my unofficial transcript - your profound wisdom

[bjcheung77]

Skip the TECEP, when you reapply they'll update your application and take in the credits for a re-evaluation (you can use that cash to buy me coffee instead) <insert subliminal message here, haha, jk>. My suggestion is to complete your other requirements to hit the 16 credit residency and this does a few things including enrolling you for the next year...

[Max007]

bj.. I would gladly buy you, dfrecore, and Rachel some serious gourmet coffee for your insight and suggestions. Seriously. I truly appreciate you all. You're all so knowledgeable, and your insight is great. Despite my myriad queries, I do like to read and learn as I go.

It still appears as though the 16 credit residency route will take me longer than study.com (et al), no?

[rachel83az]

The 16-credit term will actually take fewer week/months to complete than SDC. At the very least, they are roughly equivalent. IIRC, both options will require at least one month at SDC and/or Sophia.

16-credit term: 12 weeks for all 6 classes, optional 8 week extension for the capstone (for a fee) if absolutely needed.

SDC, etc.: 12 weeks for capstone/cornerstone. Extra time at SDC to take the necessary UL classes.

[Max007]

Thank you Rachel.

Your scenarios are calculated based on starting at the exact same time, correct?
Technically, I'd be able to begin sooner with SDC. However, you're saying I'll still have the corner/capstone duration of 12 weeks, irrespective. I suppose the only other major difference (aside from self-study vs regimented class) would be proctored vs unproctored exams.

12 weeks for all six classes inclusive of corner/capstones just sounds like a lot (being structured classes vs SDC), no?
Maybe not.

[rachel83az]

Yes, you will have the 12 weeks for the cornerstone/capstone regardless of which route you take. Taking 6 classes at one time CAN be a lot of work, yes. But that's why you look for courses that have fewer/shorter assignments and/or no exams (when possible). The "no fail" courses on the wiki are ones that meet this requirement, but they're not exclusive. There might be ones that are easier. That said:

SOS-110: Can be mostly completed within the first week. The only thing left should be (relatively short) weekly discussion posts.
PLA-100: Can be completed in 5-10 hours. Super easy.
Complete these first two within the first week.
CIS-107: ePack exam that requires little, if any, study for the average person. Take this exam in the second week of class.
That leaves you to focus on the remaining courses (making it more like you're only taking 3 courses, not 6):
Capstone: This will take most of your focus. Even if you need to pay for the 8-week extension, that's still a lower cost than paying the residency waiver.
Pick two of:
COM-339 The Story of Human Language: According to syllabus, assignments consist of very short "essays" of around 300 words. Final assignment is only worth 25% of your grade. As long as you do well in the short essays, you should easily get a passing grade even if you bomb the final assignment.
CIS-351 Software Engineering: According to a student who took this course, assignments consist of Word documents with no programming whatsoever. I believe that this focuses more on UI than on how the software actually works? Can be completed fully in 20-30 hours.
LIB-320 The Music of War & Peace: Assignments are longer than COM-339 at 500-1250 words in length, but should still be relatively easy to complete. The final paper/project is only worth 30% of the grade. Do well on the regular assignments and you should be able to get at least a C even if your final paper is graded poorly.

[bjcheung77]

Oh, we need to see the bigger picture, and another thing, are you glued to TESU? If you're just going for a BALS or BSBA, since you have so many transferrable credits, COSC/UMPI might be a cheaper option if you're just going for the degree, it's a great "check the box" option since you really are wanting the MBA as the end goal. Again, there are many avenues you can take, each option is different for people with needs/wants, it all depends on their age, situation, and what they see as more ROI/Value. What are your commitments? Kids? Work? etc? How much time can you dedicate to school?

I revisited your "evaluation", your Psych245 came in as upper level, I think that should have been a second year course or lower level, but because of similar content and course name, they evaluated it as UL. Here's a quick rundown on a couple of options since catalog years/newer requirements have changed: 1) Go to UMPI and get a BLS with a concentration of your liking or a BABA with a different concentration. This is a viable option if you have no commitments, have lots of energy, time, as it's CBE and you're paying by term.

2) Many semi competitive MBA programs require "prerequisites", your TESU BALS has only a few business courses, I highly recommend slapping onto it the BSBA. If it was the other way around, you getting a BSBA, then skip the BALS as it's just a check the box degree. Most MBA requirements are a BA degree, for those non-Business majors, they need "bridging-make up" courses. So, instead of paying grad prices, I would rather pay for that extra Business Capstone and get a second degree at TESU, hitting BOTH the residency requirements AND prerequisites for the MBA entry.

[Max007]

Rachel - I can go at my own pace with TESU courses?  Still somewhat regimented, I'd surmise.

bj - I'm not necessarily glued to TESU.  It's just where most of my focus and original intentions were directed.  Also, I just felt since TESU was a b&m, it wouldn't be a bad thing, nor hinder my cause.
I can dedicate a pretty decent amount of time to school.  However, as of late, I've been helping take care of my brother-in-law, who was critically ill and hospitalized for 3 months with COVID.  This "commitment" should hopefully begin to taper off soon.  I also work.

I would think finishing off my UL requirements with psych classes might be alright.
I think I'm going to get another academic eval and post it up.

[rachel83az]

Rachel - I can go at my own pace with TESU courses?  Still somewhat regimented, I'd surmise.

Not all of them, but yes. It seems like most TESU courses can be completed 50-90% within the first week or two, if you are dedicated enough to do so. For the ones with midterms and/or finals, I don't think you're allowed to take the exams outside of a narrow-ish window of time, but I could be mistaken on that count.

[schlocker]

In pursuit of a BSBA likely at TESU. It sounds like I should consider taking four classes at TESU vs. SDC? Would this be to save on the residency fee? These would be considered RA classes? Which classes are recommended?

[bjcheung77]

In pursuit of a BSBA likely at TESU. It sounds like I should consider taking four classes at TESU vs. SDC? Would this be to save on the residency fee? These would be considered RA classes? Which classes are recommended?

Is this for yourself or a family member? I recommend taking 16 credits to get rid of the residency waiver. Courses taken at the institution are RA. Recommended courses depend on what you are missing and what degree AOS you're looking for, generally you want to take courses not available elsewhere for cheap, or UL that isn't offered elsewhere.