Crippling self doubt! (aka starting college at 40!)

[Merlin]

If one could dedicate their full time to the BALS/BSBA route, how long does it typically take? 

I had originally planned to take the EM associates degree at my local community college and go the Associates > Bachelors > Masters route in case anything came up that prevented me from working as hard as I want. That way I would still have a degree. For example, I deployed to the USVI in October of 2017 and ended up being there for a year. We didn't have power or running water for 6+ months. Cell phone service was non existent and even today it's a pile of garbage. I know that life happens and I want to be realistic about that so I don't set myself up for failure. 

Is that inefficient or is there something that I'm not seeing that would be a big negative for doing that?

The only value in getting the AA first is if you need the AA credential for something work-related. Once you have your bachelors or masters it won't matter at all. Worst case it will slow you down and it will cost more.

If you really want an associates degree, you can work on an associates degree in parallel with the bachelors at TESU if you like, in the latter case it won't cost more or take more time. Typically the same courses that apply to the bachelor's can be used towards the AA. You'd just end up graduating with both at the same time instead of getting the AA first and then the bachelor's later.

Is a degree from TESU truly as "valuable" as from a brick & mortar school with a well known reputation in DC (I live 15 minutes outside of DC). I've read the spiel from the big 3 about how their degrees are the same but I don't know how that compares to real life.

There are plenty of TESU graduates that have gone onto greatness, including at least one senator. Typically unless a degree from an ivy league or prestigious school is needed for your job then it won't matter as long as the school is accredited. You'll want regional accreditation (which TESU has) if you want to get into a good masters program. So that should be fine.

[Mil0]

Mil0

Is a degree from TESU truly as "valuable" as from a brick & mortar school with a well known reputation in DC (I live 15 minutes outside of DC). I've read the spiel from the big 3 about how their degrees are the same but I don't know how that compares to real life. 

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Go to LinkedIn under TESU, Excelsior College and COSC and click "alumni" and search Emergency Management.  See what their alumni do in the real world with their degrees.  You will learn a lot.

I want to make sure that wasn’t taken as offensive or dismissive of the work that everyone who went to one of the big 3 put in. I apologize if it was read that way!

I really appreciate everyone’s help! You’re all fantastic!

---

Merlin

I'd recommend you drop the AA plan and jump directly into an accelerated bachelor's program, unless there is a compelling reason why you need the AA. Even if you can transfer in 45 of the 60 credits necessary for your AA, the balance of courses is going to be the slowest part. Plus you'll then have to wait for the degree to be conferred. In the time that takes you could probably be finished with the entire bachelor's degree, depending on the courses you take and how much prior knowledge you can use towards them.

Its possible to complete a bachelor's degree from scratch in under 6 months from WGU and in less than a year (maybe less than 9 months–though that would be pushing it) from TESU. The longest delays for TESU is the capstone, which takes 3 months no matter what, and waiting until the next degree conferral, which only happens quarterly (and you have to apply at least 3 months in advance).

Thank you! I kind of like the idea of having a degree in my field ASAP as the bachelors alone would open up several doors for me immediately. I can skip the AA though if that's the consensus. 

You pay $199 per month for a Study.com (aka SDC) subscription which gives you unlimited access to study materials for one month and includes two free exams. You can take as long as you like to finish the courses, but it is in your best interest to finish at least two per month so you don't miss out on any of the free final exams. Any additional exams cost $70 each and there is no limit to the number of additional exams you can take per month.

So you have the full picture, I'll describe StraighterLine (aka SL) as well since it is also a subscription service, but works differently.

For SL, you pay $99/month for the subscription. While your subscription is active you can take as many courses as you like, but there is a one-time fee to register for each course which varies (most run between $59 and $99). Once the fee is paid, you get access to the textbook and lessons and you can take as long as you like to finish the course, assuming your subscription is up to date. If you fail the course, you just have to pay the registration fee again to re-take the course.

For both providers, the final exams are proctored using your home PC and a webcam. The quizzes are not proctored. Some of the courses also require essays or project-based assignments in addition to quizzes and a final exam.

Thank you for the clarification! I appreciate it.

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I did not read through every word of every post because it's all too long (limited on time) but wanted to say this:

1) you asked about transferring courses to your local CC which has a degree that you want.  You need to check with them to see if you can use alternative credits to get your degree there.  If not, there's not a lot we can help you with here for that.

2) If you opt to go straight for a BA/BS at one of the Big 3, like getting a BALS at TESU, we can help you get that quickly/inexpensively - around $7500 or less, depending on which providers you use.  THEN, you could opt for the MA that you're looking for.  The entire process might actually be faster/cheaper than a BA through traditional means.

3) You can also choose to get the BA/BS through TESU, but I don't think it's what you actually want.

Sorry about that! I can be really wordy! 

1) MC has an incredibly lenient credit acceptance policy. They also have an "open education" agreement with the big 3 as well. The benefit of going through the AA at MC is that they have the matriculation agreements with all of the Maryland universities as well as access to a lot of funding. But I'm more concerned with doing it quicker than cheaper. The AA doesn't really get me anything, it's the BA and then the Masters that I'm truly after. I will have to check in with UCF and find out if I need a BA in EM to get into the UCF masters program. 

2) This is great information and I can't thank you all enough! 

3) The one benefit I really like about the AA and school locally for the EM parts of things is that I can go to classes locally and actually meet people in my field instead of just out in the field which mean we're always working a disaster. I've got a ton of amazing information now though and I've got to go to bed before driving down to DC for a meeting during what should prove to be ridiculous driving weather.

Thanks again!!

[natshar]

I own a tech company, which I've owned since the mid 90s. I've basically been "retired" from it for some time which is what allowed me to pursue the disaster work that I do. I did the TEEX IT courses last week and it was so easy. It took me about 3 hours to do them all and that was because of how long it took to click through everything. I knew all the cyber ethics and law stuff because I'd been in a trademark/copyright infringement lawsuit before and my company has been online since the mid 90's so I'm totally familiar with the 2257 laws. I thought that was pretty funny! I don't know if I'd be interested or if it could hold my attention long enough to graduate or work through it. I really do want to do the educational parts of the degree that pertain to my field because I love what I do and I love learning about it. 

You are never too old to start! To build your confidence introduce you to the world of the alternative credit and see how you like credit by exam. May I suggest the following exams:

Computing and Information Technology DSST
Ethics in Technology DSST
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity DSST
Management Information Sytems DSST
Information Technology CLEP

Take one or two of these or take them all. You might even be able to take a few in one day, especially if you can finish them fast. DSST give you a two-hour time limit, but people with prior knowledge can finish them in a half hour or less. DSST's are similar to CLEP, by the way, maybe even easier because it is 4-choice multiple choices vs 5 for CLEP.

https://getcollegecredit.com/

Getting started is the hardest part sometimes. If you did all of these tests, you are looking at 15 credits done with very little effort or cost. 

[Mil0]

I own a tech company, which I've owned since the mid 90s. I've basically been "retired" from it for some time which is what allowed me to pursue the disaster work that I do. I did the TEEX IT courses last week and it was so easy. It took me about 3 hours to do them all and that was because of how long it took to click through everything. I knew all the cyber ethics and law stuff because I'd been in a trademark/copyright infringement lawsuit before and my company has been online since the mid 90's so I'm totally familiar with the 2257 laws. I thought that was pretty funny! I don't know if I'd be interested or if it could hold my attention long enough to graduate or work through it. I really do want to do the educational parts of the degree that pertain to my field because I love what I do and I love learning about it. 

You are never too old to start! To build your confidence introduce you to the world of the alternative credit and see how you like credit by exam. May I suggest the following exams:

Computing and Information Technology DSST
Ethics in Technology DSST
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity DSST
Management Information Sytems DSST
Information Technology CLEP

Take one or two of these or take them all. You might even be able to take a few in one day, especially if you can finish them fast. DSST give you a two-hour time limit, but people with prior knowledge can finish them in a half hour or less. DSST's are similar to CLEP, by the way, maybe even easier because it is 4-choice multiple choices vs 5 for CLEP.

https://getcollegecredit.com/

Getting started is the hardest part sometimes. If you did all of these tests, you are looking at 15 credits done with very little effort or cost. 

You’re 100% right about the hardest part being just getting started! I have a couple more quizzes left on the last TEEX Cyber 301 left to do. I just ran out of time today.
When it comes to DSST, do you have to be military?

[natshar]

You’re 100% right about the hardest part being just getting started! I have a couple more quizzes left on the last TEEX Cyber 301 left to do.  I just ran out of time today.
When it comes to DSST, do you have to be military?

Nope. Anyone can take them. You sign up and pay at the testing center. So what you would do is sign up for one to start and then take it. If it is easy and you pass (you get your score instantly). You could just sign up for another one right after you finish the first one. People on this fourm have done it. If what you say is true, you might be able to take all 4 DSST's I listed in one sitting in a few hours time. But before you do so, I'd recommend looking over the study sheet on the website to know what's on the test. They also have free practice tests on their website too.

FYI a score of 400 is needed to pass DSST. Its a weird scale it goes from 200 to 500, but there are generally 100 questions on the test.

[Merlin]

[...] The AA doesn't really get me anything, it's the BA and then the Masters that I'm truly after. I will have to check in with UCF and find out if I need a BA in EM to get into the UCF masters program. 

FYI, you can usually find the program admissions (and school admissions) requirements for any masters degree on the university website (or on a separate sub-website specific to the graduate school). I've done a lot of research into different postgraduate programs and that is what I've found. I don't think any of the schools I looked at didn't at least have the admissions requirements, and most graduate programs listed specific requirements that sit on top of the school admissions requirements. Depending on how competitive the program is, they may require minimum GRE scores, minimum GPA (over a specific number of graded credits), letters of recommendation, application essays, etc., in addition to any prerequisite courses.

Speaking of, most masters programs do not require a bachelors degree in the same field. Often, that is the preferred path since it helps to ensure you're coming into the program with relevant domain knowledge, but in most cases, it isn't a requirement. Some programs may instead require that you have taken certain prerequisite courses (which can be checked off as part of the bachelor's degree or taken prior to beginning on the masters degree). They may also insist on those courses having a minimum final grade, which can invalidate the option of taking them as credit by exam or alternative education courses.

3) The one benefit I really like about the AA and school locally for the EM parts of things is that I can go to classes locally and actually meet people in my field instead of just out in the field which mean we're always working a disaster. I've got a ton of amazing information now though and I've got to go to bed before driving down to DC for a meeting during what should prove to be ridiculous driving weather.

This is really the key advantage to attending a B&M college. It's hard to make connections like this in alternative education since you're either testing out of courses, taking them individually, or taking them online with students you rarely chat with. That said, I suspect you won't make too many meaningful connections in an associates degree program. It seems more likely in a bachelor's degree program, but in both cases, it really depends on how many students actually attend those courses. If that program is what the school specializes in, then it may be full of great potential connections.

Then again, what is more important... potential connections or finishing quickly so you can move onto a masters program? I suspect the masters degree would also have a higher likelihood of making more enduring connections with decisionmakers too.

[Life Long Learning]

Mil0

Is a degree from TESU truly as "valuable" as from a brick & mortar school with a well known reputation in DC (I live 15 minutes outside of DC). I've read the spiel from the big 3 about how their degrees are the same but I don't know how that compares to real life. 

----------------

Go to LinkedIn under TESU, Excelsior College and COSC and click "alumni" and search Emergency Management.  See what their alumni do in the real world with their degrees.  You will learn a lot.

I want to make sure that wasn’t taken as offensive or dismissive of the work that everyone who went to one of the big 3 put in. I apologize if it was read that way!

I really appreciate everyone’s help! You’re all fantastic!

---

I did not take it as offensive.  It's a good question.  I learn a lot from what folks do on LinkedIn and what they have as colleges.  Use data mining in your research.  Good luck in your future college life long learning.

[Mil0]

You’re 100% right about the hardest part being just getting started! I have a couple more quizzes left on the last TEEX Cyber 301 left to do.  I just ran out of time today.
When it comes to DSST, do you have to be military?

Nope. Anyone can take them. You sign up and pay at the testing center. So what you would do is sign up for one to start and then take it. If it is easy and you pass (you get your score instantly). You could just sign up for another one right after you finish the first one. People on this fourm have done it. If what you say is true, you might be able to take all 4 DSST's I listed in one sitting in a few hours time. But before you do so, I'd recommend looking over the study sheet on the website to know what's on the test. They also have free practice tests on their website too.

FYI a score of 400 is needed to pass DSST. Its a weird scale it goes from 200 to 500, but there are generally 100 questions on the test.

Oh, cool. I'd definitely take a look at the study sheet for context. For example, I think most people wouldn't be able to get through the portion of the TEEX Cyber 101 courses that deal with legal matters without going through the course. Unfortunately, I was in an insane lawsuit against a serial cybersquatter and I've been working online so I'm familiar with the 2257 and various Acts that they addressed. Most IT people wouldn't be. I'll definitely look into it. 

Thanks for the heads up!

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Mil0

Is a degree from TESU truly as "valuable" as from a brick & mortar school with a well known reputation in DC (I live 15 minutes outside of DC). I've read the spiel from the big 3 about how their degrees are the same but I don't know how that compares to real life. 

----------------

Go to LinkedIn under TESU, Excelsior College and COSC and click "alumni" and search Emergency Management.  See what their alumni do in the real world with their degrees.  You will learn a lot.

I want to make sure that wasn’t taken as offensive or dismissive of the work that everyone who went to one of the big 3 put in. I apologize if it was read that way!

I really appreciate everyone’s help! You’re all fantastic!

---

I did not take it as offensive.  It's a good question.  I learn a lot from what folks do on LinkedIn and what they have as colleges.  Use data mining in your research.  Good luck in your future college life long learning.

I'm glad to hear that!

Thank you!

[rvm]

Welcome to the forum!

I'm in a similar situation ... or should say I was.  I had approximately 15 credits from my first year in college.  Like Merlin and others here, I was 17 years old when I started my college journey.

Anyhow, I started small to get back in the swing.  I hate butt-in-seat courses for the reason you described:  my kids and her whiney friends dominate the college scene, especially during the day.  So instead of that chaos, we have lots of options to get you moving in the direction you want to go.

In addition to the TEEX courses, there is at least one if not two free courses on Sophia and at least one insurance (?) course, I think.  There's a wiki on this, which I thought I had bookmarked but I cannot seem to locate.  Perhaps someone else will chime in or maybe that's one of the wikis you've already read.  

I think BJ mentioned onlinedegree.com.  Their courses are $9.  They're accredited by NCCRS so if you're thinking of attending WGU, those courses won't likely transfer.  But they should transfer to TESU, COSC or EXC.  And $9 to get a feel for getting back in the groove of things is pocket change.

Btw, if you're going to take Aleks math courses, come here and ask some questions before enrolling.  You can get 3 credits each for college algebra, college trig and statistics.  There's an optimal way to knock out Aleks math courses in a very short period of time. You can test out by completing the initial assessment and earn 3 credits with one short, un-proctored assessment.  There are tricks to make sure you don't get caught in the proverbial loops at Aleks or register for duplicate courses.  Getting the inside scoop on this forum will help.

Formulate a short plan for yourself and ask more questions, come back and post your degree proposal, even if it's been posted before.  Things change with time and what was true last year, may no longer be true now.

[Mil0]

Welcome to the forum!

I'm in a similar situation ... or should say I was.  I had approximately 15 credits from my first year in college.  Like Merlin and others here, I was 17 years old when I started my college journey.

Anyhow, I started small to get back in the swing.  I hate butt-in-seat courses for the reason you described:  my kids and her whiney friends dominate the college scene, especially during the day.  So instead of that chaos, we have lots of options to get you moving in the direction you want to go.

In addition to the TEEX courses, there is at least one if not two free courses on Sophia and at least one insurance (?) course, I think.  There's a wiki on this, which I thought I had bookmarked but I cannot seem to locate.  Perhaps someone else will chime in or maybe that's one of the wikis you've already read.  

I think BJ mentioned onlinedegree.com.  Their courses are $9.  They're accredited by NCCRS so if you're thinking of attending WGU, those courses won't likely transfer.  But they should transfer to TESU, COSC or EXC.  And $9 to get a feel for getting back in the groove of things is pocket change.

Btw, if you're going to take Aleks math courses, come here and ask some questions before enrolling.  You can get 3 credits each for college algebra, college trig and statistics.  There's an optimal way to knock out Aleks math courses in a very short period of time. You can test out by completing the initial assessment and earn 3 credits with one short, un-proctored assessment.  There are tricks to make sure you don't get caught in the proverbial loops at Aleks or register for duplicate courses.  Getting the inside scoop on this forum will help.

Formulate a short plan for yourself and ask more questions, come back and post your degree proposal, even if it's been posted before.  Things change with time and what was true last year, may no longer be true now.

Oh, I'd love to know the trick for Aleks. I noticed that the school I was going to attend locally doesn't accept the Algebra CLEP. http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/priorle...ncies.html. 

I've been trying to figure out which math class I should take at Aleks that will fulfill my math requirements. 

I took the ACCUPLACER and if I took it at the Montgomery College, due to my placement, I'd have to take a "supporting" math class, which costs $ and you don't get credit for it and then a beginning level Algebra class. I was pretty bummed because I took all the "practice tests" for it and I did really well. I scored almost perfect on the english & reading sections and then just blah middle of the road on Math. That being said, it was really hard and not a thing was stuff I spent the week working on. I had practiced everything Algebra and college math levels on KhanAcademy and then during the ACCUPLACER, it may as well have been Mandarin because I don't speak that either! 


When I met with my advisor to go over my test placements, I had told him that I had planned on bringing in some "outside" math credit to clear up the math requirement anyway. He said that was fine and that it would nullify my placement requests that I take the supporting math class. 

I've definitely seen the other "free" curses that you've mentioned. I'd love some guidance for the Aleks courses though. I'll go do some digging and see what I can find.

Although, before posting here, I totally thought I finally had a plan and now I'm like.. WAIT!!   That was the point though. I wanted to come up with a plan and then come here and have people who have been through it tell me what I'm doing wrong and why I'm wasting time and money when I don't have to be!

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Mil0, ma'am, don't stress out, you can do it!  BTW, Welcome to the board!
There are no restrictions on the amount of exams/courses you can take with each provider.
For TESU, they will only take up to 90 credits from one ACE source, such as Study.com or StraighterLine.

You should take the bulk of your credits with CLEP/MS, Onlinedegree.com, Study.com, and Cornerstone/Capstone with TESU obviously.  My suggestion is, if you want to do the TESU Homeland Security & Emergency Management, you can and you're right, the only part you need to take at TESU are the required courses!  

My suggestion is to get your 90+ credits from the 3 sources mentioned above before applying for this degree.  I will create a spreadsheet map for you.  Since you're so busy, do you think you can finish at least 8 TESU courses in a years time?  That's 2 courses per 12 week term, this way, you just pay the comprehensive tuition and you won't need to pay the residency waiver/capstone fee.

Now, as mentioned to you earlier, the BALS/BSBA are the easiest fully test-out-able degree available to you.  If you decide to take the easier route, you can always switch from your degree to one of these as the 90 credits will apply to either of these evenly.  I'll create a template with the BALS/BSBA along with the degree map so you can compare the required courses for each degree.

bjcheung77

Do you need my email address or any other information for the spreadsheet? I'm really excited and can't wait to get to work. I've been digging away at little things I now I have to do anyway (like all of the random free credits available) and doing research on getting college credit for my private pilots license. 

Hope to hear from you soon!