International tentative TESU degree plan help

[F00X]

Your Location: Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Your Age: 24
What kind of degree do you want?: Computer Science OR Information Technologies (Tending heavily towards computer science)
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 0 (potentially some, but likelihood is very low. Explained below.)

Lycée Guillaume Kroll Total Credits: 120 ECTS
I completed a BTS in Cloud Computing (Equivalence of a Bac +2 degree or 2 years of university here). But it is still a very new type of elevated diploma that is not officially accredited by almost all universities except for one in France (more of a work diploma). But if the stars align, maybe some of these count. It would be really nice. Grades are always out of 20.

Projects and Communication 1 , 7 ECTS, 17.9
(Subclasses: Project Management 1, Technical Business Communication 1, Technical English)

Cloud 1 , 12 ECTS, 13.2
(Subclasses: Operating systems in the cloud, Cloud Infrastructures 1)
 
IT and Security 1, 11 ECTS, 18.3
(Subclasses: IT Networks 1, IT Task automation 1, Information technology security 1)

Projects and Communication 2 , 7 ECTS, 17.4
(Subclasses: Project Management 2, Technical Business Communication 2, Technical French)

Cloud 2 , 12 ECTS, 17.7
(Subclasses: Virtualization and Cloud, Cloud Infrastructures)


IT and Security 2, 11 ECTS, 17.0
(Subclasses: IT Networks 2, IT task automation 2, Information Technology Security 2)



Projects and Economics 1, 9 ECTS, 17.4
(Subclasses: Project Management 3, Accounting, Cloud Projects 1)

Cloud 3, 11 ECTS, 15.6
(Subclasses: Cloud Solutions 1, Cloud Infrastructures 3)

IT and security 3, 10 ECTS, 14.3
(Subclasses: IT Networks 3, IT Monitoring and service management)


Company Internship, 20 ECTS, 16.7

Projects and Economics, 5 ECTS, 18.7
(Subclasses: Environment and Organization, Cloud Projects 2)

Cloud 4, 5 ECTS, 16.7
(Subclasses: Cloud Solutions 2, IT Networks 4)


Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 6

Sophia Credits: 6
Introduction to Ethics, 3, 90%
Visual Communications, 3, 96%

Any certifications or military experience?


We did the CCNA: Introduction to Networks and CCNA: Switching and Routing, as well as a whole bunch of Microsoft Office certifs, though I doubt the office certifs count for anything. Also a TOEFL ibT 114/120 but it was issued in 2020 so I might need to re-do it.


Budget: Would be about 10.000 EUR, though I am flexible both up (AND MOST DEFINITELY) down. Just not a fortune.
Commitments: I work from home and am studying Japanese for fun, but obviously the bachelor would take precedent over my hobby.
Dedicated time to study: I am a very burst-based student. I did the Sophia courses in 2 days, about 6 hours non-stop each. I most definitely am not planning to go hard and do 6 hours every single day, as my work and hobby need a little bit of loving too. Let's say a healthy 25 hours on average. Some weeks more, some less.

- I suck at classroom learning, usually. So keeping the easiest credits for the actual TESU term would be ideal.
- Test anxiety exists but is manageable if there is enough clear material to do independent study.
- I would have jumped on WGU for its model, but alas they don't take foreigners. I prefer competency-based/self-paced. But it is not an absolute requirement, especially if I only have to take a few credits that way.
Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible would be ideal.
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: I... don't know. Probably not? My workplace is not going to sponsor anything.






That's it for the introduction, phew. Now the BTS I have, might be worth something and by god do I hope it is. Would you immediately tell me to just have it evaluated by some governing body? If yes, which one? And what are the requirements?

I have been eyeing the TESU Computer Science Bachelor of Arts, mainly because a lot of research (of mine) seems to indicate that a computer science degree opens overall the most doors. I know they also have a Cloud Computing Bachelor of Science, and it would be super interesting to look into that as well, but I am unsure as to the worth of it as well as how "easy" it would be to complete at a low cost in comparison to the computer science degree.


I am working right now, thanks to my BTS degree, and work from home. So I have decided to fill my free time up in the best way I can, by getting a bachelor while I'm at it if possible. This is why going to a local university is not an option. I do not want to stop working. The degree is mainly to check a box, and open doors in my career. Opportunities like TESU or Excelsior simply do not exist in Europe to my knowledge.

I have already signed up at Sophia and completed the two mentioned courses in two days to get a feel for it (and honestly, I am planning to do many more just for fun. Whether the TESU path works out or not. I think I just enjoy learning lol).

If my BTS counts for squat (which would hurt), I am planning to go the Finnish university path to take a game development course or something for 35 ECTS, to cover those as RA credit. I know the basics of TESU, so I am also planning to take the last 16 cr at TESU itself in one 12 week batch with the flat rate. Course-wise, I am following the wiki guide for the computer science planner page. I am planning to use as much Sophia as humanly possible because it is fun and works great for me so far.

Can someone give me a run-down of my options and what the general best steps for me would be? Thank you very much, you guys are genuine rockstars to me. Especially considering you are navigating all of this university stuff from an American perspective, which certainly has its own up- and downsides in this aspect.


If I forgot anything, please let me know and I will reply with additional details as soon as humanly possible.

Godspeed.

Edit: Added extra details.
Edit 2: Added details on my class/learning style preferences.

[bjcheung77]

@OP, Welcome to the board, nice introduction post... You're about two decades or more years younger than I am, I suggest doing the trifecta of certs, degree, experience.  You don't have many classes in comp science and I doubt you have much experience in that field...You can do the TESU BACS and BS-CIS combo for a business/comp science major.

You can do a mix/match of what LevelUP and Rachel83AZ has on their degree templates on the WIKI
LevelUP: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...egree_Plan
Rachel83AZ: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...z_version)

[F00X]

@OP, Welcome to the board, nice introduction post... You're about two decades or more years younger than I am, I suggest doing the trifecta of certs, degree, experience.  You don't have many classes in comp science and I doubt you have much experience in that field...You can do the TESU BACS and BS-CIS combo for a business/comp science major.

You can do a mix/match of what LevelUP and Rachel83AZ has on their degree templates on the WIKI
LevelUP: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...egree_Plan
Rachel83AZ: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...z_version)

Thank you for the answer. I indeed don't think that I have much relevant experience or knowledge in CS. We did do some light Python and Automation, but that is about the extent of it. Why did you mention my lack of experience in comp science? Does it affect anything?

A double degree... that is a lot more than I had envisioned. Wouldn't that be a big uptick in work? I assume it would be possible to just do the BACS first, and then do the BS-CIS afterwards if I wish? It would indeed look good on my resume, but I am more focused on getting a bachelor at all for now.

For the other question; should I get my transcripts evaluated right away? And if so, which option gives me the best chances of having the most amount of ECTS accredited? On another note, I also read somewhere in this forum that it is a good idea to enroll with TESU as fast as possible to have access to a study advisor. Is that still true? And if so, is the plan to take one course for the $500/cr~ rate and then just take advantage of the advisor? Do I have to keep taking classes to stay enrolled? I am a little confused on the specifics there.

I assume until I get my existing transcripts evaluated, I will not be able to set up a fixed plan. Oh, I also have a vocational diploma in accounting btw. Though I do not know if I should even get that evaluated. (I made a jump from accounting to cloud computing due to higher interest in IT), thoughts? Just do it anyways and see what happens?

I'm sorry if some questions seem redundant, I am aware they might be. I just want to get the facts straight so I don't get any surprises down the line.

[bjcheung77]

Q: Why did you mention my lack of experience in comp science? Does it affect anything?
A: Not really, it would change my recommendation a little, such as getting a basic check the box degree and going for Masters Applied Computer Science instead. Right now, stick with TESU for now.

Q: Wouldn't that be a big uptick in work? I assume it would be possible to just do the BACS first, and then do the BS-CIS afterwards if I wish?
A: Yes, just 5 extra courses if you follow the templates.  Yes, do the BACS first, add the BS-CIS afterwards, it's 5 extra courses again.  You have the energy, money, time to get this done.

Q: should I get my transcripts evaluated right away? Do I have to keep taking classes to stay enrolled?
A: Apply, send in all NACES evaluated transcripts (Accounting & BTS Cloud/IT).  Medical Terminology TECEP for $52 will enroll you for a year.

[davewill]

A double degree... that is a lot more than I had envisioned. Wouldn't that be a big uptick in work? I assume it would be possible to just do the BACS first, and then do the BS-CIS afterwards if I wish? It would indeed look good on my resume, but I am more focused on getting a bachelor at all for now.

If you're going to do the combo, it pretty much has to be both at the same time. The way it works is the Area of Study (AOS) courses for each degree become the electives for the other, with a few courses counting in the AOS for both degrees. You end up taking the same number of courses, and spending the same money, as you would for one degree, but getting two.

That said, doing just one degree is easier because you can take easier courses to fill in the electives.

[bjcheung77]

Yes, complete the BACS first, if you have the energy, money, time the complete the extra 5 classes or so... It really depends on what you're looking for, I think it's good ROI/Value in getting those 5 classes done using alternative credits.

[thunderstruck]

Opportunities like TESU or Excelsior simply do not exist in Europe to my knowledge.

There's Metropolia, where you can do 180 ECTS for ~600 euros, and finish the degree for cheap (or even for free) as EU citizen. Have you checked that option?

Non-EU people have to pay more than 10K euros for the last year, so it's not that great for Americans, unfortunately.

[rachel83az]

Opportunities like TESU or Excelsior simply do not exist in Europe to my knowledge.

There's Metropolia, where you can do 180 ECTS for ~600 euros, and finish the degree for cheap (or even for free) as EU citizen. Have you checked that option?

Non-EU people have to pay more than 10K euros for the last year, so it's not that great for Americans, unfortunately.

I was just about to suggest that! An IT degree for less than 600€ is hard to beat. They might even accept your prior Cloud Computing diploma in some manner.

[F00X]

Opportunities like TESU or Excelsior simply do not exist in Europe to my knowledge.

There's Metropolia, where you can do 180 ECTS for ~600 euros, and finish the degree for cheap (or even for free) as EU citizen. Have you checked that option?

Non-EU people have to pay more than 10K euros for the last year, so it's not that great for Americans, unfortunately.

I was just about to suggest that! An IT degree for less than 600€ is hard to beat. They might even accept your prior Cloud Computing diploma in some manner.

I have come across this suggestion before in the forum, but I am a little unsure of it. Mainly because of the fact that it does not seem to be self-paced? I am on the whole just not sure how the whole university and credits system works. But I am sure that all of that will become familiar and easy once I have some experience with it. I am willing to pay more to get it done faster at TESU if that is indeed how the options pan out.

bjcheung77

Q: should I get my transcripts evaluated right away? Do I have to keep taking classes to stay enrolled?

A: Apply, send in all NACES evaluated transcripts (Accounting & BTS Cloud/IT).  Medical Terminology TECEP for $52 will enroll you for a year.

Should I go with AICE for the evaluation? I've seen AICE get recommended over others before on this forum for being more "realistic" and thus increasing the chances of getting more credits. Don't know myself though. Is that wisdom still up-to-date?


Thank you everyone for your answers. So after I apply with all of my evaluated transcripts, I just choose to do the Medical Terminology TECEP and nothing else, and they'll accept that and give me access to a study advisor?

Also, am I correct in assuming that if I get some of my ECTS accredited, those would count as RA credits and I wouldn't have to worry about that part anymore?

[rachel83az]

Metropolia is self-paced for the first 3/4 of the degree. The remaining 1/4 is done in regular university time. TESU might be a bit faster, but Metropolia is still pretty quick by European standards.