Degree Planning Advice for 55 yr old with 150 credits

[supernow]

Hello everyone,

I am a 55 year old working mother of 5 adult children. I have accumulated a hodgepodge of classes and even after combing the Wiki, I am still not sure of the direction I should go in. I would welcome any advice anyone would be willing to offer. I am languishing in a toxic work environment and believe that the combination of my age and lack of degree is making it difficult for me to change my circumstances. 

Thanking you in advance for your graciousness.

Your Location: Georgia, United States. 
Your Age: 55
What kind of degree do you want?: I am open to suggestions. I am on a Director level with over 30 years of experience in strategic leadership, events, and project management. I am looking to move into a chief of staff role.
Budget:  I'd like the cheapest route possible, but I would also like to prioritize the fastest route possible. I’d love to see the easiest route, but that is not my 1st priority.  
Commitments: I work full-time but can study evenings/weekends.
Dedicated time to study: As much 4-6 hours each evening and all weekend. Approximately 40-50 hours/wk.
Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible would be ideal. 
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: No tuition assistance available.
 
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 
 
Howard University Total Credits: 125
ENG 101,                              English Composition I, 4.5 – B
PSY 101,                               General Psychology, 5 – B
ELEC 570,                             Medical Terminology, 3 – A
ENG/ELEC 053,                   Highlights of African-American Literature, 4.5 –C
SOSC/ELEC 072,                 Introduction to Soc Science, 4.5 – B
ENG 102                               English Composition II, 4.5 – B
POL/ELEC 007,                   Introduction to Black Politics, 4.5 – C
HS/ELEC 001,                      Health Dynamics, 4.5 – A
BLK HIS 153,                        Comparative Slavery, 4.5 – B
ELEC 570,                             Human Sexuality, 4.5 – B
HIS 177,                                African-American History Since 1877, 4.5 – B
BLK HIS 185,                        Blk Women in America, 4.5 – B
CHEM/ELEC 003,               General Chemistry Lecture, 4.5 – C
ZOO/ELEC 101                    General Zoology Lecture-Lab, 6 – D
BLK HIS 133,                        19th Century Black Social &Political Thought, 4.5 – A
HS/ELEC 150,                      Introduction to Gerontology, 4.5 – B
CHEM/ELEC 006,               General Chemistry Conference and Lab, 3 – D
CS/ELEC 202,                      Introduction to Computer Technology, 4.5 – B
MAT/ELEC 006,                  Elementary Functions I, 4.5 – C
PSY/ELEC 125,                    General Social Psychology, 4.5 – D
PSY/ELEC 051,                    Experimental Psychology Lecture Lab, 6 – C
PSY/ELEC 110,                    Brain & Behavior, 4.5 – C
HUM/ELEC 011,                 Northern Myths & Legends, 6 – B
PSY/ELEC 161,                    Psychology of the Black Experience, 4.5 – D
PSY/ELEC 053,                    Res Math & Statistics, 6 – C
PSY/ELEC 116,                    Abnormal Psychology, 4.5 – D
BLK HIS 131,                        Black Philosophy, 4.5 – D

Georgia Southern University Total Credits: 25
CHEM 129,                          General Chemistry II, 5 – D
ANT 201,                              Introduction to Anthropology, 5 – C
HIS 251,                                American History, 5 – B
SPA 101,                               Elementary Spanish One, 5 – B
SPA 102,                               Elementary Spanish Two, 5 – B


Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: None
Sophia Credits: None
Study.com Credits: None

Any certifications or military experience? I have the following certifications:
 
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE CERTIFICATE
University of South Florida Muma College of Business — Online Course
 
CERTIFIED MEETING PROFESSIONAL (CMP)
Events Industry Council — Washington, DC
 
CERTIFIED PROTOCOL OFFICER
Protocol School of Washington — Washington, DC

[bjcheung77]

@supernow, Welcome to the board, I would get it done with the BLS and a minor of your choice, you can have a second minor plus the 3-4 classes that go towards the MAOL just in case you will go the Masters route later. I highly recommend taking some time reviewing posts, threads, WIKI for details and info... Here's another option, going the BAS instead of the BLS, https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...on-to-MOAL

[supernow]

@supernow, Welcome to the board, I would get it done with the BLS and a minor of your choice, you can have a second minor plus the 3-4 classes that go towards the MAOL just in case you will go the Masters route later.  I highly recommend taking some time reviewing posts, threads, WIKI for details and info... Here's another option, going the BAS instead of the BLS, https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...on-to-MOAL

Thank you so much for the quick reply! I have been trying to study the threads and WIKI, maybe it's just me, but it is difficult to discern if what I am looking at is right for me. For instance, I am not even sure which institution you are suggesting for me for the BLS. Is it also UMPI? I am so very appreciative of your help.

[bjcheung77]

Yes, UMPI is the one that offers the BLS and the MAOL I am referring to. Having said that, you can also take a look at Excelsior and TESU, even though you have some D grades, some can be used if not all at TESU, as long as those are not in the English or major requirements... Here's a note I wrote about that: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid419019

[supernow]

Yes, UMPI is the one that offers the BLS and the MAOL I am referring to.  Having said that, you can also take a look at Excelsior and TESU, even though you have some D grades, some can be used if not all at TESU, as long as those are not in the English or major requirements...  Here's a note I wrote about that: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid419019

Thank you for the clarification and thank you for the additional link. It is very informative. You are very kind! Thank you again.

[bjcheung77]

@supernow, You're welcome, you can apply and send transcripts to UMPI to get an evaluation of your credits, you already have a language, you are missing a science and lab as your current one most likely wouldn't go into the degree. While waiting, you can create a spreadsheet with your current classes and what they will take by referencing the WIKI plans, I suggest the BLS, you can grab a minor of choice from here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

[supernow]

@supernow, You're welcome, you can apply and send transcripts to UMPI to get an evaluation of your credits, you already have a language, you are missing a science and lab as your current one most likely wouldn't go into the degree.  While waiting, you can create a spreadsheet with your current classes and what they will take by referencing the WIKI plans, I suggest the BLS, you can grab a minor of choice from here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

Thank you. I really appreciate the assistance. I do have one question. What makes you recommend UMPI over TESU?

[bjcheung77]

Cost, Ease, Speed to finish... With that much time, you can probably finish the degree in 1 session, that would be $1700. Two sessions would be $3400... TESU residency waiver fee is already $3354, if you add that capstone and cornerstone, it'll be more expensive unless you go for the residency credits of 15, that'll be $4299.

[supernow]

Cost, Ease, Speed to finish... With that much time, you can probably finish the degree in 1 session, that would be $1700.  Two sessions would be $3400... TESU residency waiver fee is already $3354, if you add that capstone and cornerstone, it'll be more expensive unless you go for the residency credits of 15, that'll be $4299.

Okay. Makes sense. So, just to clarify (and I have been reading threads  ) I want to apply for the BSL in General Studies and select "any" 2 minors like say: Psychology and Management?? and apply the extra credits toward a MAOL?

If I am on track with this, I could complete this with free Sophia courses (no? wrong?) or UMPI courses and the BSL would cost approx. $1700? What might the cost of the Master's be? The website says $13k.

[bjcheung77]

BLS is a Bachelors in Liberal Studies, it's slightly different than General Studies... BLS is $1700/session, if you can finish 10 classes in that time, it's $1700. MAOL is $2350/session, if you can finish in 1 session, that's the entire cost. If you add both together, you can get a Bachelors and Masters for $4050 flat. Now, it depends on how much it costs you for the alternative credits you take towards the BLS, Sophia.org is $99/month, or $79 first month if you get discount code.