Need advice in putting together degree plan for my wife (and me)

[allvia]

Basically I am trying to put together an online degree plan for my wife (I'm borrowing her signup name). ...

As for myself, I think I want to try and get a degree too but not anything as extensive as Cybersecurity. I just want something that will be easier to get, but also useful. I know I can't get 'huge salary useful', but anything that will help me get a decent job. I would appreciate any advice on this also. Thanks for the help!

And for yourself? Have you signed up under your own ID yet? Or are you going to share this one, and still looking for assistance for you own plan?  It would be easier if you had your own ID and a separate posting so things don't get crossed or lost.

[CassandraMT]

Here is the transfer guidelines, it's helpful with knowing which courses and more importantly certs will be accepted for the different areas.

I forgot that the Cybersecurity DSST might also work in there.  My husband took it and it counted for Fund. of InfoSec.  The MIS DSST exam counted for Business of IT-Applications.

And, don't forget that certs will be included in the degree itself, so don't pay hundreds for a cert that you're going to get within the degree.  But there are certs that don't come with the degree, and those might be worth taking before you enroll.  I think the cert that will give you the biggest bang for your buck for this degree is the CISSP, so if she can take that one, it's worth doing (possibly like 17cr).  But it's considered one of the harder exams, so don't spend 6 months studying for it either.

Also, unlike TESU, WGU doesn't have 60cr of gen eds - their gen ed's are generally only about 25-30% of the degrees.  So don't bother trying to get 60cr of gen eds.  It's a waste of time there.  Just get the 33cr you need and move on.

Thanks, the CISSP was the one is was trying to remember. I'll use this info to further tweak her plan.

And for yourself? Have you signed up under your own ID yet? Or are you going to share this one, and still looking for assistance for you own plan?  It would be easier if you had your own ID and a separate posting so things don't get crossed or lost.

I'll probably share this one. We talked a bit about something for me, but the problem comes down to what I might want to do. If I went for something like Computer Science or CIS it would probably be more for the money than a love of programing, as I'm trying to learn Python right now and getting easily stuck in the beginning lessons. (Not to mention how many CS degrees are being pumped out at a huge rate right now.) I have always had an interest in politics, but does something like political science really help me get a better job? What can I find that's somewhere in the area of something I might actually want to do and something that is useful? I asked for a few recommendations, but until I have that answer I'll probably just blast through some general ed courses right along with her.

Quick question, I see that intro to Geography is listed as a CLEP that we can do through Modern States, but I don't see it listed there. Is it gone or is that the Social Sciences and History one?

[allvia]

And for yourself? Have you signed up under your own ID yet? Or are you going to share this one, and still looking for assistance for you own plan?  It would be easier if you had your own ID and a separate posting so things don't get crossed or lost.

I'll probably share this one. We talked a bit about something for me, but the problem comes down to what I might want to do. If I went for something like Computer Science or CIS it would probably be more for the money than a love of programing, as I'm trying to learn Python right now and getting easily stuck in the beginning lessons. (Not to mention how many CS degrees are being pumped out at a huge rate right now.) I have always had an interest in politics, but does something like political science really help me get a better job? What can I find that's somewhere in the area of something I might actually want to do and something that is useful? I asked for a few recommendations, but until I have that answer I'll probably just blast through some general ed courses right along with her.

Quick question, I see that intro to Geography is listed as a CLEP that we can do through Modern States, but I don't see it listed there. Is it gone or is that the Social Sciences and History one?

Based on what you just said about yourself you may want to look into the BSBA-CIS through TESU https://www.tesu.edu/business/bsba/compu...on-systems.  It has the tech components you seem to have some interest in while being a very good general use Business degree (which also applies to many areas of the public sector and political arena) - and the BSBA is hands down one of the most affordable and alt course credits available.  Also, there are many opportunities in the CS/IT/Tech world beyond programming.

Definitely focus on the general eds until you do decide, no matter what degree you end up with they all have the basic requirements.

I don't see a CLEP available currently called Intro to Geography (even on the official CLEP College Board site https://clep.collegeboard.org/exams), it would appear that is (now) Social Sciences and History based on its description.  Others may have more information in regards to that.

[CassandraMT]

Based on what you just said about yourself you may want to look into the BSBA-CIS through TESU https://www.tesu.edu/business/bsba/compu...on-systems.  It has the tech components you seem to have some interest in while being a very good general use Business degree (which also applies to many areas of the public sector and political arena) - and the BSBA is hands down one of the most affordable and alt course credits available.  Also, there are many opportunities in the CS/IT/Tech world beyond programming.

Definitely focus on the general eds until you do decide, no matter what degree you end up with they all have the basic requirements.

I don't see a CLEP available currently called Intro to Geography (even on the official CLEP College Board site https://clep.collegeboard.org/exams), it would appear that is (now) Social Sciences and History based on its description.  Others may have more information in regards to that.

I did look at it, but even though I read it had a good projected growth rate I also read it has a high unemployment rate...around 15% or so. While my wife will have opportunities awaiting her after she gets her cybersecurity degree, all I have for experience is in retail and warehouse work with some experience using Excel, Word, etc. I would be just another guy with a degree and no experience trying to get one of those jobs.

As for the intro to geography, I noticed my spreadsheet does say any SocSci course, so I'm hoping that I'm on the right track with Social Sciences and History.

[bjcheung77]

My suggestion is for the two of you to work towards the same degree. If your wife is adamant with WGU, go with them, and you can try getting a WGU BSBA or you can go for a TESU BALS or BSBA. The main thing here is to work on all the MS/CLEP and other credits together, as a study buddy and also someone to "poke" at you to get you accountable to completing X amount of exams/courses in X amounts of time.

If you wife is not adamant with a Cybersecurity degree (many people who go into Cybersecurity come from other fields and get IT certs instead along with experience, their degree is in something completely different, like History), the both of you can work again towards the same degree goal at WGU or TESU. Essentially, the main thing is, create that course list, a spreadsheet, a timeline of completion and stick to it.

[CassandraMT]

My suggestion is for the two of you to work towards the same degree.  If your wife is adamant with WGU, go with them, and you can try getting a WGU BSBA or you can go for a TESU BALS or BSBA.  The main thing here is to work on all the MS/CLEP and other credits together, as a study buddy and also someone to "poke" at you to get you accountable to completing X amount of exams/courses in X amounts of time.  

If you wife is not adamant with a Cybersecurity degree (many people who go into Cybersecurity come from other fields and get IT certs instead along with experience, their degree is in something completely different, like History), the both of you can work again towards the same degree goal at WGU or TESU.  Essentially, the main thing is, create that course list, a spreadsheet, a timeline of completion and stick to it.

Yeah, she's pretty adamant about getting that degree. I tried to pitch her CIS instead, as it would be easier to test out of, but she wants that degree.

So far I have...

College Comp CELP (MS)
Technical writing DSST
Critical thinking and logic TECEP
Social Sciences and History CELP (MS)
College Algebra ALEKS
Intro to probablility and statistics ALEKS
Two of the 1 credit science labs from SL

I had intro to communication from SL penciled in, but I'm wondering if I can find a substitute, like will Saylor's Principles Of Human Communication work intead? Also, Intermediate Algebra in on the spreadsheet from Study.com, but I can't find that course there? The only intermediate algebra course I have found is a TECEP from TESU. And I still have to decide on a 3 credit science course.

[cookderosa]

My suggestion is for the two of you to work towards the same degree. If your wife is adamant with WGU, go with them, and you can try getting a WGU BSBA or you can go for a TESU BALS or BSBA. The main thing here is to work on all the MS/CLEP and other credits together, as a study buddy and also someone to "poke" at you to get you accountable to completing X amount of exams/courses in X amounts of time.

If you wife is not adamant with a Cybersecurity degree (many people who go into Cybersecurity come from other fields and get IT certs instead along with experience, their degree is in something completely different, like History), the both of you can work again towards the same degree goal at WGU or TESU. Essentially, the main thing is, create that course list, a spreadsheet, a timeline of completion and stick to it.

I had 2 sons work their degree at the same time to share cost of books and study material. The didn't ultimately *get* the same degree, but up until the point where they parted, I think the overlap was at least 45 credits. Good idea! Saved us a few bucks.

[CassandraMT]

Does the History of the United States I CLEP count as Social Science credits? I had started us on Social Sciences and History, but if History of the US I works too then I would switch us, especially since WGU only needs 3 credits.

[quigongene]

Does the History of the United States I CLEP count as Social Science credits? I had started us on Social Sciences and History, but if History of the US I works too then I would switch us, especially since WGU only needs 3 credits.

Yes it does.

[dfrecore]

My suggestion is for the two of you to work towards the same degree.  If your wife is adamant with WGU, go with them, and you can try getting a WGU BSBA or you can go for a TESU BALS or BSBA.  The main thing here is to work on all the MS/CLEP and other credits together, as a study buddy and also someone to "poke" at you to get you accountable to completing X amount of exams/courses in X amounts of time.  

If you wife is not adamant with a Cybersecurity degree (many people who go into Cybersecurity come from other fields and get IT certs instead along with experience, their degree is in something completely different, like History), the both of you can work again towards the same degree goal at WGU or TESU.  Essentially, the main thing is, create that course list, a spreadsheet, a timeline of completion and stick to it.

Yeah, she's pretty adamant about getting that degree. I tried to pitch her CIS instead, as it would be easier to test out of, but she wants that degree.

So far I have...

College Comp CELP (MS)
Technical writing DSST
Critical thinking and logic TECEP
Social Sciences and History CELP (MS)
College Algebra ALEKS
Intro to probablility and statistics ALEKS
Two of the 1 credit science labs from SL

I had intro to communication from SL penciled in, but I'm wondering if I can find a substitute, like will Saylor's Principles Of Human Communication work intead? Also, Intermediate Algebra in on the spreadsheet from Study.com, but I can't find that course there? The only intermediate algebra course I have found is a TECEP from TESU. And I still have to decide on a 3 credit science course.

First, why do you think the BSBA/CIS degree is "easier"?  I don't think that's the case at all.  If I was going to recommend a degree for someone and they really wanted the Cybersecurity degree, there is absolutely zero chance I would recommend the BSBA/CIS degree.  Not in a million years.  I think the Cybersecurity degree is a thousand times more useful than the BSBA/CIS.

Second, why would you want to do the exact same degree as your wife when she knows exactly what she wants and you're not (I don't think) in the same field?  I wouldn't spend a single second trying for the same degree as my husband just for the heck of it.  He's in one field, I'm in another, we don't have the same interests, and we don't want the same degree.

You are separate people, with separate paths to take, don't try to limit her and don't limit yourself.  Both of you go out there and get the degree each of you wants!