Bachelor's degree planning advice

[Texas12345]

Hello, everyone! Long time listener, first time caller. (Reader since around 2019)

Thanks for having a great forum and being such a wonderful source of information and guidance! I wanted to go ahead and fill out the template and see what advice forum members might have. Thanks!!!

Your Location: Texas, USA

Your Age: 39

What kind of degree do you want?: Bachelor's. 
I was attending school full-time but had to stop because of a financial situation. Have not been able to get all transcripts because of this but expect to be able to fairly soon, probably in the next few months. 
Probably General Studies / Liberal Arts / Liberal Sciences, Organizational Leadership / Business, Computer Science, Mathematics, or similar. 
Especially considering TAMUC / East Texas A&M Competency-based programs, but open to other options. UMPI, Northern Arizona University, TESU, Excelsior, etc.
If possible, it would be great to avoid proctored exams b/c I don't really have a convenient place to take them currently, but I could probably find somewhere if I really needed to.
Longer-term, thinking of eventually trying to get into the interdisciplinary STEM Ph.D. program at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (taught in English), a STEM Master's or Ph.D at University of Texas, or another program. Also potentially interested in International Relations, National Security, Foreign Policy, Foreign Languages, etc. Also considering Harvard Extension ALM Management or STEM ALM, UPenn MCIT, or others. Or possibly an MBA with Hellenic American or WGU or one of the AACSB online MBAs at a Texas public university, or another MBA program.

Current Regionally Accredited Credits: 

Arizona State University: 4 total
AST 111 - Introduction to Solar Systems Astronomy (4)

Frederick Community College (Converted from FEMA's EMI IS / CDP): 14 total
FEMA 101C EHTER Awareness (1)
FEMA 109 Intro to Animals in Disaster (1)
FEMA 110 Animals in Disaster Planning (1)
FEMA 131 Principles of Emergency Mngmt (1)
FEMA 132 Leadership & Decision Making (1)
FEMA 134 Effective Communication (1)
FEMA 138 Livestock in Disasters (1)
FEMA 158 Protect Home/Sml Bus frm Disas (1)
FEMA 180 Planning for Vulnerable Popula (1)
FEMA 192 Geospatial Information Systems Specialist (1)
FEMA 193 ResilientAccord Cyber Incident (1)
FEMA 196 Prep Mass Casualty Incidents (1)
FEMA 200 Homeland Security Geospatial Op (1)
FEMA 209 GuardianAccord Terror & ContOp (1)

St. Mary's University (these are my best estimates based on memory and checking the catalog. don't have transcripts currently): I think the total was 59 (some missing here)
MS 1101 Fundamentals of Leadership & Management (1)
MS 1102 Foundations of Leadership and Management (1)
MS 2201 Self/Team Development (2)
MS 2202 Applied Leadership and Management (2)
EN 2352 Survey of British Literature (3)
College Algebra and Trigonometry (Precalculus) (4)
GR 1311 Intro to German I (3)
Introduction to Russian I (3)
Introduction to Russian II (3)
Second-Year Russian I (3)
MU 1111. Applied Music (Private Lessons): Piano Proficiency (1)
MU 1311. Applied Music (Private Lessons) (Voice) (3)
MU 1321. Music Theory I (3)
MU 1151. Concert Choir (1) 
MU 1151. Concert Choir (1) (repeated for additional credit)
MU 1152. Concert Choir (1) 
MU 1163. Chamber Choir/ Vocal Ensembles (1)
MU 1163. Chamber Choir/ Vocal Ensembles (1) (repeated for additional credit)
MU 1164. Chamber Choir/ Vocal Ensembles (1)  
MU 1171. Jazz Combo (1)
SE 1351 Introduction to Speech Communication (3)
FYE 1301. First Year Seminar (3)
Programming for Engineers (kind of an intro to programming in C) (3)
EG 1303. Engineering and Society (3)
 
St. Philip's College: 3 total
Macroeconomics (3)

Current Nationally Accredited Credits: 

University of the People: 9 total 
UNIV 1001 Online Education Strategies (3)
CS 1101 Programming Fundamentals (3) (Python)
CS 1102 Programming 1 (3) (Java)

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 

AP: 3 total
English Literature and Composition (Score: 5)

The Institutes (ACE): 
Ethics and the CPCU Code of Professional Conduct (2 UL) (From what I've read here, I believe these are no longer usable, unfortunately.)

Sophia (ACE): 35 total
Approaches to Studying Religions (3)
Art History I  (3)
Art History II  (3)
College Algebra (3)
Developing Effective Teams (1)
Environmental Science (3)
Introduction to Business (3)
Introduction to Ethics (3)
Introduction to Information Technology (3)
Project Management (3)
The Essentials of Managing Conflict (1)
U.S. History I (3)
U.S. History II (3)

TEEX (ACE): 9 total (I think?)
Cyber Ethics (AWR174) 
Cyber Incident Analysis and Response (AWR169) 
Cyber Law and White-Collar Crime (AWR-168) 
Digital Forensics Basics (AWR139)
Information Security Basics (AWR173)
Information Security for Everyone (AWR175)
Network Assurance (AWR138)
Secure Software (AWR178)

Any certifications or military experience?: 
Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N3 certification. Planning to try for N2 certification in December 2024.
Spanish language CEFR B2 Proficiency certification (Lengalia.com)
Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) Grade 2 certification (expired in 2019)

Commitments: Full-time in-person M-F job, usually 40 hours/week but sometimes more; sometimes have to work on weekends, depending. No spouse or kids.

Budget: The lower the better; preferably lower than $5000/year.

Dedicated time to study: Perhaps 1-2 hours per day, barring unforeseen circumstances; usually more on weekends. (May be less depending on work circumstances)

Timeline: Within a year of enrolling, preferably.

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: 
Company tuition reimbursement program: $5000 per calendar year for undergraduate level ($10000 per calendar year for graduate level). Needs to be "company-related" and related to my current or potential future job at the company. (STEM or Business related degrees, or a degree related to Japanese language, would be most likely to be approved. A degree related to German, French, Korean, or Mandarin language might also possibly be approved. General Studies might be approved but not sure; perhaps, as opening a path to grad school. Current job: Manufacturing industry, Equipment Maintenance Engineer requiring Japanese bilingual ability.)

[Mint Berry Crunch]

Hello, everyone! Long time listener, first time caller. (Reader since around 2019)

Thanks for having a great forum and being such a wonderful source of information and guidance! I wanted to go ahead and fill out the template and see what advice forum members might have. Thanks!!!

Your Location: Texas, USA

Your Age: 39

What kind of degree do you want?: Bachelor's. 
I was attending school full-time but had to stop because of a financial situation. Have not been able to get all transcripts because of this but expect to be able to fairly soon, probably in the next few months. 
Probably General Studies / Liberal Arts / Liberal Sciences, Organizational Leadership / Business, Computer Science, Mathematics, or similar. 
Especially considering TAMUC / East Texas A&M Competency-based programs, but open to other options. UMPI, Northern Arizona University, TESU, Excelsior, etc.
If possible, it would be great to avoid proctored exams b/c I don't really have a convenient place to take them currently, but I could probably find somewhere if I really needed to.
Longer-term, thinking of eventually trying to get into the interdisciplinary STEM Ph.D. program at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (taught in English), a STEM Master's or Ph.D at University of Texas, or another program. Also potentially interested in International Relations, National Security, Foreign Policy, Foreign Languages, etc. Also considering Harvard Extension ALM Management or STEM ALM, UPenn MCIT, or others. Or possibly an MBA with Hellenic American or WGU or one of the AACSB online MBAs at a Texas public university, or another MBA program.

Current Regionally Accredited Credits: 

Arizona State University: 4 total
AST 111 - Introduction to Solar Systems Astronomy (4)

Frederick Community College (Converted from FEMA's EMI IS / CDP): 14 total
FEMA 101C EHTER Awareness (1)
FEMA 109 Intro to Animals in Disaster (1)
FEMA 110 Animals in Disaster Planning (1)
FEMA 131 Principles of Emergency Mngmt (1)
FEMA 132 Leadership & Decision Making (1)
FEMA 134 Effective Communication (1)
FEMA 138 Livestock in Disasters (1)
FEMA 158 Protect Home/Sml Bus frm Disas (1)
FEMA 180 Planning for Vulnerable Popula (1)
FEMA 192 Geospatial Information Systems Specialist (1)
FEMA 193 ResilientAccord Cyber Incident (1)
FEMA 196 Prep Mass Casualty Incidents (1)
FEMA 200 Homeland Security Geospatial Op (1)
FEMA 209 GuardianAccord Terror & ContOp (1)

St. Mary's University (these are my best estimates based on memory and checking the catalog. don't have transcripts currently): I think the total was 59 (some missing here)
MS 1101 Fundamentals of Leadership & Management (1)
MS 1102 Foundations of Leadership and Management (1)
MS 2201 Self/Team Development (2)
MS 2202 Applied Leadership and Management (2)
EN 2352 Survey of British Literature (3)
College Algebra and Trigonometry (Precalculus) (4)
GR 1311 Intro to German I (3)
Introduction to Russian I (3)
Introduction to Russian II (3)
Second-Year Russian I (3)
MU 1111. Applied Music (Private Lessons): Piano Proficiency (1)
MU 1311. Applied Music (Private Lessons) (Voice) (3)
MU 1321. Music Theory I (3)
MU 1151. Concert Choir (1) 
MU 1151. Concert Choir (1) (repeated for additional credit)
MU 1152. Concert Choir (1) 
MU 1163. Chamber Choir/ Vocal Ensembles (1)
MU 1163. Chamber Choir/ Vocal Ensembles (1) (repeated for additional credit)
MU 1164. Chamber Choir/ Vocal Ensembles (1)  
MU 1171. Jazz Combo (1)
SE 1351 Introduction to Speech Communication (3)
FYE 1301. First Year Seminar (3)
Programming for Engineers (kind of an intro to programming in C) (3)
EG 1303. Engineering and Society (3)
 
St. Philip's College: 3 total
Macroeconomics (3)

Current Nationally Accredited Credits: 

University of the People: 9 total 
UNIV 1001 Online Education Strategies (3)
CS 1101 Programming Fundamentals (3) (Python)
CS 1102 Programming 1 (3) (Java)

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 

AP: 3 total
English Literature and Composition (Score: 5)

The Institutes (ACE): 
Ethics and the CPCU Code of Professional Conduct (2 UL) (From what I've read here, I believe these are no longer usable, unfortunately.)

Sophia (ACE): 35 total
Approaches to Studying Religions (3)
Art History I  (3)
Art History II  (3)
College Algebra (3)
Developing Effective Teams (1)
Environmental Science (3)
Introduction to Business (3)
Introduction to Ethics (3)
Introduction to Information Technology (3)
Project Management (3)
The Essentials of Managing Conflict (1)
U.S. History I (3)
U.S. History II (3)

TEEX (ACE): 9 total (I think?)
Cyber Ethics (AWR174) 
Cyber Incident Analysis and Response (AWR169) 
Cyber Law and White-Collar Crime (AWR-168) 
Digital Forensics Basics (AWR139)
Information Security Basics (AWR173)
Information Security for Everyone (AWR175)
Network Assurance (AWR138)
Secure Software (AWR178)

Any certifications or military experience?: 
Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N3 certification. Planning to try for N2 certification in December 2024.
Spanish language CEFR B2 Proficiency certification (Lengalia.com)
Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) Grade 2 certification (expired in 2019)

Commitments: Full-time in-person M-F job, usually 40 hours/week but sometimes more; sometimes have to work on weekends, depending. No spouse or kids.

Budget: The lower the better; preferably lower than $5000/year.

Dedicated time to study: Perhaps 1-2 hours per day, barring unforeseen circumstances; usually more on weekends. (May be less depending on work circumstances)

Timeline: Within a year of enrolling, preferably.

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: 
Company tuition reimbursement program: $5000 per calendar year for undergraduate level ($10000 per calendar year for graduate level). Needs to be "company-related" and related to my current or potential future job at the company. (STEM or Business related degrees, or a degree related to Japanese language, would be most likely to be approved. A degree related to German, French, Korean, or Mandarin language might also possibly be approved. General Studies might be approved but not sure; perhaps, as opening a path to grad school. Current job: Manufacturing industry, Equipment Maintenance Engineer requiring Japanese bilingual ability.)

Great information here! Based on what I see, I would consider doing TAMUC since you are a Texas resident. They offer a semester rate of $1,000 per 7-weeks for Texas residents, compared to $2,000 for non-Texas residents. UMPI would also be a great choice too for $1,700 per 7-weeks. Additionally, these two are writing intensive rather than exam based.

TAMUC: You can transfer in up to 84 credits from alternative sources, but you must complete a Texas government course.

UMPI: You can transfer up to 90 credits from various sources as well, but you must complete a 1-time residency requirement of 30 credits. Plus, some of the courses at the undergraduate level count towards their online Master in Organizational Leadership (since you are interested in going for a doctorate at some point).

TAMUC Degree Plan: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...egree_Plan

UMPI Degree Plan: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan

[ltw900rr]

I would also suggest TAMUC /ETAM. I would apply and send in your transcripts to get them evaluated.

[bjcheung77]

+1, I agree, apply to the institutions you want to apply to and get that evaluation, you need to know where you stand when it comes to transfer credits... Just max out that 84-90 credits, and you'll be left with only the residency credits for the institution of your choice, be it UMPI or TAMUC... With such a great budget though, I would shoot for a double degree at TESU, two flat terms to get the residency requirements completed.

[Duneranger]

Well thought out but I think you need to narrow your long term goals. Sort of all over the place.

A funded PhD at a school like Texas is going to be extremely competitive.

[Texas12345]

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies!

[bjcheung77]

Decisions, decisions, decipher which Bachelors you would like to complete and during undergrad, make sure to get the requirements for grad school completed. Some grad institutions or programs will require specific undergrad requirements, make sure you do them on route to completing the undergrad degree...