Need Advice for Degree Type and Plan

[Spalmer]

Your Location: Ohio, USA

Your Age: Almost 45
What kind of degree do you want?: IT or Business Administration
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 12

SNHU Total Credits: 12

FY 107
English Comp 1
HUM 100
IDS 100

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 21

Sophia Total Credits: 21
College Algebra
Intro to Business
Intro to Ethics
Intro to IT
Intro to Statistics
Macroeconomics
US History 1

Any certifications or military experience? I have an Ohio Registered Appraiser Assistant Certificate, no military experience.
 
No set budget. I'd definitely like to stay on the cheaper side. 

   

Commitments: Full time job. Kids are grown and need me less now. 


Dedicated time to study: 1-2 hours during the work day, 1-2 hours weekday evenings, and 6-12 hours total on weekends. Probably more when winter arrives.


Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible would be ideal.  I would like to finish within 1-1.5 years (12-18 months)


Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None

Hello,

I've been a lurker for a long time, and I think I need help in choosing the best path forward. I have a stable job as a mass appraiser in a local government office. I fell into this role 8 years ago, having no prior experience. Mass appraisal is the valuation and assessment of real property for tax purposes, which is different than fee appraisal (think mortgage appraisals). For various reasons, I have hit the ceiling in my current role. Even with a degree, it isn't possible for me to advance any further here, and if I stay, I can look forward to the standard 2% cost of living increases annually, along with every other county employee. 
I don't want that. My current salary is $50,000/yr, which is somewhat high for someone with just a high school diploma in my area. If I leave my job, there is no way I could command that salary elsewhere without a degree, and that's where I'm stuck. 

I don't LOVE what I do, and opportunities in similar roles in my geographic area are non-existent. My goal is to take my experience that I've accumulated here, pair it with a complementary degree, and land a better paying job. I'm currently using TADA to get a Google Data Analytics Cert, which I'm thoroughly enjoying, and I do use analysis skills in my current role, which is my favorite part of the job. 

Degree paths I'm considering:

WGU 

Data Analytics - I love the way this degree looks, but I'm terrified of discrete math - would pair well with my experience
Software Engineering - I'm enjoying coding enough to want to get into programming, but not a lot of demand in my area, and I'm worried about ageism.

UMPI

BABA Project Management - Worried that lack of project management experience, combined with my age,  will result in a "useless degree".
BABA Accounting - I don't love this, but it seems safe, and plenty of opportunities in my area, even without prior experience. Entry level salary similar to current salary. 

TESU

BSBA Finance - I don't love this, but it would complement my experience in my current role well, and is a "safe" degree for my age. 

Sorry for the lengthy post. I'm at a point where I really need to make a firm decision, and I need help mapping out the credits for the degree path I choose. I appreciate any and all insights that are provided in response. 

Have a great day!

[rachel83az]

First off, have you considered a Pierpont BOG AAS while you consider your options for a Bachelor's?

As for Discrete Math, how did you do with Sophia's Intro to Statistics? If you hated it/did poorly, a degree that wants Discrete Math may not be for you. But if you liked it/did well, then Discrete Math shouldn't be an issue. Discrete Math is largely Stats, with some other stuff thrown in for good measure.

I would suggest trying Metropolia's Discrete Math course. It's only about $25USD. If you hate it, no big loss. If it's easy enough for you, you can more seriously consider WGU's Data Analytics degree.

[bjcheung77]

@Spalmer, Welcome to the board! Great stuff, good introduction post with the addendum and template completed, along with additional details!  SNHU should also be considered in the running, you can transfer in 90 credits into their program and you already have 12 of 30 residency credits.  You just need 4 courses within your major to complete at SNHU, the rest can come from ACE!  To be safe, an option I would recommend is to do 5 in the major and 1 more elective, or in fact, do all 6 in the major.

Bachelor's: Complete 30 credits at SNHU – including the final 24 – with four of those classes (12 credits) within your major.
Associate: Complete your final 15 credits at SNHU, with three of those classes (9 credits) within your major.
Transfer Credit Link: https://www.snhu.edu/admission/transferring-credits

[Spalmer]

First off, have you considered a Pierpont BOG AAS while you consider your options for a Bachelor's?

As for Discrete Math, how did you do with Sophia's Intro to Statistics? If you hated it/did poorly, a degree that wants Discrete Math may not be for you. But if you liked it/did well, then Discrete Math shouldn't be an issue. Discrete Math is largely Stats, with some other stuff thrown in for good measure.

I would suggest trying Metropolia's Discrete Math course. It's only about $25USD. If you hate it, no big loss. If it's easy enough for you, you can more seriously consider WGU's Data Analytics degree.

I knew about Pierpont but I didn't really look into it. I'll check it out. 
I did ok with Sophia's Intro to Stats. I struggled a bit, but I kind of enjoyed it. To hear that discrete math is similar to stats is a relief.  I thought I saw on the Wiki that Finnish credits can only be used at TESU right now?

---

@Spalmer, Welcome to the board! Great stuff, good introduction post with the addendum and template completed, along with additional details!  SNHU should also be considered in the running, you can transfer in 90 credits into their program and you already have 12 of 30 residency credits.  You just need 4 courses within your major to complete at SNHU, the rest can come from ACE!  To be safe, an option I would recommend is to do 5 in the major and 1 more elective, or in fact, do all 6 in the major.

Bachelor's: Complete 30 credits at SNHU – including the final 24 – with four of those classes (12 credits) within your major.
Associate: Complete your final 15 credits at SNHU, with three of those classes (9 credits) within your major.
Transfer Credit Link: https://www.snhu.edu/admission/transferring-credits

I don't know why I didn't consider SNHU.  I earned my 12 credits from there back in 2019, and then lots of life things happened. They have a great selection of degrees as well.

[rachel83az]

I knew about Pierpont but I didn't really look into it. I'll check it out. 
I did ok with Sophia's Intro to Stats. I struggled a bit, but I kind of enjoyed it. To hear that discrete math is similar to stats is a relief.  I thought I saw on the Wiki that Finnish credits can only be used at TESU right now?

So, the international student page for WGU says that students need to have their international transcripts evaluated by a NACES or AICES member. https://www.wgu.edu/admissions/internati...redit.html ACEI is an AICES member, so it should be okay. But WGU might not accept it as being relevant to their Data Analytics degree. Still, 25€ (plus $200 for evaluation, if you choose to do that) for a class that you may or may not be able to use is going to be cheaper than paying for 6 months of WGU and then finding out that you want nothing to do with Discrete Math.

[Spalmer]

I knew about Pierpont but I didn't really look into it. I'll check it out. 
I did ok with Sophia's Intro to Stats. I struggled a bit, but I kind of enjoyed it. To hear that discrete math is similar to stats is a relief.  I thought I saw on the Wiki that Finnish credits can only be used at TESU right now?

So, the international student page for WGU says that students need to have their international transcripts evaluated by a NACES or AICES member. https://www.wgu.edu/admissions/internati...redit.html ACEI is an AICES member, so it should be okay. But WGU might not accept it as being relevant to their Data Analytics degree. Still, 25€  (plus $200 for evaluation, if you choose to do that) for a class that you may or may not be able to use is going to be cheaper than paying for 6 months of WGU and then finding out that you want nothing to do with Discrete Math.

Oh Absolutely! 

[allvia]

If your goal is first to get a bachelor on your resume, then you might want to consider getting a UMPI BABA (you choose the AOS that you feel is best for your interests, however the quickest is known to be Management and Leadership); this should be quick and cheap, and cover the business aspect you're looking for. Paired along with the Google Data Analytics Cert and your work history, it should be what you need to get started in data analytics. Then the MS in Data Science (designed for non STEM majors) from Eastern, can be as quick as you can work (7 week classes) and quite affordable - https://www.eastern.edu/academics/gradua...ta-science

WGU Data Analytics bachelor is a good program, but realistically you'd likely be looking at two terms (or more); what I listed above budget wise would be just slightly more and you'd end up with not only a bachelor but a master as well.

[LevelUP]

Your Location: Ohio, USA

Your Age: Almost 45
What kind of degree do you want?: IT or Business Administration
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 12

SNHU Total Credits: 12

FY 107
English Comp 1
HUM 100
IDS 100

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 21

Sophia Total Credits: 21
College Algebra
Intro to Business
Intro to Ethics
Intro to IT
Intro to Statistics
Macroeconomics
US History 1

Any certifications or military experience? I have an Ohio Registered Appraiser Assistant Certificate, no military experience.
 
No set budget. I'd definitely like to stay on the cheaper side. 

   

Commitments: Full time job. Kids are grown and need me less now. 


Dedicated time to study: 1-2 hours during the work day, 1-2 hours weekday evenings, and 6-12 hours total on weekends. Probably more when winter arrives.


Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible would be ideal.  I would like to finish within 1-1.5 years (12-18 months)


Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None

Hello,

I've been a lurker for a long time, and I think I need help in choosing the best path forward. I have a stable job as a mass appraiser in a local government office. I fell into this role 8 years ago, having no prior experience. Mass appraisal is the valuation and assessment of real property for tax purposes, which is different than fee appraisal (think mortgage appraisals). For various reasons, I have hit the ceiling in my current role. Even with a degree, it isn't possible for me to advance any further here, and if I stay, I can look forward to the standard 2% cost of living increases annually, along with every other county employee. 
I don't want that. My current salary is $50,000/yr, which is somewhat high for someone with just a high school diploma in my area. If I leave my job, there is no way I could command that salary elsewhere without a degree, and that's where I'm stuck. 

I don't LOVE what I do, and opportunities in similar roles in my geographic area are non-existent. My goal is to take my experience that I've accumulated here, pair it with a complementary degree, and land a better paying job. I'm currently using TADA to get a Google Data Analytics Cert, which I'm thoroughly enjoying, and I do use analysis skills in my current role, which is my favorite part of the job. 

Degree paths I'm considering:

WGU 

Data Analytics - I love the way this degree looks, but I'm terrified of discrete math - would pair well with my experience
Software Engineering - I'm enjoying coding enough to want to get into programming, but not a lot of demand in my area, and I'm worried about ageism.

UMPI

BABA Project Management - Worried that lack of project management experience, combined with my age,  will result in a "useless degree".
BABA Accounting - I don't love this, but it seems safe, and plenty of opportunities in my area, even without prior experience. Entry level salary similar to current salary. 

TESU

BSBA Finance - I don't love this, but it would complement my experience in my current role well, and is a "safe" degree for my age. 

Sorry for the lengthy post. I'm at a point where I really need to make a firm decision, and I need help mapping out the credits for the degree path I choose. I appreciate any and all insights that are provided in response. 

Have a great day!

If you do TESU, I would consider grabbing the AS computer science for free or, for a bit extra work, do the bachelor's CIS/CS combo. Also, you can do BSBA Finance and mix it with another degree.
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...egree_Plan

SNHU has the Data Analytics that lines up with your Google Data cert. You would need 8 SNHU courses to finish that degree.
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/SN..._Analytics

UMPI, the best degree for you would be the BABA  Project Management and Information Systems Concentration
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan

WGU has nice degrees. I wouldn't worry about discrete math, you only need 55% to pass on Study.com, and I haven't seen anyone on the forum fail that course 3 times. It is more memorization, and learning some concepts than math.

So you have to decide between a technology or business degree or some combination of the two.

[Spalmer]

If your goal is first to get a bachelor on your resume, then you might want to consider getting a UMPI BABA (you choose the AOS that you feel is best for your interests, however the quickest is known to be Management and Leadership); this should be quick and cheap, and cover the business aspect you're looking for. Paired along with the Google Data Analytics Cert and your work history, it should be what you need to get started in data analytics. Then the MS in Data Science (designed for non STEM majors) from Eastern, can be as quick as you can work (7 week classes) and quite affordable - https://www.eastern.edu/academics/gradua...ta-science

WGU Data Analytics bachelor is a good program, but realistically you'd likely be looking at two terms (or more); what I listed above budget wise would be just slightly more and you'd end up with not only a bachelor but a master as well.

This is a great idea! I think the best UMPI BABA degree for me would be as LevelUp suggested; Project Management.

---

Your Location: Ohio, USA

Your Age: Almost 45
What kind of degree do you want?: IT or Business Administration
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 12

SNHU Total Credits: 12

FY 107
English Comp 1
HUM 100
IDS 100

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 21

Sophia Total Credits: 21
College Algebra
Intro to Business
Intro to Ethics
Intro to IT
Intro to Statistics
Macroeconomics
US History 1

Any certifications or military experience? I have an Ohio Registered Appraiser Assistant Certificate, no military experience.
 
No set budget. I'd definitely like to stay on the cheaper side. 

   

Commitments: Full time job. Kids are grown and need me less now. 


Dedicated time to study: 1-2 hours during the work day, 1-2 hours weekday evenings, and 6-12 hours total on weekends. Probably more when winter arrives.


Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible would be ideal.  I would like to finish within 1-1.5 years (12-18 months)


Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None

Hello,

I've been a lurker for a long time, and I think I need help in choosing the best path forward. I have a stable job as a mass appraiser in a local government office. I fell into this role 8 years ago, having no prior experience. Mass appraisal is the valuation and assessment of real property for tax purposes, which is different than fee appraisal (think mortgage appraisals). For various reasons, I have hit the ceiling in my current role. Even with a degree, it isn't possible for me to advance any further here, and if I stay, I can look forward to the standard 2% cost of living increases annually, along with every other county employee. 
I don't want that. My current salary is $50,000/yr, which is somewhat high for someone with just a high school diploma in my area. If I leave my job, there is no way I could command that salary elsewhere without a degree, and that's where I'm stuck. 

I don't LOVE what I do, and opportunities in similar roles in my geographic area are non-existent. My goal is to take my experience that I've accumulated here, pair it with a complementary degree, and land a better paying job. I'm currently using TADA to get a Google Data Analytics Cert, which I'm thoroughly enjoying, and I do use analysis skills in my current role, which is my favorite part of the job. 

Degree paths I'm considering:

WGU 

Data Analytics - I love the way this degree looks, but I'm terrified of discrete math - would pair well with my experience
Software Engineering - I'm enjoying coding enough to want to get into programming, but not a lot of demand in my area, and I'm worried about ageism.

UMPI

BABA Project Management - Worried that lack of project management experience, combined with my age,  will result in a "useless degree".
BABA Accounting - I don't love this, but it seems safe, and plenty of opportunities in my area, even without prior experience. Entry level salary similar to current salary. 

TESU

BSBA Finance - I don't love this, but it would complement my experience in my current role well, and is a "safe" degree for my age. 

Sorry for the lengthy post. I'm at a point where I really need to make a firm decision, and I need help mapping out the credits for the degree path I choose. I appreciate any and all insights that are provided in response. 

Have a great day!

If you do TESU, I would consider grabbing the AS computer science for free or, for a bit extra work, do the bachelor's CIS/CS combo. Also, you can do BSBA Finance and mix it with another degree.
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...egree_Plan

SNHU has the Data Analytics that lines up with your Google Data cert. You would need 8 SNHU courses to finish that degree.
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/SN..._Analytics

UMPI, the best degree for you would be the BABA  Project Management and Information Systems Concentration
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan

WGU has nice degrees. I wouldn't worry about discrete math, you only need 55% to pass on Study.com, and I haven't seen anyone on the forum fail that course 3 times. It is more memorization, and learning some concepts than math.

So you have to decide between a technology or business degree or some combination of the two.

I like the idea of the double degree from TESU, and the Project Management from UMPI. If I got the Finance degree from TESU, what other degree could I mix it with? I don't mind doing the extra work, as I really am looking to create a resume that stands out.

[LevelUP]

I like the idea of the double degree from TESU, and the Project Management from UMPI. If I got the Finance degree from TESU, what other degree could I mix it with? I don't mind doing the extra work, as I really am looking to create a resume that stands out.

You can mix it with any degree you want, though adding a Non-Stem liberal arts degree won't add much value when you already have a bachelor's in business.

That's why I suggested either the AS Computer Science (free) and, with your Google Data cert, shouldn't be many more courses. Or do the BA in Computer Science, which requires a separate capstone and quite a few more courses.

https://www.tesu.edu/heavin/asnsm/computer-science

https://www.tesu.edu/heavin/ba/computer-science