Fast and Easy Associates Degree

[bjcheung77]

@XNutty98, Great initial post with basic addendum and template info, there's going to be various levels of advice, each will pull you in a slightly different direction. Depending on your energy, money, time, etc, you should work on the balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience. I suggest the Pierpont BOG AAS any emphasis, but suggest Info Systems so you get the cheapies/freebies done on the WIKI. Ladder that up to UMPI BAS (not the BLS) with a double minor in CJ/Psych, you don't need a CJ/Psych major to get into say a Walden MS CJ or Psych Tempo CBE, you can get all this under your budget and time frame...

[XNutty98]

@XNutty98, Great initial post with basic addendum and template info, there's going to be various levels of advice, each will pull you in a slightly different direction.  Depending on your energy, money, time, etc, you should work on the balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience.  I suggest the Pierpont BOG AAS any emphasis, but suggest Info Systems so you get the cheapies/freebies done on the WIKI.  Ladder that up to UMPI BAS (not the BLS) with a double minor in CJ/Psych, you don't need a CJ/Psych major to get into say a Walden MS CJ or Psych Tempo CBE, you can get all this under your budget and time frame...

This is pretty amazing. I wish I would have found out about this 10 years ago. I'm talking to Nancy about the BOG AAS through email. I have quite a few courses to take on Sophia but I can get that done relatively quickly. Then my plan is basically what you suggest but I didn't think of doing the double minor. That's an great idea because my goal is to get into a police department but getting a masters in Psychology would be amazing. I have the time to do it. You really think I can get a masters in Psychology in 2 years starting off with 29.5 credits?

[bjcheung77]

Yes, you can decide on the Masters, as an example, it could be in CJ or Psych as Walden offers both. Pierpont BOG AAS is just all Coursera/TEEX/Sophia.org classes since you already have RA credits, you then transfer to UMPI 90+ credits. You'll need to take some time with all three, Coursera/TEEX/Sophia.org to get the max transfer credit, certs, experience.

Supermind followed my recommendations and did the TESU BALS-Psych in 9 months, Walden MS Psych 4.5 months and joined the PHI CHI society. Let's be on the 'careful & cautious' side of things and plan accordingly, estimate 3-4 months for Pierpont, 2 sessions for BAS, 1 term for Masters. That's 3-4+4months+6 months, total 13-14 months and for about <$10K total.

[Charles Fout]

Hey guys, I'm 41 years old and believe it or not, I'm looking to become a police officer.  I found plenty of departments in the area where I'm moving (Lynchburg, VA) that will accept without an associates but I'd rather go in with something more than just a GED. I'd also like to eventually get a BA and possibly masters at some point in the future. 

I would also consider a BA since I already have 29.5 credits but I'd like to finish in 12 to 18 months. I have the time to put into it.

Your Location: NY USA
Your Age: 41
What kind of degree do you want?: Associates in Criminal Justice or Psychology 
Current Regional Accredited Credits:

Suffolk Community College in 2005-2006

Introduction to Computing - 4 credits
Standard Freshman Composition - 3 credits
Freshman Seminar - 1.5 Credits
Introduction to Psychology I - 3 credits
Technical Writing - 3 credits
Foundations of American History - 3 credits
Understanding Music - 3 credits
Introduction to Literature - 3 Credits
Abnormal Psychology - 3 credits
Ethics - 3 credits

Total - 29.5
GPA 3.0

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:

None

Any certifications or military experience? None



[b]Budget: 10K if I go for BA and probably around 2 to 4K if I go Associates
[/b]
Commitments: I can commit 30 hours a week to studying/school

Dedicated time to study: 30 hours a week
[b]Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None[/b]


Thank you all!!

Wishing you the best! I love this area.

[XNutty98]

Yes, you can decide on the Masters, as an example, it could be in CJ or Psych as Walden offers both.  Pierpont BOG AAS is just all Coursera/TEEX/Sophia.org classes since you already have RA credits, you then transfer to UMPI 90+ credits.  You'll need to take some time with all three, Coursera/TEEX/Sophia.org to get the max transfer credit, certs, experience.  

Supermind followed my recommendations and did the TESU BALS-Psych in 9 months, Walden MS Psych 4.5 months and joined the PHI CHI society. Let's be on the 'careful & cautious' side of things and plan accordingly, estimate 3-4 months for Pierpont, 2 sessions for BAS, 1 term for Masters.  That's 3-4+4months+6 months, total 13-14 months and for about <$10K total.

Would you suggest TESU over UMPI? And 14 months under 10K for a masters in Psych would be fantastic.

---

Hey guys, I'm 41 years old and believe it or not, I'm looking to become a police officer.  I found plenty of departments in the area where I'm moving (Lynchburg, VA) that will accept without an associates but I'd rather go in with something more than just a GED. I'd also like to eventually get a BA and possibly masters at some point in the future. 

I would also consider a BA since I already have 29.5 credits but I'd like to finish in 12 to 18 months. I have the time to put into it.

Your Location: NY USA
Your Age: 41
What kind of degree do you want?: Associates in Criminal Justice or Psychology 
Current Regional Accredited Credits:

Suffolk Community College in 2005-2006

Introduction to Computing - 4 credits
Standard Freshman Composition - 3 credits
Freshman Seminar - 1.5 Credits
Introduction to Psychology I - 3 credits
Technical Writing - 3 credits
Foundations of American History - 3 credits
Understanding Music - 3 credits
Introduction to Literature - 3 Credits
Abnormal Psychology - 3 credits
Ethics - 3 credits

Total - 29.5
GPA 3.0

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:

None

Any certifications or military experience? None



[b]Budget: 10K if I go for BA and probably around 2 to 4K if I go Associates
[/b]
Commitments: I can commit 30 hours a week to studying/school

Dedicated time to study: 30 hours a week
[b]Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None[/b]


Thank you all!!

Wishing you the best! I love this area.

It's such a great place to be. We fell in love with it the first time we were there.

[Charles Fout]

Curiosity: Have you looked to see if there is anything available from Central Virginia Community College?

[bjcheung77]

Would you suggest TESU over UMPI? And 14 months under 10K for a masters in Psych would be fantastic.

No, that's why I didn't suggest TESU, it'll be more expensive in the long run and my suggestion still remains, the double minor in CJ/Psych at UMPI is the same as the TESU BALS-Psych as both have 18 credits in the 'concentration or minor'. You can add CJ to UMPI if you ever wanted, for TESU, you can as well but it'll be going to the free electives. One other reason is TESU Capstone is longer than your entire 30 credits you take at UMPI <laugh>. So, it'll be more expensive, longer, and not as easy as UMPI BAS with a double minor.

[XNutty98]

Would you suggest TESU over UMPI? And 14 months under 10K for a masters in Psych would be fantastic.

No, that's why I didn't suggest TESU, it'll be more expensive in the long run and my suggestion still remains, the double minor in CJ/Psych at UMPI is the same as the TESU BALS-Psych as both have 18 credits in the 'concentration or minor'.  You can add CJ to UMPI if you ever wanted, for TESU, you can as well but it'll be going to the free electives.  One other reason is TESU Capstone is longer than your entire 30 credits you take at UMPI <laugh>. So, it'll be more expensive, longer, and not as easy as UMPI BAS with a double minor.

Awesome thank you! I applied to Piermont today and sent over the transcripts. I'm also registered with Coursera to start the Google certification. I'm going to need it anyway so I figured why not just start it. Nancy has been very helpful as well.

[The need 2 learn]

XNutty98
Best of luck! My brother is a lieutenant with a city in the Hampton Roads area of VA, he switched careers mid life also. Made lieutenant in 8 years with no college degree ahead of officers who have degrees. The police academy will get you on the right path and once in the department will pay you to learn. Make sure your background is solid (credit history, work and references), able to pass physical and psychological evaluations. The beauty of life after law enforcement in Virginia, you can practice law without a law degree. Younger retired LEOs are making the transition into law due to the Virginia retirement system rules forcing them out at 20-25 years of service.