European seeking Computer Science or Math

[fcfcfc]

Hi everyone! I'm reaching out seeking guidance on pursuing an online degree in Computer Science or Mathematics. Here's a bit about my background:


Location: Portugal
Age: 25
Education: I have completed a lot of courses in university relating to economics:

Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
Accounting I and II
Finance
Mathematics I and II (some topics in Linear Algebra and Calculus related to economics)
Statistics I and II
Data Analysis I and II (Excel and VBA).

Additional Certifications: I've also completed:


Google IT Support
Google Automation with Python
Google Project Management
Google Data Analysis


Budget: I would like to keep it below 10k.
Timeframe: I would like to finish it in 1 to 1.5 years.


My goal is to find an affordable and fast online program in either Computer Science or Mathematics. The ideal program would allow me to get into Georgia Tech's OMSCS or a reputable master's program in Engineering in Europe, specifically Portugal.

I've explored various options like TESU and SNHU, but I'm scared they won't be accepted in a master's degree. I tried contacting various universities, but since none of them was familiar with Sophia or Study.com, they could not confirm me if they would accept a bachelor's with alternative sources of credit.

I've also looked at the IT degree from Metropolia, but if possible I would prefer to get a degree in Computer Science or Math. I've also looked at the University of London degree, but it would take a while to finish and I'm scared about the bad reviews.

Currently, I'm doing the introductory programming courses from the University of Helsinki, in order to try to get some credits. Do you guys think TESU would be a good option for me? Are there any European Universities I can use? Also which degree do you guys think would be better in my situation math or cs? Any advice, experiences, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your help!

[MrPanda]

Hola!

¿Que tal? ¿Estudiaste en ISEG?  

Para Europa y acumular créditos tienes Metropolia:

https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Me...d_Sciences

Tambien tienes XAMK, que tiene cursos surtidos:

https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/XAMK

Recuerdo haber leído gente aceptada en la maestría de Georgia, habiendo egresado de TESU, también en otras universidades prestigiosas.

Yo estoy completando BACS y Math / BSBA in Operations Management/Human Resources.

Estoy usando XAMK, Sophia, Davar Academy, Tech Mexico, Euroinnova con Nebrija, y otros.

[fcfcfc]

I didn't actually study in ISEG, but I know it very well ahaha! Thank you for the suggestions. Do you know if I could also get into a European university? I'm still not sure about omscs... Also do you know where I can find an updated plan for math or cs in TESU that uses finnish credits?

[MrPanda]

No, el plan en la Wiki no la hicieron considerando Metropolia, ni XAMK:

https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...ience_Plan

Con respecto al ingreso a universidades portuguesas con un bachiller de EEUU, no veo por qué habría problemas, estuve viendo para la convalidación en DGES (https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/equiva...ecognition), y reconocían grados de la University of the People, que solo tiene National Accreditation (y no Regional Accreditation como TESU).

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Con respecto a las calificaciones, como ejemplo, el ISCTE pide un mínimo de 13 en el bachiller para entrar a su doctorado en ciencias de la complejidad, pero eso en la escala estadounidense (0 a 4) es tan solo 2, así que es bastante fácil llegar al mínimo, al menos para que no te eliminen en la primera ronda:

[bjcheung77]

@fcfcfc, You've got a few options, there are so many ways to get to your goal. My suggestion is to get a mix/match of the trifecta of certs, degree, experience.  Here are options out of many that will fit your budget, energy, time, it really depends on which way you want to go. I favor TESU BACS/Math double major and the BSBA CIS option, it would probably be what you're looking for...

1) Do the UMPI BABA with a concentration of your choice, Management & Leadership or Project Management & Info Systems, you can follow the steps on the WIKI to do the Coursera certs and other cheapies/freebies, using these credits towards the UMPI BABA, if you have the extra time, you can ladder that up to UMPI MAOL by taking 3-4 classes that exempt you for 3 classes towards the MAOL.

2) For extra 5 classes or so, do the TESU BACS/BSBA CIS combo, similarly, do the same steps as UMPI as they take some Coursera Certs and cheapies/freebies, you're also going to do pretty much the same Sophia.org credits that go towards both TESU/UMPI anyways.  You can decide on what you want to do after the Bachelors, there are others such as the $3K HAU MBA or $4300 MAOL.

3) With the changes done to the Finnish system, you may still be able to get the Metropolia 579 Euro 3/4th of a BSIT degree for amazingly cheap, the downside is it's not going to be fast, you may also get the final year for either free or for a few extra dollars, you're going to decide if you want to take this slower route or not, it may take you the full 3 years vs less than 1 for TESU/UMPI...

You're about 20+ years younger than me, you have a bit of experience at that age, you just need to add to it some certs plus the TESU BACS degree. I would even recommend a secondary BSBA CIS option if you want to leverage a business degree out of that as well, so you'll be well versed in Business plus CS/IT.  Another option is to ladder up to GT OMSCS or any similar programs that are either Applied Computer Science or IT that have been mentioned in the Grad section.

Follow the WIKI plans from both LevelUP and Rachel83AZ, get the Coursera, TEEX, cheapies/freebies, and work on Sophia.org for the lower level, Study.com for the upper level, finally finishing with the TESU 15 residency credits. You'll get the Computer/Developer related certs, an Applied Science MIS/IT related degree as the end goal.  The WIKI link is within my signature, you should review the TESU one here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:TESU

[MrPanda]

If the OP is Portuguese, he can´t take the $3K HAU MBA.

[fcfcfc]

Thank you guys for all the help! I think I'm convinced to move on with TESU. As a final question is there a guide on Finnish credit equivalences?

[Tomas]

I doubt you can get any credits from Metropolia since 2024, as they published they now require Finnish personal identity number to enroll into Open UAS (per https://www.metropolia.fi/en/academics/open-university), but you can try.
Other Finnish Universities I don't know, eg. with University of Helsinki I believe it still might be possible.

There shouldn't be any problems with TESU and other regionally accredited degrees in Europe, they are perfectly fine. If you have a recognized/accredited degree, that's usually all that's needed, unless the program you want to enroll in has some specific requirements (eg. number of credits in math subjects).
Fast degrees are a US thing. In Europe, it would be even more rare. Metropolia perhaps but that door is closed now. Inexpensive, yes, but not fast. Eg. Open University of Catalunya has sw engineering, IU.org has couple of degrees and it's possible that you will get some of your already completed courses accepted with them. But the difference is in Sophia and ACE approved credits, there is no equivalent in Europe.
Not sure what you have against University of London (except I think it's fairly expensive), take the reviews with a pinch of salt - outdated courses, lack of communication, etc. - you'll find that everywhere.

Finally, Finnish and probably European ECTS in general, are 1 ECTS for 0,5 of credit in USA. As for subject equivalence, probably only if there is someone who transferred credits already to same school and degree and will be willing to share experience.

[fcfcfc]

Thank you for informing me about the changes in Finnish credits, I didn't know about it! I think I will try to make some changes to the bsba/cis plan in order to get a second degree in math instead of business to maybe help me in the process of getting into a master's. What do you guys think would be a cheap source of RA credits in math right now that is available to international students?

[MrPanda]

To get Upper Level Math for free (if you complete them at the trial period), you could do the Coursera SAS specialization, to get STA-399:

https://www.coursera.org/professional-ce...programmer

https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Coursera

Calculus II you could get it from https://www.straighterline.com/online-co...lculus-ii/

Calculus I you could take I from https://learn.saylor.org/course/MA005 for USD$ 5

You can take Discrete Mathematics at Study.com.

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But if you are completing courses with Sophia, you could also do Calculus I there.

https://www.sophia.org/online-courses/math/

Just now I noticed that you said "RA credits", I have used Euroinnova/Nebrija (BUS), Escuela de Empresa/Nebrija (CS), Tech Universidad Tecnológica de México (There´s some math).

Maybe this one could work for the math degree:

https://www.techtitute.com/pe/informatic...putacional