Am I understanding enrollment correctly?

[louise]

I've read some threads here that mention this and I want to make sure that I'm understanding this correctly before I do it. 

• I can become enrolled in TESU by paying $50 for a TECEP Test like Medical Terminology.
  
• I do not actually have to, at any point, actually take this test.
  
• Not taking this test will not negatively affect my grades, GPA, or standing with TESU.
  
• Purchasing this one TECEP Test will officially enroll me for 12 months without having to make any additional purchases. 
  
• This will allow me to have unlimited academic evaluations and transfer in credit as I complete it for the entire 12 months.
  

Do I have this correct?

[bjcheung77]

You've got a Bachelors, a Masters and you're thinking of TESU for the BA Comp Sci degree. Have you thought about the WGU BSCS or Software Development? How about a Masters in Applied Computer Science that doesn't require an undergraduate degree in Comp Sci, but just two prerequisite courses? TESU is a very good option, but have you looked elsewhere to compare?

To answer your question, yes, you are correct on all 5 points. But I wouldn't do it that way, until I know what you're trying to do. If you are going to be taking any courses at TESU or TECEPS within the 12 months OR if you only require 2 evaluations, skip the TECEP, it's a waste of $50 and the frugal person in me wouldn't want you to waste it either... For example, you're doing just the capstone/cornerstone and you're going to take the cornerstone in a couple of months, well... that already PAID for a years worth of evaluations and other perks!

[rachel83az]

Yes, you have everything exactly correct! I would enroll asap before any potential policy changes in July.

[louise]

You've got a Bachelors, a Masters and you're thinking of TESU for the BA Comp Sci degree.  Have you thought about the WGU BSCS or Software Development?  How about a Masters in Applied Computer Science that doesn't require an undergraduate degree in Comp Sci, but just two prerequisite courses?  TESU is a very good option, but have you looked elsewhere to compare?

To answer your question, yes, you are correct on all 5 points.  But I wouldn't do it that way, until I know what you're trying to do.  If you are going to be taking any courses at TESU or TECEPS within the 12 months OR if you only require 2 evaluations, skip the TECEP, it's a waste of $50 and the frugal person in me wouldn't want you to waste it either...  For example, you're doing just the capstone/cornerstone and you're going to take the cornerstone in a couple of months, well... that already PAID for a years worth of evaluations and other perks!

Yes, I do have a BS in sociology and an MS in Social Work from RA universities in my state. My main goal is a career transition.  

I have explored WGU. I would end up taking more courses there and I think in the long run it would be more expensive for me. I don't think I want another Master's at this point, but I think I will probably pursue one in the future when I feel like I'm found my path in CS so essentially I want to save that for later.

I am paying for everything out of pocket so cost is also a factor and being able to pay smaller amounts as I go is helpful. Another factor is flexibility because of the nature of my current career/job. I'm not necessarily in a rush although I hope to make this transition in about an 18-24 month time frame. I originally started planning this transition in 2019 then 2020 came and working in healthcare with Covid really wasn't making it possible to move forward. 

I chose TESU because I only needed 12 courses + capstone with them (already completed Intro to OS and finishing up Discrete Math this weekend). It allows me to work at my own pace and be able to pause things here and there based on what's going on in my current job. 

The time flexibility without losing money also allows me to use outside learning resources as I understand this degree won't necessarily prepare me for an entry level job alone. I really want to have a good programming foundation with portfolio and hopefully internship when I graduate from TESU. I'm not trying to just rush through the degree just to have it. I want to set myself up for success as much as possible. I need to get out of social work. 

I've already used my two free evaluations which is why I'm asking about this. The first was having my previous transcripts evaluated and then when I finished Intro to OS I transferred it in to make sure they were still accepting courses past April 15th before I continued on.

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Yes, you have everything exactly correct! I would enroll asap before any potential policy changes in July.

Excellent, thank you! Yes, I want to lock this in before they make any changes that might make this more difficult.