I need a plan for an IT degree

[justlearning123]

I'm back. Starting from scratch again. I aborted the filmmaking degree because I probably would have spent 5 years and $50k on a degree, and still been unemployable. So now I am thinking of just getting an IT degree, since I've worked in IT for 25 years. I hate math, but I think I could do all my math classes using something like StraighterLine, where I could work at my own pace. While at SL, I might as well take other courses there.

I think what I am looking for, is an online IT degree where I could take many classes at SL, and where the 4 yr college was also fairly cheap. My state residency is fluid, so I don't think I could rely on in-state low tuition rates. I am looking for a schools that are cheap for out-of-state residents too. The "cyber security" degrees look interesting, but I could get a regular IT degree if the "cyber" ones are a fad. It seems like security would be more out-source-proof than application development (what I do now).

I went to WGU briefly, but did not like the way they test. I studied way too hard, and too long. I wanted to make sure I'd get a 100% on the tests, even though you only need a 70%. I would do better in a class where they give you tests as you go along. Is SL like that?

[sanantone]

I think you were the one who also posted on DegreeinInfo.com concerned about out-of-state tuition rates. Since you don't like the competency-based format, I'll link you to these programs. Keep in mind that these tuition and fees can change July 1st.

Peru State College - $246 per credit hour (not a Straighterline partner)
http://www.peru.edu/academics/docs/progr...s/CMIS.pdf

Fort Hays State University - $194.14 per credit hour (not a Straighterline partner)
Bachelor's Degrees - Fort Hays State University

Chadron State College - $225 per credit hour (not a Straighterline partner)
https://www.csc.edu/business/programs.csc

American Public University System - $250 per credit hour and books are free (Straighterline partner)
APU Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Security
APU Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
APU Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
APU Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management

Thomas Edison State College - minimum of $240.19 under the Comprehensive Tuition Plan which charges a flat rate of $8,647 per year for a maximum of 36 credits (Straighterline partner)

Choosing a TESC tuition plan can be confusing. Because this community is different from a typical TESC student, I'll explain their plans a little differently than they do. If you want to complete more 24 or more credits of TESC courses, then you should choose the Comprehensive Tuition Plan. If you are fine with taking TECEPs (credit-by-exam at $111 each), then you should choose the Per Credit Tuition Plan. For BSBA programs, you will take eight TECEPs to meet the 24-credit residency requirement for a total of $888. For programs with a capstone that has to be taken with TESC, you will take seven TECEPs for $777 and pay $491 per credit hour for the 3-credit capstone. If you don't like either of those tuition plans and want to transfer in almost all of your credits, then choose the Enrolled Options Plan that has an enrollment fee of $3,154. You will have no further obligations to take TESC courses unless you need the capstone which will cost $236 per credit hour.

Even though COSC and Excelsior have higher tuition rates, you can still save a lot of money with them by transferring in most of your courses. Those two are also SL partners. COSC currently charges $346 per credit hour plus $245 per semester, but is raising those rates a little on July 1st. You have to take the cornerstone and capstone at COSC for a total of 6 credits. Excelsior charges $490 per credit hour (2015-2016 figures). There is a $1,065 enrollment fee if you choose the Multi-Source Option. Under this option, you only have to take the capstone at Excelsior. There is no enrollment fee under the Excelsior Course Option, but it requires a minimum of 12 credits in Excelsior courses.

If you choose TESC, I can help you with a plan for their BSAST in Information Technology, BA in Computer Science, or BSBA in Computer Information Systems. The BSBA in CIS is completely test and alternative sources of credit-friendly meaning that you won't have to take any courses at TESC or any other college. There are others who can probably help you with a plan for COSC or Excelsior.

[sanantone]

Middle Georgia State College is not a Straighterline partner, but charges $169 per credit hour.
http://www.mga.edu/academics/docs/catalo...f#page=213
Tuition Rate : Middle Georgia State University

[ajs1976]

justlearning123,

What courses have you completed? Do you have any certifications?

[justlearning123]

I think you were the one who also posted on DegreeinInfo.com concerned about out-of-state tuition rates. Since you don't like the competency-based format, I'll link you to these programs. Keep in mind that these tuition and fees can change July 1st.

Peru State College - $246 per credit hour (not a Straighterline partner)
http://www.peru.edu/academics/docs/progr...s/CMIS.pdf

Fort Hays State University - $194.14 per credit hour (not a Straighterline partner)
Bachelor's Degrees - Fort Hays State University

Chadron State College - $225 per credit hour (not a Straighterline partner)
https://www.csc.edu/business/programs.csc

American Public University System - $250 per credit hour and books are free (Straighterline partner)
APU Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Security
APU Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
APU Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
APU Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management

Thomas Edison State College - minimum of $240.19 under the Comprehensive Tuition Plan which charges a flat rate of $8,647 per year for a maximum of 36 credits (Straighterline partner)

Choosing a TESC tuition plan can be confusing. Because this community is different from a typical TESC student, I'll explain their plans a little differently than they do. If you want to complete more 24 or more credits of TESC courses, then you should choose the Comprehensive Tuition Plan. If you are fine with taking TECEPs (credit-by-exam at $111 each), then you should choose the Per Credit Tuition Plan. For BSBA programs, you will take eight TECEPs to meet the 24-credit residency requirement for a total of $888. For programs with a capstone that has to be taken with TESC, you will take seven TECEPs for $777 and pay $491 per credit hour for the 3-credit capstone. If you don't like either of those tuition plans and want to transfer in almost all of your credits, then choose the Enrolled Options Plan that has an enrollment fee of $3,154. You will have no further obligations to take TESC courses unless you need the capstone which will cost $236 per credit hour.

Even though COSC and Excelsior have higher tuition rates, you can still save a lot of money with them by transferring in most of your courses. Those two are also SL partners. COSC currently charges $346 per credit hour plus $245 per semester, but is raising those rates a little on July 1st. You have to take the cornerstone and capstone at COSC for a total of 6 credits. Excelsior charges $490 per credit hour (2015-2016 figures). There is a $1,065 enrollment fee if you choose the Multi-Source Option. Under this option, you only have to take the capstone at Excelsior. There is no enrollment fee under the Excelsior Course Option, but it requires a minimum of 12 credits in Excelsior courses.

If you choose TESC, I can help you with a plan for their BSAST in Information Technology, BA in Computer Science, or BSBA in Computer Information Systems. The BSBA in CIS is completely test and alternative sources of credit-friendly meaning that you won't have to take any courses at TESC or any other college. There are others who can probably help you with a plan for COSC or Excelsior.

WOW, thank you for all this information. For the last 30 years, I've choked on Math classes, and have never got past Algebra/Trig. What I want to do this time, is take all the Math classes required for an IT degree, at a place where I can go at my own pace. Where I can pay the $99 a month, or whatever, until I pass all the Math classes. That is why I was thinking of StraighterLine.

I'm actually in NJ right now, and had looked in to TESC, but did not pursue it at the time, because I was going to have to spend a lot of time working my way through their math classes, while paying full TESC price. At that time, I did not know about SL. This fall, my residency will probably change to either SD, TX, or FL, though I will still be in NJ. I am going to use a mail-forwarding place to get my mail sent to me in NJ. I saw the TESC tuition rates were about $500 for out-of-state people, so I was looking for cheaper ones. Maybe if I took a lot of classes at SL, the price wouldn't matter at TESC.

Peru, Fort Hays, and Chadron all look crazy cheap, I will go through their websites and check them out. I did not see an IT degree at Chadron, but maybe I missed it. I don't *have* to get an IT degree, it just seemed like a good idea since I've been doing IT for 25 years. All that *really* matters is that I get a BS degree. I took some classes at ASU as part of their screenwriting major, because FTW, I was tired of IT, lol.

I don't like the competency method because the one class I took "surveyed" a lot of IT principles, and I freaked out and learned everything it touched on, which took me 3 months. My estimated graduation date was 12 years in the future. I *do* like working at my own pace, since I normally learn things very quickly. The only exception is Math, where I want to plod through it slowly.

I started looking at Charter Oaks, but I don't know what to think of it. Previously I didn't like it because it's "concentrations" looked sketchy, but now I don't care how it looks, I only care if I get a degree. I'm unfamiliar with this whole "capstone" stuff, it sounds like a big project so they can make sure you know what you are doing. That is fine, if so.

A lot of what I am planning, assumes I will like SL. I think I will. It's $99 a month, and I can work at my own pace. I can probably get 50% of the credits for the degree at SL, and save a lot of money, and maybe time. But I have read a few negative things about SL, so maybe it is not as perfect as I expect.

My only issue with something like Chadron, is that I would have to work at their pace, and I could end up working on a degree for 10 years there. If I was younger, I would be fine with that, but I am hoping to get a degree ASAP.

I did post on two forums. I thought they were the same forum. Man was I confused, lol. Everything was very similar, yet different. Now I have them bookmarked so I don't have to go through Google to find them.

[ajs1976]

For the last 30 years, I've choked on Math classes, and have never got past Algebra/Trig. What I want to do this time, is take all the Math classes required for an IT degree, at a place where I can go at my own pace. Where I can pay the $99 a month, or whatever, until I pass all the Math classes. That is why I was thinking of StraighterLine.

Have you looked into ALEKS?

[justlearning123]

justlearning123,

What courses have you completed? Do you have any certifications?

I have 1 cert, I think was CIW 140, or something. It was the first one at WGU. I have taken college classes in C, C++, C++ Advanced, Database/SQL, Unix, Art, Psychology, History 1865+, Film Production, Screen Writing 1, Algebra 1, English 101, and maybe 1-2 more.

[justlearning123]

Have you looked into ALEKS?

Nope. I see people mention it a lot. Is it something I should be considering?

it sounds like something from Dr Who !

[ajs1976]

Nope. I see people mention it a lot. Is it something I should be considering?

it sounds like something from Dr Who !

$20 per month. evaluated by ACE for college credit. It doesn't work for everyone, but can be used with other resources such as Khan Academy.

ACE Credit Courses

[ajs1976]

I have taken college classes in C, C++, C++ Advanced, Database/SQL, Unix, Art, Psychology, History 1865+, Film Production, Screen Writing 1, Algebra 1, English 101, and maybe 1-2 more.

Are any of the computer classes 300 or 400 level courses?