03-06-2023, 08:38 PM
I'm a senior in my CS program. My cc offers a BS in Computer Science. I've been in the program for years, and I'm technically almost done. I have 5 classes left. One of them being MATH270, another CS401 Algorithms, and the remaining three are the capstone classes (CS481-483). I know it sounds crazy, but I was really hoping to transfer to an online degree program. Even though I only have the few classes remaining, itll be impossible for me to finish faster than a year (class scheduling), and I'll have to take some classes in person. The capstone has a mandatory presentation requirement. I'm deathly terrified of public speaking (severe anxiety disorder). The capstone also requires working closely with a group of my peers, which I'm not thrilled about. I know this all sounds very silly, but I've been working my ass off for years just to get this degree, and I'm kind of at the end of my rope here. There's been several crises I've had to get through during the course of my schooling, but I'm determined to get this degree. Heres a list of my credits:
Bellevue College
Total Credits: 185 (Quarter) at GPA ~3.8
123 (Semester)
ENGL& 101 - English Composition I : 5.B+
ENGL& 111 - Intro to Literature I 5.B
ENGL& 235 - Technical Writing 5.A-
PHIL& 101 - Intro to Philosophy 5.A
PSYC& 100 - General Psychology 5.A
GEOG 105 - Geography of World Affairs 5.A
CES 180 - American Life & Culture 5.A
POLS& 202 - American Government 5.A
SOC 254 - Gender In Social World 5.A
DMA 102 - Digital Design Storytelling 5.B
ASTR& 101 - Intro to Astronomy 6.A
BIOL& 160 - General Biology 6.A
PHYS 104 - Discoveries In Physics 6.A
PHYS 121 - General Engr Physics I 6.B+
PHYS 122 - General Engr Physics II 6.A
MATH 130 - Intro to Statistics 5.00 A-
MATH& 141 - Precalculus I 5.A
MATH& 142 - Precalculus II 5.A
MATH& 151 - Calculus I 5.A
MATH& 152 - Calculus II 5.A-
MATH& 153 - Calculus III 5.B
MATH& 254 - Calculus IV 5.A
MATH 208 - Intro to Linear Algebra 5.A
MATH 238 - Differential Equations 5.B+
MATH 301 - Discrete Mathematics 5.A
CS 210 - Fundamentals of CS I 5.A-
CS 211 - Fundamentals of CS II 5.A
CS 300 - Data Structures 5.A-
CS 311 - Software Patterns 5.A
CS 320 - Programming Languages 5.A
CS 331 - Database Systems 5.A
CS 351 - Computer Architecture I 5.A
CS 360 - Operating Systems 5.A*
CS 380 - Web Programming 5.A*
CS 410 - Software Engineering 5.A
CS 411 - Software Engineering Project Management 5.A
*Current Classes, grade is what I'm guessing I'll get
ACE, CLEP, NCCRS: None
Any certifications: None
Here's what I've found from my own research:
WGU: it seems like its for individuals who are already experienced/working in the field. I do well in classes, the content and my ability to learn has never been my issue. But I'm not a professional software engineer, and some of these courses I took years ago. It would be a lot of studying, and it doesn’t seem like WGU even lets you transfer more credits. And they have proctoring. I'm not seeing that many upsides here, besides it being faster if I put in a lot of high stress studying I assume.
TESU: At first I thought it was perfect for me, until I realized they only offer a BA in Computer Science, not a BS in Computer Science. I've worked this far to get a BS. I'm not entirely sure it actually matters, but I dont know. I guess I just don’t want to surrender the BS distinction if possible.
SNHU: What I'm leaning towards currently thus far. The capstone seems to only be one class, no group work or presentations. Seems to only allow you to transfer 90 credits to your Bachelors, expected. I like learning, I don’t mind putting in the work, but its frustrating. At least it looks like its requirements are different than my program, so I'd be able to learn some new things instead of retaking courses. The classes also seem to be shorter, so even though I'd need at least 30 credits, I'd be finishing up in about a year anyway. The downside seems to be I'd lose my GPA still. Also I heard they maybe accept more than 90, they just need the 30 credit residency, in which maybe I could go for a minor and actually gain something.
General Information + Preferences:
Location: Washington, USA
Age: 28
Degree: BS in Computer Science.
Budget: I don’t need something fancy. But I have assistance too so its semi flexible.
Commitments: Not many to speak of, besides the obvious mental health (Neurodivergence, Anxiety, Recovered Addict). I have a dog and a partner I live with.
Study Time / Timeline: I like self study. I'd also love to graduate within 1.5 years. But I'm bad at stress obv. Either less studying & longer overall timeline or more studying & get it over quicker. Both are fine to me.
Dislike: group work, proctoring, video/voice calls (webcam, zoom, etc), in person obviously, presentations, surprises
Fine: interacting with peers through text, short terms, exams.
Prefer: Self study, assignments/projects, asynchronous, low pressure, well structured/clear expectations, learning
I understand the rational decision would be to finish out my degree. Just wanted to know if theres other options.
If anyone has any options/ideas for me, especially anything I haven't thought of, please let me know, it would be greatly appreciated. I've been feeling pretty desperate and I would just love any sort of help. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Bellevue College
Total Credits: 185 (Quarter) at GPA ~3.8
123 (Semester)
ENGL& 101 - English Composition I : 5.B+
ENGL& 111 - Intro to Literature I 5.B
ENGL& 235 - Technical Writing 5.A-
PHIL& 101 - Intro to Philosophy 5.A
PSYC& 100 - General Psychology 5.A
GEOG 105 - Geography of World Affairs 5.A
CES 180 - American Life & Culture 5.A
POLS& 202 - American Government 5.A
SOC 254 - Gender In Social World 5.A
DMA 102 - Digital Design Storytelling 5.B
ASTR& 101 - Intro to Astronomy 6.A
BIOL& 160 - General Biology 6.A
PHYS 104 - Discoveries In Physics 6.A
PHYS 121 - General Engr Physics I 6.B+
PHYS 122 - General Engr Physics II 6.A
MATH 130 - Intro to Statistics 5.00 A-
MATH& 141 - Precalculus I 5.A
MATH& 142 - Precalculus II 5.A
MATH& 151 - Calculus I 5.A
MATH& 152 - Calculus II 5.A-
MATH& 153 - Calculus III 5.B
MATH& 254 - Calculus IV 5.A
MATH 208 - Intro to Linear Algebra 5.A
MATH 238 - Differential Equations 5.B+
MATH 301 - Discrete Mathematics 5.A
CS 210 - Fundamentals of CS I 5.A-
CS 211 - Fundamentals of CS II 5.A
CS 300 - Data Structures 5.A-
CS 311 - Software Patterns 5.A
CS 320 - Programming Languages 5.A
CS 331 - Database Systems 5.A
CS 351 - Computer Architecture I 5.A
CS 360 - Operating Systems 5.A*
CS 380 - Web Programming 5.A*
CS 410 - Software Engineering 5.A
CS 411 - Software Engineering Project Management 5.A
*Current Classes, grade is what I'm guessing I'll get
ACE, CLEP, NCCRS: None
Any certifications: None
Here's what I've found from my own research:
WGU: it seems like its for individuals who are already experienced/working in the field. I do well in classes, the content and my ability to learn has never been my issue. But I'm not a professional software engineer, and some of these courses I took years ago. It would be a lot of studying, and it doesn’t seem like WGU even lets you transfer more credits. And they have proctoring. I'm not seeing that many upsides here, besides it being faster if I put in a lot of high stress studying I assume.
TESU: At first I thought it was perfect for me, until I realized they only offer a BA in Computer Science, not a BS in Computer Science. I've worked this far to get a BS. I'm not entirely sure it actually matters, but I dont know. I guess I just don’t want to surrender the BS distinction if possible.
SNHU: What I'm leaning towards currently thus far. The capstone seems to only be one class, no group work or presentations. Seems to only allow you to transfer 90 credits to your Bachelors, expected. I like learning, I don’t mind putting in the work, but its frustrating. At least it looks like its requirements are different than my program, so I'd be able to learn some new things instead of retaking courses. The classes also seem to be shorter, so even though I'd need at least 30 credits, I'd be finishing up in about a year anyway. The downside seems to be I'd lose my GPA still. Also I heard they maybe accept more than 90, they just need the 30 credit residency, in which maybe I could go for a minor and actually gain something.
General Information + Preferences:
Location: Washington, USA
Age: 28
Degree: BS in Computer Science.
Budget: I don’t need something fancy. But I have assistance too so its semi flexible.
Commitments: Not many to speak of, besides the obvious mental health (Neurodivergence, Anxiety, Recovered Addict). I have a dog and a partner I live with.
Study Time / Timeline: I like self study. I'd also love to graduate within 1.5 years. But I'm bad at stress obv. Either less studying & longer overall timeline or more studying & get it over quicker. Both are fine to me.
Dislike: group work, proctoring, video/voice calls (webcam, zoom, etc), in person obviously, presentations, surprises
Fine: interacting with peers through text, short terms, exams.
Prefer: Self study, assignments/projects, asynchronous, low pressure, well structured/clear expectations, learning
I understand the rational decision would be to finish out my degree. Just wanted to know if theres other options.
If anyone has any options/ideas for me, especially anything I haven't thought of, please let me know, it would be greatly appreciated. I've been feeling pretty desperate and I would just love any sort of help. Thanks for taking the time to read this.