What courses would you like to see on Sophia/SDC/etc?

[LevelUP]

A utilitarian argument would be to offer new courses based on their popularity, since doing so would benefit the greatest number of students.

For example, in the case of Sophia Learning, the following could be considered:

Math Courses

• Discrete Math (highly popular)
  
• Linear Algebra (not as popular as Discrete Math)
  

Computer Science Courses

• Management of Information Systems
  
• Data Structures and Algorithms
  
• Computer Architecture
  

Psychology Courses

• Abnormal Psychology
  
• Research Methods
  
• Cognitive Psychology
  
• Social Psychology
  
• Positive Psychology (the most popular course in the history of Harvard University)
  

[Duneranger]

But you know FULL well there are going to be a tons of people on here who fully believe these classes are just as good as the "real" version. That's where the delusion starts.

You've alluded to that several times, but I have yet to see anyone suggest that these courses are "the same" as what you consider to be "the real version." And what you're misunderstanding, is that no one cares. 

If you expected online courses for as low as $79/month to have the same length and depth as single university courses that cost thousands of dollars on their own and/or are taught by nursing schools or medical schools, then that was your mistake. 

Everyone accepts the courses for what they are. You're the only one having a hard time doing that.

They are scammy courses, which is why only a handful of schools with non-terrible reputations accept them en masse. I got it.

Again,  you speak for YOURSELF. But many people whose only college experience is Sophia and the half ass courses UMPI courses legitimately believe they are "just as good". This has been repeated many many times here, on Reddit, Discord etc etc. It doesn't dawn on them that earning 16 legitimate "college" credits in a week is a ludicrous concept.

So if you know and I know legit medically oriented schools won't accept them (except the dogshit WGU nursing program), why would Sophia bother to make them? There are already science options on the site that fulfill the gen ed check box.

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But you know FULL well there are going to be a tons of people on here who fully believe these classes are just as good as the "real" version. That's where the delusion starts.

You've alluded to that several times, but I have yet to see anyone suggest that these courses are "the same" as what you consider to be "the real version." And what you're misunderstanding, is that no one cares. 

If you expected online courses for as low as $79/month to have the same length and depth as single university courses that cost thousands of dollars on their own and/or are taught by nursing schools or medical schools, then that was your mistake. 

Everyone accepts the courses for what they are. You're the only one having a hard time doing that.

^^^^This. 100%. Thanks, eLearner.

As for everything Duneranger said to me, I'm not going to bother with it because he moved the goalposts AGAIN and if he can't see how he's doing it, then he can start a new thread asking for recommendations for a good logic, rhetoric, communications, or information literacy class that covers debate tactics and logical fallacies. In the meantime, I will never understand why more of his posts don't get deleted by the mods.

Again, always fluff and never substance. You throw in buzzwords as if they mean something. Unless someone can prove me wrong, I am the only one here with actual clinical experience in these subjects and have taught them at the college level.

I have already laid out clear reasoning why hyper-specialized medical classes on a scammy ACE credit feeders are a waste of time/money for Sophia and for students in the long run. I get the purpose of this forum is to do things in the easiest and quickest fashion but there has to be a line drawn somewhere.

Go read a textbook and knock your socks off...if it's TRULY about learning, of course...

Just because I don't circle jerk and pander to the lowest common denominator effort means my posts should get deleted? Oh okay lol.

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A utilitarian argument would be to offer new courses based on their popularity, since doing so would benefit the greatest number of students.

For example, in the case of Sophia Learning, the following could be considered:

Math Courses

• Discrete Math (highly popular)
  
• Linear Algebra (not as popular as Discrete Math)
  

Computer Science Courses

• Management of Information Systems
  
• Data Structures and Algorithms
  
• Computer Architecture
  

Psychology Courses

• Abnormal Psychology
  
• Research Methods
  
• Cognitive Psychology
  
• Social Psychology
  
• Positive Psychology (the most popular course in the history of Harvard University)
  

I'd agree with most of these. Research methods requires legitimate instruction, however.

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Well, we do get a bunch of people trying to use ACE credits for nursing and healthcare related graduate schools. I can also see where Duneranger is coming from especially with their documented issues with the surge of non-clinician healthcare admins. However, I don't think anyone is comparing Sophia offerings to med school when it isn't comparable to CC offerings. Hell, I'd even argue Straighterline is harder. But to Duneranger's point, Sophia previously pushed their "Nursing Pathway" trying to get prospective nursing student to take courses like A&P and Human biology. Look at this garbage: "By taking our diverse selection of science and health-related courses, you’ll lay the groundwork for success in upper-level nursing courses at your university." https://www.sophia.org/online-courses/co...g-pathway/  These courses are not sufficient as foundational knowledge for any healthcare provider.

If Sophia does open more healthcare related courses, I would love to see something related to hearing loss and the basics of reading an audiogram. Or maybe a Introduction to Healthcare careers as there are so many interesting roles outside of Doctor and Nurse.

This is reasonable as well. I think an intro to health profession course to get people interested would be worth Sophia's time. Teaching histology, pathology and radiology to people with barebones science backgrounds (if that)? No lol.

[Hotdogman1]

It was my understanding that the point of this site was to help non-traditional students accelerate their degrees so they can do something actually productive with their lives. If someone on reddit thinks the rigor of a zero to UMPI degree is equivalent to a normal 4 year degree, just pat them on the head. If someone thinks a 4 year bachelor's is worth more than a 4 month one, then inform them that Hotdogman1 has a 10 year bachelor's. 

If it isn't apparent, I also think the Sophia science courses are...subpar. I don't know of a single healthcare program from certs to doctorates that accept ACE credits for prereqs outside of that Sophia nursing pathway. Even then, it seems like only a few accepted them towards their nursing programs (which I still think is ridiculous). However, like you mentioned: "Literally almost every class (healthcare courses) you listed would be a waste of their time and not transfer to anything other than a generic science credit for places like SNHU or UMPI." Exactly, who cares. As far as I'm concerned, the only victim is the University not getting paid $500 per credit hour for a stupid elective and the money sure as hell isn't going to the adjunct. 

Most people would take it as an generic elective and hopefully some will learn about their future career. eLearner made a great point: "Everyone is not interested in becoming a medical doctor. However, people might take these courses and become interested in furthering their education after that to become a nurse, medical doctor, nutritionist and so on. Happens all the time." (One correction: Dieticians are medical professionals. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionists. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dieti...tritionist) Those that need these courses for a healthcare program will need to take it at a RA institution. If someone speedruns a UMPI degree but fails the basic science prereqs at a community college, then they aren't ready for any healthcare program. I don't see how their lack of competence is our problem. If they clear the prereqs, ace the GRE/MCAT/whatever, crush the interview, and suck in the program, that’s on them, the admissions team, and the professors.

Sure, it's scammy and the rigor is laughable but it's $99 a month and probably collectively saved millions in tuition. If someone thinks college is UMPI and Sophia, that's because it is their college experience.

[eLearner]

They are scammy courses, which is why only a handful of schools with non-terrible reputations accept them en masse. I got it.

Again,  you speak for YOURSELF. But many people whose only college experience is Sophia and the half ass courses UMPI courses legitimately believe they are "just as good". This has been repeated many many times here, on Reddit, Discord etc etc. It doesn't dawn on them that earning 16 legitimate "college" credits in a week is a ludicrous concept.

So if you know and I know legit medically oriented schools won't accept them (except the dogshit WGU nursing program), why would Sophia bother to make them? There are already science options on the site that fulfill the gen ed check box.

Well, I am speaking for MYSELF (lol).

I have never read anyone anywhere (Reddit or otherwise) saying these courses are "just as good." If you have, that's fine. But why care?
And we've already discussed why Sophia would make them. I've pointed out that the courses can be used to satisfy gen ed requirements for degree programs outside of healthcare. This has been the case for a long time before Sophia and Straighterline ever existed. The goal with every science course isn't to get into nursing or medical school. People take science courses for a number of reasons not related to that. Besides, there are many other sciences besides those in healthcare which is another reason. I do know some nursing schools that will accept them, and I know of at least one medical school that accepts them, but still.

[bluebooger]

yeah, there are reasons to take anatomy & physiology and introduction to genetics other than wanting to get into nursing school, medical school, or physical therapy school

I think a course in general anatomy and physiology would be more beneficial to ALL freshman rather than the usual Biology 1 with Lab that students take in person at school