Zero to Hero Degree Plan

[Tonij1249]

Hello! I am getting ready to change careers. I have been researching how to earn a degree in a way that would be agreeable with my needs and that led me down the road of accelerated competency based learning. Coupling this with cheaper alternative ways to earn credits than taking them with the actual University (sophia learning, study.com, etc), I think I am on the right path. I would appreciate anyone's input before I start this undertaking. You can see my stats below. Thank you so much for your time and attention!

Your Location: North East Ohio, United States.
Your Age: 28
What kind of degree do you want?  Information technology. Cyber security is the most interesting to me. But I have no experience in tech, and it seems a lot of people say not to start there. Or at least not to land a Cys position without experience. So I decided to go with a more general approach. I am looking at WGU for their accelerated BS IT/MS IT Mgmt course. I want to eventually be a PMP. I felt like this was the best direction to move, and then with some experience under my belt, transition to Cys, and with some leadership experience under my belt, pursue the PMP.
Current Regional Accredited Credits: n/a
I went to Edinboro University of PA, and have a few credits with Kent State University, but I owe both universities money and cannot access my transcripts. So I will be moving forward without those credits and basically starting over.

Any certifications or military experience? No

Budget: I'd like to go the cheapest route possible, but will consider spending more for easy and fast. I'm looking at around 1.5K for transfer course work and looking to get actual tuition covered elsewhere. I am aware that I might have to come out of pocket for any/all parts and will address that as needed.
 
Commitments: I help take care of my younger brothers, am in a relationship, and have a circle of friends that play games on Saturday's. However, everyone knows I am trying to get an accelerated degree, is on board, and knows that studying is going to come first for me until I complete it.

Dedicated time to study: I can study as much as is needed. This will be a full time job for me and I'm not afraid to put in over time

Timeline: I would like to finish in 1.5 years (18 months) I'm hoping to do the WGU course work in 2 terms, after completing 6 months of transfer credits and pre-studying the rest of the course material.

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: I am working with government aid to use a program called WIOA to have my course work paid for. 

[bjcheung77]

@Tonij1249, Welcome to the board, that's a good initial post with the addendum and template details! WGU is a very good option to have a balanced mix/match of certs, degree, experience. There are a few things to note, you should also create a spreadsheet of the requirements for reference and tracking purposes...

1) Transcripts, you're on the hook for these at most institutions, you're not 'starting' over. Many of the Regionally Accredited institutions that we recommend can and will look up your previous studies with the NSCH (National Student Clearing House) and will see you've studied at those institutions previously.

2) Ultimately, you're continuing with Sophia.org, Study.com and any other provider from their partners.wgu.edu , you'll be creating a spreadsheet of the requirements, comparing partners courses available for transfer and completing them from provider to provider, not by having multiple subscriptions at a time.

3) In addition to what you currently are looking for and what Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides, you can always add to that list of certs, degree, experience by completing more certs or Coursera, EdX, TEEX, Sophia.org classes that deal with Computers, Cybersecurity, IT, etc.

[CharisandJon]

@Tonij1249, Welcome to the board, that's a good initial post with the addendum and template details! WGU is a very good option to have a balanced mix/match of certs, degree, experience. There are a few things to note, you should also create a spreadsheet of the requirements for reference and tracking purposes...

1) Transcripts, you're on the hook for these at most institutions, you're not 'starting' over.  Many of the Regionally Accredited institutions that we recommend can and will look up your previous studies with the NSCH (National Student Clearing House) and will see you've studied at those institutions previously.  

2) Ultimately, you're continuing with Sophia.org, Study.com and any other provider from their partners.wgu.edu , you'll be creating a spreadsheet of the requirements, comparing partners courses available for transfer and completing them from provider to provider, not by having multiple subscriptions at a time.

3) In addition to what you currently are looking for and what Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides, you can always add to that list of certs, degree, experience by completing more certs or Coursera, EdX, TEEX, Sophia.org classes that deal with Computers, Cybersecurity, IT, etc.

BJ is correct, you will need to get your transcripts from the  universities you previously attended. WGU specifically is a stickler when it comes to transcripts, and they need transcripts from everywhere you attended to admit you, even if you don’t put that university on your application or want those credits to transfer.

[Tonij1249]

@Tonij1249, Welcome to the board, that's a good initial post with the addendum and template details! WGU is a very good option to have a balanced mix/match of certs, degree, experience. There are a few things to note, you should also create a spreadsheet of the requirements for reference and tracking purposes...

1) Transcripts, you're on the hook for these at most institutions, you're not 'starting' over.  Many of the Regionally Accredited institutions that we recommend can and will look up your previous studies with the NSCH (National Student Clearing House) and will see you've studied at those institutions previously.  

2) Ultimately, you're continuing with Sophia.org, Study.com and any other provider from their partners.wgu.edu , you'll be creating a spreadsheet of the requirements, comparing partners courses available for transfer and completing them from provider to provider, not by having multiple subscriptions at a time.

3) In addition to what you currently are looking for and what Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides, you can always add to that list of certs, degree, experience by completing more certs or Coursera, EdX, TEEX, Sophia.org classes that deal with Computers, Cybersecurity, IT, etc.

@bjcheung77, thanks so much for your reply. I think my innital post was poorly written. To your first point, yes I plan on disclosing all of my education history, and know I still owe the money. With a career switch, I will better be able to meet my obligations and work on paying them off. I just cannot have my transcripts released to WGU because of the debt, so they won't count toward credits I can transfer. To your second point, I don't plan on enrolling in all these courses at once, I am working on my spreadsheet, I have 2 that I'm playing with, one for the Cys degree and one for the accelerated IT course. I'll post it later today. 
To your third, thank you, I will certainly look into those to gain more experience!

[CharisandJon]

@Tonij1249, Welcome to the board, that's a good initial post with the addendum and template details! WGU is a very good option to have a balanced mix/match of certs, degree, experience. There are a few things to note, you should also create a spreadsheet of the requirements for reference and tracking purposes...

1) Transcripts, you're on the hook for these at most institutions, you're not 'starting' over.  Many of the Regionally Accredited institutions that we recommend can and will look up your previous studies with the NSCH (National Student Clearing House) and will see you've studied at those institutions previously.  

2) Ultimately, you're continuing with Sophia.org, Study.com and any other provider from their partners.wgu.edu , you'll be creating a spreadsheet of the requirements, comparing partners courses available for transfer and completing them from provider to provider, not by having multiple subscriptions at a time.

3) In addition to what you currently are looking for and what Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides, you can always add to that list of certs, degree, experience by completing more certs or Coursera, EdX, TEEX, Sophia.org classes that deal with Computers, Cybersecurity, IT, etc.

@bjcheung77, thanks so much for your reply. I think my innital post was poorly written. To your first point, yes I plan on disclosing all of my education history, and know I still owe the money. With a career switch, I will better be able to meet my obligations and work on paying them off. I just cannot have my transcripts released to WGU because of the debt, so they won't count toward credits I can transfer. To your second point, I don't plan on enrolling in all these courses at once, I am working on my spreadsheet, I have 2 that I'm playing with, one for the Cys degree and one for the accelerated IT course. I'll post it later today. 
To your third, thank you, I will certainly look into those to gain more experience!

Unfortunately, WGU has to have those transcripts before you can start there. They won’t let you enroll without all of your previous transcripts.

[Tonij1249]

@Tonij1249, Welcome to the board, that's a good initial post with the addendum and template details! WGU is a very good option to have a balanced mix/match of certs, degree, experience. There are a few things to note, you should also create a spreadsheet of the requirements for reference and tracking purposes...

1) Transcripts, you're on the hook for these at most institutions, you're not 'starting' over.  Many of the Regionally Accredited institutions that we recommend can and will look up your previous studies with the NSCH (National Student Clearing House) and will see you've studied at those institutions previously.  

2) Ultimately, you're continuing with Sophia.org, Study.com and any other provider from their partners.wgu.edu , you'll be creating a spreadsheet of the requirements, comparing partners courses available for transfer and completing them from provider to provider, not by having multiple subscriptions at a time.

3) In addition to what you currently are looking for and what Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides, you can always add to that list of certs, degree, experience by completing more certs or Coursera, EdX, TEEX, Sophia.org classes that deal with Computers, Cybersecurity, IT, etc.

@bjcheung77, thanks so much for your reply. I think my innital post was poorly written. To your first point, yes I plan on disclosing all of my education history, and know I still owe the money. With a career switch, I will better be able to meet my obligations and work on paying them off. I just cannot have my transcripts released to WGU because of the debt, so they won't count toward credits I can transfer. To your second point, I don't plan on enrolling in all these courses at once, I am working on my spreadsheet, I have 2 that I'm playing with, one for the Cys degree and one for the accelerated IT course. I'll post it later today. 
To your third, thank you, I will certainly look into those to gain more experience!

Unfortunately, WGU has to have those transcripts before you can start there. They won’t let you enroll without all of your previous transcripts.

Dang. Well, that is really good to know though, I guess I will call the schools and see if I can work something out with them.

[CharisandJon]

@Tonij1249, Welcome to the board, that's a good initial post with the addendum and template details! WGU is a very good option to have a balanced mix/match of certs, degree, experience. There are a few things to note, you should also create a spreadsheet of the requirements for reference and tracking purposes...

1) Transcripts, you're on the hook for these at most institutions, you're not 'starting' over.  Many of the Regionally Accredited institutions that we recommend can and will look up your previous studies with the NSCH (National Student Clearing House) and will see you've studied at those institutions previously.  

2) Ultimately, you're continuing with Sophia.org, Study.com and any other provider from their partners.wgu.edu , you'll be creating a spreadsheet of the requirements, comparing partners courses available for transfer and completing them from provider to provider, not by having multiple subscriptions at a time.

3) In addition to what you currently are looking for and what Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides, you can always add to that list of certs, degree, experience by completing more certs or Coursera, EdX, TEEX, Sophia.org classes that deal with Computers, Cybersecurity, IT, etc.

@bjcheung77, thanks so much for your reply. I think my innital post was poorly written. To your first point, yes I plan on disclosing all of my education history, and know I still owe the money. With a career switch, I will better be able to meet my obligations and work on paying them off. I just cannot have my transcripts released to WGU because of the debt, so they won't count toward credits I can transfer. To your second point, I don't plan on enrolling in all these courses at once, I am working on my spreadsheet, I have 2 that I'm playing with, one for the Cys degree and one for the accelerated IT course. I'll post it later today. 
To your third, thank you, I will certainly look into those to gain more experience!

Unfortunately, WGU has to have those transcripts before you can start there. They won’t let you enroll without all of your previous transcripts.

Dang. Well, that is really good to know though, I guess I will call the schools and see if I can work something out with them.

Good idea, I hope it works out! Other universities may be more lenient about it and willing to find a solution/exception, but I know from personal experience WGU is strict.

[allvia]

Don't assume because you owe them that you won't be able to get your transcripts released, that is no longer the default situation  - https://www.touchnet.com/trends/blog/202...d-balances

But as far as WGU goes, you stated you 'don't plan on enrolling in all these courses at once' but that is pretty much how WGU works. You transfer in all the credits you can before enrolling from all sources, colleges, sophia, study, etc then you start and move along at your own pace. Note: you cannot transfer in outside credit to WGU once you are an active student (aka enrolled). WGU tends to be better (time and cost wise) for someone who already has experience in the field.

With your career goals of MIS and PMP you may want to consider UMPI BABA-PM/IS.  Or even working toward the Pierpont BOG AAS for IT and them UMPI for a BAS with PM minor. This would likely be a very affordable option (a small fraction of what WGU would cost you), and give you some IT (includng Cyber Security) certifications for your resume. It is also very achievable within your target timeline.

[Tonij1249]

Don't assume because you owe them that you won't be able to get your transcripts released, that is no longer the default situation  - https://www.touchnet.com/trends/blog/202...d-balances

But as far as WGU goes, you stated you 'don't plan on enrolling in all these courses at once' but that is pretty much how WGU works. You transfer in all the credits you can before enrolling from all sources, colleges, sophia, study, etc then you start and move along at your own pace. Note: you cannot transfer in outside credit to WGU once you are an active student (aka enrolled). WGU tends to be better (time and cost wise) for someone who already has experience in the field.

With your career goals of MIS and PMP you may want to consider UMPI BABA-PM/IS.  Or even working toward the Pierpont BOG AAS for IT and them UMPI for a BAS with PM minor. This would likely be a very affordable option (a small fraction of what WGU would cost you), and give you some IT (includng Cyber Security) certifications for your resume. It is also very achievable within your target timeline.

Thank you for your reply! I was not clear enough in my response. I meant I wasn't enrolling in sophia/study.com/etc all at once. When I finish me spreadsheet of what will transfer, I will decide what to take where and work through each program once at a time.  Thank you so much for the encouragrment and the other Uni recommendation, I will give it a good look!

[Vle045]

Hey Toni! I am in NEO and a grad of Edinboro myself! I hope you are able to work out something to get those transcripts! In the meantime, you can definitely chip away at some credits on Sophia. Another option to consider are some of the career certificates on Coursera. There are several that are focused on tech and cyber security. And many can be transferred to WGU. A great way to see how well you like it and if it’s something you want to do.

Not sure if this link will work for you…
https://www.coursera.org/career-academy/...ty-analyst