Computer Science Degree Needed

[rachel83az]

Just as a warning: for English Comp II specifically, Sophia tends to grade erratically and take their sweet time. Just this course alone has taken some students several months due to grading times and having to repeatedly resubmit papers that ought to be at least a "pass". It's also required to get a passing grade on every single paper, even if one failed paper wouldn't impact whether or not you've passed the class. Sophia's issues with papers is pretty much exclusive to this one class; their other classes with papers are usually graded more quickly and fairly. Often within 1-2 days, perhaps even hours.

For Study.com, there is a proctored exam for the English Comp II equivalent, but it has less weight than the papers. Also, they tend to be faster and fairer with grading than Sophia for English Comp II. And, with SDC, you can stop as soon as you hit the required number of points for a pass. You can also submit SDC papers as you finish them, unlike Sophia where you have to wait for the previous paper to be graded before submitting the next one. So even though there are more papers for SDC's English Comp II when compared to Sophia, most students can get away with completing fewer of them and in a shorter period of time. Sometimes in under a month, compared to Sophia's 2-3 months or more.

The TECEP is a bit weird. It's mostly writing a single essay based on a prompt they give you, though there are some other tasks thrown in as well. It's not super difficult, but I think it is kind of strange.

The DSST is a multiple-choice exam with no writing required at all.

The CLEP that counts for English Comp I & II at TESU is both multiple choice and an essay.

Then for students who need RA credit, there is the ASU course. It's a lot of work, but it's entirely papers and no exams at all: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Ar...al_Learner It's also $425.

[bjcheung77]

Yeah, there are so many different options to do the classes using alternative credit, with some exceptions that have only Sophia.org, Study.com specifically for the computer science courses, you can 'mix and match' to your liking. That's the main reason you should combine what's within the two templates and customize anything else you want to bring in. People favor CLEP/MS for quick exams at the local center, or if they're looking for entirely online, Sophia.org for lower level credits... depends on what you need and how you want to get them...

[lifted567]

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...

Appreciate the help so much, I've created a new doc. There are 6 courses in column A that I wasn't sure of or able to find a corresponding course from TESU. Is there any way to confirm that the Sophia courses listed in column D would meet the requirements?

Here is the updated spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1y3f6gF_AY_BDeaKKTxsBxZNIV7gEMlMqiALmDGnSVvY/edit?usp=sharing

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Just as a warning: for English Comp II specifically, Sophia tends to grade erratically and take their sweet time. Just this course alone has taken some students several months due to grading times and having to repeatedly resubmit papers that ought to be at least a "pass". It's also required to get a passing grade on every single paper, even if one failed paper wouldn't impact whether or not you've passed the class. Sophia's issues with papers is pretty much exclusive to this one class; their other classes with papers are usually graded more quickly and fairly. Often within 1-2 days, perhaps even hours.

For Study.com, there is a proctored exam for the English Comp II equivalent, but it has less weight than the papers. Also, they tend to be faster and fairer with grading than Sophia for English Comp II. And, with SDC, you can stop as soon as you hit the required number of points for a pass. You can also submit SDC papers as you finish them, unlike Sophia where you have to wait for the previous paper to be graded before submitting the next one. So even though there are more papers for SDC's English Comp II when compared to Sophia, most students can get away with completing fewer of them and in a shorter period of time. Sometimes in under a month, compared to Sophia's 2-3 months or more.

The TECEP is a bit weird. It's mostly writing a single essay based on a prompt they give you, though there are some other tasks thrown in as well. It's not super difficult, but I think it is kind of strange.

The DSST is a multiple-choice exam with no writing required at all.

The CLEP that counts for English Comp I & II at TESU is both multiple choice and an essay.

Then for students who need RA credit, there is the ASU course. It's a lot of work, but it's entirely papers and no exams at all: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Ar...al_Learner It's also $425.

That's great info, thank you! Seems SDC is a better experience than Sophia from what I'm seeing from various posts. Especially when courses "overlap" and prevents duplicate work. I don't think I would do ASU or those foreign credits as I'm ok with completing RA credits through TESU. I would like to keep things as simple as possible. 

I don't know how to reply to you both so pasting here for your feedback if you don't mind:

Appreciate the help so much, I've created a new doc. There are 6 courses in column A that I wasn't sure of or able to find a corresponding course from TESU. Is there any way to confirm that the Sophia courses listed in column D would meet the requirements?

Here is the updated spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1y3f6gF_AY_BDeaKKTxsBxZNIV7gEMlMqiALmDGnSVvY/edit?usp=sharing 

[rachel83az]

First off, I only see 15 RA credits. You need a total of 30 of them (or 30 RA-equivalent credits). For Comp Sci/BSBA CIS students, this can easily break down to a number of credits from XAMK/Metropolia + a single final flat-rate term of 15 credits at TESU. That's probably both the simplest and easiest way to go about things. If you'd rather take everything at TESU, that's fine. You can take 5 TECEPs (I know you said you don't like exams, but the option is there) or do a second 15-credit flat-rate term of easy gen ed classes.

Secondly, TESU offers equivalencies for a lot of courses that they themselves don't actually offer. For a few of their degrees, TESU offers no classes at all for the AOS! For the Sophia classes, the only confirmation that they'll meet the requirements is the wiki itself. The wiki is the distillation of dozens/hundreds of prior students reporting what did and did not transfer. If it did transfer, what it transferred in as and where it went. Similar to Study.com, there used to be an official Sophia -> TESU transfer page, but Sophia & TESU are no longer "official partners" and that page has since been erased.

[lifted567]

First off, I only see 15 RA credits. You need a total of 30 of them (or 30 RA-equivalent credits). For Comp Sci/BSBA CIS students, this can easily break down to a number of credits from XAMK/Metropolia + a single final flat-rate term of 15 credits at TESU. That's probably both the simplest and easiest way to go about things. If you'd rather take everything at TESU, that's fine. You can take 5 TECEPs (I know you said you don't like exams, but the option is there) or do a second 15-credit flat-rate term of easy gen ed classes.

Secondly, TESU offers equivalencies for a lot of courses that they themselves don't actually offer. For a few of their degrees, TESU offers no classes at all for the AOS! For the Sophia classes, the only confirmation that they'll meet the requirements is the wiki itself. The wiki is the distillation of dozens/hundreds of prior students reporting what did and did not transfer. If it did transfer, what it transferred in as and where it went. Similar to Study.com, there used to be an official Sophia -> TESU transfer page, but Sophia & TESU are no longer "official partners" and that page has since been erased.

Funny as I was going to bed last night I legit thought about how there was only 15 RA credits. Ok, I'll consider XAMK/Metropolia if it's a better path. 

So odd they got rid of that as a resource for people to check eligibility but glad this forum is around! Thank you so much again

[bjcheung77]

Actually, you don't need any foreign transfer credits, you have the two flat terms I mentioned in my first reply...  You do 15 credits each flat term to get the 30 credits... In fact, 1 flat term can get you 27 RA credits and you can do a TECEP to hit the 30, but because you have tuition assistance, you can do two terms.  You need to start the flat term next month, so you have to apply, transfer credits in, wait for evaluation and select 5 classes.

Here's an example of the first 5 courses and then the next 5, mold it into your degree plan.  This will get you the double associates, double bachelors, do not add any certificates until you are done with the degree, skip thinking about the associates (add it and forget it), just add the program and it will be 'complete' when you are done with your Bachelors.

1) Add your first Associates - AAS Applied Computer Studies & AAS Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies
2) Add your second Associates - AS Computer Science & Math (again, it's a dual AOS as above in one degree)
3) Add your first Bachelors - BSBA Computer Info Systems
4) Add your second Bachelors - BA Computer Science

First Flat Rate Term: PLA-1010, SOS-1100 (Cornerstone), APS-2950 (Associates Capstone), SOC-2040: ACI Course, E-Pack #1.
Second Flat Rate Term: LIBCE-495 (BACS Capstone), BUS-4210 (BSBA Capstone), E-Packs #1, 2, 3.
Note: Your PLA gets you additional 12 'buffer' RA credits for any 'elective courses' you want to get credit for, this is an awesome option to get credit for the freebie Coursera/ACE options.

Easiest E-Packs for you:
Computer Concepts and Applications (CIS-1070)
Introduction to Marketing (MKT-2010)
American Government (POS-1100)
Our Changing World: An Introduction to Sociology (SOC-1010)

Big 3 PLA Compared: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...3-Compared
Courses vs Residency Waiver #1: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...ng-Courses
16 Credits vs Residency Waiver #2: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Waiver-Fee
ACTFL/Foreign Credits: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...r-to-Big-3
Transfer Policy: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...-Explained

[lifted567]

Actually, you don't need any foreign transfer credits, you have the two flat terms I mentioned in my first reply...  You do 15 credits each flat term to get the 30 credits... In fact, 1 flat term can get you 27 RA credits and you can do a TECEP to hit the 30, but because you have tuition assistance, you can do two terms.  You need to start the flat term next month, so you have to apply, transfer credits in, wait for evaluation and select 5 classes.

Here's an example of the first 5 courses and then the next 5, mold it into your degree plan.  This will get you the double associates, double bachelors, do not add any certificates until you are done with the degree, skip thinking about the associates (add it and forget it), just add the program and it will be 'complete' when you are done with your Bachelors.

1) Add your first Associates - AAS Applied Computer Studies & AAS Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies
2) Add your second Associates - AS Computer Science & Math (again, it's a dual AOS as above in one degree)
3) Add your first Bachelors - BSBA Computer Info Systems
4) Add your second Bachelors - BA Computer Science

First Flat Rate Term: PLA-1010, SOS-1100 (Cornerstone), APS-2950 (Associates Capstone), SOC-2040: ACI Course, E-Pack #1.
Second Flat Rate Term: LIBCE-495 (BACS Capstone), BUS-4210 (BSBA Capstone), E-Packs #1, 2, 3.
Note: Your PLA gets you additional 12 'buffer' RA credits for any 'elective courses' you want to get credit for, this is an awesome option to get credit for the freebie Coursera/ACE options.

Easiest E-Packs for you:
Computer Concepts and Applications (CIS-1070)
Introduction to Marketing (MKT-2010)
American Government (POS-1100)
Our Changing World: An Introduction to Sociology (SOC-1010)

Big 3 PLA Compared: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...3-Compared
Courses vs Residency Waiver #1: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...ng-Courses
16 Credits vs Residency Waiver #2: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Waiver-Fee
ACTFL/Foreign Credits: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...r-to-Big-3
Transfer Policy: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...-Explained

Wow I must’ve missed PLAs in other posts, had no idea that was an option. I wouldn’t mind spending some extra time on Coursera or other certifications before applying as I’m not in a rush.

[lifted567]

Actually, you don't need any foreign transfer credits, you have the two flat terms I mentioned in my first reply...  You do 15 credits each flat term to get the 30 credits... In fact, 1 flat term can get you 27 RA credits and you can do a TECEP to hit the 30, but because you have tuition assistance, you can do two terms.  You need to start the flat term next month, so you have to apply, transfer credits in, wait for evaluation and select 5 classes.

Here's an example of the first 5 courses and then the next 5, mold it into your degree plan.  This will get you the double associates, double bachelors, do not add any certificates until you are done with the degree, skip thinking about the associates (add it and forget it), just add the program and it will be 'complete' when you are done with your Bachelors.

1) Add your first Associates - AAS Applied Computer Studies & AAS Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies
2) Add your second Associates - AS Computer Science & Math (again, it's a dual AOS as above in one degree)
3) Add your first Bachelors - BSBA Computer Info Systems
4) Add your second Bachelors - BA Computer Science

First Flat Rate Term: PLA-1010, SOS-1100 (Cornerstone), APS-2950 (Associates Capstone), SOC-2040: ACI Course, E-Pack #1.
Second Flat Rate Term: LIBCE-495 (BACS Capstone), BUS-4210 (BSBA Capstone), E-Packs #1, 2, 3.
Note: Your PLA gets you additional 12 'buffer' RA credits for any 'elective courses' you want to get credit for, this is an awesome option to get credit for the freebie Coursera/ACE options.

Easiest E-Packs for you:
Computer Concepts and Applications (CIS-1070)
Introduction to Marketing (MKT-2010)
American Government (POS-1100)
Our Changing World: An Introduction to Sociology (SOC-1010)

Big 3 PLA Compared: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...3-Compared
Courses vs Residency Waiver #1: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...ng-Courses
16 Credits vs Residency Waiver #2: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Waiver-Fee
ACTFL/Foreign Credits: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...r-to-Big-3
Transfer Policy: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...-Explained

Hi @bjcheung77 and @rachel83az, 

Hoping you both can provide some additional guidance. Unfortunately after spending the last month earning 57 credits on Sophia (Following the CS/TESU degree plan I posted before), I found out that I now may have to pivot degrees and the college I finish at. 

My company is pushing back on approving tuition for CS as it's not directly impactful to my current role and I now may have to go with a more generic degree like Business Administration instead. Also they said that out of the options I provided, they would help with WGU. 

I've created an updated spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ae3V1falt4ZElukrzjgMTA3Y81d_UnJb0BsOSdynQ9E/edit?usp=sharing

Highlighted in orange are courses I couldn't figure out where I could complete them outside of WGU.

[bjcheung77]

WGU's a good option to select from, they've got several states endorsing them and also have the ACBSP programmatic or secondary business accreditation (just like TESU, they've got ACBSP as well). You might want to be clear with them and see if you can do the Accelerated BSIT/MSITM instead of just a 'basic business bachelors''. You can try and finish this combo in two terms by maxing your transfer credits. WGU Degree Plans Link: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:WGU

[davewill]

Do you think they would pay for TESU if you did a BSBA-CIS? You can pair that with a BACS by just taking the CS courses as the electives, graduating with both for the same money.