Help in designing BA degree plan

Hey everyone, I need some help that you nice folks may be able to offer. I am interested in completing a bachelor’s degree in the quickest, least expensive manner. It personally does not matter to me which one of the big 3 schools is best to attend.

What I need help in is designing a degree plan, including what school is best, what concentration, what CLEPS or other exams needed to complete the degree and in what order they should be taken. Also about how long you believe it is likely to take and cost. I’m married but I have no children so time really isn’t a factor, so I have time to devote. I’m a newbie at this.

Here’s some info about me to help you wizards work the magic.

I’m a senior police officer; I hold an advanced peace officer license from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

I have 39 credit hours from Rio Salado College, all in Law Enforcement Technology.

I have also completed several courses that have been evaluated by ACE for college credit, these course are:

Scuba Diver - 1cr in P.E.

Private pilot’s License - 6cr in Aviation I believe.

Civil Air Patrol Officer Correspondence Course - 2 Upper Level Semester Hours in Military History, 1 Lower Level Semester Hour in Leadership and 2 Lower Level Semester Hours in Communications.

I am currently enrolled in the US Air Force Squadron Officer School; the ACE recommended credit is as follows: In the upper-division baccalaureate category, 3 semester hours in managerial communications and 3 in national security studies and military strategy. However, it is likely to take me several months to complete this program, so I am not sure it should count.

I was formally an Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate. My Texas Department of Health certification expired a few years ago, I do not know if there is any credit that is likely for having this knowledge.

That’s all I can remember at the moment. I hope this helps, thanks for all of your help.

Paul

 

Visit BAin4Weeks to get an overview of the possible study options available and some excellent, albeit dated, advice about earning a degree in a short period of time and at a relatively low cost.

CLEPS and DANTES subject examinations provide an inexpensive and depending on your study habits and standardized test-taking abilities; these are typically available on most military bases and other facilities. ACE-reviewed courses are a second means of earning college credit; Penn Foster individual courses are very low cost and the completion schedule is flexible. Independent study courses, such as those offered by Louisiana State University are certainly a bargain and the completion schedule is flexible.

The general education requirements should the the initial focus of your studying. Thomas Edison State College is the most flexible in which courses fit within each general education category but English Composition I & II are mandatory. Charter Oak State College has very specific course distribution requirements for general education.

You might consider earning an AA/AS/AAS on the way to earning a BA/BS both as a motivational milestone and to give you a credential as quickly as possible. In any event, hold off on enrolling in a specific degree until you have completed most or all of the general education requirements to save money.

I earned an AAS and BA from TESC so this is the school in the Big Three with which I am most familar.

"Associate in Science in Public and Social Services (ASPSS) degree in Administration of Justice is designed for police officers, probation officers, corrections officers and private or government security personnel and law enforcement officials."

"Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree program's Criminal Justice track is designed to meet the needs of mid-career adults in a wide range of law enforcement, corrections, security and emergency response fields."

"Associate in Arts (AA) degree is a broad degree emphasizing general education."

 

Without digginto college catalogs I would think either Excelsior or TESC would have a degree that will meet your needs. The Excelsior BSLS allows lots of flexibility including 60 units professional studies or electives. Both EC and TESC give credit via portfolio that might help with your professional experience/learning (although not cheap).
Download both catalogs and try to compare your education against ther requirements.

Also check out American Military University/American Public University
They have two degrees in CJ.
http://www.amu.apus.edu/Academics/Degree-Programs/index.htm