Hello, I've been researching information for the past 6 months and there are still a few questions I have regarding TESU that I hope people can help me answer here (as well as some personal questions that maybe I can get some advice on).
I'm a french citizen, in my late thirties, currently living abroad. I have autism spectrum disorder that made my life trajectory difficult, as a result I only have my high school diploma (baccalaureat) and no higher education degree. In 2019 I completed a programming school in France that delivers the equivalent knowledge of a Msc in software engineering (not comp sci, no maths /stats / etc, purely coding) but does not deliver a degree. I did manage to find a job after that as I'm decent at coding, but due do my personality the corporate environment has been challenging to navigate, not to mention France being less in tune with neurodiversity than somewhere like the US for instance. I pivoted into freelancing and then went founder mode but failed multiple times. Currently I have enough money through some investments that I made so I'm in no immediate need of a job and can support myself for the next couple of years without the need for an income.
So. Basically I want to get a degree. First of all, for my self esteem, second, because I'm planning on relocating to an Asian country (I like the culture), maybe China since I've started learning Chinese as well, and it's basically impossible to apply without at least a bachelor. Getting an online degree like WGU and TESU came up, the former doesn't accept international students so I decided to apply to TESU (my application is currently being reviewed).
There are three fields I'm mainly interested in. The first is obviously programming, it's not exactly my passion but it's something I'm good at and I enjoy doing. However I really dislike the corporate environment, and the competition (I'm autistic so my self esteem is down the drain and I don't think I can compete with emotionally adjusted people or people with excellent track record from FAANG and stuff), plus I'm old and ageism is a real thing in tech, not to mention my spotty work history with freelancing, failed startups, etc. Then I'm interested in is psychology. For obvious reasons, I've had my fair share of mental issues and I've learned quite a lot when it comes to mental illnesses, counseling, and so on. The last one is finance. I mentioned investing, I've learned a lot about macro and US politics in the past few years via some trading I've been doing in the US stock market (as well as digital assets), it's a field I genuinely enjoy. Macro, probabilities, risk, these are things I'm super interested in and I think I might be decently good at.
So far I've signed up on Sophia and completed a few classes: US History I, Microeconomics, Microeconomics, Intro to Stats. I'm currently working on US History II and College Algebra (which I also quite enjoy but seems more like middle school level?). I'm also currently taking the Foundations in Cybersecurity from Coursera, and I'm interested in a couple other ones, like Cloud Cybersec, Project Management, and Data Analytics.
Currently I'm undecided on which degree I want to do. BA in Computer Science is an obvious choice considering my previous experience, but like I mentioned I don't like the competitiveness and I think the job market is absolutely saturated to death right now. I was considering something closer to Data Science since I like risk and finance, but unsure if it's something I like, statistics are okay but not exactly something I'm a huge fan of. Cybesec / Cloud are things I've also considered, as well as a BA in Psychology.
Couple questions:
1/ I have my IELTS academic, got 8.5, as well as my high school french diploma, I believe that is enough to enroll or are there additional things I need?
2/ Is it possible to do two Bachelor or to reuse the credits? I think I'd like to do something IT related (cybersec, comp sci or data science) as well as the BA in psychology, but only if I can use the credits outside of the area of study in both degrees. Also.... is there a point in having two bachelor (other than the actual knowledge) or is it functionally useless?
3/ After the bachelor(s) I will most likely want to do an MSc, haven't researched yet, but is TESU a good choice? What about a PhD, which probably opens more door?
4/ I don't really understand TEL Learning, it seems to give RA credits but works like a normal uni? I see they offer Chinese and using Oklahoma Christian University for the transcript gives 4 credits but do these work for TESU? I have a pretty good Chinese level so this class should be easy for me and would reduce the amount of credits I have to take at TESU.
Now, the actual big question I have, is how to organize the learning in order to transfer as many credits as I can (90 ACE + a couple RA) in order to remain flexible with my choice of degree as well as possibly doing two bachelor. My goal would ideally be to do courses related to the three main areas I'm interested in (cybersec, data analytics and cloud) and use them as gen ed / electives if I'm not taking said major. Additionally, I'm pretty bad when it comes to remembering stuff and regurgitating it, being autistic, my brain works better when it comes to first order principle, logic and stuff, which is why I'm good at maths and programming and awful at something like history, as a result the open book exams of Sophia are a godsend when it comes to things like history, so I would want to take the TESU credits and exams in things that I can pass, like python programming etc (being a software dev this should be trivial).
This is my current plan:
Sophia - US History I (HIS 1130)
Sophia - US History II (HIS 1140)
Sophia - Microeconomics (ECO 1120)
Sophia - Macroeconomics (ECO 1110)
Sophia - Introduction to Critical Reasoning (PHI 1300)
Sophia - Public Speaking (COM 2090)
Sophia - Principles of Statistics (STA 2010)
Sophia - Precalculus (MAT 1290)
Sophia - College Algebra (MAT 1210)
Sophia - Writing for Success I & II (ENC 1010, ENC 1020) -> this one I'm not sure about, seems sophia also english comp 1 and 2, not sure which ones can be used
Coursera - Cybersecurity Professional (CYB 1200, CYB 1999, ITS 2610)
Coursera - Cloud Data Analytics Professional (CIS 3110, CLD 4300, CYB 4500)
Coursera - Data Analytics Professional (ITS 130, ITS 231, ITS 199, COS 206)
TEL - Chinese? Not sure if accepted for TESU but that could give me an easy 4 RA credits
This would give me 63 credits while satisfying some majors for cloud, cybersec and data analytics depending on which one I want to go with. Rest will be converted to elective, then I have some gen ed in the mix. The remaining credits would be filled 20+ credits from TESU in the core area of study, and more gen ed stuff from Sophia / Coursera / Study.com.
So let's say I transfer 90 credits to UoPeople and just need to take 10 classes at UoPeople.
For those who have done these classes, how does a typical course go? How long does it take? How many points is the proctored final usually (like half your grade or only like 10%) etc.? Can you pass a class with D?
Any info from current/former students would be very helpful!
So I was looking into bridge programs for students who complete an Ed.S. and are looking to get an Ed.D., and stumbled upon the Ed.D. in Educational Policy & Organizational Design at Mississippi State University. The program allows students to transfer in an Ed.S. (30 credits) and complete 31 credits. It has a capstone requirement and also requires a comprehensive exam, which you would take in your first term of the capstone, according to admissions. This could be a good opportunity for someone who already has an Ed. S. Tuition is $606 per credit hour, which is not bad but not the best, but considering that you only need to take 31 more credits, it comes out to $18,786, which is pretty cheap for those holding an Ed.S. Degree, as you save both time and money.
P-12 educators and other professional staff who wish to advance their career through the pursuit of a doctorate degree and have earned an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) or equivalent in P-12 or related fields. Students holding a master's degree may be admitted, but will be required to complete 30 credit hours of electives approved by their advisor.
This 61-hour program (31 hours beyond the Ed.S. degree or equivalent) builds on a specialist degree (or equivalent) and will require a capstone or applied research project as the culminating of the degree rather than a traditional dissertation.
Major Required Courses Shared hours from Ed.S. degree (Applicants should seek guidance from the EDED academic advisor regarding the selection of courses meeting this requirement) 30 credit hours
I may give this a run sometime later next year 2026. I plan to speed-run an Ed.S. at South College in one term and then apply for this program. The remaining 31 credits should take a year and a half, as you have to move through them with your cohort.
Another option I was looking at for obtaining an Ed.S. degree was Fort Hays State University, but it would take at least a year to complete, and it's a public institution rather than a private for-profit.
I was curious to hear if the healthcare courses on Study.com would come over as UL at Charter Oak -- Health 305: Healthcare Finance & Budgeting comes over to COSC as HCA 211. After speaking with them, they confirmed that this is an error and that it will come over as LL credit.
So, where does that leave things? COSC is now even more difficult, and Study.com only offers 1 UL course that can be transferred to Study.com. Our wiki says there are 3 UL courses from Study.com to COSC, but really, there's only 1.
Health 310: Human Resource Management in Healthcare comes over as an UL HCA elective.
If you were considering COSC, just know that the game is much harder now.
I just heard back from Jessica and she sent me this. These are def the classes and descriptions, no thesis or dissertation.
YP MA in American Studies
Courses and Descriptions
AMS 500 Discovering and Interpreting Local History
Local history places local events in the context of larger occurrences and re-creates the history
of the ordinary person. This course investigates local history sources and considers the ways in
which local records may be used to illuminate larger historical themes.
AMS 501 Oral History
This course introduces students to Oral History as a method of preserving the past through
recording the memories of community members. Students will learn the methodology of Oral
History as well as research a topic, conduct oral interviews, transcribe their interviews, and
organize findings into a presentation.
AMS 510 Makers of America
Examines the roles that ordinary people played in the making of America, including
its economic and social development and political institutions, from the British colonial period
through the aftermath of the American Revolution. Emphasis is on the diverse perspectives and
contributions of non-elite and historically marginalized groups.
AMS 520 Cold War America
Examines the global, political, and ideological struggle between capitalist and
communist countries, particularly between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics (USSR), through the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Emphasis is on how the
Cold War affected American life, with a focus on economics, gender roles, race, and fears,
including as manifested in American films.
AMS 530 The American South
Examines the American South from the British colonial period through the eve of the
Civil War. Themes include race, conflict, labor, expansion, economic development, regional
identity, sectionalism, and slavery’s effects on all aspects of life in the South as well as on other
American regions. Emphasis is on interactions of diverse groups, social structure, and sectional
politics.
AMS 540 Violent America
Examines incidents and patterns of violence in America from the first permanent
English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia through the late nineteenth century. Emphasis is on
violence between various groups connected to race, economic developments, the American
Revolution, slavery, and labor.
AMS 550 American Cemeteries: Material Culture, Death, Memory, and Identity
Explores cemeteries as significant elements of American material cultures and
cultural landscapes and analyzes how they reflect and influence American societal identities,
cultural values and collective memories. Additionally, the course delves into cemeteries as
historical narratives that illustrate societal shifts regarding life and death in America and
examines what different styles of gravestone art reveal about American cultural attitudes.
AMS 560 Echoes of Valor: Union Civil War Soldiers’ Experiences in Pension
Records
Explores the profound experiences of Union soldiers during and after the American
Civil War, emphasizing how these experiences shaped their lives and communities. Employs
historical records, census records, vital records, newspapers, personal narratives, and pension
documents to examine the physical, psychological, and economic challenges faced by
American Civil War veterans.
AMS 570 Social Media and American Culture
This course examines the impact of social media on American culture, exploring its influence on
communication, identity, politics, and social movements. Students will analyze how platforms
shape cultural norms, amplify voices, and perpetuate inequalities. Topics include digital
communities, algorithmic biases, misinformation, and the role of influencers in contemporary
society.
AMS 580 Sex and Gender in America
This course explores the roles of gender and sex in shaping American society. It examines
intersections with race, class, identity with a focus on power, privilege, and inequality. Topics
include theoretical perspectives on sex and gender, feminist and LGBTQ+ movements, and
sociocultural influences on gender dynamics.
Listed online tuition for each program starts at 780 per credit x 48 credits = 37 440. Students may take an additional 12 credits for a concentration: In the DIT, in Cloud Engineering, Applied Artificial Intelligence, or Big Data Analytics; in the DCS, in Cybersecurity, Cloud Engineering, or Artificial Intelligence, or in the DDSci, Big Data or Artificial Intelligence. Discounts may be available.
Additionally, Westcliff’s online Doctor of Business Administration is a minimum 60 credits and requires a concentration, and most concentrations offered are IT-related: Applied Computer Science, Business Intelligence & Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Information Technology Management, or Web Development & Applications Management, or the one exception, Strategic Leadership for the 21st Century.
Hi, long time reader, first time posting. I have $2,625 toward tuition that expires at the end of 2025. I really want to use this to register and start course(s). The benefit doesn't roll-over into 2026, but I do get another $2,625 in January. I need some ideas from knowledgeable people about what I can register for quickly with little hassle and start before December 31.
Saylor, Straighterline, Coursera, Sophia etc. are not eligible. UMPI and Charter Oak aren't approved.
TESU, WGU, SNHU, UMGC, CSU, Purdue Global are approved but they might take too much time to accept me into their programs. My best idea is ASU classes but it's not guaranteed because of how it's structured (pay $25 now, $400 when they get transcribed). Any ideas based on your combined experience and knowledge?
Your Location: Virginia, United States Your Age: 29 What kind of degree do you want?:Bachelors in Accounting Current Regional Accredited Credits: I have a Bachelor of Arts from a Canadian university (120 credits). Unlike the United States, there is no "accreditation body" that oversees the universities in Canada. Universities in Canada have degree-granting authority via an Act or Ministerial Consent from the Ministry of Education of the particular province.
Additionally I have a masters from Harvard which I believe is 30? grad level credits accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
DegreeForum University Total Credits: 150
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 0
Any certifications or military experience?:No
Budget: I’d like to do this as cheaply as possible. Preferably under 4k if possible. Commitments: I work remotely 8-4. That’s about it. Dedicated time to study: I am no stranger to studying and can do as much as needed to pass a class. Timeline: Ideally within one calendar year but I’d love to go faster if possible. Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None that I’m aware of.
I’ve been interested in getting a business degree for a while now because my two other degrees are liberal arts focused. I’d like to pick up financial skills and I think accounting is the most ‘solid’ of the suite of business degrees. The UMPI accounting degree stood out to me and is probably my top choice. I’m not opposed to WGU but I suppose I prefer the fact that UMPI is a named state university. TESU is also something I’ve considered but I must confess despite reading so much about the university on this forum I’m still a little confused about their policies. I’ve read most of the other recent threads on this topic but am looking for things I haven’t considered or general advice. I’m hoping that my completed bachelors would count for a large portion of the degree. It also seems that recently the acceptance of Sophia credits by UMPI underwent some sort of revision? Thank you for any insights.
[Moderator Jonathan editing this to say: This thread split off from a mention of emergency teacher credentialing in the US.]
That’s weird—what you’re doing to your children. Letting people without any proper pedagogical training work as teachers shows the utmost disrespect for education and for the students IMHO.
