Bachelor's degree Help

[FabulousDramatics]

Hello, everyone.

Hoping to get some suggestions on possible routes to take in my journey to complete my Bachelor’s degree. I have some concerns that at some point my company may rewrite my job description to require a Bachelor’s degree and I want to get ahead of this as it’s really weighing heavily on me right now. It’s not the best time with 1 kid in college and another one starting in a few years but here we are. I have had a few people I know point me towards options like WGU but I have also ran across TAMUC by way of these forums. My end goal is to get a degree as easily/quickly as possible and would love to be able to carry over my credits. My major concern is that anywhere I look is going to disregard my previous college work as it’s been 20+ years. (I really hope I am wrong) Thank you in advance for the time and help!



Your Location: Texas, USA
Your Age: 46 (47 next month)
What kind of degree do you want?: Bachelor’s (Business)
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 

Lee College (1996-1999 / AAS in Electronics Technology) 75 credits
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mfvyQ9hLwcXHgxTh8

Lonestar College System (2003-2006) 32 credits
GOVT 2302 3 A
HIST 1301 3 B
BIOL 1322 3 A
MATH 1314 3 A
MATH 1324 3 C
ACCT 2401 4 A
ACCT 2402 4 C
PSYC 2301 3 B
ECON 2301 3 B
ECON 2302 3 A


Any certifications or military experience? Some VMWare VCP and AWS certifications.
Budget: Company will reimburse up to $4,000/year.
Commitments: Full-time in-person M-F job, 2 kids (1 @ Texas Tech and the other a Sophomore in HS), Married
Dedicated time to study: 1-2 hours per day M-F, and then open on the weekends usually.
Timeline: Would like to complete within 2 years after starting but as of right now nothing forcing me to go too quickly.
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: Company tuition reimbursement program: $4000 per calendar year.

[LevelUP]

The downside to WGU is that they don't take old credits.

A lot of other colleges such as TAMUC, UMPI, and TESU do take old credits.   Those are all great colleges for fast and cheap.

[FabulousDramatics]

The downside to WGU is that they don't take old credits.

This is a certainty that none of my credits above would be considered for transfer by WGU? I did apply yesterday and initiated transcript transfers for evaluation but of course haven't heard back just yet. I see everyone talking about how quickly they can plow through WGU even with no credits but I would really love to take advantage of work I had previously done before and I really want to avoid any and all Math if possible.

[FabulousDramatics]

Would UPMI be better for transferring in credits that I already have? I have seen mention of UMPI BABA PM & IS being a good option to just help me 'check the bachelor's box' and then I may look into doing going for the MBA-ITM via WGU.

[allvia]

@FabulousDramatics - TAMUC could be a good possible choice since you're in TX. However since you already have a technical AAS degree, you could opt for a BAS at UMPI quickly and well within your company reimbursement. If you're missing any GenEds you might end up with a month or two of Sophia to fill in the gap (very minimal cost). I'd recommend you apply to UMPI for the BLS-Management (or other BLS minor that interests you, you'd switch to BAS after applying and evaluation) and the TAMUC BAAS Organizational Leadership - see where you sit with both schools and then decide. Either way you should have very little out of pocket cost, and almost certainly be done well before 2 years with either school.

[FabulousDramatics]

@FabulousDramatics - TAMUC could be a good possible choice since you're in TX. However since you already have a technical AAS degree, you could opt for a BAS at UMPI quickly and well within your company reimbursement. If you're missing any GenEds you might end up with a month or two of Sophia to fill in the gap (very minimal cost). I'd recommend you apply to UMPI for the BLS-Management (or other BLS minor that interests you, you'd switch to BAS after applying and evaluation) and the TAMUC BAAS Organizational Leadership - see where you sit with both schools and then decide. Either way you should have very little out of pocket cost, and almost certainly be done well before 2 years with either school.

My worry with the BLS was that it might not get refunded by my company since I am in IT-Healthcare so I was trying to stick to a business degree or technical.

I know we use BrightHorizons for our tuition reimbursements and I show a list of schools. What I am not clear on is if we are limited to only these schools. I doubt it but I need to check. I see some of these offer discounts so I wonder if that's an extra discount over what the schools show on the websites.

https://clients.brighthorizons.com/houst...ist/matrix

[Avidreader]

I wonder if the new UMPI Healthcare Management degree on Yourpace is BAS.

[ltw900rr]

I would look at TAMUC (now ETAMU). You can apply and send your transcripts for evaluation to see how your credits transfer. I had an AAS that was from 1997 and all of those classes transferred. I did not pay for an application fee from TAMUC until I registered for my 1st classes.

Would any of these competency degrees work for your needs?
Look at the CBE column.
https://www.tamuc.edu/programs/?search_t...and-design

When my wife transferred her AAS degree, she only had to take 12 courses at TAMUC. I had to take some core classes through Sophia that I did not have with my automotive AAS degree, and needed 14 classes at TAMUC.

[allvia]

@FabulousDramatics - TAMUC could be a good possible choice since you're in TX. However since you already have a technical AAS degree, you could opt for a BAS at UMPI quickly and well within your company reimbursement. If you're missing any GenEds you might end up with a month or two of Sophia to fill in the gap (very minimal cost). I'd recommend you apply to UMPI for the BLS-Management (or other BLS minor that interests you, you'd switch to BAS after applying and evaluation) and the TAMUC BAAS Organizational Leadership - see where you sit with both schools and then decide. Either way you should have very little out of pocket cost, and almost certainly be done well before 2 years with either school.

My worry with the BLS was that it might not get refunded by my company since I am in IT-Healthcare so I was trying to stick to a business degree or technical.

I know we use BrightHorizons for our tuition reimbursements and I show a list of schools. What I am not clear on is if we are limited to only these schools. I doubt it but I need to check. I see some of these offer discounts so I wonder if that's an extra discount over what the schools show on the websites.

https://clients.brighthorizons.com/houst...ist/matrix

You would apply to the BLS, then once your evaluation was complete you would email and switch to the BAS. Others here can give you more detail on that process (I think it is as simple as an email). Since you want something technical you'd be better served applying for the BLS-MIS or the BLS-PM. You'd be able to do this switch because you already have a Technical AAS. You would switch the program to BAS before you start, so your employer would see you as enrolled in a Bachelor of Applied Science, Management Information Systems (for the MIS example). Maybe even get a double minor of MIS & PM (you'll have to do 10 courses at UPMI no matter)

TESU is on the BrightHorizons list you shared, you could take the courses you need for residency through the program (you already have plenty of RA credits). Maybe the BASC, BSCIS, and I think even the BSIT is now available maxing out alt credits. Again you'd have to apply and see where your existing credits fall. I suspect that the UMPI route would still be most generous with what you already have for the BAS route; probably would be most likely lowest cost to you (or your employer) and quickest. Either way you'd be looking at little out of pocket to complete the degree quicker.

[FabulousDramatics]

Why wouldn't I just apply directly to BAS? I see the website just says coming soon and mentioned having an AAS etc.. I guess maybe because it says coming soon and isnt an option you can select initially.

https://www.umpi.edu/academics/academic_...d-science/

I didn't even really understand what TESU was until I just looked it up either, so many options. Much more complicated than I thought it would be initially. Really appreciate all of the comments from everyone.