Howdy everyone!

     I have several questions (for starters) and I would deeply appreciate it if you guys can dump as much advice, thoughts, etc. as you can on me.  I had taken 2+ years of college back in 92, and am wondering if anyone will still accept these as transfer credits (based on your experience).  I am also not 100% sure of the exact degree I should be aiming for.  I'm very interested in getting into IT management.  I've been in IT for about 13 years now, and I want to solidify my resume as much as possible as I work toward taking that next step.  Should my ultimate goal be an MBA?  Lastly, and I know this sounds terrible, but I really don't want to spend a ton of money on getting this degree.  The reading I did about UoP seems to be mostly positive, but that it's VERY pricey.  I live in NY, and would like to find some distance learning that doesn't break the bank.  I'd like something where I also am not forced to work in groups, as I would rather just plow through the curriculum at my pace (if possible) and bang out this degree as quickly as I can.  Don't get me wrong, I want to EARN my degree, I just don't want to have group-based education where I'm relying on someone else or vice versa.  Perhaps some accelerated program even?  I'm naive/ignorant of the process, so perhaps I'm asking for trouble here :)

     I have the full support of my wife and family, and I feel like the time is right... right NOW to begin this process, because I have the time, and am committed now.  So, what do you guys and gals think?  Thank you so much in advance for anything you can offer.
 

PeteyBoy33:

I have several questions (for starters) and I would deeply appreciate it if you guys can dump as much advice, thoughts, etc. as you can on me.  I had taken 2+ years of college back in 92, and am wondering if anyone will still accept these as transfer credits (based on your experience).

That will vary.  Some schools won't take credits that are older than a certain amount, often ten years.  Some have no limit.  Some limit credit in some disciplines but not others (like computer related credit).

I am also not 100% sure of the exact degree I should be aiming for.  I'm very interested in getting into IT management.  I've been in IT for about 13 years now, and I want to solidify my resume as much as possible as I work toward taking that next step.

Then starting with a Bachelor's in IT Management seems advisable.  A lot of MIS programs have coursework in both areas. 

Should my ultimate goal be an MBA?

If you want to manage people, that will probably do you more good than a Master's in technology.  There are plenty of Master's programs that split the difference, though, so when the time comes you'll have lots of options.

Lastly, and I know this sounds terrible, but I really don't want to spend a ton of money on getting this degree.  The reading I did about UoP seems to be mostly positive, but that it's VERY pricey.  I live in NY, and would like to find some distance learning that doesn't break the bank.

The only terrible thing about that is that not everyone feels that way!  Education is an investment, and like any investment there's no reason to pay too much. 

I'd like something where I also am not forced to work in groups, as I would rather just plow through the curriculum at my pace (if possible) and bang out this degree as quickly as I can.  Don't get me wrong, I want to EARN my degree, I just don't want to have group-based education where I'm relying on someone else or vice versa.

The University of Phoenix has many happy alumni, but if you dislike group work, then they are not a good fit for you, since that's a key component of their pedagogical model.

Perhaps some accelerated program even?  I'm naive/ignorant of the process, so perhaps I'm asking for trouble here :)

With all those credits and your IT background, you may want to look at assessment colleges, also called the Big Three.  These are Charter Oak State College in Connecticut, Excelsior College in New York, and Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey.  These three are unique in that they accept an unlimited amount of transfer credit and are very liberal about what they'll take and they'll give transfer credit for things like IT certifications.  If you're good with tests, they're also supportive of fulfilling general education requirements and electives through CLEP.  Do you think this approach might work for you?

As a disclaimer, I'm a Charter Oak grad, and I'm on the Board of the Alumni Association, so you know I'm going to tell you they're the best of the bunch.   But seriously, my interests were similar to yours, and I did my concentration in Information Systems Studies which allowed me to use credit in both Management and Information Systems.

I have the full support of my wife and family, and I feel like the time is right... right NOW to begin this process, because I have the time, and am committed now.  So, what do you guys and gals think?  Thank you so much in advance for anything you can offer.

Excellent -- that family support will be key.  It sounds like you're doing a great job thinking this through!

-=Steve=- 

Steve, thank you SO much for all your input!  Hope you don't mind me picking your brain a bit more?

I am going to look into all 3 schools.  I want something that has shorter course cycles (whatever the appropriate term is), meaning I'd prefer to take a class every 4 weeks rather than 16, even if it does cost more.  Time > Money.

If you don't mind me asking, what made you choose Charter Oak over the other two?  Hey I'm ok with someone being biased, because that means there is a reason you liked it over others!

I know every HR department is different, but (and I know this is a difficult question) but how do you guys feel these colleges are viewed in the eyes of the average company?  I mean I know I'm not going to get Harvard for SUNY prices, but I just don't want to bust my ass to get an MBA from somewhere that someone sees it on my resume, and puts on the "no" pile.

I'm also looking into CLEP right now, but yes, this seems like a great approach for me.  It's much cheaper and faster (woo woo!) than a college courseSo let me get this straight here.  I have say 60 credits, and they will all transfer to any one of these schools, plus I may be able to get credits for my IT cert(s) ?  I am guessing that I'd have to first let them take a look at my transcripts, and see what holes I'd have to fill in, and see which ones can be filled by the IT cert credit and/or CLEP.

So, I'm off to do my research into those 3 schools, and I need to get a hold of my transcripts!   Thank you again!

Cajun:

Good luck.  Also be aware that schools often require an application before they will evaluate your transcripts.  Just be prepared for that.

Thanks very much.  Yeah, I'm expecting that.  I want to narrow it down to 2 or 3 then apply to them all, see how they evaluate my transcript and move on from there.
 

PeteyBoy33:

Steve, thank you SO much for all your input!  Hope you don't mind me picking your brain a bit more?

Not at all.  

I am going to look into all 3 schools.  I want something that has shorter course cycles (whatever the appropriate term is), meaning I'd prefer to take a class every 4 weeks rather than 16, even if it does cost more.  Time > Money.

Most schools have eight week terms, some have ones shorter than that.  But shorter course cycles don't really save you time unless you take the same number of courses during that shorter span.  And if you do that, that's more work.  I respect your enthusiasm, but online courses are a lot of work, and that work isn't less just because the course is compressed. 

If you don't mind me asking, what made you choose Charter Oak over the other two?  Hey I'm ok with someone being biased, because that means there is a reason you liked it over others!

The three each have their strength and weaknesses.  TESC considers 200 level courses to be upper division, which means it's easier to fill certain major requirements, but they're considered difficult to deal with my many when it comes to customer service.  Excelsior gives more credit for high scores on GRE Subject Exams, which is good if that's the way you want to earn credit, and their reputation is middle of the road when it comes to service.  Charter Oak has a reputation for extremely good customer service which I found they richly earned, but there you have a concentration rather than a major -- I find that just a terminology difference, but but some people consider that a drawback.

I know every HR department is different, but (and I know this is a difficult question) but how do you guys feel these colleges are viewed in the eyes of the average company?  I mean I know I'm not going to get Harvard for SUNY prices, but I just don't want to bust my ass to get an MBA from somewhere that someone sees it on my resume, and puts on the "no" pile.

Actually, for many students SUNY costs more than Harvard.  Anyway, as far as acceptability goes, employers see "state college" and don't do any more thinking.  The degree box gets checked, if you know what I mean.  Within academia, I can say that Charter Oak (and I expect the others as well) has a healthy list of graduate admissions.  I got into a Master's program at George Washington University, for example, which was a top 25 school in my field.

I'm also looking into CLEP right now, but yes, this seems like a great approach for me.  It's much cheaper and faster (woo woo!) than a college courseSo let me get this straight here.  I have say 60 credits, and they will all transfer to any one of these schools, plus I may be able to get credits for my IT cert(s) ?  I am guessing that I'd have to first let them take a look at my transcripts, and see what holes I'd have to fill in, and see which ones can be filled by the IT cert credit and/or CLEP.

Yes, exactly.  I did exactly that and was able to follow up by taking 27 credits of CLEP.  CLEP rocks.

-=Steve=- 

Wow 27 credits?!  Nice dude!  I was reading between 3 and 12, but that's nuts!  I'm glad you mentioned that!

I know this will differ widely for people depending on their abilities, and so forth, but do you think it would be unreasonable to take 2 of these 4 or 8 week courses at the same time?  I want to start out with 1, of course and see how that goes, and perhaps take a second class that way.  However, with all the spare time I'll have to read, study, etc. I thought that taking two courses at the time time would be do-able.  Another related question is, how many hours (on average) does a class require per week?  Perhaps I'm better off taking 2 courses that run 8 weeks rather than a two 4 weeks back to back?  Or vice versa?

I absolutely need something that has great customer service.  If you are saying all 3 schools are equals, and that most employers aren't going to think they are a joke, then I'm down for seeing what they can offer.  I noticed that TESC (I think) had a flat charge for 36 credits, which unless I missed some added fees, turns out to be $170 a credit which is extremely reasonable.

Alright I'm off to work, but thank you again for answering everything... I'm sure I'll have more to come :)  haha 

PeteyBoy33:

Wow 27 credits?!  Nice dude!  I was reading between 3 and 12, but that's nuts!  I'm glad you mentioned that!

It's theoretically possible to do nothing but tests: http://bain4weeks.com 

I know this will differ widely for people depending on their abilities, and so forth, but do you think it would be unreasonable to take 2 of these 4 or 8 week courses at the same time?  I want to start out with 1, of course and see how that goes, and perhaps take a second class that way.  However, with all the spare time I'll have to read, study, etc. I thought that taking two courses at the time time would be do-able.  Another related question is, how many hours (on average) does a class require per week?  Perhaps I'm better off taking 2 courses that run 8 weeks rather than a two 4 weeks back to back?  Or vice versa?

Definitely start with one.  I'd rather do one four week class at a time than two eight week courses at the same time, but that's a personal preference.  Remember also that four week courses aren't that common, that eight week courses are much easier to find.  The good thing with the Big Three is that since they don't have a residency requirement, so if you find short courses at any regionally accredited school you can transfer them in no problem.

Speaking of, you also may want to look at Louisiana State University's correspondence courses as well.  They're very inexpensive and you can largely go at your own pace. 

I absolutely need something that has great customer service.  If you are saying all 3 schools are equals, and that most employers aren't going to think they are a joke, then I'm down for seeing what they can offer.  I noticed that TESC (I think) had a flat charge for 36 credits, which unless I missed some added fees, turns out to be $170 a credit which is extremely reasonable.

I expect employers won't think twice about any of them.  No one's ever said anything about mine.  "Bachelor's degree?"  "Yes."  Check.

-=Steve=-

I think you just answered your own question.  You said you want to manage IT "personnel".  In this case it is not IT skills that will be most needed but instead your ability to manage "personnel".  Management is kind of its own profession.  People are people often regardless of the profession.  A budget is a budget, a project is a project, etc.  In this case the MBA is a clear choice over an IT degree, hands down, no "ands ifs or buts". 

Besides, the MBA seems to be the "in demand" degree for IT types nowadays.   

Cajun:

I think you just answered your own question.  You said you want to manage IT "personnel".  In this case it is not IT skills that will be most needed but instead your ability to manage "personnel".  Management is kind of its own profession.  People are people often regardless of the profession.  A budget is a budget, a project is a project, etc.  In this case the MBA is a clear choice over an IT degree, hands down, no "ands ifs or buts". 

 

Besides, the MBA seems to be the "in demand" degree for IT types nowadays.   

Sounds good.  Yeah, I had a feeling that was the case, but it never hurts to get a 2nd (and beyond) opinion! :)  Thank you!
 

Glad I could help.  But hey, don't rely exclusively on my expert advice (humble aren't I?).  You should ask around some more.  I keep up with IT a little just in case I'm starving and cannot do anything else.  I used to work in that field a lifetime ago.