Fastest IT degree?

[tmikula]

Your Location: Solon, Ohio (near Akron)
Your Age: 24 
What kind of degree do you want?: Any bachelor’s degree in Computer science, IT, Cyber security, or Data Analytics
Total Credits: 102 

University of Phoenix Total Credits: 9

Preparing for University Success (3)
Psychology of learning (3)
English Composition2 (3)

Sophia.org Total Credits: 66

Developing Effective Teams (1)
Principles of Finance (3)
Project Management (3)
English Composition I (3)
The Essentials of Managing Conflict (1)
Visual Communications (3)
Critical Thinking (3)
Calculus I (4)
College Algebra (3)
Environmental Science (3)
Foundations of Statistics (2)
Human Biology (3)
Introduction to Chemistry (3)
Introduction to College Mathematics (3)
Introduction to Nutrition (3)
Introduction to Statistics (3)
IT Career Exploration (1)
Introduction to Information Technology (3)
Introduction to Relational Databases (3)
Introduction to Web Development (3)
Macroeconomics (3)
Microeconomics (3)
U.S. History I (3)
U.S. History II (3)
 
Google Certifications Total Credits: 27

Google IT Support (15)
Google Data Analytics (12)
 
 
 
Budget: I am prioritizing graduating sooner over saving money. I have $8k in savings for college expenses and will take out any loans necessary. It seems like all options discussed on this forum are way cheaper than a traditional college.

Dedicated time to study: I work full time but have no commitments outside of work and can dedicate lots of time to school.
 
Timeline: As fast as possible ?
 
Reading this forum has inspired me, and I am seeking the advice of the experts on this forum. I want to get a bachelor’s degree in IT as soon as possible. Any related degree will do; I’d like to go on for a master’s degree after.

[mohelena02]

Based on the degree you want I would look into WGU's offerings. Definitely keep grinding on Sophia and Study.com to get all those credits in, put together a spreadsheet to determine which classes you can transfer in once you decide on the major you want to pursue.

[Imbanewbie]

Wgu is your best option. I agree with mohelena02. Focusing Sophia and study.com.

[bjcheung77]

@tmikula, I would keep my options open, WGU is a great choice... If you want a different route you can go the BSIT/MSIT option at PUG, one of our members did that combo. It really depends on what you're looking for and want... Another choice, you can mix/match your options such as doing a WGU BSIT and then go for their MS Data Analytics or something different, there are so many different ways to get to your goal.

[tmikula]

@tmikula, I would keep my options open, WGU is a great choice... If you want a different route you can go the BSIT/MSIT option at PUG, one of our members did that combo.  It really depends on what you're looking for and want...  Another choice, you can mix/match your options such as doing a WGU BSIT and then go for their MS Data Analytics or something different, there are so many different ways to get to your goal.

I read a thread about someone who did PUG and it inspired me. I like the fact that with just my Sophia.org courses I've already filled 50% of the credits required at PUG and I can get the remaining 25% from W3 schools certification and 4 study.com courses or by testing out of classes at PUG via the ASK tests. https://www.purdueglobal.edu/alternative...sessments/

If I wanted to go to WGU I would need to do a ton of courses on study.com to maximize my transfer credit.

[rachel83az]

Do bear in mind that PUG has a lot of writing. Each remaining credit is at least one paper or project. WGU is mostly exams. Some people prefer one. Others prefer the other.

[bjcheung77]

True, PUG has lots of writing, there are so many ways to slice this, in fact, you can add UMPI Project Management & Info Systems and then top it off with the Masters at WGU or PUG, again, keep your options open so it goes towards the budget, commitments, time, etc you set for yourself. You need to have the right amount of time management to complete the degree in an orderly fashion...

[tmikula]

True, PUG has lots of writing, there are so many ways to slice this, in fact, you can add UMPI Project Management & Info Systems and then top it off with the Masters at WGU or PUG, again, keep your options open so it goes towards the budget, commitments, time, etc you set for yourself.  You need to have the right amount of time management to complete the degree in an orderly fashion...

That UPMI degree you mentioned is interesting... I'm going to give that some thought. It looks like most of my Sophia.org credit and google certifications would apply there.

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Do bear in mind that PUG has a lot of writing. Each remaining credit is at least one paper or project. WGU is mostly exams. Some people prefer one. Others prefer the other.

I can write long papers. I still prefer exams but the WGU route sounds like more work to me, because id have to go back and take so many courses at study.com.

[LevelUP]

I read a thread about someone who did PUG and it inspired me. I like the fact that with just my Sophia.org courses I've already filled 50% of the credits required at PUG and I can get the remaining 25% from W3 schools certification and 4 study.com courses or by testing out of classes at PUG via the ASK tests. https://www.purdueglobal.edu/alternative...sessments/

If I wanted to go to WGU I would need to do a ton of courses on study.com to maximize my transfer credit.

We have had excellent feedback on PUG, so that would be a good choice considering how close you are to starting there.

Also, you are close to doing a Data Analytics degree from SNHU
https://www.snhu.edu/admission/academic-...EN8Fg/none

SNHU degree plan
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/SN..._Analytics

Time wise the fastest you can do SNHU is 8 months so you could be done by March 3, 2024. You can transfer things in after you start classes at SNHU. SNHU isn't CBE so there are deadlines for assignments.

WGU would require transferring in many courses if you did plan to try to finish WGU in one term. Once you enroll and start, you can't transfer anything in.

I would be interested in hearing the timelines for PUG and WGU factoring in time to gather credits.

[tmikula]

I read a thread about someone who did PUG and it inspired me. I like the fact that with just my Sophia.org courses I've already filled 50% of the credits required at PUG and I can get the remaining 25% from W3 schools certification and 4 study.com courses or by testing out of classes at PUG via the ASK tests. https://www.purdueglobal.edu/alternative...sessments/

If I wanted to go to WGU I would need to do a ton of courses on study.com to maximize my transfer credit.

We have had excellent feedback on PUG, so that would be a good choice considering how close you are to starting there.

Also, you are close to doing a Data Analytics degree from SNHU
https://www.snhu.edu/admission/academic-...EN8Fg/none

SNHU degree plan
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/SN..._Analytics

Time wise the fastest you can do SNHU is 8 months so you could be done by March 3, 2024. You can transfer things in after you start classes at SNHU. SNHU isn't CBE so there are deadlines for assignments.

WGU would require transferring in many courses if you did plan to try to finish WGU in one term. Once you enroll and start, you can't transfer anything in.

I would be interested in hearing the timelines for PUG and WGU factoring in time to gather credits.

Factoring in time to gather credits, PUG is probably my fastest option (hopefully 20 weeks from start date). But I can't believe I have yet to consider SNHU. You are right; they will accept my credits, and I could quickly meet the 75% transfer credit. 

This is a lot of information, I need to think this over and build another degree plan or two.