Computer Science Degree Help

[Ad Nauseam]

Hello everyone,

I made a thread here a few days ago inquiring about a teaching degree, but after speaking to a counselor and some friends, I believe I should do computer science instead. luckily my thread wasn’t responded to yet. I studied HTML, CSS, and JavaScript full time for about 6 months, but also have some limited knowledge of Java from the Helsinki course. Yet to be completed, but I believe working in the back end is much more suited to me. Below I’ll post the addendum with my info.

https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/WG...egree_Plan This is the path I plan to take. I also called WGU and started my enrollment. Am I supposed to do that now or later since there’s so much SDC and Sophia left to do? I’m looking into aid as well. Any info would be greatly appreciated.


Your Location: Hawaii(Oahu), United States. 
Your Age: 27
What kind of degree do you want?: I’d like a career as a software engineer. As stated above, I have some knowledge to work with already. Conditionals, loops, ASYNCHRONOUS/await, event delegation, etc. I completed all of the courses by Jonas Schmedtman and created all the projects. I do think I’d like it better working in the back end though as design is not really for me. Maybe working with SQL databases would be better. In any case, I’d be looking to learn more Java and overall computer science topics.
Current Regional Accredited Credits: None.

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 

Sophia Credits: 24
Ancient Greek Philosophers, 3, 100% 
English Composition 1, 3, 89%
Introduction to Business, 3, 88%
Introduction to Ethics, 3, 88%
Introduction to Information Technology, 3, 83%
Introduction to Nutrition, 3, 93%
Introduction to Sociology, 3, 92%
Introduction to Web Development, 3, 83%

Any certifications or military experience? None.

Budget: I have about $5k saved, but my expenses are very low since I catch the bus, live in a cheaper area, and don’t ever spend money on anything. I invested a good amount of money into original magic art, but have slowed down almost to a stop recently as I have a decently large inventory. That being said, I can afford to be a lot more flexible here. My monthly discretionary income is around $1500. I’d like to finish as soon as I can. That’s my number one priority, but if the cost would be a lot more while only saving me a small amount of time, I’d save the money instead. I like the idea of WGU allowing you to blow through as many credits as you can in a semester. My budget and schedule would work well with that.

Commitments: I work full time, but that’s it. I have plenty of time left in the day after work as it’s only half my day.

Dedicated time to study: I think a reasonable amount of study for me would be 40 hours per week across 7 days. I used to study Vanilla JavaScript more than that weekly for 6 months, so I know I can commit the time.

Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible would be ideal. However long this will take is fine with me.

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None. I’ve gotten student aid before, but I was 19 years old and flunked out. Just wasn’t ready back then. I had no goals and wasn’t focused. Not sure if I can get anymore aid after that.

I like the idea of testing out. Most of the Sophia courses I’ve taken were finished the same day or in a few days. I don’t think there’s a class out there that would require me to spend months and months on learning the material. I’m also okay with assignments and assessments too. English comp had me write a bunch of papers. I’m also 90% of the way through public speaking which also had me do projects.

[allvia]

You must transfer everything into WGU before you enroll (not to be confused with applying).  Once you become an enrolled (active) student they do not allow outside credits to be transferred in.

[bjcheung77]

Interesting, are you planning for two degrees and be able to work in two different industries? Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...egree-Path

[Ad Nauseam]

Interesting, are you planning for two degrees and be able to work in two different industries? Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...egree-Path

Oh no I wouldn’t do two degrees. I was thinking of switching off to Computer science since I wanted to do software engineering before. I put a good chunk of time into a tech stack previously. The thing that puts me off is how hard it is to find a job. I talked to people about it and I’m pretty back and forth in my mind about it. Is the process the same for each? I just finish whatever I can on Sophia and SDC, then enroll in WGU finishing the rest? Thinking maybe I should learn about the path for both to make a better decision. I could use some more advice.

---

You must transfer everything into WGU before you enroll (not to be confused with applying).  Once you become an enrolled (active) student they do not allow outside credits to be transferred in.

I see, so I do actually need to finish the remaining classes before actually starting a semester there. I already applied, could I push my start date back?

[rachel83az]

You should be able to push your start date back, yes. With only 24 transfer credits right now, continuing with just WGU will be a very expensive prospect compared to waiting a bit longer. You might wind up needing 3 or 4 terms, compared to a more typical 1 or 2 terms needed by students who have maximized transfer credits.

[bjcheung77]

1) Is the process the same for each? I just finish whatever I can on Sophia and SDC, then enroll in WGU finishing the rest?

2) I see, so I do actually need to finish the remaining classes before actually starting a semester there. I already applied, could I push my start date back?

1. It's recommended to complete the Sophia.org and Study.com combo of classes and max your transfer before starting at the institution.
2) Yes, apply, transfer what you have. Complete Sophia.org first, then Study.com, send the remainder in. Start when max transferred into degree.