Hello all, I have a question about the Associate in Science, Computer Software degree from Excelsior. I couldn't find a whole lot of information on Excelsior's website, so I'm turning to you guys for your expertise. I believe the degree requires 20 credits in the Computer Software area and the rest in General Education/Electives. I already have enough credits to satisfy the General Education/Electives requirement, but I'm not sure what the specific requirements are for computer related courses. I've taken several classes at a community college that might satisfy the requirements: Operating Platforms Fundamentals of Data Communications Visual Basic Survey of Microcomputer Applications Systems Analysis and Design C++ Programming Advanced C++ Programming Does anybody know if this would be enough to earn the associates degree?
Hi Abner and Kaboj, unfortunately I am doing the AS Business degree so don't really know the requirements for Computers. All I could inform you on is the general education requirements which you already know about.
This is from Excelsior's page Associate in Science in Computer Software Graduates of this degree program generally pursue careers in applications programming, database management, systems design and analysis, software management, data communications and networking, and Internet technologies. So I looked at the local community colleges in New York (where I live) to find somethig similar, and found this http://www.lagcc.cuny.edu/catalog/default.aspx?uid=304 Computer Programming and Systems: AAS Degree the course list looks similar to Excelsior's career list, so it's probably close to the course list you would need this one sounds great too http://www.kingsborough.edu/apdegree/KCCCOMDP.HTM Excelsior's AS in Computer Software is probably a very customizable program. You'll probably be fine if you take courses similar in title to what's stated in the career list. You could add this very inexpensive exam which will probably be 3 easy credits for you http://www.getcollegecredit.com/pdfs/factsheets/Management%20Information%20Systems.pdf maybe add the DANTES 'Introduction to Business' http://www.getcollegecredit.com/materials.htm or the CLEP 'Principles of Accounting' or 'Principles of Macroeconomics' or 'Principles of Microeconomics' http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/exams.html and you've got some business courses that will be BIG plus when looking for work
Thanks for the replies. I may try to get an unofficial evaluation to see if I can get that degree without taking anymore classes. James, I do plan on taking the MIS exam within the next month. I hope it's as easy as people say it is. On a different note, do you guys think it's beneficial to get a associates degree if I plan on getting a bachelors? I have 87 credits towards a BSL from Excelsior (I'm not enrolled though) and I plan to finish it up in about 6 more months.
--do you guys think it's beneficial to get a associates degree if I plan on getting a bachelors?-- I would say yes. Get the AS NOW. At least you will have a degree NOW. I think that is the big factor for me. You never know what the future will hold. Money or family crisis may come up in future where you will have to put your studies on hold. It would be a shame to be 20 credits away from a BS and have to stop for a year or two and have nothing to show for it. At least this way, you've got an AS if you have to take time off. Or maybe circumstances change and you decide not to get your BS from Excelsior. I have heard that it is easier to transfer 60 credits that make up an AS than it is to transfer 60 random credits. So it will be a little more expensive to get two seperate degrees from Excelsior, but I think it might be worth it.
This is the approach I decided upon as I work towards a bachelor degree in intelligence studies from AMU, by first earning an associate degree in general studies.
