Computer Science Degree Needed

[lifted567]

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum and have found the information thus far has been very valuable so I appreciate everyone taking the time to help!

I've never been to college but have been lucky enough to grow a career in project and product management for 7 years now. My recent work is tech heavy. While I don't need to know programming, I felt it would help when working with my partners. I started taking some online courses to learn but stumbled upon WGU and figured I may as well pursue a degree on top of the certifications I was already planning to get. Ultimately this would also help me land a job as a technical program manager. 

At first I was looking at state level colleges but feel WGU would be a better fit. Especially since no one in our space cares where you got a degree from. 

Your Location: Florida
Your Age: 41
What kind of degree do you want?: Computer Science
Timeframe: I'm not in a rush, pretty happy with my current job but still want to be efficient with this journey (i.e. not wasting time on courses I don't need).
Budget: My employer reimburses $5k per year for tuition. I can cover the rest if needed or just wait until the following year depending on timing. 
Commitments: Work and family but can probably average 3-4 hours per day. 
Preferences: 
-I learn well on my own through videos, reading and using ai. 
-I prefer non proctored courses/exams as I imagine most do (I knocked out the Sophia precalc course in 1 day).
-I prefer a "learn at your own pace" model for a college. 
Current Regional Accredited Credits: None
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: Sophia Credits: 3 (Precalc)
Any certifications? SAFe POPM, Google Project Management, Comptia A+, FINRA Series 7 & 66
Google Sheet for tracking credits: I've created a google sheet that outlines the CS degree credit requirements. I plan to start with Sophia, Study.com, maybe Saylor and then transfer credits to WGU- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iPSLgRhz3O3m778t-eeu6LLsYQ2DIH0RamvYO4WfV2g/edit?usp=sharing

Questions:
-Is WGU the best path considering my current situation and preferences? 
-Looking at my google sheet, are there any suggestions or changes you would make?
-If I go with WGU, are there courses through Study.com/Saylor I should just skip and do it with WGU?

[bjcheung77]

@lifted567, Welcome to the board. Yes, that looks like a viable plan, I looked at the spreadsheet, you have 54 credits remaining if you go that route. Did you look at the plans on the WIKI? Hmm, if you have tuition assistance, I would do a double degree at TESU for the BACS/BSBA CIS combo instead. You can complete a flat term this year and another flat term next year, and you end up with two freebie degrees! You'll be well versed in Business Administration and Computer Science, instead of just one... I would look at the plans on the WIKI for this, as you don't have any RA credit yet.

[rachel83az]

Around here, a WGU degree in Computer Science or Software Development is mainly suggested at people who have significant experience in the field of CS or SD already. It sounds like you have none at the moment, so a WGU degree may be a struggle. The certificates can be particularly brutal, though you do already have the CompTIA A+ and that helps a bit. WGU isn't a bad choice, but they certainly don't fit everyone's needs.

Another option would be to complete a Computer Science degree through TESU. For someone with little/no actual experience in programming, a TESU degree won't be easy either, but it will almost certainly be easier and faster than WGU. Unlike WGU, you can transfer in everything except for the last 6 credits to TESU. You would need some RA (or RA-equivalent) credit, but that can be done cheaply/easily/quickly, especially if you have tuition reimbursement.

There is also SNHU. They're more expensive than TESU, but may still be cheaper than 1.5-2 years at WGU. They're also not exactly "learn at your own pace" for the last 30 credits, unlike TESU and WGU. So they're probably not the best choice for you, but I thought I would mention them anyway.

[lifted567]

@lifted567, Welcome to the board.  Yes, that looks like a viable plan, I looked at the spreadsheet, you have 54 credits remaining if you go that route.  Did you look at the plans on the WIKI?  Hmm, if you have tuition assistance, I would do a double degree at TESU for the BACS/BSBA CIS combo instead.  You can complete a flat term this year and another flat term next year, and you end up with two freebie degrees!  You'll be well versed in Business Administration and Computer Science, instead of just one... I would look at the plans on the WIKI for this, as you don't have any RA credit yet.

I have not looked into that yet but I'm a sucker for 2 for 1 deals, thanks so much!

---

Around here, a WGU degree in Computer Science or Software Development is mainly suggested at people who have significant experience in the field of CS or SD already. It sounds like you have none at the moment, so a WGU degree may be a struggle. The certificates can be particularly brutal, though you do already have the CompTIA A+ and that helps a bit. WGU isn't a bad choice, but they certainly don't fit everyone's needs.

Another option would be to complete a Computer Science degree through TESU. For someone with little/no actual experience in programming, a TESU degree won't be easy either, but it will almost certainly be easier and faster than WGU. Unlike WGU, you can transfer in everything except for the last 6 credits to TESU. You would need some RA (or RA-equivalent) credit, but that can be done cheaply/easily/quickly, especially if you have tuition reimbursement.

There is also SNHU. They're more expensive than TESU, but may still be cheaper than 1.5-2 years at WGU. They're also not exactly "learn at your own pace" for the last 30 credits, unlike TESU and WGU. So they're probably not the best choice for you, but I thought I would mention them anyway.

That makes a lot of sense actually, I appreciate the feedback and will take a look at TESU!

[lifted567]

@lifted567, Welcome to the board.  Yes, that looks like a viable plan, I looked at the spreadsheet, you have 54 credits remaining if you go that route.  Did you look at the plans on the WIKI?  Hmm, if you have tuition assistance, I would do a double degree at TESU for the BACS/BSBA CIS combo instead.  You can complete a flat term this year and another flat term next year, and you end up with two freebie degrees!  You'll be well versed in Business Administration and Computer Science, instead of just one... I would look at the plans on the WIKI for this, as you don't have any RA credit yet.

Sorry to bother but I'm not sure if I'm looking at the right place. Is there a spreadsheet similar to what I did for TESU? Would like to know what I could do through ACE vs. TESU requirements.

Edit: I found the Wiki

[bjcheung77]

Yeah, there are two options, I would do a mix of both LevelUP and Rachel83AZ's plans...
Do the most Sophia.org, Study.com, CSM, plus Coursera you can, then finish with TESU flat rate...
LevelUP Link: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...egree_Plan
Rachel83AZ Link: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...z_version)

[lifted567]

Yeah, there are two options, I would do a mix of both LevelUP and Rachel83AZ's plans...
Do the most Sophia.org, Study.com, CSM, plus Coursera you can, then finish with TESU flat rate...
LevelUP Link: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...egree_Plan
Rachel83AZ Link: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...z_version)

Awesome, thank you. Rachel's added some clarification on the course names so I'm combining them both. Also adding a column for touchstones where applicable based on another wiki.

[bjcheung77]

That's great, yes, create a customized spreadsheet template for yourself to max/mix the requirements with what's entered in both WIKI links, the main things is, deciding which courses you want to use with the provider of choice. For example, English I shows Sophia.org on both links, but for English II, that changes due to each moderators preference... you want to modify it to your own liking, for example, you may decide to do the CLEP/MS as you get that free and you're 5 minutes from a testing site. And if you can, please share your version so we can comment on any changes if needed to optimize your learning and max use of alternative credits for both BACS/BSBA CIS...

[rachel83az]

Other possibilities for some students for English Comp II would include the DSST or TECEP exams. My plan for the dual degree aimed to be as easy/cheap/fast as possible while applying to as many students as possible. Ultimately, English Comp II mainly boils down to student preference and availability. Not all choices fit every student.

[lifted567]

Other possibilities for some students for English Comp II would include the DSST or TECEP exams. My plan for the dual degree aimed to be as easy/cheap/fast as possible while applying to as many students as possible. Ultimately, English Comp II mainly boils down to student preference and availability. Not all choices fit every student.

Got it. I don't do well on exams, I may feel differently as I get into the groove of being in "school" and studying. I'll start with Sophia and SDC and see how I feel after doing some of those.