"Degrees vs. Certifications: Which Opens More Doors in Healthcare?"

I attended a live webinar this week on the subject of "Degrees vs. Certifications: Which Opens More Doors in Healthcare?" The webinar has now been posted on YouTube. So, would you like to view the webinar and then give your thoughts on the subject? Feel free to post links to any free healthcare certifications that you find valuable.


Below is part of an email they sent...

Here are 5 key takeaways that healthcare leaders, professionals, and administrators can apply to practice:



1. Degrees = entry ticket: A degree establishes licensure and credibility, but employers treat them as the minimum once you are hired.



2. Certifications = accelerator: Targeted certs signal current, practical skills, reduce training risk for employers, and often tip decisions for promotions and project leads.



3. Align to your next role: Choose certifications that match upcoming responsibilities, not just your current title - e.g., HIPAA Privacy/Security, OSHA for Healthcare, and Billing Compliance for clinic leaders.



4. Convert learning into measurable wins: Apply what you learn to two concrete improvements and track results, for example MFA adoption, fewer PHI email mishandles, or reduced claim denials.


5. Prove compliance reliably: Keep a simple training dashboard with certificates, policies, and refresh cycles reviewed quarterly so you're audit-ready and promotion-ready.

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Hi everyone, I’m new here and I’d really appreciate some guidance or suggestions. Here’s my situation:

Background:
I’m 21 years old (turning 22 soon). I was originally studying medicine but decided to switch paths. I’m now focused on finishing a bachelor’s degree as quickly and affordably as possible so I can move forward with my career and future plans.

Degree Goal:
I applied to Thomas Edison State University (TESU) for the BA in Computer Science, since it’s one of the few fully online, affordable, and transfer-friendly programs.

Transfer Strategy:
My plan is to bring in as many credits as possible through Sophia.org and Study.com (up to 90 credits), then complete TESU’s required Cornerstone and Capstone plus the residency waiver. My rough budget is around $7k total for the degree.

Application Status:
I applied on August 31. TESU hasn’t admitted me yet because they require proof of English proficiency before moving forward. I thought my high school transcripts would be enough since I studied fully in English in Saudi Arabia, but apparently not.

The New Problem:
TESU is asking for an English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, etc.). This was unexpected and is making me nervous because it adds time and cost. I’m considering the Duolingo English Test since it’s fast and online, but I’m not sure how tough it is or how long I should prepare.
Concerns:
1. I’m worried whether Sophia/Study.com credits are still fully accepted and if relying on them heavily could “devalue” the degree.
2. I’m not sure how to handle the English proficiency requirement in the fastest and safest way.
3. I want to make sure my transcript situation (black & white copy, ministry stamps, sealed envelope) will satisfy TESU or if I should go through ECE/WES instead.
4. Long term, I want this degree to be recognized internationally (especially in the Gulf, Europe, and possibly for a Master’s in the US like Georgia Tech OMSCS).
My Questions for the Forum:
1. Has anyone recently gone through TESU with a heavy mix of Sophia + Study.com credits for Computer Science? Any transfer issues?
2. Which English test is the fastest/easiest for someone who already studied in English (Duolingo vs TOEFL vs IELTS)?
3. For transcripts: should I send them directly to TESU or go through ECE/WES first to avoid delays?
4. Any advice on speeding up the process while keeping costs low?
Thanks a lot in advance! I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed with the sudden English test requirement and transcript bureaucracy, so any insight or encouragement would help.

I’m trying to figure out the most affordable way to take some graduate-level cybersecurity and computer science courses that I can later transfer. I only need about five courses, so I’m not looking for a full degree right now. The types of courses I’m looking for are:

Ethics, Law, and Policy in Cyberspace
Secure Programming
Operating Systems
Computer Security
Networking and Security
Cryptography: Algorithms and Applications
Computer Forensics
Secure Network Operations
Advanced Network Security

Ideally, I’d like to find cheap per-course options (letter graded) under $1,500 if possible, or a competency-based or subscription model where I can take multiple courses in one term for a flat fee, allowing me to finish as many as I can. The courses should be graduate-level and transcripted from an accredited school or provider so they’re transferable.

Has anyone here come across schools, online programs, or organizations that let you do this without committing to a full master’s degree upfront? Any recommendations for budget-friendly options would be greatly appreciated.

I’m trying to figure out what would be quicker:

• Transferring credits to UMPI to complete a second bachelor’s (for example, in BSBA MIS or BLS Criminal Justice),
  OR
  
• Taking Sophia MOOCs and then earning a first bachelor’s directly at UMPI.
  

1. Which route is generally faster in practice?
   
2. Aside from cost, what are the real benefits of pursuing a second bachelor’s at UMPI compared to just earning your first bachelor’s there?
   

I logged in to my first TESU class, and the first week is halfway done. I'm supposed to make and post a video this week. Is there in a penalty for being late on an assignment? I am use to WGU, where you basically do things whenever you want. Now, I am already behind schedule. They have an entire 12 week schedule of when things need to be done. Can I go faster, or slower?

The University of Maine System Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted at its August 25 meeting to recommend that the UMS Board of Trustees approve these new undergraduate degrees through the UMPI YourPace CBE program. Links are first to the proposal for each program, then to the catalog listing where one is posted currently.

• Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education [catalog]
  
• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education [catalog]
  
• Associate of Arts in Human Services
  

The University of Maine System Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted at its August 25 meeting to recommend that the UMS Board of Trustees approve a new Master of Arts in American Studies from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, to be delivered through the YourPace CBE modality.

From the proposal,

Quote:The UMPI YourPace M.A. in American Studies is a 30-credit hour, interdisciplinary, non-thesis program. This M.A. in American Studies degree is an interdisciplinary graduate program that focuses on the study of American culture, history, society, politics, and economics. This program explores the complexities of American identity, values, and institutions by drawing on a wide range of subjects such as literature, history, sociology, anthropology, political science, and art.

• Discovering and Interpreting Local History
  
• Oral History
  
• Gender and Sex in America
  
• Social Media and American Culture
  
• Makers of America
  
• Cold War America
  
• The American South
  
• Violent America
  
• Silent Stories: American Cemeteries as Material Culture and Reflections of Death, Memory, and Identity
  
• Echoes of Valor: Exploring Union Civil War Soldiers Experiences Through Pension Records
  

I just completed my BA in Art from TESU and will graduate this month. When I first started this journey, it was mentioned here that the Art degree at TESU is not well researched because few attempt it. I thought I would post my experience here to help add to existing information. My background: I started an art and graphic design based degree many years ago. When I applied to TESU, they took nearly all my old credits, even the older computer design classes. By comparison, my local community college practically laughed me out the door when I showed them my old Adobe classes. I was fortunate in that I did not have many studio classes left to complete. Studio classes are classes like painting, sculpture, etc and are very difficult to find online options for. TESU does not offer these classes and you have to bring them in from somewhere else. In my case, I was able to take my studio classes at my local community college, and TESU readily transferred them in. I also noticed they gave me upper level credit for some of my community college art classes which was helpful. If there is other information that would be helpful, please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer!

I would like to get started with the Judaic Studies Program. However, I'm not sure where I could find the courses for such a program, or where I would begin.
Is there any way that I can find the courses elsewhere to take the Judaic Studies courses required?

I am aware of Universities such as Western Governors University that require you to be a US Citizen in order to apply to their University. I don't agree with this policy. I would like for Western Governors University to open their University to International Students. 
I am also interested in finding a program here which does accept international students and doesn't require you to be a US Citizen, in order to be a part of the University. I haven't checked out the other institutions yet, besides Western Governors. However: This is certainly an important issue before I proceed.