Is an academic certificate a degree for the purposes of "new" credits? Am I screwed?

[ItsNeverTheLionsYear]

I completed three online classes in C++ at Washtenaw Community College, which is one of two introductory programming sequences (Intro, Objects, Data Structures). Because I did this, I was automatically awarded their "Advanced Certificate in C++ Programming", a standalone academic certificate. I knew this going into it, and the extra credential was one of the reasons I chose to get my intro classes done this way. 

I was aware of the 24 new credit requirement for the BACS. I figured I could still meet the requirement, even with earning the certificate, under the assumption that I was earning an extra certificate, not an extra degree. Notably, TESU does not yet know that I earned the certificate, because I sent my transcripts from WCC as soon as the final grade for my last class was posted (which I do for all of my transcripts), but before WCC processed the auto award. I didn't bother to tell them because I didn't think it mattered.

I had not worried about this until recently, when I gathered my materials for my OMSCS application. My unofficial WCC transcript slaps a big ol' "Degree Awarded" above my "Advanced Certificate", replete with a "Degree Date" and everything. This has me worried that my assumption was wrong, and that certificates are degrees, somehow.

I can lose the 12 WCC credits being after my most recent degree, but I also completed my SDC and Sophia courses in the gaps between my WCC classes, and I'd lose those too, meaning I'd be down to 14 credits new to a degree. Since I have a first BA already, and already put in my OMSCS application, I would basically give up on the BACS entirely. If certificates are degrees, I certainly wouldn't want to be awarded the BACS in direct violation of TESU's policies (they can take it away and that would be embarrassing), but it would also suck if my semantic confusion means I messed up my course plan.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[jg_nuy]

TESU applies their new degree policy to associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, or to something higher than a bachelor's (masters, Phd, etc.). A certificate is not listed as a concern in their policy, which is available at the link below:

https://tesu.smartcatalogiq.com/en/curre...es-policy/

https://tesu.smartcatalogiq.com/en/curre...tificates/

[ItsNeverTheLionsYear]

TESU applies their new degree policy to associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, or to something higher than a bachelor's (masters, Phd, etc.). A certificate is not listed as a concern in their policy, which is available at the link below:

https://tesu.smartcatalogiq.com/en/curre...es-policy/

https://tesu.smartcatalogiq.com/en/curre...tificates/

This is what I was hoping to hear, that it didn't matter. A momentary spot of anxiety. Thank you!

[bjcheung77]

Actually, even if that certificate wasn't listed as a credential on TESU's webpage, those are still 'new credits' in their eyes. Basically, it's anything after your first Bachelors. So, for instance, you pretend in this example, you have a BA in History from Y2K, anything after that degree would count towards the 24 credit minimum requirement. Depending on the degree you are going for, BACS, you'll have more than the required credits as the major is already over that minimum.

You just need to be doing things as you're doing now, you're honest and wanting to add a certificate before your bachelors degree, this is because you want to hone your skills in the basic foundations of the BACS. It's also a very good option to get a better overall knowledge, filling in the learning or skills gap, bumping the GPA, or whatever your reasons are, you're essentially honestly being transparent with them, why you're doing this. To have a complete package...