Math degree under $250/credit hour

I've been browsing this forum for a good while now, and there is a ton of information here! I do need some personal help though.

I have a BA in Liberal Studies from Thomas Edison State College and I'm looking to complete a math certificate. The problem is I'm unable to find a program that offers courses that will fit under the Air Force's TA cap of $250/credit hour. I also need to take these classes online because my career field deploys 6 months out of the year. The other 6 months I call Kadena AB, Japan home.

The eventual goal is to teach Math someday, and I know a MS is required. Unfortunately my BA in Liberal Arts does not have the require pre-req's needed. Any help would be awesome.

 

What is the first math course you would need to take? If you need courses before calculus, you could either CLEP College Algebra and/or Pre-Calculus, or enroll at Clovis Community College.

If you are ready to take on Calculus - here are some options:

1. Take classes through LSU Independent Study

2. Consider purchasing a one year subscription to Thinkwell Calculus: www.thinkwell.edu. Thinkwell is an online course with streaming lectures that cover Calculus I and II. Once you complete the Calculus I portion - you could CLEP that requirement. Once you complete Calculus II - you could challenge the Calculus II exam through Ohio University: http://www.ohiou.edu/independent/ccewords.htm -

3. In theory - you can also challenge exam Linear Algebra and Calculus III and IV through Ohio University if you were motivated enough.

I know this isn't what you would need for the masters - but this info might help you get started. Thank you for serving - and good luck with your studies.

Shawn

 

The University of London is a very respected institution and has been offering distance learning programs for a long time. They have a Diploma in Mathematics program that seems to be exactly what you're looking for. It's not a "degree" but they also offer a Bachelors degree in Mathematics and Economics and I believe that you can roll your diploma credits into the Bachelors program. Be careful to understand that these programs are not "taught" in the classic sense. I didn't do the currency conversion thingy but traditionally these programs have been very affordable. Their fees are clearly listed so you can figure that out easily enough. Here's the link.

http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/prospective_students/undergraduate/lse/dip_grad/math/index.shtml

I don't think there are a lot of Math programs around. Maybe I can turn up another.

 

However, his Air Force TA isn't going to pay for the non- US degree...

 

A little more than $250 per hour (but you can get a $2000 tax credit from IRS per year):
http://netmath.uiuc.edu/courses.php

Depending on your needs you can take lots of math courses through California Community Colleges ($20/unit for residents and around $180/unit for non-residents):
http://www.cvc.edu/students/courses

 

Man, that's all kinda narrow minded, isn't it?

So what are the rules? It has to be US? It has to be RA or will DETC work?

 

Thanks for the roadmap! Calculus I is the first class I would need to take. I have also read about your daughter's journey through her math courses, and that is what motivated me to ask my questions.

Is there a math certificate program available? I just received an email from my base education office and they will not pay for a lateral degree. So either I find a MS program that will "package" Cal 1-4, Differential Equations and Linear Algebra on top of their usual 36 graduate hours, or I find a certificate program.

 

you can get different opinions about Western Governors university depending on who you ask, but they offer a program that may be of interest to you.

MA in Mathematics Education http://www.wgu.edu/education/master_education_mathematics.asp

If you can devote some time during your 6 months at home tuition can be under the TA cap, but if you are slow at turning in assignment it could be much more expensive.

You pay a set tuition per 6 month session and complete one or as as many "courses" as you can.

this is just one option... good luck!

 

Not $250 but close...

South Dakota State University tuition is $291/hr.

http://www3.sdstate.edu/Academics/GraduateSchool/StudentFAQs/FinancialInfowTuitionTable/Index.cfm

In addition, you can apply for provisional admission - and take the Calculus sequence at SDSU:

http://teach.sdstate.edu/users/cogswelk/DepartmentWebsite/MastersAdmissionRequirements.htm

http://teach.sdstate.edu/users/cogswelk/DepartmentWebsite/MastersCurriculum.htm

Good luck - and thanks for the shout out for my daughter

Shawn

 

If you went back through TESC for your math classes, they would be under the price limit of $250 and if you worked it through with your advisor, you might be able to roll those into a second bachelor's degree (see both Math and the Math with Natural Sciences) while you did it. It might or might not be worth the time/effort required (a second bachelor's would be 30 credits) instead of just doing the necessary classes in order to get into the MS, but I'm just tossing in my $.02