Lots of credits, not sure where to enroll

[bjcheung77]

Your front runners for the Bachelors degree actually is the dreaded UOPX, you have 30 UL credits entirely from them already, you can FINISH a degree with 90 external credits. That means, technically, you already have a Bachelors - can you not just apply to them and see what degrees will use your credits the most?!

They would be the first option I select. If cost is not an issue, go with TESU/Excelsior or COSC to complete the BA Psychology. It's much better than just a BALS, as you have a major, if all comes out "worse" than expected, then do the BALS/BSLS at either of the Big 3 as they only need the cornerstone/capstone!

Apply to the Big 3 and get those transcripts sent over... you're at the finish line already! You can then go for a competency based degree from Purdue or WGU Masters in ITM for example...

[Fibrazer]

Ooh.... I guess you're right. I only got University of Phoenix because I worked for them (a long time ago) and it was free. I'm not sure how much I'm in love with a degree with their name on it but it's worth seeing if it'd work.

Cost is an issue but less of an issue than quickness.

Thanks for all of your awesome advice!

---

Adding Pueblo Community College credits:

NUR 189 Transition from LPN to ADN 4 credits A
HIS 202 US History since Civil War 3 credits A
NUR 211 Psychiatric-Mental Health NSG 4 credits A
NUR 212 Pharmacology II 2 credits B

I think I got my total credits a tad mixed up. I added them all up again and I think I have a total of 108 credits.

I logged in to my University of Phoenix account. This is what they show with only UOP credits (no transfer credits):


Applied Scheduled Not scheduled Total
Electives 0 0 12 12
General Education 43 0 11 54
Required Course of Study 30 0 24 54
Total 73 0 47 120
Maximum Lower Division Credits 43 0 26 69
Minimum Upper Division Credits 30 0 21 51
Total 73 0 47 120

I'm sorry this is so hard to read. It looks like a BS in Psych would require 21 more upper division credits.

[bjcheung77]

Even with 108 credits, you're just needed a cornerstone/capstone to bring you to 114. That means you're just two courses away from that degree... you can pretty much randomly select two lower level or upper level credits from an ACE provider, such as taking the LL CSM Learn course for $39 and the UL TEEX Death Investigation for free electives, or any two lower level courses from Sophia.org at $79/month, do the Ancient Greek Philosophers and Intro to Web Development over the weekend and you're done!

[Fibrazer]

Definitely. A bunch of places seem to require public speaking, so I'm taking Presentation in the Workplace from SDC. Quizzes are all done, I just need to take the test tomorrow. I'll put in applications to all the Big 3 and talk with UOP to see if the upper division credits are really required.

[rachel83az]

I would definitely not recommend a University of Phoenix degree! They've got such a bad, bad reputation. It might not matter as much once you've got the Master's degree but I would still hesitate a long time before pulling the trigger on that degree. Pretty much any degree from any of the Big 3 is going to be better than UoPhx.

[innen_oda]

Have to agree with Rachel. Fair or not, U of Phoenix has a dreadful reputation. TESU might not necessarily be well-known, but I'd argue that 'unknown' is better than 'infamous' in this instance.

[davewill]

When you decide to go forward with the master's, be aware of prerequisites. In particular, some CS programs may get sticky over your lack of higher math and actual CS courses, or accept you then insist you take prereq courses. In your shoes, I'd be tempted to at least do Calculus and maybe data structures so they get on your undergrad transcript.

If, as an experienced engineer, you can fly through the CS courses at study.com, you might want to bite the bullet and do the TESU BACS. It would certainly open up more possibilities like the online masters programs at Georgia Tech or UIUC. Also, as you well know, stuff happens. I thought I would go on to do a master's but I didn't. If for some reason you don't follow through right away, at least you'll have your tech degree.

[ss20ts]

Have to agree with Rachel. Fair or not, U of Phoenix has a dreadful reputation. TESU might not necessarily be well-known, but I'd argue that 'unknown' is better than 'infamous' in this instance.

Agreed. It's better to be unheard of than to be heard of in such a negative light. UofP isn't famous for anything positive unfortunately. I briefly looked at a master's program at Capella, but I just couldn't get over the reputation they've had in the past and the ongoing lawsuits. It's too bad greed gets in the way. I wonder how the job hunting process goes for those who've completed a degree from UofP. 

[dfrecore]

So, I ran it through all of the Big 3, and you can get a BA/BS in Psych at any of them very quickly.

TESU - 21cr needed (or maybe 18cr):
PSY 105: Research Methods in Psychology (Study.com)
PSY 104: Social Psychology (Study.com) - you need a LL version of this course
SOCSCI 108: Ethics in the Social Sciences (Study.com) - unless they will take PHI 213 Medical & BIo-Ethics (Mesa CC) here
ORAL COMMUNICATION
DIVERSITY

Cost at TESU (not including any other courses brought in): $6654 for Tuition for Cornerstone, Capstone, Residency Waiver & Fees
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EC - 10cr needed:
RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOOGY: PSY 105: Research Methods in Psychology (Study.com) if they'll take it, otherwise UExcel Exam

Cost at EC (not including any other courses brought in): $5300 for Tuition for Info Lit, Cornerstone, Capstone & Fees
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COSC - 21cr needed (or 18cr):
PSY 105: Research Methods in Psychology (Study.com)
ORAL COMMUNICATION (Sophia's Public Speaking)
NON-US HISTORY OR CULTURE (Sophia's Approaches to Studying Religions)
GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING (Sophia's Approaches to Studying Religions)
LITERATURE & FINE ARTS (Sophia's Art History I, II, or Visual Communications)

Cost at COSC (not including any other courses brought in): $3181 for Tuition for Cornerstone, Capstone & Fees
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Obviously if you opt for a BALS/BALA at any of the Big 3, you will have to do the GE requirements, but not the psych-specific requirements. So for TESU it's 2 courses + C/C, EC it's 0 courses, you'd enroll and take your 7cr, and for COSC it's 3 courses (Sophia's Religion course will check off 2 requirements).

Another thing to think about, although I personally would not - at TESU you can get the Psych degree and add the BA in CompSci for just the cost fo the CS courses through Study.com or whoever. You have the Cornerstone & Capstone already covered by the Psych degree (it's the same), and so it's just a matter of the major courses, most of which can be done through Study.com.

[bjcheung77]

Here's the thing, if I was in your shoes, I would be leaning into 4 different paths, these would be my options with from most recommended to least.
1) As per Post#13, finish a BALS or BSLS, for cost, COSC BSGS Individualized Studies with a double concentration in Computer Science/Psychology. You can't choose a BSGS Liberal Studies as Computer Science is NOT a liberal arts/studies course - and no, don't go figure that out!  Then go to Purdue/WGU to get a Masters in ITM - skipping the Masters in CS altogether.  Link: https://www.charteroak.edu/current/acade...ements.php

2) You can do a mix/match, get a TESU BALS with Psych concentration and an ASNSM in Computer Science.  Then apply to "less competitive" or not competitive programs for a Masters in Computer Science.  I would chose this over a Masters in ITM, it's personal preference really.  This would be a valid option if you want to get into the work field with some education and experience.  The Associates/Bachelors is just a stepping stone, the Masters is where you want to get your "major".  I suggest find what you want in the Masters level and work towards those prerequisites.

3) If you have the energy/money/time to do a few more courses and you don't need a Masters right away, then a BACS/BA Psychology option at TESU would be an option you can choose.  You have a double major in two subject fields and having a Masters would be then placed on hold for a little longer than expected.  You can take 16 credits for residency requirements so you skip the residency waiver fee.  You can again select a Masters in Comp Science.  This option would be the most costly, longest, and hardest route to finish... but it may hit all your goals accordingly to what you need & want.

4) A little crazy, but you may want to finish an Associates/Bachelors from any of the Big 3 or competency based degree providers. Then use the MOOC options such as coursera, edx, futurelearn, udacity, upgrad and finish a Masters in Computer Science with one of the options provided here. Take ANY Associates/Bachelors, whatever it may be in, and move into these 2 year programs. upgrad has one for cheap but some of these are with Indian & UK partnerships. They're not well known, but still accredited, recognized, and "valid - in my shoes"!