Looking into AA (but with an eventual BA in mind)

[degreedude80]

Your Location: Midwest US
Your Age: Late 30s
What kind of degree do you want?: Currently need 60 hours for licensure as a paraprofessional. Eventually want to get an AA/AAS and BA (long shot, but it's the plan)

Current Regional Accredited Credits: 52

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:  Have modern states voucher for one exam, need to take the exam in a few weeks. 

Any certifications or military experience?: Short term paraprofessional license in Illinois. 

Budget: Cheaper the better.

Commitments: Occupied full time (work and parenting)

Dedicated time to study: 2 hours a day

Timeline: Summer 2026

*I am native Hindi speaker and was looking into getting credit via ATCFL or equivalent. Suggestions welcome.

I am currently first trying to obtain 60 hours for full paraprofessional licensure.  I would like to eventually obtain an associates degree as I am just a few classes away from such (I need to take a science class, and an English class).  While a BA is a long shot, I am not opposed to pursuing an AA/AAS that meshes easily with an eventual BA.

Looking into - UWisconsin system (some colleges offer the AA degree with eventual path to a BA), Upper Iowa University, UMPI, TESU, WV Community College System (the few options that remain)

[Mint Berry Crunch]

Your Location: Midwest US
Your Age: Late 30s
What kind of degree do you want?: Currently need 60 hours for licensure as a paraprofessional. Eventually want to get an AA/AAS and BA (long shot, but it's the plan)

Current Regional Accredited Credits: 52

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:  Have modern states voucher for one exam, need to take the exam in a few weeks. 

Any certifications or military experience?: Short term paraprofessional license in Illinois. 

Budget: Cheaper the better.

Commitments: Occupied full time (work and parenting)

Dedicated time to study: 2 hours a day

Timeline: Summer 2026

*I am native Hindi speaker and was looking into getting credit via ATCFL or equivalent. Suggestions welcome.

I am currently first trying to obtain 60 hours for full paraprofessional licensure.  I would like to eventually obtain an associates degree as I am just a few classes away from such (I need to take a science class, and an English class).  While a BA is a long shot, I am not opposed to pursuing an AA/AAS that meshes easily with an eventual BA.

Looking into - UWisconsin system (some colleges offer the AA degree with eventual path to a BA), Upper Iowa University, UMPI, TESU, WV Community College System (the few options that remain)

Tohono O’odham Community College may be a good starting point since it's $34.25 per credit, and some users here have graduated from their with an Associates in Business.

UMPI or TESU would be my next recommendations