I need help figuring out how to finally obtain Bachelors, advice appreciated

[dadof3]

Location: South Carolina, USA
Your Age: 35
What kind of degree do you want?: I’m currently a Cybersecurity and Information Assurance major at WGU but I’m trying to see how I can finish my bachelors fastest at this point, I’m really struggling to get a couple of these remaining required certifications and will likely need to change my major and I’m feeling really stuck. I really just need to finish my bachelors and move on with life. I’d probably like to pursue a masters in history or English eventually. I’m considering something like TESU/Excelsior/COSC that might take a lot of my credits and let me just finish out some sort of bachelors quickly. I’m a freelance writer mostly focused in tech and music which I intend to keep growing with. I also just love history and English and have thought about eventually becoming an adjunct professor or similar. The current goal is just to have something to show for the time and money I’ve spent on trying to get through a bachelors, I feel like I keep hitting walls and not finishing and I’m frustrated. 


Current Regional Accredited Credits:
I have an AAS in Computer Technology - Information Systems Specialistfrom Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC
(https://www.tridenttech.edu/catalog2023/...alist.html)

From WGU I also have successfully completed:


Network and Security - Applications
Fundamentals of information security
Networks
Introduction to Cryptography
Legal issues in information security
Emerging Technologies in Cybersecurity
Data Management - Applications
Digital forensics in cybersecurity
Managing Information Security
Any certifications or military experience?
CompTIA A+ 
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Security+
Jira Fundamentals Badge Atlassian
Confluence Fundamentals Badge Atlassian
Budget: as cheap as possible, I’m on financial aid with WGU but I’ve nearly maxed out Pell. I’m also married with 3 kids and a dog. 
Commitments: family and work, but there’s flexibility to study 
Dedicated time to study: several hours per day/night
Timeline: I really would like to be finished by the end of the year if at all possible
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: nope, I’m self employed 

ETA
Trying to find my actual AAS coursework, this is what transferred to WGU:
ETA: Couldn’t figure out how to attach photo. 

Have requested transcript for AAS to give fuller picture of my credits. It should arrive within 3 days. 

[dfrecore]

COSC is out, that was done long ago.

Between TESU and EU, EU has more space for free electives in the BLS degree. But TESU's BALS might be an option (and maybe you can do the BALS w/Concentration in CompSci). They also have a degree in English, and one in History - both can be done via alt-credit I think.

I would also look at UMPI's YourPace CBE program. They have a BLS degree with tons of space for free electives, and you can choose between multiple minors/concentrations. They also have English and History degrees.

Between those 3, I think you can get a degree quickly.

Also, if you list your credits you've done at Trident Tech, that would be more helpful. We need to see all of your credits.

[dadof3]

COSC is out, that was done long ago.

Between TESU and EU, EU has more space for free electives in the BLS degree.  But TESU's BALS might be an option (and maybe you can do the BALS w/Concentration in CompSci).  They also have a degree in English, and one in History - both can be done via alt-credit I think.

I would also look at UMPI's YourPace CBE program.  They have a BLS degree with tons of space for free electives, and you can choose between multiple minors/concentrations.  They also have English and History degrees.

Between those 3, I think you can get a degree quickly.

Also, if you list your credits you've done at Trident Tech, that would be more helpful.  We need to see all of your credits.

Thank you so much for this info, I will get those credits listed as soon as the transcript request completes. 

Do you think one of these 3 options would make more sense (time and/ or $) than trying to switch to a different IT program at WGU (perhaps plain IT)?

[rachel83az]

If you're struggling with the certificates, WGU might not be the best choice for you. For tech, TESU might be an easier choice for you with their Comp Sci degree. But if you're more interested in English/History, I'd go with a degree from UMPI instead.

[dadof3]

If you're struggling with the certificates, WGU might not be the best choice for you. For tech, TESU might be an easier choice for you with their Comp Sci degree. But if you're more interested in English/History, I'd go with a degree from UMPI instead.

Thank you, I’ll read up on your suggestions more thoroughly while I wait for my old transcript.

[rachel83az]

There are degree plans for TESU here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...ts_Roadmap

UMPI here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

[dadof3]

There are degree plans for TESU here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...ts_Roadmap

UMPI here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

Thank you!

[origamishuttle]

I have an AAS in Computer Technology - Information Systems Specialist

UMPI also has a Bachelor of Applied Science, and the UL requirements are slightly lower than the BLS. You would need to apply for the BLS and then get permission to switch to the BAS. I would recommend the Project Management minor. If you're able to finish in a single session, it would only be $1,400 to finish, although you may need to complete some Sophia courses, depending on what courses you bring in from your AAS.

[bjcheung77]

@dadof3, Welcome to the board, did you do the co-op or internship option when you were at Trident? It really doesn't matter, I just wanted to see if that can 'add' to your current experience. I usually recommend to work on 3 things, certs, degree, experience... Essentially, you have some certs, some experience, and that's what really matters as the third thing I recommend is the degree.

How far are you along the WGU degree? Are you more than 3/4th the way? The AAS CC, at most, should have transferred 60 credits, if you've completed those at WGU, you may already be at the 3/4th stage and need a final term to complete the remaining requirements for the degree. You need to decide on the energy, money, time and the requirements of finishing at each institution you're looking at.

In short, review your options, you can either continue with WGU if you're close to completing or change directions and pivot to one of the mentioned options provided by other members. Again, you want to have a mix/match of those 3, how rounded you want them to be depends on your preference. You're doing a great job already, you're almost there to the elusive finish line... Good luck, carry on that torch!

[dadof3]

@dadof3, Welcome to the board, did you do the co-op or internship option when you were at Trident? It really doesn't matter, I just wanted to see if that can 'add' to your current experience. I usually recommend to work on 3 things, certs, degree, experience... Essentially, you have some certs, some experience, and that's what really matters as the third thing I recommend is the degree.

How far are you along the WGU degree? Are you more than 3/4th the way? The AAS CC, at most, should have transferred 60 credits, if you've completed those at WGU, you may already be at the 3/4th stage and need a final term to complete the remaining requirements for the degree.  You need to decide on the energy, money, time and the requirements of finishing at each institution you're looking at.

In short, review your options, you can either continue with WGU if you're close to completing or change directions and pivot to one of the mentioned options provided by other members.  Again, you want to have a mix/match of those 3, how rounded you want them to be depends on your preference.  You're doing a great job already, you're almost there to the elusive finish line... Good luck, carry on that torch!

 Thanks for this feedback!

I did not do the internship option for my AAS.

At WGU I have 6 classes left:

C842 Cyber Defense and Countermeasures (CompTIA CySa+)
C845 Information Systems Security (SSCP)
C838- Managing Cloud Security
C176 Project Management (Project+)
D153 Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Analysis (PenTest+)
C769 IT Capstone

However, I can’t seem to pass those *starred and I’m concerned I’ll struggle with the remaining certs I haven’t attempted yet. I’m open to switching to a different path at WGU that wouldn’t have so many more certs to achieve (5 out of the 6 remaining courses for my current WGU path are certs).

I’m pretty good at moving through non cert courses quickly and easily and I think I could bang out Sophia etc to do a different option more quickly elsewhere if that makes sense to do.

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I have an AAS in Computer Technology - Information Systems Specialist

UMPI also has a Bachelor of Applied Science, and the UL requirements are slightly lower than the BLS. You would need to apply for the BLS and then get permission to switch to the BAS. I would recommend the Project Management minor. If you're able to finish in a single session, it would only be $1,400 to finish, although you may need to complete some Sophia courses, depending on what courses you bring in from your AAS.

Thanks for this suggestion. Do they allow switching in the same session? I’m a little confused about that part.