Hello! I am wondering if someone can help guide me into obtaining a Masters in Counseling degree on a direct and time/cost effective way? I currently have an associates and will list the credits I already have below. I am considering a few options as far as an undergrad: interior design, business management, psychology, or neuroscience. I would like to take the path that makes the most sense as far as time and money. I'd like to be able to use CLEP for as many classes as possible. I am already registered and accepted to TESU. Please see below for my other credits and thank you so much for your time.

DNC 1100 Intro to ballet I- 2 credits
DNC 1300 Intro to Jazz- 2 credits
HIS 1700 Am Civ- 3 credits
PSY 1010 Gen Psych- 3 credits
Arch 1010 Intro to Design- 3 credits
ARCH 1130 Drawing-3 credits
ARCH 1310 CAD intro- 3 credits
HLA 1020 Cardio-1 credit
MATH 1010 In Alg- 4 credits
LE 1220 Carrer Dev- 3 credits
MATH 1050 Coll Alg- 4 credits
Arth 1010 Expl Art- 3 credits
COMM 1010 -3 credits
DNC 1510 Jazz II- 2 credits
Engl 1010- 3 credits
GEN 1010- 3 credits
Math 1060 Trig- 3 credits
ARCH 2210 Comm Const- 5 credits
ARCH 2310 Redering- 3 credits
ARCH 2510 Res Design- 5 credits
ARCH 1100 Arch Draw- 3 credits
ARCH 1210 Res Const- 5 credits
ARCH 1510 Arch Des- 3 credits
HLAC 1096 fit 4 life- 1 credit
ARCH 1350 comp graphics- 3 credits
ARCH 2320 redering II- 3 credits
ARCH 2330 CAD custom- 3 credits
ARCH 2350 Adv CAD- 3 credits
ARCH 2520 CAD III- 5 credits
ARCH 2350 Adv CAD- 3 credits

total 90 credits

Hey everyone!

Thank you so much for all your input thus far!

It looks like we're gonna go for just a straight-up AA degree at TESU. We're gonna get 45 credits from places like Straighterline, Study, Sophia, etc. And then take 15 at TESU.

So I need help with the 45 credits.

Here is the list of classes need per TESU: Associate in Arts (A.A.) | Thomas Edison State University

And here is Straighterline's crosswalk: Thomas Edison State University Partnership | StraighterLine


However, I think that crosswalk is old. 

I would like to have the plan to have the 45 credits be as much Straighterline as possible, and then what Study and/or Sophia courses next to take to get to the 45. 

Obviously, there might be a few that you can only take at TESU - that's fine, because my goddaughter's gotta take 15 there anyway. But it'd be great to have you guys help me get a list of classes going - a Plan. Like: Take these 10 Straighterline courses. Then these 5 Study.coms. Then these 5 TESUs. Done. That'd be awesome!

(And of course, we'll have to get TESU to review and sign off on this plan of course in advance before doing all this).

Thank you!

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Gies College of Business is developing an online MS in Business Analytics with Artificial Intelligence, planning a soft launch of courses for non-degree enrollment in  Fall 2026 which could stack into the degree program starting Spring 2027. As in their current online programs Gies is partnering with Coursera.

For further out in the future, Gies is also in discussions about potential online master’s programs in finance or financial management and in technology management, and a potential iMBA concentration in supply chain management.

Amid Steep International Declines, Illinois Gies Bets Big On Online Growth (Marc Ethier, Poets & Quants, November 13, 2025)

I've been thinking a lot about a potential doctoral program in the next few years and I wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts on or experience with Valdosta State University's Ed.D. in Adult Education. VSU is an incredibly affordable option for an Ed.D. (and masters degrees) but I rarely see them mentioned on here or the sister board. I didn't know if there were reputational reasons for that. 

https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/educat...-programs/

It ticks a lot of boxes for me:

1. Brick and mortar school.
2. Public state university.
3. Incredibly affordable for a doctoral program that meets the criteria of No. 1 and No. 2. ($300/hr for 54 hours = $16,200, which is cheaper than an ACE Ed.D.)
4. Has a Human Resources Development track, which aligns with my goals.

It's not accelerated, which I know is a downer for some, but I would appreciate the semester-based structure so I didn't feel like I had to rush through it and I could pay tuition as I go.

Anyway, like I said, I don't see them mentioned much and wanted to see if anyone had any positive reinforcement or red flags.

Hi everyone!
I’m excited to join DegreeForum and start learning from the community. I’ve been spending a lot of time researching alternative education pathways, credit-by-exam options, and ways to structure affordable, flexible learning especially for people who are juggling work, family, or career transitions.

What I really appreciate about this forum is how transparent and helpful everyone is when it comes to mapping out degree plans, comparing schools, and sharing real experiences. It’s hard to find honest guidance these days, and you all have built something incredibly useful.

I’m here to learn, contribute where I can, and connect with others who are navigating the same education journey. If anyone has recommendations for the best threads for newcomers or tips on organizing a degree plan from scratch, I’d love to hear them.
Looking forward to being part of the community!

Purdue University Global has launched their online Doctor of Business Administration degree.

The program is 90 quarter credit hours. Most courses are 4 quarter credit hours, though a few are 5 or 2. Purdue uses quarter hours unlike most US programs which use semester hours. The systems convert on a formula of 1.5 quarter hours = 1 semester hour.

The core is 66 qh, of which 34 qh are 700-level discrete coursework, 16 qh are having one each of a graduate accounting, marketing, economics, and finance course, and 16 qh are 800-level doctoral project coursework. The doctoral project is an applied research project, for which students will need permission from the research site and from PG’s institutional review board.

The remaining 24 qh are in a concentration in Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, or a Custom Option. Human resources topics are included under Management. Each concentration is six courses, each 4 qh: four 500-level courses, one 700-level Advanced Topics course, and one 800-level Advanced Research Topics course.

Maximum prior learning credit into the program including transfer credit is 32 qh, and “You may not receive transfer credit for any 700- or 800-level course.” We’ve seen PG accept credit from a completed master’s into a doctoral program, so my guess is they will do so here. If you’re doing price comparison napkin math to plan to bring new transfer credit into the program, note that most courses elsewhere are 3 semester hours, whereas all the courses transferable into the PG DBA are 4 quarter hours (which equals 2.67 semester hours).

The program consists of traditionally scheduled online courses. It is not offered through PG’s competency-based ExcelTrack modality,

Purdue Global is a member of the Purdue University system, but is a separate university from the flagship Purdue University in West Lafayette. Purdue Global is regionally accredited. Although other programs in the Purdue Global business school hold specialized accreditation from the ACBSP, ACBSP rules hold that “New degree programs, majors or emphases must be in effect for at least two years and have graduates before accreditation will be granted.”’

Admission requires “a master’s degree in business or a related field with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher from an accredited institution.”

Tuition is 485 per quarter credit hour. If a student can transfer in the maximum 32 qh, 485 x 58 = 28 130. PG advertises several tuition discounts, including for Indiana residents, military, military spouses, and veterans, employees of corporate partners, and degree alumni of any Purdue System institution.

Doctor of Business Administration (landing page)
Doctor of Business Administration (catalog entry)

I was probably going to signup for Study.com in the near future anyway...however I'm not psychologically ready right now...because I am studying for a couple TECEPs in a few days and have been focused on them.

Well now I'm panicking that I am not prepared, and curious about Study.com's Test Prep option.

(It says RISK-free for 30 days, NOT free for 30 days like I was thinking lol) 

I see there are different plans and also discount codes and I'm afraid if I "sign up wrong" I'm not going to be eligible for a discount or I won't be able to keep progress if I pick wrong and have to change, etc.

So, I was thinking if I go ahead and signup for Study.com sooner than I was hoping to, I can get help with the tests I have to take in a few days, and then I'll be free to start taking new courses/tests anyway so I might as well just jump into Study.com after that.

I will need Upper Level courses so I was going to do the College Saver one, eventually.
But apparently there are $59 Premium and $59 Test Prep plans too... which it seems like I should pick for my needs at the moment, but now I'm looking at it and maybe it's only ONE test you can prep with for the $59? In which case that doesn't really work.


TLDR: 
Should I just sign up for the cheapest version that will give me access to study materials for the TECEPs I have coming up and worry about upgrading the plan later?

Or, since I am going to end up needing UL courses soon anyway should I just start the College Saver plan now (even though that terrifies me because I'm not ready)?!! lol

 Is your progress saved when you change plans?
 Does signing up for one plan lock you into it for 30 days? Or can I upgrade at a pro-rated rate?

It took me about 2.5 years to complete 86 credits while working a very demanding full-time job. I'm sure if I realy had to I could've shaved off atleast 9 months. Chosing the right TESU courses is very important and there are a few I wish I did differently.  The information from this site helped me tremendously. My graduation date is 12/12.  

I am also considering my masters but I hate writing.

Thank you to everyone who gave me advice on this site. I will try my best to pay it forward and also help others on their journey.

Free Nonprofit Certificates | NonprofitReady
Free CFRE Courses and Credits | NonprofitReady.org

I am completing a BSBA - Finance at TESU. I'm transfering in around 100 credits already and I've been able to find transfer equivalents (CLEP/DSST/Study.com) for all remaining courses but BUS2100 and FDR4400. 
I read on a 2023 thread that BUS2100 can be handled by the CSM course but I cannot find anything to handle the FDR4400 without taking it at TESU. 

I'm looking to pay the $3,400 and only take the capstone + info lit class and graduate. 

Can I swap a upper level accounting or finance course for FDR4400? 

Thanks all.