Bellevue University - Comments about Internet Systems and Software Technology Program

Hi Everyone,

I'm wanting to attend Bellevue University and work towards the BS in Internet Systems and Software Technology, but I'd love to hear comments from others about this.

First off this is an accelerated program, so does that mean it's anything less then a full BS? They say I'd get the degree in about a year, which seems crazy -- but if legit it's perfect for me. Also is the BS limited in anyway? I've seen BAAS degrees at some local colleges, but I want a full BS.

From what I've read I should have all the prerequesites because I have an AAS degree with 96 credits plus another various 40 or so credits taken over the years at another community college. Also I've worked as a web programmer for 7 years, so hopefully that'll satisfy the real life credit stuff.

I'd love to speak with someone who's gone through this program or one of the other technical programs or accelerated programs at Bellevue.

Thanks again for any comments or suggestions, and take care --

Sam Alexander
[email protected]

 

It is a full B.S.

You can get it in a year if you:

Transfer in a qualified associates degree AND additional credits to equal 92 semester hours.

AND

Take the Signature Series of courses at the same time as you are doing the major work. Otherwise it will take 15 months.

I do recommend this school.

 

Sean hit it dead on - trust me, it's legitimate. Bellevue is regionally accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The accelerated program isn't intended for people with little previous coursework - they would require you to complete that first. It's aimed squarely at people such as yourself with the general ed requirements completed and enough transfer credit to jump in and have only the core requirements to complete. If you don't meet these qualifications, they won't admit you to the the accelerated program. As also mentioned, it's a full BS degree, no qualifiers.

Between the core degree requirements and the Signature Series he mentioned, it comes to 45 credit hours, and trust me, you work for them. It's in a continuous "cohort" format, so the accelerated program is a solid year of back to back classes, with the required Sig Series being three months, as Sean also mentioned.

I took the Signature Series with several folks who had completed the coursework for the ISST program you're interested in, and they were very happy with the program and the quality of education.

Best of luck with your decision, and I'd certainly recommend the school.

Dave

 

This seems quite interesting! I have been here for a while and somehow never looked at Bellevue. I had been leaning toward Excelsior's IT program, but these accelerated programs seem more up my alley.

You guys seem to have had good experiences with it, can you work full-time and complete the reqs?

 

Hey Guys -

Thanks for the awsome feedback! I've yet to hear anything negative about Bellevue, so this is most definitely top of my list.

Also scmasse, I noticed you had U of Maryland on your sig... that's another one I'm looking at for distance learning. Any thoughts on them?

Thanks --

Sam

 

For what it's worth, I'm an active duty E-7/MSgt type in a high TDY assignment (and judging by the CCAF degree and your location, I'm guessing you're active duty as well - Osan or Kunsan?).

It's been a chore sometimes, but I've been able to keep up with the program and complete everything, both at home or on the road.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

I worked full time and got through no problem. I think a lot of it has to do with the amount of knowledge that you bring into the process from your work history.

 

samalex1701,

As far as UMUC goes it really depends on what you are looking for. The classes are fine, but the did not accept too many of my military credits in transfer so I am looking for a place that will. Every DE class I have taken from them had 1 proctored final exam. As with most DE some intructors are good while other are just there for the check.

Hope that helps some,
Shawn

 

Osan, working on my 14th month...Separating in April and looking forward to getting a government contract job. The bellevue cohort looks good because it's structured and full-time...easy for the G.I. Bill that way.

 

Bellevue seems to have an "in" with the Air Force. A great majority of my cohort peers were either active duty or recently seperated Air Force personnel.

 

The campus is located very close to Offutt AFB in Nebraska, so they've been dealing with the AF for years. Large populations of professionals with a steady supply of tuition assistance make for very attractive markets.

Dave

 

Well, they were certainly a disciplined bunch. All quite intelligent, thoughtful and hard working. Having a wide spectrum of folks (though leaning to the right, to be sure) in the Signature Series was a lot of fun.

 

Quick question for you BIS types, How does the accelerated cohort work? How long does it take?

My only worry is that I do have some previous coursework that I would hate to lose, but the structure and accelerated pace of the cohort appeal to me.

 

Sean;

I found the same thing (leaning to the right) in the Sig. Series. Being an AF "lifer" and Senior NCO, it was a real surprise that I was one of the more balanced/"liberal" viewpoints in the class. For some reason, it seems the younger "gung-ho" types are more prone to unquestioned support of current policies (as it applied to the Sig. Series lessons) than the older folks, AF or not.

Scmasse;

Sorry for the diversion - Sean and I tend to discuss the program when we hit the same forum. I want to be just like him when I grow up (in other words, graduated).

As for your questions, some of this is detailed below, but I'll recap:

The cohort program is a one year, back to back course load that you start and end with the same instructor and same fellow students (regardless of degree program). This year covers the 10 (or so) classes you need to complete the degree program.

In addition to this, Bellevue also has a required Signature Series, which is a 3 course cohort (3 back to back 1 month courses) that covers civics, philosophy, and ties it all into western democracy and obligations of citizenship. As Sean pointed out, if you take this in addition to the core degree cohort classes, you can complete the program in a year.

Having said that, I wouldn't sweat too much losing any extra credits...pretty much any university will require you to take a minimum of 10 classes through them in order to recieve a degree, regardless of how many credits you transfer in.

So, in essence, Bellevue will require you to take 13 classes, counting the Sig. Series, and I'd recommend it. I enjoyed the Sig. Series very much, and it's worth the effort. I'm paraphrasing, but in another posting Sean described the core courses as the meat and potatoes, and the Sig. Series as dessert.

Hope this helps!

P.S. Enjoy Osan - I did 13 months at Kunsan, and used to go to Osan on the weekends for a "vacation".

Dave

 

It feels good . I got hired yesterday into a new job doing software that I never dreamed of, and the door became open when I finished my BS degree. They actually went out and verified that I had the degree. This new firm (a defense contractor) is going to help me get my Masters degree as well.

You aren't too far away, Dave. I look forward to being able to congratulate you in the next few months