studies or a variety of majors." However, what the advisor told me, that those 19 "majors" are rather the spheres of knowledge from which you take electives for your Associate Degree (without designation). That was not quite clear, I think may she is not quite aware of what's going on. But I'll update on this. They for sure have Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Technologies. But that's not CS, and I am not sure how is it related to overall CBE.

They may have special prices (significantly lower) for Tech spheres and they will find out if that's the case. In case it's true, it may be around ~$1000 per 12-18 credits per 4-month semester which I think is awesome, fantastic source of RA credit at one place, even if this CBE is going to be a bit capped.


Summary:
As I understand for now, their CBE model is not like UMPI's YourPace or other programs, where CBE degree is completely a different track so to speak. Rather, at Snow College you can blend CBE classes with any other classes, and they treat it just as one of the ways to collect credit and graduate with one of the degrees they provide. So there is not difference between CBE degree program or on campus/hybrid/online degree program or the diploma itself, it's just about the way you collect credit. I think so. I'll find out

So for now do not quote me on anything yet, and I will update as soon as I gather more information. But this intermediate update could give some details to the picture.

as usual, I am so wordy, sorry if something is confusing and don't hesitate to poke me and ask what I mean

I would say, if the Tech price is really going to be like this, then there is nothing to think about, just starting immediately!

[dfrecore]

They changed the CBE section of their website and though it wasn't great before, it's terrible now. IIRC, there is only a single CBE degree you can get, and it is just the AS in General Studies or something along those lines. There are VERY limited options for courses, they used to list them all, and there were no computer courses as electives.

Also, I'm not certain where you're getting your pricing, but it was $1898/term before, IIRC. It certainly wasn't anywhere close to $1000.

This was not a great deal for most people, and difficult to finish in a single term (there was a 20cr residency). So it was going to be $4k for most people, which is more than most are paying for an entire degree at UMPI, more than a term at WGU, and similar to the cost of a bachelor's degree at EU or TESU.

I think you're much better off doing the TADA courses that interest you, and then doing all of the Sophia/SDC credits you need for a CompSci degree at TESU or WGU. You can easily get the RA credit needed for TESU by doing a FT/FR 15cr term and doing the remaining work via TECEP exams. Another option is getting a BLS/Mgmt at UMPI and then doing the TESU BACS as a 2nd degree. A bit more expensive, but a good combo to have.

[berlinerd]

They changed the CBE section of their website and though it wasn't great before, it's terrible now.  IIRC, there is only a single CBE degree you can get, and it is just the AS in General Studies or something along those lines.  There are VERY limited options for courses, they used to list them all, and there were no computer courses as electives.

Also, I'm not certain where you're getting your pricing, but it was $1898/term before, IIRC.  It certainly wasn't anywhere close to $1000.

This was not a great deal for most people, and difficult to finish in a single term (there was a 20cr residency).  So it was going to be $4k for most people, which is more than most are paying for an entire degree at UMPI, more than a term at WGU, and similar to the cost of a bachelor's degree at EU or TESU.

I think you're much better off doing the TADA courses that interest you, and then doing all of the Sophia/SDC credits you need for a CompSci degree at TESU or WGU.  You can easily get the RA credit needed for TESU by doing a FT/FR 15cr term and doing the remaining work via TECEP exams.  Another option is getting a BLS/Mgmt at UMPI and then doing the TESU BACS as a 2nd degree.  A bit more expensive, but a good combo to have.

Thank you very much for your answer! Also, thank you VERY much for bringing TADA to my attention. I've read about them but not quite enough. Thank you. Makes sense. /edited: oh they may be only for US resident which I am not, uh.../

I think you are right about the courses. I think that their mentioning of "Computer Science" is just misleading, they have only networking courses.

Completely agree, the website is horrible...

Regarding pricing, that's what the advisor told, she said that Tech Ed is significantly cheaper and is around $1000. I think she implies the Tech scholarship mentioned over there. As I said, don't quote me on that, but that's what I was told on the phone. 

Also, for international students (like Canada) it is $3500 plus fees, which sucks. (but maybe Tech Ed pricing overrides international)

I'll try to gather as much information as I can and post there.

[elcastor21]

Just curious, which Snow Associates are you looking at?  Is there a specific reason for getting the Snow Associates degree?  If you're going for a TESU or UMPI Bachelors, you can get the Associates on route for free, even COSC can provide the same.  I wouldn't suggest going for Excelsior Associates as they require an Associates Capstone.

Thank you for asking! 
I am looking at A.S. in Computer Science at Snow College.

Why Associate - because I am considering serious career change as an opportunity (yeah it's funny as I literally was writing about different career in my thread a few weeks ago, but at that time I wrote that life may happen) and would like to start getting into that field without committing too serious at this stage taking a Bachelor. I would later probably go for WGU's Computer Science degree, but as it is quite challenging I'd rather prepare myself step by step studying outside of school for which I pay. So it's good opportunity to have a some degree for sure in the middle of the way.
A few "ticks" why it looks good for me (not necessarily for everyone else):

• Associate - I look at it as a good opportunity to take a sneak peek into theoretical knowledge, get some RA credit if you need some (I may need) and lay foundation for future education. At least something to show on a CV for an entry level or middle level job in computing/software, considering that for some jobs education "is an asset" rather than necessity.
  
• Awesome naming which uses classic naming convention for this type of a degree. It just makes things easier for people who have their degree named like this rather than "Computer Information Technology" (like in NAU). I know that name is just a name, completely agree, but I've seen enough dull recruiters who may trash one's resume just because the name of the degree does not follow naming convention in job posting. Sad but true.
  
• CBE. Awesome. I am sick and tired of traditionally paced schooling back in Europe, so that's huge "pro" criterion. I'll never go for pay-for-credit again too. Just no.
  
• Genuine brick and mortar, college with long history and a non-profit (public community college to be precise). Once again, it's not that important in 2023, but if it's included in the price, why not? Though it's not that important for Associate, but still. 
  

I know I exaggerate importance of lots of different things but maybe that's my German paranoia 

As you´re in Europe (i suppose...) you may want to consider a Level 5 Diploma in Computing and Information Technolology, it´s only 6 subjects and counts 2/3 of a Computing degree in UK: https://www.lsib.co.uk/course-details.as...=Diploma#0 (cost around 1200 euro)