Please help with plan for AS in Computer info and Technology

[andrers]

Hello everyone,
I'm located in California,22 years old. Currently enrolled at Thomas Edison State University(TESU).Trying to get a Associates Degree in Computer & Information Technology. I've completed a few courses at at Sophia.org


Microeconomics (3 Credits)
Macroeconomics (3 Credit)
Introduction to Information Technology (3 Credits)
Want to get most of the credits out of the way at Sophia.org. What other classes should I take to take care of the requirements?

[jch]

Taking a step back here...
The general opinion on this forum is that standalone associates degrees from TESU don't make much sense. They're often quite expensive, and shooting for a bachelor's may be a better plan. The particular associates program you've mentioned at TESU also requires an associate's capstone course.
If you really want an associate's degree ASAP, I'd look into the BOG AAS from Pierpont.

[rachel83az]

Agreed. An Associate's from TESU is only marginally less expensive than a Bachelor's degree and getting an Associate's from TESU doesn't actually save much time. We're all for picking up Associate degrees "for free" when you graduate with a Bachelor's degree but getting one on its own doesn't really make much sense.

Check out the requirements for the FREE Pierpont degree here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Pierpont_C%26TC

[dfrecore]

In CA, with $46/cr, you can get an Associates degree for less than $3k (and that's if your CC isn't giving free college to people, which many are).

You're much better off getting that degree in CA, and then transferring your credits into TESU; you need 24cr from an RA school anyway, so it does make sense to do.

Other schools you might want to consider: UMPI when their CompSci degree comes out later this fall; WGU; PurdueGlobal ExcelTrack.

[rachel83az]

$3k for an Associate degree is a bit much when you need only about $1200 worth of credit for a TESU Bachelor's degree.

[dfrecore]

$3k for an Associate degree is a bit much when you need only about $1200 worth of credit for a TESU Bachelor's degree.

That's assuming he has zero credits, and that he's not at a school giving free tuition.

The AS he's looking at will cost $6,654 at TESU.  I'd say half the price is a better deal.

[LevelUP]

People have gotten good-paying jobs from stand-alone associates degrees in Computer Technology primary because the demand is so high for workers.

This type of job is primarily skill-driven, so you need to get certifications or other knowledge to be competent in your field after you get your degree.

[dfrecore]

People have gotten good-paying jobs from stand-alone associates degrees in Computer Technology primary because the demand is so high for workers.

This type of job is primarily skill-driven, so you need to get certifications or other knowledge to be competent in your field after you get your degree.

Agreed.

I would say a few certs - hard ones that you have to study like crazy for - are a better bet in terms of getting a good job.  Those can also be brought into many schools; WGU and Purdue Global both give a LOT of credit for some certs, and both have competency-based IT degrees that you can get for well under $10k.

[ss20ts]

I wouldn't spend the money on an associate degree from TESU. It only costs a little less than a bachelor's degree. If you can get an associate degree from your state community college for significantly less that's one thing. You can get a bachelor's degree online for a little more money and a few more months time. Salary wise it can be a huge difference between the two when it comes to jobs. It can also mean the difference between getting the job you want and settling for one you can get because you don't have that bachelor's degree that many employers require.

[rachel83az]

If you just need a degree to check a box ASAP to get past the job application systems at companies, Pierpont is a fine choice for an Associate's degree.

Otherwise, save your money and either get a Bachelor's degree or a bunch of certificates.