Interim & Future Plan - Machine Learning

[mweichert]

Hey DegreeForum Community,

I'm navigating a career pivot after 20 years in software engineering, spurred by my company's recent closure. With a passion for the beauty of algorithms and an interest in Data/Financial Analysis and machine learning, combined with a dislike for web/application development, I'm plotting my next moves and could use your advice.

Here's where I stand:

Immediate Skill Enhancement: I'm eyeing courses in Data Analytics and Machine Learning on platforms like edX and Coursera to gear up for immediate job opportunities in these areas. I'd like to pursue something that I can transfer as credits to a degree. Any suggestions? I'm looking for something that is self-paced so that I can complete it quickly.

Accelerated Bachelor's: My aim is a bachelor's degree in IT or CS, obtained as swiftly as possible, with a budget of about $7k. This is mainly to meet job market requirements - it opens doors to help me find another job in 3 months from now.  I have a year of community college from Seneca College (now transferred to TESU), and an Enterprise Application Developer diploma from TriOS College in Kitchener, ON. TESU or WGU seems like fitting choices for this venture, given their flexibility and my past experience with fast-paced learning. Timeline is about 3 months

Long-Term Academic Pursuit: I'm considering a more deliberate approach for a Data Analyst bachelor's, with a side of Math associate degree, setting aside a budget of around $10k. This path is aimed at preparing me for advanced studies and a deep dive into the math behind machine learning and neural networks. I'll take my time on the math to truly comprehend the material and concepts. Timeline is about 12-18 months.

I'd appreciate insights on:

- Fast-tracking the bachelor's. Where should I get this and what degree do I pursue? As long as its CS/IT related, that's all I care.
- Balancing short-term upskilling with long-term academic goals within my budget constraints. Perhaps I fast-track one Data Analysts degree but then take my time to get a math associates degree and then work on my masters.
- Experiences with TESU, WGU, or similar institutions for someone in my shoes.

Quick Snapshot:

Location: Ontario, Canada
Age: 40
Desired Degree: Data Analyst
Education Background: 1 year of community college at Seneca College (transferred to TESU), Enterprise Application Developer diploma from TriOS College.
Budget: $7k for path #2, $10k for path #3.
Credit Details:

Sencea College Total Credits: 8 (all transferred to TESU 2 years ago)

Introduction to Computers, COS-101, 3 Credits
Operating Sys Windows, SES-177, 3 Credits
Intro to Database Design and S, CIS-210, 3 Credits
Internet I Fundamentals, CAP-140, 3 Credits
Applied Professional Comm, COM-293, 3 Credits
Intro to Programming Using C, COS-213, 3 Credits
Operating Sys Unix, COS-283, 3 Credits
Lyrics and Songwriting, MUS-171, 3 Credits

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 9 (not transferred yet)

Ancient Greek Philosophy, 3 Credits
Introduction to Ethics, 3 Credits
Introduction to Sociology, 3 Credits

Note, I was able to complete the Sophia courses in 4 days. I don't say that to boast, but to encourage others to start off with Sophia.

Eager to hear your thoughts and recommendations. Thanks in advance for your support!

Thanks in advance,

Mike

---

Does anyone know if the Data Scientist nanodegree by IBM at Udacity transfers to anything at TESU?
https://www.udacity.com/course/data-scie...ree--nd025

[bjcheung77]

@mweichert, Welcome to the board, good intro post with the addendum and template, I usually recommend the balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience.  The IBM Data Scientist nanodegree at Udacity doesn't offer transfer credits, they're not ACE/NCCRS recommended for credit either. Here's an older blog post on TESU about bridging knowledge gaps: https://blog.tesu.edu/how-to-bridge-the-...evelopment

My suggestion for you is the two degrees, BACS/CIS combo, this will allow you to be well versed in Business and Computers/IT, it fits your budget and timeline.  It's a mix of option 2 and option 3 as well.  You should take your time to review some posts/threads and wiki with the degree plans to get familiar with ACE/NCCRS providers and what degree/institutions you may want to attend.  Good luck, have fun, keep us updated...

[mweichert]

Thanks @bjchueng77!

To complete the degrees as fast as possible, I'll use Sophia/Saylor/StraighterLine, and Study.com to get 90 credits.

But I'll need RA credits. Where can I get those?

I know Coopersmith is one source, but perhaps WGU could be another. One thought was that I pay for one 6 month term at WGU, and try to knock off as many "easy" courses as I can there and then transfer them to TESU to complete things.

Looks like there's one or two RA sources listed here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Fr..._of_Credit

It looks like the RA Credits are what's going to be the most expensive if I'm trying to do this degree as fast as possible.

I did find some ACE credited courses related to path #1:
https://www.deeplearning.ai/courses/deep...alization/
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Co...earning.AI

[bjcheung77]

Coopersmith is NOT RA, they're NCCRS credits (similar to ACE), you want to take 5 TECEPs and the 15 credit residency credits at TESU. My recommendations are actually the cheapies/freebies certificates from Coursera/Edx options (all of them related to Data Analytics/Data Science), add that to your TESU degrees, and get some experience while working on those certificates. You're mixing/matching that properly and it's somewhat even (cheap, easy, fast as well).

For your Sophia.org, complete the ones in the WIKI links for the degree plans at TESU BACS/CIS combo, there are two, one from LevelUP, the other Rachel83AZ, mix/match the Sophia.org, Study.com, and so on to your liking... You can take all the Sophia.org that is required and that you know won't duplicate your current credits (such as gen eds, etc) https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:TESU

Flat rate, you can take the recommendations here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...University

[mweichert]

@bjchueng77 do you mind reviewing my spreadsheet and see if I'm missing anything please: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...sp=sharing

I'm planning on getting my BACS and BSBA CIS together and as fast as possible.

Do you know how many weeks each capstone takes?
Do you know how many weeks SOS-1100 takes?
I'm also trying to assess whether I can do both capstones and SOS-1100 at the same time.

Do you see any certificates I'd be able to acquire from the list of courses I'm taking?

I believe to not incur additional cost, I should try to complete both degrees at the same time. Any recommended strategy for that?

Thanks so much, thankful to finally have that spreadsheet put together.

I'm not going to try to get ahead of myself, but I think after the above is complete I'll transfer everything to WGU and try to get my Masters in Data Analytics.

Cheers,
Mike

[rachel83az]

At TESU, the capstone and cornerstone classes are all 12 weeks each. If you finish more than 50% of a class and need more time, you can pay for a class extension.

[bjcheung77]

@mweichert, did you continue with the plan and start working on the alternative credits first from one provider to the next? You don't want to have more than one provider subscription active, so work on only one provider at a time, say complete all of the classes from Sophia.org first, move onto Coursera Certs that have ACE credit and can transfer to TESU, then Study.com after all is done with Sophia.org, Coursera/TEEX, etc.