GreenCrate

Background:

I am a teenage high school graduate that has been working full-time at a small IT establishment for 2.5 years. In the past 2 months, I have been scouring the Internet in the evenings trying to find a program that I can complete while still working full- or part-time. I enjoy the job I have, but I want to be able to improve myself, move up in the company, and have some higher education on my resume.


Suggestions/Advice Needed:

I am looking for a reputable online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree program that I can schedule around my work. If I cannot find a CS degree, I will look into Information Technology and Software Development/Engineering options.

There are two things I look for in a school offering an online degree. Most importantly, it must be regionally accredited. Secondly, I would like the school to be a brick and mortar school so that the legitimacy of the degree will not be questioned by employers or other professionals in my field.

I am interested in completing CLEP exams to speed up the education process and get credit for what I already know. I am hoping to find a school that will accept credit from these exams, but this is not a requirement.


Side Note:

I have looked at reviews, posts, and news articles about for-profit online-only schools, so if my only option was to enroll at an online-only school, I would want it to be non-profit. So far the only non-profit school I have found that offers a degree I may be interested in is Western Governors University.

But there is a big negative for WGU. I have read that they do not teach calculus and other important subjects that a normal college requires. This and WGU's status as an online-only college has me concerned that the degree I would receive may not be respected by potential employers.


Conclusion:

If you know a college or degree program that would be a good match for me, please let me know! Also, if you have any other advice for a soon-to-be college student I'd be happy to hear it.

Thanks for reading!

brutallyhonest

You have the right idea of doing a (online) degree from a B&M school...

Google - online bachelors computer science site:.edu

rupert421

You won't find much for CS programs because of lab requirements at most universities. My Alma Mater has this program and they are a reputable institution.......

Information Technology Degrees | Bachelor's Degree in IT | Northeastern College of Professional Studies

Here are some other programs:

Penn State | Online Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology | Overview

Bachelor's Degree in Computing Technology

As far as CLEP goes I personally think you would be better off not doing CLEP, but I think out of this list the only school that will accept it is PSU and even they may mot.......Best of luck.....

GreenCrate

Thanks for the replies, they've been helpful so far.

Rupert, I have never heard anything negative about CLEP exams. What is the downside to taking them?

rupert421

I am not saying they are bad, but I think that you would get more from it if you just took the class. Additionally, let's say you decide to go into an MS; most institutions will not accept CLEP as a form of credit for taking the actual class (At least to my knowledge). I just think it looks better to have the A in a class than to CLEP it. Besides, it's not going to save you that much time, especially at Northeastern where the majority of courses are offered at 6 week intensive schedule. IMHO

parentoftwo

Could you start out taking courses at a local community college either in person or online? This way, the first two years of classes would 1) be cheaper, 2) transfer to a 4 year school, and 3) would give you an aa degree after two years.

For instance, I saw that the Penn State IT program is for those with an aa degree in IT or those just starting out on a bachelor's. Penn State is a great name for an online degree.

GreenCrate

I do see what you're saying, rupert.

parentoftwo, that does make sense. For me it was either CLEP or see what I could transfer from my CC.

I agree that Penn State is a great and well-known school, but I'm not sure I could do the tuition, even for just two years. I didn't explain this in my first post, but if I can I'd like to keep the cost per hour under $400.

As I have looked for these less expensive schools I came across Park University, which has its main campus in Missouri and 39 other campuses across the country. Have any of you ever heard of this school?

parentoftwo

I assumed you checked your state universities to see if they offerred a program?

Did you ask your IT firm if they could help with tuition?

Are there any jobs you could transfer to for companies which offer tuition reimbursement?

rupert421

State universities are always cheap, where do you live?

rcoll90

i don't think CLEP tests will be viewed negatively for grad school admission. the CLEP exams are for lower level credits. i took several CLEP tests en route to my BS and i went to a flagship state uni for my MS. i would think that all but the best schools would only care about your upper level credits.

GreenCrate

I live in Georgia and apparently hadn't checked around enough in my home state. It looks like there is at least one online possibility in Georgia: an online BSIT degree offered by a collaboration of 6 GA universities at a rate of $350 an hour. I will definitely look into this some more.

To answer your question, parentoftwo, I have not asked my company for help with tuition; it is a small company that is having to work hard just to stay in business right now. I haven't looked for other employment options.

parentoftwo

I'm glad you found an affordable possiblility! Good luck with your studies!

KTbird1

Oregon State has online CS degree

Undergraduate Degrees Online -- Online & Distance Degrees -- Oregon State University -- Extended Campus -- Ecampus