Having a dilemma

[LiarPlay]

Hello, a newbie here.

I've been looking into how to get a degree as quickly as possible and cheap. Why you might ask? I'm currently a self taught Concept Artist trying to focus on becoming a freelancer in that area. I really want to focus on putting the time into that instead of getting a degree (Only reason why I want a degree is for a backup plan). So I just really want to get it over with asap.

As far as my research goes. I've seen people mentioned that its possible to get a degree within months depending how well people study, their testing ability, along with if they have any prior credits from colleges, and others.
I do have credits from ALEKS that I took awhile back. Which were Intermediate Algebra, Intro to Stats, and PreCalc. Along with all the free TEEX courses and the The Institute Ethics and CPCU Code course. Would be nice if I can still use some of these credits.

I'm not really sure what degree to pick from. I've narrowed down to BALS or a BSBA in business at TESU or if there's anything else. I do have a IT background as well along with certs from the vocational school that I went to but they are only the equivalents to CompTIA+'s . They are the Testout Pro's versions i.e Testout Network Pro is to Network+. I have the TestOut Pro PC, Network, and Security certs. They basically cover the same materials as CompTIA+'s. If I can somehow use that knowledge to hasten things up that would be a bonus. So I could get a degree in some computer related field as well. At this point I don't really mind which area that degree is specialized in.

Oh right one last thing. I have been learning Japanese for awhile now. If its possible to use that to cover for credits (like taking the JLPT or something similar) that would be another bonus lol.

Any help would be much appreciated!

[dfrecore]

I would say that your best bet is to figure out which degree you want first.

The credits you already have will work, as long as they are on your ACE transcript.

Japanese will get you some credits, depending on how well you know it. Somewhere between 3-12credits (some LL, some UL) for the OPI, and another 3-12cr for the WPT (again, some LL, some UL).

For TESU, the BALS would probably be the fastest/easiest, as there are just more options, and you don't have any business courses yet. With a computer background, this is also a good option, as many CIS/COS courses are available. Your certs won't count at all there. Your Japanese credits would fulfill some of the degree.

If you wanted to do an IT degree, then WGU would be your best bet - they might take your certs, or the certs you have might be good prep for the certs you'll take within the degree (included in the cost), and they count as some of your courses. They have a lot of options for the IT world. Not sure if Japanese would work except for 3cr in Humanities.

COSC also has degrees that are well-priced and might interest you. No idea on the certs.

EC has degrees in LS, Business & IT - and they give credits for certs (although not sure of your particular ones).

If I were you, I would think on exactly what you want, since it starts to add up to apply to all of the schools. Call them all and ask which will take your certs, and how they would fit into a degree; that might make a difference, might not.

[Johmford]

I started in January with 55 or so CC credits.
I now have 117 credits towards the BALS. My capstone is finished July 22nd, I think that the BALS is the fastest way to go if you can do DSST and CLEP well.

[Ideas]

For speed, I would definitely say the BALS or a General Studies degrees at COSC. You may be able to get a Foreign Language concentration at COSC.

But a BSBA may get you farther, if you needed to use it. If that's your only degree, it's a good one to have. The downside to the BSBA in my opinion is that some people go slower with business courses especially econ, accounting, and stats (although I see you have that one!). So I only recommend it if you enjoy reading about management, etc.

[davewill]

I think in your shoes, I'd narrow it down one of:

1. BSBA-CIS at TESU. It's fast, cheap, and the CIS courses should be right up your alley.
2. An IT degree at WGU. You earn a number of certs included in the price (WGU uses them as final exams), and it will cost you close to the same price as the TESU degree. Your current certs might count for this, but I have doubts. For the right student it can be as fast as TESU.

The choice comes down to whether you'd rather do the various business courses for the BSBA or the IT coursework and certs at WGU.

[High_Order1]

Most people are coached to pick a degree, and then they can help find the fastest path to that degree.

Saying you just want a degree as a backup plan, with no real time or effort spent on it, might prove difficult (I know, I certainly looked at the beginning of my journey). Especially at the bachelors' level. There are some very straightforward associates plans detailed on here.

This will be especially true if you don't currently possess a mastery of the topics needed to get a degree. I felt pretty good about buzzing through the various courses initially, and then found out I had to ratchet expectations WAY down because I wasn't conversant in academic thinking or speaking.

Not raining on your parade, just injecting a little thought before you invest in this path...

[1thomasP]

I started in January with 55 or so CC credits.
I now have 117 credits towards the BALS. My capstone is finished July 22nd, I think that the BALS is the fastest way to go if you can do DSST and CLEP well.

I started with 80 credits towards my BA. Excelsior would only take that number out of the 115 I had. I now have all 117 credits, and should be done with my capstone in October. This is all thanks to this forum.