Critique and Advice on Plan for Computer Science BA from TESU

[aseneca]

Your Location: Connecticut, United States of America
Your Age: 32
What kind of degree do you want?: Computer Science BA
Current Regional Accredited Credits: None
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:

Sophia: 52
Anatomy and Physiology, 3
Anatomy and Physiology Lab, 1
College Algebra, 3
Critical Thinking, 3
Introduction to Business, 3
Introduction to Chemistry, 3
Introduction to Ethics, 3
Introduction to Information Technology, 3
Introduction to Java Programming, 3
Introduction to Networking, 3
Introduction to Nutrition, 3
Introduction to Python Programming, 3
Introduction to Relational Databases, 3
Introduction to Statistics, 3
Introduction to Web Development, 3
Macroeconomics, 3
Project Management, 3
US Government, 3
Art History I, 3
Business Communication, 3
Calculus I, 4

Study: 6
Introduction to Business, 3
Introduction to Cybersecurity, 3

Any certifications or military experience? None

Budget: Nothing truly strict, but I would like to optimize and spend as little as needed while accelerating. I would spend more on acceleration if needed.

Commitment: Work 30-40 hours a week but my job is low stress.

Dedicated Time to Study: I can study anywhere from 3-5 hours on weekdays, more on weekends.

Timeline: I would like to accelerate as much as is reasonable given my previous information.

Tuition Reimbursement: None

Hi everyone, I am seeking a degree in Computer Science. My initial plan was to attend WGU for a BS in Information Technology, then changing my mind to Cybersecurity and finally Computer Science. I am completely committed to a Computer Science degree and after researching on the forum I'm considering going with TESU. From what I've gathered TESU has more potential for credit transfers and acceleration, and doesn't require Discrete Math II compared to WGU. I've put together a Google Sheet with my tentative plan but I'm still unsure of the transfer of some of the classes, most of my template came from the BSBA CIS Double Degree Plan from the Wiki. Can anyone advise me on my outline and if there's anything I'm missing? From my understanding, TESU will accept up to 90 credits from outside sources like Study and Sophia, but I've also seen some other information that had to do with the residential tuition that I don't completely understand.

I hope the information listed above was adequately detailed.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...sp=sharing

[jg_nuy]

Looks like a solid initial plan and you have made great process. There are a couple of items (like listing the Business Capstone in the electives) that you may want to adjust if you are not doing the double degree plan. You also want to keep in mind that you will need a minimum of 30 RA credits in total, though they don't all have to be at TESU.

There is a standalone plan for the BACS on the Wiki that you could review to check for adjustments if any: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...ience_Plan

If you are only the BACS, you could do the Cornerstone via EdX, which can greatly reduce its cost and time, and you could request a discount/scholarship for it on EdX.

Are you planning to do the 15-credit term for the flat rate tuition or do you plan to pay the residency waiver fee? The flat tuition term allows you to do 5 classes/15 credits for $4299, while the residency waiver fee ($3354) allows you to do fewer classes at TESU, but the individual classes are costlier ($535/credit for out of state).

The following link has several other colleges where RA credits (credit from a university) can be brought in from and the plan itself also lists some of these options:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sources_of_Credit

[bjcheung77]

@aseneca, Welcome to the board, great initial post with addendum and template, we now know your basic overall picture... TESU is a good option for double associates & double bachelors, I would advise them if you're looking at doing that... There are so many ways to get to your goal, it really depends on the student and their situation. Since you're jumping from degree choice to degree choice... Have a read of this thread and review recommendations, I've posted 4 times in this thread with some info: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...elp-please

[rachel83az]

TESU will accept up to 90 credits from outside sources like Study and Sophia, but I've also seen some other information that had to do with the residential tuition that I don't completely understand.

TESU will accept up to 114 credits from non-TESU sources. For a BACS only, this can actually be 117 credits (due to the edX cornerstone). The following limitations are in place:

• Up to 90 credits from a single ACE/NCCRS source.
  
• Up to 90 ACE/NCCRS credits total.
  
• Up to 90 credits from a community college
  
• Up to 90 credits from a foreign college or university
  
• Unlimited credits from an American 4-year university.
  

And, of course, the courses must be relevant and not duplicate one another. You cannot transfer in "English 101" from 4 different sources and expect to get 12 credits, for instance.

All of this results in needing at least 30 RA credits. I don't see anywhere near enough on your spreadsheet. If you're going to do the dual degree, you could do the following as a 15-credit flat-rate term:

• Cornerstone
  
• Capstone #1
  
• Software Engineering
  
• 2 easy ePacks or courses from https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...University I would suggest CIS-107 + something else
  

Then do Capstone #2 separately. This will cost a bit more, but will be easier than doing two capstones at once. It should also be marginally cheaper than doing only the two capstones + cornerstone at TESU and transferring in everything else. It will give you 18 RA credits toward your degrees.

You'll need 12 more RA credits. These can come from things like TECEPs (English Comp 1 & 2 are kind of bizarre, IMO, but are relatively easy), ASU classes for $425 each, maybe TEL ($225 per class), or other colleges/universities listed on https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sources_of_Credit

If you're only doing the BACS and not the BS CIS, you can do the flat-rate term and then get 15 credits from whatever RA source(s) you like most.

One thing I would caution against would be to avoid the Network Technology TECEP. It's passable, but only just barely. It's not uncommon for students to be unable to pass, even without significant study, thus wasting time and money better spent elsewhere.  If you want to take other TECEPs, check the forum for reviews from past students.

[aseneca]

Looks like a solid initial plan and you have made great process. There are a couple of items (like listing the Business Capstone in the electives) that you may want to adjust if you are not doing the double degree plan. You also want to keep in mind that you will need a minimum of 30 RA credits in total, though they don't all have to be at TESU.

There is a standalone plan for the BACS on the Wiki that you could review to check for adjustments if any: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...ience_Plan

If you are only the BACS, you could do the Cornerstone via EdX, which can greatly reduce its cost and time, and you could request a discount/scholarship for it on EdX.

Are you planning to do the 15-credit term for the flat rate tuition or do you plan to pay the residency waiver fee? The flat tuition term allows you to do 5 classes/15 credits for $4299, while the residency waiver fee ($3354) allows you to do fewer classes at TESU, but the individual classes are costlier ($535/credit for out of state).

The following link has several other colleges where RA credits (credit from a university) can be brought in from and the plan itself also lists some of these options:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sources_of_Credit

Yes I used the BACS + CIS Dual Degree as a framework thinking it was similar enough but I realize it wasn't as precise as the standalone one, thank you for linking that! I edited my Google Sheet plan to target the BACS to simplify things and not be overzealous, though the dual degree of BACS + BSBA in Finance or Computer Information Systems is very appealing considering the opportunity. I think I correctly planned out the 30 required RA credits via TECEP exams + TESU Classes, but if I do the CSM Learn BUS-2100 I'll be at 4 classes / 12 credits for TESU, I plan on doing the flat rate tuition - does it require 15 credits? Could you link me some of the info for the EdX cornerstone that sounds worth looking into.

@aseneca, Welcome to the board, great initial post with addendum and template, we now know your basic overall picture... TESU is a good option for double associates & double bachelors, I would advise them if you're looking at doing that... There are so many ways to get to your goal, it really depends on the student and their situation.  Since you're jumping from degree choice to degree choice... Have a read of this thread and review recommendations, I've posted 4 times in this thread with some info: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...elp-please

Thank you that was a very informative thread and your posts there were very helpful. I simplified my plan a bit to target the BACS for now, is there anything glaring that's missing or you'd suggest? After reading more about the dual Bachelors I'm very tempted to pursue a BSBA in Computer Information Systems or Finance.

TESU will accept up to 90 credits from outside sources like Study and Sophia, but I've also seen some other information that had to do with the residential tuition that I don't completely understand.

TESU will accept up to 114 credits from non-TESU sources. For a BACS only, this can actually be 117 credits (due to the edX cornerstone). The following limitations are in place:

• Up to 90 credits from a single ACE/NCCRS source.
  
• Up to 90 ACE/NCCRS credits total.
  
• Up to 90 credits from a community college
  
• Up to 90 credits from a foreign college or university
  
• Unlimited credits from an American 4-year university.
  

And, of course, the courses must be relevant and not duplicate one another. You cannot transfer in "English 101" from 4 different sources and expect to get 12 credits, for instance.

All of this results in needing at least 30 RA credits. I don't see anywhere near enough on your spreadsheet. If you're going to do the dual degree, you could do the following as a 15-credit flat-rate term:

• Cornerstone
  
• Capstone #1
  
• Software Engineering
  
• 2 easy ePacks or courses from https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...University I would suggest CIS-107 + something else
  

Then do Capstone #2 separately. This will cost a bit more, but will be easier than doing two capstones at once. It should also be marginally cheaper than doing only the two capstones + cornerstone at TESU and transferring in everything else. It will give you 18 RA credits toward your degrees.

You'll need 12 more RA credits. These can come from things like TECEPs (English Comp 1 & 2 are kind of bizarre, IMO, but are relatively easy), ASU classes for $425 each, maybe TEL ($225 per class), or other colleges/universities listed on https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sources_of_Credit

If you're only doing the BACS and not the BS CIS, you can do the flat-rate term and then get 15 credits from whatever RA source(s) you like most.

One thing I would caution against would be to avoid the Network Technology TECEP. It's passable, but only just barely. It's not uncommon for students to be unable to pass, even without significant study, thus wasting time and money better spent elsewhere.  If you want to take other TECEPs, check the forum for reviews from past students.

Yes the Network Technology TECEP seems like a terrible option from what I've read. The potential for 117 credit transfers for the BACS and 114 credits for the BACS + BSBA is incredible, I didn't know TESU was that "hackable". I've changed up my template a bit to include the appropriate RA credits and plan on doing the flat-rate term. For now my sheet is focusing on only the BACS, I will continue to research to see if it's feasible / worthwhile for me as it's incredibly appealing.



Updated Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...1180581553

[bjcheung77]

Yes, exactly, do complete the requirements for the BACS first... With a little bit more energy, money, time, you can do the BS CIS option without much extra of each.  The ROI/Value would be much better as well, as you're getting a second degree for the cost of one if you resourcefully plan everything accordingly.  It depends on your needs vs wants, etc...

For the last few months, I've been recommending a balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience and since you're really uncertain which field you're going into and jumped from/to Cybersecurity, CS, IT, and related options, you can actually create a moderate mix of them by doing certs to get experience.  I'd spend some time now doing extra...

Basically, using Coursera/TEEX, Sophia.org, Study.com, etc, get certs that have ACE recommended for credit, work towards the degree and use these certs towards the electives.  Essentially... If you have the extra energy, you can do some professional certificates from EdX such as HarvardX Data Science prof cert when all is said and done afterwards.

[jg_nuy]

Deleting post as question was already addressed.