Hi, I am looking for the quickest way to obtain a degree in either: - business/management - IT management - industrial management/indus. engineering The "quick" part is not because I am a slacker, but because it took me long ago (read: years) to finally understand what I want to do when I grow up (I am mid-30s, so about time), and I don't want to waste any more time. I also saw some of the material used by people learning undergraduate degrees in business and I think that I could do these courses, if there was a reputable place which would have let me, in half the normal time. Most of the stuff there was no-brainer (I hope I don't sound too cocky and in any case, I am sure that the industrial engineering course is more challenging). In other words: I am looking for a place that would let students get on their own pace - take more courses per term than normally required and finish it off a bit earlier. As I said, it must be a place which is reputable, preferably a "regular" university or college that also teaches online, but also good distance places, from which I could find a job later and/or proceed to master's if I choose so (which is the second reason I want to get on with it - I want to do the master's and start a job). any ideas? thanks
As someone with more experience in distance education will probably tell you, fastest way is the so-called "Big Three". I'm sure one of the more "senior" members can fill you in, but until they answer, here are some links to keep you busy. Good luck. http://bain4weeks.com/ http://www.excelsior.edu/ http://www.charteroak.edu/ http://www.tesc.edu/
If you are in the USA, then the cheapest and possibly fastest means of earning credit hours, especially for general education requirements, is CLEP, DSST, and DANTES. Excelsior College is offering a limited number of subject examinations for FREE until 15 November 2008; I think the registration has to be completed by 15 November but the examination can be scheduled for a date after the registration deadline. I would recommend earning an associate-level degree on the way to a bachelor-level degree if only as a motivator since the milestone is 60 credit hours and 120 credit hours, respectively. The AA or AS could easily be completed in 1 year using a combination of testing and courses. If you prefer courses with structure and assignments, American Public University System offers an Associate of Arts in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology Management. The textbooks are included in the tuition fees.
Hi, Sentinel, I see you recommended APU. I was checking out their site the other day and to be honest, I liked what I saw. Since the OP is looking for speed, I have to assume the degrees they offer can be completed fast. My question is, just how fast? I know the classes are 8 weeks, but just how quickly can you finish a degree. Thanks in advance.
I went from an AA to a BS in four month with 51 of the credits coming in 6 weeks. How is that for fast. CLEP and DANTES need to become your best friend!
I agree. CLEP/DANTES exams are cheap and fast. The only thing holding you back is yourself in that case. There are a number of study sources on the web to help you out. I also took a self-paced Operations and Quality Management course through CSU-Pueblo that was pretty good. I'm sure there are others like it out there that might serve you well too. Danny
Realistically, if you are working full-time and started a new course each month with each course running 8 weeks, you could complete 12 courses in one year without overburdening yourself. I was able to complete 30 credit hours in 9 months. I was earning A-s and As with the exception of one course which meant about 2-3 hours a night Monday through Friday on readings, discussion postings, assignments, and quizzes or exams. Therefore, 18 months would net you an associate-level degree or 60 credit hours. If you combined coursework at APU with testing out via CLEP, DSST, and DANTES the time could be reduced further.
Check out WGU - they have a competancy based BS in business http://www.wgu.edu/business/business_management_bachelor_degree.asp Costs are reasonable.
I believe you can still score up to 30 credits with Excelsior by taking the GRE exam. Thirty credits for one exam isn't bad, and if you knock out the CLEP general exams (5 tests), that's another 30 credits. You could possibly have half of your degree completed by taking six exams. Take another 20 CLEP/Dantes exams after that, and you're done!
Excelsior only gives the 3 to 30 unit credit for the ETS Subject Exams, not the GRE exam. https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/Excelsior_College_Examinations/Using_Exams_and_Assessment_at_EC/Credit_for_Graduate_Record_Examinations The available subject exams are here: http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509/?vgnextoid=efc42d3631df4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=cfd946f1674f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD Great way to earn lower and upper division credit if you know the subject.
OK, I'm confused. Your links redirect to the page at Excelsior which talk about getting up to 30 credits for the GRE. How is that different from what I said?
There is a general GRE exam, as well as GRE tests in specific subjects. I believe you can get up to 30 hours for taking the GRE subject exams, but not the GRE general exam.
Ooops - I dropped a word - I meant to say: Excelsior only gives the 3 to 30 unit credit for the ETS Subject Exams, not the GRE General exam.
>> You are correct. Most of the info in the 101 level classes are geared toward people who are around age 18 with no industry experience. Understanding the information doesn't make you cocky, it makes you a mid-career adult. Welcome to the board! You need to explore CLEP and DSST testing. You don't have to enroll in college yet, you can earn a bunch of credits on your own first and test the idea of how you like studying and getting into the college groove. There are exams in Introduction to Management, Introduction to Marketing, and Introduction to Computers and many more that you can earn 3 credits each for simply passing (they are multiple choice/ pass-fail exams). The cost is much cheaper than a class, less than $100 per. These credits would apply to your degree if and when you decide to enroll, and in my opinion, you could work through them in less than 2 weeks. (credit is good for 20 years- so don't stress if you don't enroll asap) www.collegeboard.com CLEP www.getcollegecredit.com DSST aka DANTES To see how people use this type of credit to their full advantage, visit the Instantcert forum. (google it, my link doesn't work)
Fees Just keep your eyes open for the fees at COSC. Matriculation for the Bachelor's Degree Connecticut Resident $1015 Nonresident $1335 Students Continuing Beyond One Year Academic Services Renewal If you do not complete your degree within the first year, you will be billed annually for this fee. It covers continued academic counseling, adding courses to your record, and the student activity and technology fees. Academic Services Renewal (annually) * Connecticut Resident $470 * Nonresident $685 Personally I think the fees are bit pricey. Take care
