Engineering/Physics/Applied Science Bachelors

[NotJoeBiden]

Hi, I am looking for something for a friend interested in engineering/physics/applied sciences. The person has experience in some classes, so they should be able to pass them pretty quickly. I know the california college system is pretty good and is a possible route, but ideally get alot of these intro classes out of the way in an asynchronous fashion.

Location: California, United States
Age: 30
What kind of degree do you want?: Bachelors in Engineering/Physics/Applied Sciences
Budget: Under 10k is ideal, but good programs that cost a bit more are still of interest.
Commitments: Work part time to full time
Dedicated time to study: 2-4 hours/day during the week and more on weekends.
Timeline: 3 years or less
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None
Current Regional Accredited Credits:
No
Any certifications or military experience?

No

[bjcheung77]

Their best option is the Pierpont BOG AAS with an emphasis and then ladder that up to the UMPI BAS with a minor such as MIS, then add a second minor of their choice that's available entirely through transfer, you can then add the 3-4 classes that go towards the MAOL. They can investigate WGU BS Software Engineering as well for under $5K if they do the max transfer with alternative credits. Otherwise, your other options are going to be close to that $10K mark, if not over, such as PUG, SNHU, ECPI, etc.

[LevelUP]

I don't know any programs under 10k

For engineering, I would look for an ABET-accredited program.

ASU has engineering.

LU Online is a religious college that offers a physics degree.

[ItsNeverTheLionsYear]

Your friend can get these two a few places (Oregon state, Arizona state, University of North Dakota):

* An ABET accredited engineering program (not engineering technology, but straight up engineering), which is a requirement to work as an engineer
* All online

But not any of these:

* Less than $10k
* Under 3 years to completion

Online engineering degrees face similar problems to online nursing degrees: There is a practical, physical component to engineering best learned through on the job experience, and at the end, there are licensure exams and requirements to work as an Engineer. The exception is "Software Engineering", which isn't really an engineering discipline. Even an on campus engineering degree can take 5 years on a normal graduation schedule. It is going to take your friend some time to get this done.

Your friend's online options for physics degrees are similarly limited. ASU and Liberty both offer online physics degrees, but again, at more than $10k and more than 3 years to complete.

If your friend is just looking to knock out some of the prerequisite math and science courses and then transfer to a UC or CSU and get an engineering degree there, the community college route that you've already identified is the best way to go. Your friend will almost certainly have credits transfer smoothly (they don't take most alternative credits). Foothills college in particular offers a ton of async online math & science courses. Be warned that most universities have transfer credit limits, even from community college.

You can also look at CLEP tests. These are one of the oldest and most widely accepted ways of getting non course college credit. In this case, your friend should pick a target school and take the CLEP tests that line up with their policy. Which CLEPs are accepted varies wildly by institution. For instance:

* Cal Poly SLP accepts only four CLEP tests, all in remedial math areas: https://catalog.calpoly.edu/academicstan...fercredit/
* Cal Poly Ponoma accepts about two dozen CLEP tests, with requirements changing year to year: https://catalog.cpp.edu/mime/media/65/47...-24_v1.pdf

[bjcheung77]

Unless they're looking for ABET with some type of online option, Excelsior/TESU have programs that are 'engineering technology' which is different... Here's a list you can look through and see if it fits the bill or not, there are several schools in here that are for-profit as well: https://amspub.abet.org/aps/online-search

[Jonathan Whatley]

This will exceed 10k, but if your friend is alright with its pervasive conservative Christian integration, Liberty University Online has options in the subject neighborhood including a BS in Physics as others note. Their BS in Civil Engineering, online with short summer residencies, is in its first cohort and currently applying for ABET accreditation. Liberty is alt-credit and transfer friendly. Their First Responder Discount is available to volunteer first responders including volunteer firefighters and Civil Air Patrol senior members.

[Duneranger]

Your friend is looking at degrees which will either be expensive/long or need to be done in person.

These are classes with heavy lab requirements and practical displays of knowledge that can’t be rushed. Not CBE check the box shenanigans.

[karehiro]

Depends on if your friend requires a US ABET-accredited degree. If a foreign degree serves your friend's purposes, then IU International University of Applied Sciences from Germany offers an online Bachelor's of Engineering: https://www.iu.org/bachelor/engineering/

It fulfills all your requirements if your friend can transfer in a few credits to make it under $10K in total, and its essentially self-paced since you pay by the month. Before your friend potentially pursues this path, I would advise to both contact IU to get more info on the program and to contact/review ABET to make sure the program satisfies the ABET accreditation in the US. I would also advise checking reviews of the IU students since there are both good and bad experiences on internet forums. Apparently, IU is considered the Devry/University of Phoenix of Germany since it is a for-profit, however it is fully accredited in Germany and in Europe so they grant legitimate degrees.