Noob here few IT/CIS questions

[Peacefulguide]

First let me say that this place rocks! I have been overwhelmed with the amount of info here :hurray: After much reading/planning I almost have my Psychology road map complete. However, I am at a complete loss as to how to put together my husband's CIS/CS/IT outline. I know zip about most of what I'm reading, as I've spent my life in science/medicine.

My questions, if you feel led to reply:

What is the most test-out friendly of the big 3 in CS/CIS/IT degrees?

What are the options for the degree specific courses, especially upper level? Are there any outlines available? I've been searching for days and have only seen 1 lol. Any chance Clovis CC could meet the non-testable classes?

Since he knows very little and this is a totally new path from healthcare, where does he acquire the basic knowledge. Is there a better order for the degree specific courses for a beginner? I've noticed that most of you know your stuff before you start the cis/cs degrees.

What about the certifications C++ ect? Where does one aquire them and which are best if planning to head to graduate school then the workforce?

I'm basically asking for the "dummies version of cis/it" for no-nothing degree planners...no biggie right?

Thanks ahead of time to any who are willing

[IgnazSemmelweis]

Testing out of a CS degree is difficult because there aren't tests for C, C++, Unix and such. You'll be taking classes of some sort for the majority of the 33 CS credits required at TESC (probably similar elsewhere).

CIS is much easier to test out of. As someone coming in with no knowledge of IT whatsoever, I wouldn't recommend he go for a heavy test out route for core subjects anyway. Or if he wanted to test out and actually learn, I'd suggest WGU since most of the classes are actually test out by design. You'll come out with a bunch of certifications which should lead to some knowledge in the field. It won't be easy or quick though coming from another industry, which is what I gather people want when they go the test out route.

[IgnazSemmelweis]

I think for the time and money invested, degrees have a pretty poor ROI for most of the common IT jobs out there. You're better off sinking a year and a $1000 on some certifications and breaking into a help desk or NOC somewhere. WGU is kind of a mixture of the two because the curriculum is designed around getting certifications and a degree is granted.