I will soon acquire Dr Montas's book, " Rescuing Socrates."

I tuned into a lecture almost exactly like this one today via the University of Chicago Graham School.


https://youtu.be/MYyDzmI6ZDE?si=b3DIoUmjjraHfCG-

I am two years into the Basic Program. I am loving every moment of it.

Hello everyone,
I’m a 32-year-old cybersecurity professional from Belgium, working full-time in the field. Although I have solid work experience and certifications, I never completed my bachelor’s degree in IT due to personal and health challenges during my studies. As I matured, I realized that many employers in Belgium, especially in the public sector, prioritize having a recognized degree. Since a bachelor’s degree is mandatory for public service roles and often required by consulting IT companies due to client demands, I’ve been exploring ways to obtain an accredited qualification.
My Educational Background and Efforts

1. Master in Cybersecurity (Propio):
   • In 2022, after extensive research on forums and other resources, I pursued a Master in Cybersecurity (60 ECTS, título propio) through Structuralia in partnership with Universidad Isabel I (UI1).
     
   • At the time, this appeared to be the fastest and most practical option to gain a degree. The program included a final master’s project, and I was admitted based on my unfinished bachelor’s studies, certifications, and work experience.
     
   • I paid approximately €4,000, which included a physical copy of the diploma.
     
2. MBA through ENEB (Propio):
   • I also completed an MBA (60 ECTS, título propio) through ENEB.
     
   • Thanks to a discount code, I only paid €199 for the program.
     
3. Unfinished Bachelor’s Degree:
   • I have 77 ECTS credits from my earlier bachelor’s studies in IT, which remain incomplete.
     

• NARIC Belgium Refusal:
  • When I applied for equivalency for the Master in Cybersecurity, NARIC Belgium denied the request, citing several reasons:
    • Structuralia is not listed in the RUCT (Registro de Universidades, Centros y Títulos), meaning it is not officially accredited in Spain.
      
    • The partnership with Universidad Isabel I (UI1) was deemed irrelevant because the program itself (título propio) does not carry the same accreditation as degrees listed in the RUCT.
      
  • Despite arguing that similar degrees had been evaluated positively by NARIC Belgium in the past (e.g., one as a bachelor and another as a master), this did not influence their decision.
    
• Legal Efforts:
  • I hired a lawyer and spent over a year challenging the decision in court. Although I highlighted inconsistencies in NARIC’s evaluation process, such as why similar degrees were recognized previously without changes to the law, the court ultimately sided with NARIC.
    
  • Escalating to the Supreme Court is an option, but it would likely result in NARIC re-evaluating the case and issuing another negative decision, making the effort costly and potentially futile.
    
• Other Attempts:
  • I applied to NARIC France and Luxembourg but received similar negative results, reinforcing the challenges with gaining recognition for título propio degrees in the EU.
    
  • While Validential evaluated my Master in Cybersecurity as a regionally accredited master, this does not meet the standards for NARIC equivalency in the EU.
    

• The full program consists of 90 ECTS and costs approximately £14,000.
  
• Since I already hold a Master in Cybersecurity (60 ECTS, título propio), there is a possibility that I might receive some credit transfer, which could reduce the total cost.
  
• However, I am not 100% certain whether Open University would accept my título propio for admission or grant credit transfer, making this idea speculative at this stage.
  
• Even with potential credit transfer, the remaining cost would likely still be a significant financial burden, as I am still paying off loans related to my legal efforts.
  

• Accepts my existing degrees and credits (77 ECTS from my bachelor’s, 60 ECTS from my Master in Cybersecurity, and 60 ECTS from my MBA),
  
• Is fully accredited and recognized, and
  
• Would be evaluated as at least a bachelor’s degree in Belgium or other EU countries.
  

I have some questions on the top-up scheme in the UK system. 


As far as I’m aware, how this works is that you complete a level 7 “postgraduate” diploma and apply for top-up to a master’s program for a significantly reduced fee. All you have to complete is a dissertation module. 

But when I tried looking at top-up programs, most seemed to be MBAs (there are more subjects offered on OFQUAL level 7 than business management/the like), and top-up options were scarce. Meanwhile, most MBA programs offer “Accreditation of Prior Learning”, which is basically the UK equivalent of credit transfer  in the US system. 

The training instituions offering the level 7 diplomas, on the other hand, often list specific universities whom they partner with as top-up options.

So my questions are:
1. Are my top-up options limited by where I choose to do my level 7 diploma? 
2. Theoretically, is it possible to complete a level 7 diploma and apply to a normal master’s program under the Accreditation of Prior Learning scheme? 
3. If (2) is possible, does it also come at a reduced tuition rate? 

Happy to hear from anyone who’s familiar/had experience with this.

I just bumped into this university and was quite surprised. For reference, it's like discovering there is a university in the USA named: JCPennys University Global. Or perhaps a Sears university global.

It seems bizarre a chain department store would have its own university, but it does have RVOE. If it is legit in the eyes of the Mexican government, I suppose it is worth sharing the info here. School has been running for at least 2 years and there's already a few alumni with a cédula profesional.

As expected since it's a department store, most degrees are aimed at sales. They currently offer Bachelors and Masters degrees. Website gives vibes they tried copying the UVEG. The ads look almost identical with magenta hues instead of royal blue. They use a quarter trimester format lasting 4 months and the bachelors degrees take 3 years. Masters degrees take 2 years with 3 months. Unlike a lot of the online public universities I have shared in other threads, this school seems more flexible about requirements.

Everything seems to be done online where you pay 100 MXN (5 USD) for a knowledge entrance exam. Yes, 5 USD. The low cost was very surprising. Masters degrees signups are only most modestly expensive at 150 MXN (7 USD). They offer scholarships as well. 80% off for people that don't work at their department stores. Masters have scholarships up to 75% for non employees.

I can't find information about costs for each semester. Only that the titulation for Bachelors costs 2400 mxn (120 USD) and Masters 4000 mxn (200 usd). For Mexican standards, the costs for graduation are very affordable.

As a requirement to graduate a bachelors, students must do a community service or servicio social that lasts 480 hours in 6 months. They offer students to become tutors as an option to fulfill the service or work at a government institution. Theoretically, this could include doing the service at any Mexican embassy or consulate worldwide as an unpaid internship. The website mentions students can also fulfill the requirement working online as interns for a company willing to accept them.

Bachelor degrees:

Business Administration and Sales
Business Administration and Innovation
Business Financial Management
Business Management and Logistics
Omnichannel Business Administration (seems to combine logistics with a little bit of Data Science and Telecommunications with Marketing.)

Masters degrees:
Business Administration
Corporate Finance
Marketing Administration
Leadership 

Future Masters degrees taking 18 months:
Data analytics and business intelligence
Minority commerce strategies and shopping experience

They also offer a few extra course. Don't know if they are available to everyone or costs. Most courses are related to the degree offerings. They also have some math courses.

Sessions start 3 times a year: January, May, September

Official website:
https://universidad-virtual-liverpool.if...ol.edu.mx/

For more information, email: admisionesuvl@ifliverpool.edu.mx

My brother took some Sophia classes in 2023.  He asked if they will expire?

He plans to attend UMPI in 2028 after going a a service project for the next 3 years.

Any Feedback appreciated.

Thanks!

Zero prior Credits. Only HS diploma. Looking for advice. 
Direct masters possible?
 
Hello Everyone,

It's been over two years since I received all those amazing recommendations from you about pursuing a bachelor's degree. I have to admit, I didn't take any steps toward earning credits and eventually, it slipped my mind entirely. However, about six months ago, I went through a particularly challenging period in my life that compelled me to reevaluate the importance of education.

Currently, I'm working a job that pays $50,000 annually. While I'm grateful for the stability, I aspire for more than just a helpdesk position. My goal is to obtain a degree, but I must confess that I've never been a strong student, and I'm seeking a path that doesn't demand a lot of effort—preferably something non-proctored.

Being 35 years old, I often feel left behind when I compare myself to my peers. With this new perspective in mind, I'm reaching out for your advice on how to pursue a degree. How has the emergence of tools like ChatGPT changed the landscape of education? Is there a way I can use it to fast-track my way through a degree, any degree, that is both affordable and quick, and could eventually lead me to an MBA?

Additionally, I've heard about master's programs that don't require a bachelor's degree, based on performance-based admissions, like those available on Coursera. However, they still seem to require a bachelor's as a prerequisite. I came across a Scottish program at Heriot-Watt University that caught my interest.

The ultimate aim here is to make a slight upward financial move in my life. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

One of the universe's brightest stars has just gone out.

I contacted a recruiter about this out of curiosity - I'm still of age to join the Space Force, but I'm worried that my history of autism spectrum disorder, medicated anxiety, and past orthopedic surgery might get in the way. I am also in my 30s which isn't exactly the standard age at which a lot of people enlist or seek out a commission. 

If I knew 100% it were personally tenable for me, I would jump at the chance to serve in the USSF. 

Anyone here knowledgeable about this?

I've applied to both PhD programs on account of hearing that CapTech (Capitol Technology University) follows a dissertation-only model (but doesn't require a concept paper/proposal as part of the application like UK dissertation-only programs) as well as that it's possible to do a 3-paper/3-article dissertation.

But I have some questions about this: they require 60 credit hours at an expected pace of 6 credits per term, but is it possible to fast-track your degree there if you complete your dissertation or three articles within your first 2-3 semesters? Anyone know how they work this out? 

I also asked their admissions counselor/advisor based on hearing on the other degree forum that they allow 42 transfer credits, but she advised me that this only applies to credits from a (presumably unfinished) doctorate, not from a Master's degree. This part somewhat frustrated me as I am applying with two Master's and a Graduate Certificate in a closely related field (I was told the Graduate Certificate credits wouldn't transfer).

What have experiences here been with Capitol Technology University in this regard?

Which classes are more comprehensive? Study.com or UMPI? Study courses are taking me a week to finish, I take notes on everything then review before the exams. Are UMPI classes similar?