Overview of my 2nd Bachelors in CS

[spohara]

I just finished my capstone and wanted to share an overview of what my plan was, how much it cost, and what I think about the outcomes overall

Courses:

Core:

Programming: SDC
Data Structures: SDC
Calculus: Prior BS
Discrete Math: SDC
Operating Systems: SDC
Computer Architecture: SDC

AOS Electives

Upper:
Systems Analysis & Design: SDC
Software Engineering: Saylor
Management Information Systems: SDC
Database Management: SDC

Lower:
Python Programming: Coursera (Data Science Professional)
SQL: Coursera (Data Science Professional)

Additional AOS:
Astronomy: TESU (Prior AAS)
Geology: Prior BS

Capstone: TESU

In total, I took 8 courses through SDC at $70 each (30% off discount for 3 months, plus two addt'l exams purchased) totaling $560. $80 total spent at Coursera(though I probably could have spent less, especially if the goal was just the 2 courses).  $1605 for tuition at TESU for one course out of state +$298 graduation fee  That's a grand total of just over $2548 and it took about 9 months.  First 2 months were all the Coursera Data science and I didn't even realize I was starting this journey.  Then I found this forum and shortly after started at SDC.  I did waste a good chunk of time figuring out that the SAS on Coursera didn't help me for this (oh well, lots of data jobs are asking for it).  Wrapped up all of the SDC and the Saylor exam within 3 months, then spent the last 3 months doing nothing but the capstone.  FWIW, I was busiest when I was doing just the capstone.  I did this with a fulltime (plus I give them free overtime all the time) schedule and a now 1 year old, so I'd say the pace is very achievable.

As far as my skills walking out: Trying to think objectively about where I was when I started vs now, I'd say I picked up some skill and ideas for data science in python from the coursera course, but I did the bare minimum on the traditional CS side, and that is what I got out of it.  I have a more solid CS base, but I would not feel confident even applying for a junior dev job.  I'd want to take a bootcamp or maybe the IBM full stack coursera to understand front end development, containerization, data access methods, etc IF I intended to go that route.  All that is to say if you want to be job ready day one and feel confident, put in more work than what the degree requirements outline and the path I took.  If it is your first bachelors, I'd definitely recommend filling out at least a few hours of electives to become more well rounded.  That or if you plan on a bootcamp or internship you'll be in good shape.  My prior background is a very solid skillset on data, statistics, and professional experience on the "business" side of software and data project development, and this definitely rounded out that last part.  Especially the capstone, where I dove more deeply into software project management.

As far as this forum: This must be the premier source for degree hacking in existence.  For anyone who can't afford tens of thousands of dollars (or just has a better use for that money than lighting it on fire) or needs to accelerate their path toward a degree, the amount of knowledge contained here is tremendous.  I wouldn't have even started down this path if I didn't stumble onto it.  Thanks for everyone's contributions, and I hope I've given back a few nuggets of what I've learned along the way as well.

[davewill]

Pretty awesome. If you do want to go the dev route, I also recommend that you get in the habit of writing code all the time. Both create new programming projects you work on all on your own, and find interesting open source projects that you can download, build, and try to make modifications to. Every successful developer I've ever known has been a self-starter that does it for fun as well as for money.

[spohara]

Pretty awesome. If you do want to go the dev route, I also recommend that you get in the habit of writing code all the time. Both create new programming projects you work on all on your own, and find interesting open source projects that you can download, build, and try to make modifications to. Every successful developer I've ever known has been a self-starter that does it for fun as well as for money.

Solid advice.  I am too old to relaunch my career as a software developer, but I do plan on trying my hand at a few fun projects for small apps that would help me in my everyday life.  I think every successful person I've ever known in general has been a self starter.  It is hard to do some of my type of work 'for fun', but I am constantly reading, listening to podcasts and otherwise engaging to improve my knowledge.  It is a must.

[LevelUP]

I do agree that if you want to get a job as a software developer, it would be a good idea to take a BootCamp Coursera certification or through Udemy. 

You can get the Meta Front/Back End Developer through the American Dream Academy for free.

I also agree with Davewill's advice of getting into the habit of doing projects for fun. Start with simple projects you can do in a day and work up to more complex ones.

[akr680]

I just finished my capstone and wanted to share an overview of what my plan was, how much it cost, and what I think about the outcomes overall

Courses:

Core:

Programming: SDC
Data Structures: SDC
Calculus: Prior BS
Discrete Math: SDC
Operating Systems: SDC
Computer Architecture: SDC

AOS Electives

Upper:
Systems Analysis & Design: SDC
Software Engineering: Saylor
Management Information Systems: SDC
Database Management: SDC

Lower:
Python Programming: Coursera (Data Science Professional)
SQL: Coursera (Data Science Professional)

Additional AOS:
Astronomy: TESU (Prior AAS)
Geology: Prior BS

Capstone: TESU

In total, I took 8 courses through SDC at $70 each (30% off discount for 3 months, plus two addt'l exams purchased) totaling $560. $80 total spent at Coursera(though I probably could have spent less, especially if the goal was just the 2 courses).  $1605 for tuition at TESU for one course out of state +$298 graduation fee  That's a grand total of just over $2548 and it took about 9 months.  First 2 months were all the Coursera Data science and I didn't even realize I was starting this journey.  Then I found this forum and shortly after started at SDC.  I did waste a good chunk of time figuring out that the SAS on Coursera didn't help me for this (oh well, lots of data jobs are asking for it).  Wrapped up all of the SDC and the Saylor exam within 3 months, then spent the last 3 months doing nothing but the capstone.  FWIW, I was busiest when I was doing just the capstone.  I did this with a fulltime (plus I give them free overtime all the time) schedule and a now 1 year old, so I'd say the pace is very achievable.

As far as my skills walking out: Trying to think objectively about where I was when I started vs now, I'd say I picked up some skill and ideas for data science in python from the coursera course, but I did the bare minimum on the traditional CS side, and that is what I got out of it.  I have a more solid CS base, but I would not feel confident even applying for a junior dev job.  I'd want to take a bootcamp or maybe the IBM full stack coursera to understand front end development, containerization, data access methods, etc IF I intended to go that route.  All that is to say if you want to be job ready day one and feel confident, put in more work than what the degree requirements outline and the path I took.  If it is your first bachelors, I'd definitely recommend filling out at least a few hours of electives to become more well rounded.  That or if you plan on a bootcamp or internship you'll be in good shape.  My prior background is a very solid skillset on data, statistics, and professional experience on the "business" side of software and data project development, and this definitely rounded out that last part.  Especially the capstone, where I dove more deeply into software project management.

As far as this forum: This must be the premier source for degree hacking in existence.  For anyone who can't afford tens of thousands of dollars (or just has a better use for that money than lighting it on fire) or needs to accelerate their path toward a degree, the amount of knowledge contained here is tremendous.  I wouldn't have even started down this path if I didn't stumble onto it.  Thanks for everyone's contributions, and I hope I've given back a few nuggets of what I've learned along the way as well.

Congrats!

[akr680]

After 1st degree, how many new credits(minimum) should be required?

[spohara]

After 1st degree, how many new credits(minimum) should be required?

I believe it is 24 new,  and it is 45 total.  I did 36 hours new(33 alt credits, 3 for capstone), 10 from previous degrees (46hrs total because my calc was a 4 credit class).