Starting over with math...Study.com, Shmoop, other?

[jayorjon]

I am looking into to changing my plan from BALS to the BACS at TESU. (hoping to make more use of the CIS credits I have from CC, and have a more specific degree)

The problem with this is I have Poor math skills, I'm sure I can learn, but I have not had any Math instruction at all for the past 25-30 years, and even then I took no interest and scraped by.

I have tried ALEKS but for someone starting almost from the very beginning it is very tedious. So, where (in your opinion) would be a good place for me to start over from scratch and gain credits in the process?

From looking around it would appear Shmoop or Study.com would probably be good, but which one? or do you know another I'm not thinking about?

Thanks!
Jon

[Zachcleigh]

If you use to be good at math you could review some youtube videos and try a CLEP. I have not tried shmoop, but have hard good things about their math courses. I like study.com, but if you are worried about tediousness I'd probably recommend another credit source.

[dfrecore]

If you have poor math skills, then I think you're looking at the wrong degree. The BA in Computer Science is VERY math heavy (Calc I & II, Discrete Math, Calc-based Linear Algebra). Maybe you might want to think about the BSBA in CIS instead.

[bjcheung77]

If you have poor math skills, then I think you're looking at the wrong degree. The BA in Computer Science is VERY math heavy (Calc I & II, Discrete Math, Calc-based Linear Algebra). Maybe you might want to think about the BSBA in CIS instead.

I would suggest the BSBA with CIS option instead as well. If you really wanted to continue onward with a more technical degree you can go for a BSIT at WGU, or their BSCIA, even their software development degree. You might want to check out their requirements and also check out Hodges UPower programs as well, they've comptency based too.

In regards to taking math courses, take intermediate/college algebra and if you want to work on more math, take Precalculus and Trigonometry at ALEKS. I failed their STATS, I would recommend SL Business Stats or Study.com, same goes for Calculus I, Calculus II is only available at SL as Study.com hasn't got one.

[sarg123]

I think that Aleks for Algebra would be the easiest option if you have poor math skills. Another option might be the Algebra clep - you can use the Khan videos to help you learn it - but I personally thought that they were even more tedious than Aleks.

What I did, personally, (and I know this is a very radical step for this forum) was I took Algebra at my local community college. I found that the classroom format worked better for me, as I was really, really rusty, and I liked the fact that I had a teacher that I could ask questions to. But, obviously, that would take way longer, and probably a lot more expensive.

[jayorjon]

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions.

The thing is, I have always said that "I suck at Math" but in reality I never took the time to try to learn it, I was a lazy student in school, I absorbed information pretty easily and tested well in most classes except math. I guess mainly because math is not a subject you can passively learn. What I am hoping is that I can just start over, re-learn the foundations, and go from there.

I will need College Algebra to complete my AAS so taking it at my CC is not out of the question.

As for as the Degree..

I Chose BALS at first because it would be the easiest and quickest to get, and it along with my AAS would probably get me in the door of companies that are ok with technical skills with a bachelors of some kind. But many job listings list "CS or related degree"

so then I look at CS, BSBA CIS, or like someone mentioned the WGU IT degrees.

I guess I'm just trying to work out "can I do the math" and is it worth it. Would the BSBA CIS be considered related enough?

I am at the point where my required Gen eds are pretty much done and I need to make a decision which way to go.

Thanks again for your help, it helps to have something to talk to about this, and put my thoughts out there.

Jon

[Ideas]

But many job listings list "CS or related degree"

so then I look at CS, BSBA CIS, or like someone mentioned the WGU IT degrees.

I guess I'm just trying to work out "can I do the math" and is it worth it. Would the BSBA CIS be considered related enough?

I think most jobs that prefer a CS degree are not going to hire someone with BSBA-CIS. They might or might not hire someone with an IT degree depending on the job, and on your experience and certifications. But IT is rather different from CS.

[SolarKat]

But many job listings list "CS or related degree". <snipt> I guess I'm just trying to work out "can I do the math" and is it worth it. Would the BSBA CIS be considered related enough?

It depends. Can you give some examples of job titles/careers that interest you? CS is actually a big field, so it's possible that you are looking at options that are somewhat tangential.

One option for avoiding math (though I absolutely do NOT recommend this if you want to be deep into CS, because ultimately CS *is* math) but getting a CS credential is TESU's undergraduate certificate, which does hit the high notes of Computer Architecture & Data Structures, plus a programming language, and 3 more elective classes (AI, OS, a second language, etc). It's not the same as a full CS major, but it gives you a little exposure.

However, it's possible that an IT degree could get you where you want to be. The undergrad CS certificate rolls pretty much seamlessly into the BSAST - Information Technology @ TESU. True, it's not the quick test-out program like the BSBA, but it may be worth considering if you want a career path that's heavier in CS. The IT degree is light on math but still has a lot of overlap with the CS program.

[jayorjon]

It depends. Can you give some examples of job titles/careers that interest you? CS is actually a big field, so it's possible that you are looking at options that are somewhat tangential.

One option for avoiding math (though I absolutely do NOT recommend this if you want to be deep into CS, because ultimately CS *is* math) but getting a CS credential is TESU's undergraduate certificate, which does hit the high notes of Computer Architecture & Data Structures, plus a programming language, and 3 more elective classes (AI, OS, a second language, etc). It's not the same as a full CS major, but it gives you a little exposure.

However, it's possible that an IT degree could get you where you want to be. The undergrad CS certificate rolls pretty much seamlessly into the BSAST - Information Technology @ TESU. True, it's not the quick test-out program like the BSBA, but it may be worth considering if you want a career path that's heavier in CS. The IT degree is light on math but still has a lot of overlap with the CS program.

Yeah I should have stated the type of Job/Career I am looking for which is programmer or backend web dev. I currently know several languages, but I am self taught (other than what i have learned in CC). I have also been building websites, and selling software (that i designed but had others build) since 1998. I just started learning to code a little over a year ago, but I am at the point now i pick up new languages and frameworks pretty easily. I am seeking the formal education credentials to back up my self taught skills.

[bjcheung77]

Yeah I should have stated the type of Job/Career I am looking for which is programmer or backend web dev. I currently know several languages, but I am self taught (other than what i have learned in CC). I have also been building websites, and selling software (that i designed but had others build) since 1998. I just started learning to code a little over a year ago, but I am at the point now i pick up new languages and frameworks pretty easily. I am seeking the formal education credentials to back up my self taught skills.

Good stuff. My recommendation of WGU (or other competency based) programs are a better fit than just a regular BSBA CIS/BA CS program.
A few other programs that are IT/Software Development based as well from several providers other than WGU... You should check them out!

Brandman University MyPath Programs (See BBA IT or BS IT) - https://www.brandman.edu/mypath/degrees
Hodges University UPower Programs & Tuition - https://www.hodges.edu/academics/academi...power.aspx

Capella University FlexPath Programs - https://www.capella.edu/capella-experien...-programs/
Capella University FlexPath Tuition - https://www.capella.edu/capella-experien...h/tuition/

Northern Arizona University Personalized Learning Tuition - http://pl.nau.edu/Tuition.aspx
Newly created program BS CIT - http://pl.nau.edu/ComputerInformationTechnology.aspx

WGU IT Programs - https://www.wgu.edu/online_it_degrees/programs
Tuition - https://www.wgu.edu/tuition_financial_aid/overview# , https://www.wgu.edu/tuition_financial_aid/tuition

University of Wisconsin - https://flex.wisconsin.edu/degrees-progr...echnology/
UW Flexible Tuition - https://flex.wisconsin.edu/degrees-progr...y/#tuition

Patten MBA IT - http://patten.edu/patten-online/online-d...echnology/
Patten tuition - http://patten.edu/admissions/online-tuition/

Note: I placed Patten in there as it would be a cheap/quick RA Masters degree when/if you wanted to do one after your Bachelors.
Several people finished the Masters program in 4 months and a grand total of $2 grand. You can't beat that with a rocket or a stick!