Guidance Requested: Is this right for me?

[allvia]

I still lean towards a business degree in marketing for your undergrad (as I mentioned in my previous post) vs English.  The business degree is more marketable, especially if you're looking to do creative design work rather than copy writing. Then when it comes time for a master find a program that you want to focus on, if that is graphic design or art or whatever - I just recommend it be an RA program (vs NA). The business degree covers not only 'checking the box' but is most universal for finding 'professional work' and you will already be going into the job market with experience from your military work. Also, since the percentage of the population with a master degree (or above) remains low (=<14%) you'll be ahead of the majority with a master degree no matter what you study. Using the GI for the master also makes sense, since your area of interest(s) on that level will likely be more costly than either undergrad program.

[topsecretowl]

I still lean towards a business degree in marketing for your undergrad (as I mentioned in my previous post) vs English.  The business degree is more marketable, especially if you're looking to do creative design work rather than copy writing. Then when it comes time for a master find a program that you want to focus on, if that is graphic design or art or whatever - I just recommend it be an RA program (vs NA). The business degree covers not only 'checking the box' but is most universal for finding 'professional work' and you will already be going into the job market with experience from your military work. Also, since the percentage of the population with a master degree (or above) remains low (=<14%) you'll be ahead of the majority with a master degree no matter what you study. Using the GI for the master also makes sense, since your area of interest(s) on that level will likely be more costly than either undergrad program.

I definitely want to save my GI Bill for a master. Can I ask, in your opinion, how hard would it be for someone to earn an undergrad in one field and then a master in something not super related? For example, if I did go the English BA route, do you think that would hinder me later on if I wanted to get a master in visual communication or design?

I think the reason why I don't want to do the marketing degree is I think it would put me in a box. I suppose the same could be said about the English degree... But in my uneducated opinion, it seems like the English degree still leaves room for growth in other industries. Neither would hurt me but I feel like the English one is like a tree with more branches for me to hold than the marketing one. Am I wrong? I feel like I am probably romantizicing it all...

[ss20ts]

UMPI: Most students are able to finish in 2-3 sessions, but they also aren't active military. UMPI will work with you, but costs could be higher if you windup going on a training exercise or something. However, assuming 3 sessions, it'd be $4200 for UMPI and $299 for a 4-month subscription to Sophia.org. (Sophia will probably only take 2-3 months, but 4 months is the same cost as 3 when you pay for them all at once.)

UMPI does NOT work with military schedules. They are very clear about this. If you're not able to submit the Final Assessment by the end of the term, then you fail the course. There is no leeway not even for active military folks. This is one downside to UMPI. They are on a strict schedule. TESU has leeway with active military students.

[davewill]

TESU: You would need to apply ASAP in order to get the active military rate. https://www.tesu.edu/military/tuition-fees You would then want to take 24 credits of TECEPs ($1248-$1848) plus the 6 credits of the capstone & cornerstone ($1500). For the English degree specifically, you would need some CLEP exams, which I understand you can take for free as an active service member. You'd also need about the same amount of Sophia as UMPI, plus some classes from Study.com. For the English degree, you might need one or two extra classes from TESU itself, in which case you'd need fewer TECEPs but pay more for actual tuition.

If he leaves the military before graduating, can he still use TECEPs to avoid the residency waiver?

[ss20ts]

I definitely want to save my GI Bill for a master. Can I ask, in your opinion, how hard would it be for someone to earn an undergrad in one field and then a master in something not super related? For example, if I did go the English BA route, do you think that would hinder me later on if I wanted to get a master in visual communication or design?

I think the reason why I don't want to do the marketing degree is I think it would put me in a box. I suppose the same could be said about the English degree... But in my uneducated opinion, it seems like the English degree still leaves room for growth in other industries. Neither would hurt me but I feel like the English one is like a tree with more branches for me to hold than the marketing one. Am I wrong? I feel like I am probably romantizicing it all...

An English degree is definitely going to put you in a box. A lot of people have no idea what to do with an English degree. I would suggest the BABA with Management & Leadership Concentration as a business degree is more marketable. I wouldn't get a degree in graphic design because anyone can learn much of what is taught in those degrees on YouTube today for free. Graphic designers are well known for being poorly paid unfortunately. 

Why a master's degree in visual communication? What purpose would it serve? What do you want to do post military? A master's in graphic design is quite frankly a waste of money. You'll get almost zero ROI on it.

[rachel83az]

TESU: You would need to apply ASAP in order to get the active military rate. https://www.tesu.edu/military/tuition-fees You would then want to take 24 credits of TECEPs ($1248-$1848) plus the 6 credits of the capstone & cornerstone ($1500). For the English degree specifically, you would need some CLEP exams, which I understand you can take for free as an active service member. You'd also need about the same amount of Sophia as UMPI, plus some classes from Study.com. For the English degree, you might need one or two extra classes from TESU itself, in which case you'd need fewer TECEPs but pay more for actual tuition.

If he leaves the military before graduating, can he still use TECEPs to avoid the residency waiver?

Someone else with more experience should be able to confirm, but yes. I think so. As long as you are active military when signed up, I believe that you keep the military rate and all of the associated rules even after being discharged. I could be mistaken, though. But if you don't enroll until after being discharged, you get the regular civilian rate.

[topsecretowl]

I definitely want to save my GI Bill for a master. Can I ask, in your opinion, how hard would it be for someone to earn an undergrad in one field and then a master in something not super related? For example, if I did go the English BA route, do you think that would hinder me later on if I wanted to get a master in visual communication or design?

I think the reason why I don't want to do the marketing degree is I think it would put me in a box. I suppose the same could be said about the English degree... But in my uneducated opinion, it seems like the English degree still leaves room for growth in other industries. Neither would hurt me but I feel like the English one is like a tree with more branches for me to hold than the marketing one. Am I wrong? I feel like I am probably romantizicing it all...

An English degree is definitely going to put you in a box. A lot of people have no idea what to do with an English degree. I would suggest the BABA with Management & Leadership Concentration as a business degree is more marketable. I wouldn't get a degree in graphic design because anyone can learn much of what is taught in those degrees on YouTube today for free. Graphic designers are well known for being poorly paid unfortunately. 

Why a master's degree in visual communication? What purpose would it serve? What do you want to do post military? A master's in graphic design is quite frankly a waste of money. You'll get almost zero ROI on it.

By that logic no one should be getting degrees since everything can be learned online these days. 

From what I’ve seen, English degrees can be very helpful in a good chunk of fields. I’ve looks at job posts for communication specialists, marketing specialists, content specialists and they all would require or prefer a degree in  communication, English or journalism. 

I hope im not coming off as argumentative. I’m genuinely curious how a degree in leadership and management would help. I could see that helping for executive type jobs. To be honest with you I’ve only ever seen senior leaders being able to land those roles after they leave the service. I guess I should have more faith in myself tho. I just don’t want to shoot to high and not land on my feet. I might be playing it too safe tho. Do you really think I’d be able to land a big job like that?

Also I’m going to be honest I actually don’t know what purpose the visual communication degree would do. I’m very much lost in the sauce right now. I just know that many jobs also require degrees. I will use all the guidance you all have to offer.

[LevelUP]

There is a graphic design degree plan for SNHU
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/SN...egree_Plan
https://www.snhu.edu/program-finder

Employers will hire graphic designers mostly based on the portfolio of work they have done. You don't need a degree though college can teach some of the fundamentals of design, or you can learn these things on your own.

Communication, such as writing, speaking, and person-to-person communication, is a valuable skill to have.

Creative talent is also a valuable skill to have.

UMPI Degree Plans
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

Also, Google has a  UX Design Certificate you may want to check out. It's free through TADA
https://theamericandreamacademy.org/

[indigoshuffle]

When you say "art," do you mean fine art like a contemporary artist who paints, sculpts, and use non-traditional media and conceptual art? Or do you mean graphic design? 

Both?

Many famous American artists who helped build the American art scene used the GI bill to attend art school.

SNHU has a graphic design program, and some marketing classes for artists are built into the program. They would be willing to take quite a few of your credits, but you'd have to check with them. Someone on this forum did a low-cost graphic design degree with SNHU, and he is--to my knowledge--working as a graphic artist. If I can find the thread, I'll edit this post and link it.

Many state schools hire practicing artists who make a living making art, and they will be your best source of information on how to "market" yourself and get your work out there so you can build a brand. 

I would avoid getting into debt for art school. The classes are long, so your credit hours will be more expensive. Some of my studio painting classes were 6 hours long, that's six credits... and it was mandatory to graduate. Not to mention, it takes an hour to set up and another hour to break down and properly clean your workspace. So it's like a full day of work.

I would be able to help you if you gave me more information about how you see your career unfolding.

I would very much enjoy not going into debt lol I did want to go to art school for animation before joining the military but the price tag made it out of reach. 

I suppose I am looking for both conceptual art stuff and graphic design. I’m out of practice for the more traditional stuff unfortunately so maybe I should just stick with what I’ve been doing now. 

I’d love to do it but based on my research transferring credits to an online school for a specialist field is pretty difficult especially for something like graphic design. Right now I want to keep my spending low as I prepare to leave the Navy. I’d like to get a degree that isn’t going to hurt my wallet. 

I’m interested in communication specialist roles, post production editing roles, multimedia design roles, UX/UI, web development.. I like creating. My top choices are the ones I already market myself as on LinkedIn. Communication specialist/strategic communicator and multimedia designer. I live to tell stories. Also to learn and teach but I can do that without a degree

Animation is a very expensive degree, I went to a school with an animation program and many of my art buddies work for Cartoon Network, Ubisoft, and a bunch of other companies. Many of them I still keep in contact with live in NYC independently and are able to make rent and buy their fancy cars, so take that for what it's worth. Basically, they make a lot of money. FYI, they work side jobs at graphic design firms for extra $$. The animation people are highly trained so finding work is not difficult. They also work them to the bone. They put in doctor like hours into their careers. 

If you want to do post production work, web development etc, then a state school in a metropolitan area is the way to go. Transfer in all of your gen eds, so you can focus on your major. There are also inexpensive training programs at several community colleges that teach production work, camera work, etc.

Now if you want a degree just to have a degree, sure, go with TESU or UMPI. But from what you're telling me, I doubt you'd feel fulfilled, which is just as important as saving money.

You've got to find a way to make a compromise between your budget and your personal fulfillment as a human being.

In short, everyone I know that worked hard, and went into school for animation or video production work are doing just fine and are making more money than me as a nurse. AND they're happy.

You might want to look more closely at SNHU. Just my $0.02

Either way thank you for your service. I look forward to seeing how things progress for you via this forum!

[allvia]

I still lean towards a business degree in marketing for your undergrad (as I mentioned in my previous post) vs English.  The business degree is more marketable, especially if you're looking to do creative design work rather than copy writing. Then when it comes time for a master find a program that you want to focus on, if that is graphic design or art or whatever - I just recommend it be an RA program (vs NA). The business degree covers not only 'checking the box' but is most universal for finding 'professional work' and you will already be going into the job market with experience from your military work. Also, since the percentage of the population with a master degree (or above) remains low (=<14%) you'll be ahead of the majority with a master degree no matter what you study. Using the GI for the master also makes sense, since your area of interest(s) on that level will likely be more costly than either undergrad program.

I definitely want to save my GI Bill for a master. Can I ask, in your opinion, how hard would it be for someone to earn an undergrad in one field and then a master in something not super related? For example, if I did go the English BA route, do you think that would hinder me later on if I wanted to get a master in visual communication or design?

I think the reason why I don't want to do the marketing degree is I think it would put me in a box. I suppose the same could be said about the English degree... But in my uneducated opinion, it seems like the English degree still leaves room for growth in other industries. Neither would hurt me but I feel like the English one is like a tree with more branches for me to hold than the marketing one. Am I wrong? I feel like I am probably romantizicing it all...

Since you already have professional experience through the military I do not think that going for the English over Marketing would hurt you. And since it is coming to light that you seem more interested in that path, that is likely the path you should choose. The degree that matter the most is the one you complete, and you're more likely to complete the one that interests you the most. I missed it but somewhere here it was mentioned that you may not always have access to internet for long periods of time - I'm reading that as you may not have long blocks of time (required for proctoring) vs regular access but only for short periods of time (enough time to upload written papers).  If that is the case then UMPI may be better than TESU, as TESU credit options are heavy on proctoring (not a scaring thing, just many give you an hour or two solid internet connection time) vs UMPI most courses are written papers (meaning a short internet to upload/download the papers you write offline works well).  Also Sophia is all you need outside of UMPI to complete, and they use bio metric vs camera proctoring - far more friendly to occasional internet connection at a low cost (although you must be connected while you work on any of these alt credits).  I would recommend you start off with Sophia working towards completing what you need to UMPI (skip comp I & II for now, they are recommended to take at UMPI), for the most part they are all Gen Eds - https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...quivalents