Please Help

[tsimmns]

So here is my dilemma, I'm currently 32 and desperately needing a degree. I went to the University of Mississippi straight out of high school and obtained about 80 credits along with obtaining a GPA of about 1.65. With them I can currently replace 4 classes that I had F's in with F's that I had in re-taking them to help raise my GPA to about 1.8. I would then need 2 A's and 2 B's according to the admissions guru there. My question is, I'm looking into going to TESC for a CS or CIS degree to help me get into IT with the Air National Guard as I currently am an Avionics person. I currently have a full time job that pays decently, around 55k a year but getting into IT would eventually get me a raise of around 15K a year. I didn't mention that my original major was in Business, but I mostly have just the undergrad stuff out of the way.

I guess my question is, is TESC a reputable school? I know there CS degree isn't ABET accredited, but I plan to get it, get a Bachelors also in Finance possibly and then maybe an MBA and a masters in CS. I read somewhere where someone on this forum had sons complete both programs the CIS and CS program at TESC. Could anyone else provide insight? I wouldn't mind the CS path as I'm pretty good at all types of math if that path would benefit me in the long run. I guess my only hang up is that I keep going back and forth wanting to attend PSU World Campus just for the name, but not the cost. Also, the fact that they only have semester classes makes me ill and I like the fact TESC offers classes that run all the time. I have a friend that was in the Army who was in IT, got a degree from AMU in CS and said he had some jobs look down on his degree with it being from there. I guess that's where I need someone to tell me basically that TESC is a better school that AMU or Columbia College and to go for it. Any thoughts or suggestions. I apologize in advance for all the rambling.

[cookderosa]

So here is my dilemma, I'm currently 32 and desperately needing a degree. I went to the University of Mississippi straight out of high school and obtained about 80 credits along with obtaining a GPA of about 1.65. With them I can currently replace 4 classes that I had F's in with F's that I had in re-taking them to help raise my GPA to about 1.8. I would then need 2 A's and 2 B's according to the admissions guru there. My question is, I'm looking into going to TESC for a CS or CIS degree to help me get into IT with the Air National Guard as I currently am an Avionics person. I currently have a full time job that pays decently, around 55k a year but getting into IT would eventually get me a raise of around 15K a year. I didn't mention that my original major was in Business, but I mostly have just the undergrad stuff out of the way.

I guess my question is, is TESC a reputable school? I know there CS degree isn't ABET accredited, but I plan to get it, get a Bachelors also in Finance possibly and then maybe an MBA and a masters in CS. I read somewhere where someone on this forum had sons complete both programs the CIS and CS program at TESC. Could anyone else provide insight? I wouldn't mind the CS path as I'm pretty good at all types of math if that path would benefit me in the long run. I guess my only hang up is that I keep going back and forth wanting to attend PSU World Campus just for the name, but not the cost. Also, the fact that they only have semester classes makes me ill and I like the fact TESC offers classes that run all the time. I have a friend that was in the Army who was in IT, got a degree from AMU in CS and said he had some jobs look down on his degree with it being from there. I guess that's where I need someone to tell me basically that TESC is a better school that AMU or Columbia College and to go for it. Any thoughts or suggestions. I apologize in advance for all the rambling.

TESC is regionally accredited, which is the main thing you'd look for. Secondly, if you sent your transcript to TESC, none of your grades would come over- just credits, so you'd be starting fresh at TESC. Now, that said, if you went onto grad school, wherever you apply will likely look at your old grades from Mississippi and "re-calculate" a new GPA based on your TESC grades and your old ones- but your TESC GPA will consist only of coursework you earn at TESC.

The thing I can't help you with is if they offer enough CIS/CS courses in house to build a degree- someone else should be able to chime in. TESC doesn't offer a lot of classes in house, mainly liberal arts subjects, but you can take classes from anywhere that is regionally accredited (and a few other options) and then transfer them back into your TESC degree as long as they fit. That's what most people do here, it's a bit like "patchwork quilt" of assembling the cheaper/faster/easier credits and building the degree that way.

IMO, you have too many credits to just wing it, I'd suggest you apply and send your transcript to TESC. They'll plug in any/all courses you can transfer in (before you do any replacement) and see where you are. There are probably MUCH CHEAPER and easier ways to earn credit instead of credit replacement at your existing school- I'd bet on it actually.

[rebel100]

Have you looked at degree completion programs in your home state? They will likely be much cheaper than TESC (if taking classes) and they will have the benefit of local name recognition. TESC, all of the so called Big 3, really shine when your testing out or bringing the credits in from outside sources. Taking classes through TESC is going to be crazy expensive (not talking about credit by exam such as the very affordable TECEP).

[tsimmns]

I thought TESC was very well priced with their Military rate and the fact I'll be using my GI bill. As for schools in Mississippi, they all lack when it comes to online degrees. Mississippi only offers graduate programs for the most part and my job is to far from there to commute to finish up there. Mississippi State has a campus next to where I work but mainly offer just education and general business as a major. Also, with the new bill that passed, I will qualify for in state tuition with the GI bill. I would love to do CS online at Florida, but j don't meet the requirements for the low GPA at Mississippi. Although, I could take those 4 classes hope for all A's and then apply, but I fe in the mean time I wasting time waiting to attend a brand name school when I could just go TESC. Thanks for the input so far everyone.

[rebel100]

I thought TESC was very well priced with their Military rate and the fact I'll be using my GI bill. As for schools in Mississippi, they all lack when it comes to online degrees. Mississippi only offers graduate programs for the most part and my job is to far from there to commute to finish up there. Mississippi State has a campus next to where I work but mainly offer just education and general business as a major. Also, with the new bill that passed, I will qualify for in state tuition with the GI bill. I would love to do CS online at Florida, but j don't meet the requirements for the low GPA at Mississippi. Although, I could take those 4 classes hope for all A's and then apply, but I fe in the mean time I wasting time waiting to attend a brand name school when I could just go TESC. Thanks for the input so far everyone.

I don't know what the military rate is at TESC, but you may be right. I would still benchmark that off whatever your local rate per credit hour would be. What are the courses you plan to re-do? There might be a cheap place to take those 4 or 5 courses as a transient student on your way to wherever the final destination is. What state are you in for tuition purposes? Mississippi?

When do the in state rates fro all 50 states start? I might knock out whatever prep/GPA correction courses you need in advance of entering a program in the fall or spring.

[tsimmns]

I am in Mississippi. At Ole Miss, University of Mississippi, a 3 credit istudy course is around 900, however they don't offer many istudy classes. I'm not sure what you mean about piggy back on it. Trying to talk to advisors is pointless sometimes it seems and trying to figure out a plan on your own is rough sometimes. The military rate for TESC is 250 per credit hour.

As for courses I will need to redo well Econ 1 and 2 and neither will transfer D's in both. Spanish 1 and 2 as made F's in both, English 2 as I made a D in it. Those are just a few. I have looked into just getting a degree and then doing the CS degree that Oregon State offers if you already have a Bachelors.

I guess my main problem is not knowing how to get started or where to go since it's impossible to finish at Ole Miss because of where I'm located and that I will never be located back close to any of the campuses.

[rebel100]

Well, everything you mention is really a lower level requirement, they are available at any of hundreds of schools. It doesn't make much sense to me to spend $250-300/credit when the same can be had for less than $150/credit. You wouldn't have to retake the classes if you chose to test out of the ones you failed. Of course if someone else is paying the bill, cost matters a lot less to the individual. Still, taking these at a CC or through one of the cheaper online options might preserve some of your available benefit and simply be "easier" than taking them at a 4 year school (New Mexico Junior College Tuition and Fees - New Mexico Junior College would be a great choice, as would Colorado State University Pueblo Independent Studies http://extendedstudies.csupueblo.edu/Ind...fault.aspx ....both[/url] are financial aid eligible, and asynchronous/online).

[jmgst71]

if you sent your transcript to TESC, none of your grades would come over- just credits, so you'd be starting fresh at TESC.

Is this true? I just had my evaluation done by TESC, and all my credits transferred from my prior colleges transferred with their letter grades attached, and TESC has a GPA listed for me.

[rebel100]

Is this true? I just had my evaluation done by TESC, and all my credits transferred from my prior colleges transferred with their letter grades attached, and TESC has a GPA listed for me.

Policy on Grading

Policy on Grade Point Average
An official Thomas Edison State College term and cumulative GPA will be calculated and posted on the official transcript for any student attempting at least 1 semester credit of graded course work at the College. Only grades earned at the College will be considered in the calculation of the official Thomas Edison State College GPA. Transfer grades will not be used in calculating the official Thomas Edison State College GPA.

Grades which reflect attempted graded credits (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, IF and F) will be used to calculate the official Thomas Edison State College GPA. Grades of CR (Credit) and W (Withdrawn) will not be used in the calculation of the GPA, but will be recorded on the student’s transcript. Grades of NC (No Credit) will not be counted in the GPA nor recorded on the transcript. This policy is effective July 1, 2011. It will be applied only to courses for which students register that begin on or after July 1, 2011.

Policy on D Grades
Students may transfer in or apply Thomas Edison State College course grades of D to their non area of study requirements as long as their overall grade point average is at least a 2.0, or higher as determined by the School in which they are enrolled, with the following exceptions:

All area of study courses must be graded C or better in order to apply to area of study requirements
All required composition courses must be graded C or better

[tsimmns]

Rebel you are correct. My main concern is I will need to complete everything online, since I work during the day and the colleges here are behind on night classes and online classes. Therefore, I need to find community colleges that offer either term online classes or the ability to enroll whenever for classes. Right now it just feels I am wasting time not taking anything. I could knock out English Comp II, Econ I & II from the Community Colleges, along with 6 hours worth of Science classes, possibly Chemistry with labs. I guess I feel I need to take the classes instead of testing out as far as learning the material goes.

I guess me being new to the world of online learning I have a lot to learn about taking classes at other institutions and then transferring them in as I just went the route originally to attend one school but that didn't work out as planned. Now I'm stuck trying to struggle and finish up a degree as quickly as possible. I also would need to send TESC my transcript from the Community College of the Air Force as I have lots of credits there that would help at as well. I figure I have at least all the undergrad classes covered except for maybe English Comp II with that added in.