Ok here's my plan, I register today...please look! I need suggestions

Signing up today at Straighterline for monthly subscription. Hopefully won't be too expensive in the long run.
SL
Intro to Algebra
College Algebra
Business Comm to satisfy Comm requirement at Liberty
Intro to Biology


Down the road:
Clep
Social Science and History to satisfy both History AND Social Science gen ed electives?
Does it work that way? Can I put it towards two classes?

SL Eng 102 at some point

Then on to last 30 or so hrs at Liberty for BS interdisciplinary studies
Then.....fabulous new job!

 

What is your goal with a Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies? I think it might be better if you decide to focus on a certain area rather than get an interdisciplinary studies degree. That degree is really meant for someone who has taken a boat load of units already in multiple fields (because they generally couldn't decide upon which major to pursue).

It's not a bad degree... I just believe there are better degrees you can obtain. Plus if your goal is to save money, go to a local community college (or online community college that is cheap). It's a better option in my opinion.

 

I just need a degree quick. Already have a great job. This is the quickest way, CC has so many prerequisites, etc. I'm just thrilled Liberty accepted all my credits.
But thanks!

 

Does Liberty accept Straighterline credits?

 

Yes, they do, last that I know.

 

If you like Straighterline you can get more of something similar from Penn-Foster after you get finish your Straighterline year. Penn Foster is DETC but most of its courses are also ACE approved so they will transfer to quite a few schools. Liberty accepts DETC credits directly, so the ACE status wouldn't matter as much there. The fact that they are accredited and have ACE seems to me to make them a safe bet.

I've been in a the accounting associates program there since September and have really enjoyed the way it works. The textbooks come in the mail and are included in the tuition price. The entire course is contained on the website and is completely self-paced. It looks very similar to how Straighterline works, just a course set up on a computer with no start dates or deadlines. The best thing is that's is extremely cheap. I pay them $22 every two weeks. I will finish my AS very quickly. I wanted to redo my qualifications from the liberal arts to business and this was the most feasible for me. They do offer quite a few fields beyond business. Anyway, it's definitely one of the better bargains out there.

 

What does Liberty run per credit hour? Isn't it like $250/credit? I have nothing against Liberty...but your chosen track is neither quick nor cheap (seems important hence cutting costs with SL).

Are you averse to the Big 3? They would be quicker and much more cost effective.

Even something like one of these from CSU-Pueblo might be a better overall option. Colorado State University-Pueblo > Undergraduate Degree Program

Also keep in mind that you can use your CC as a source of credit even if you don't get a degree from there...cheaper than Liberty I bet.

 

Liberty is a partner school so transfer credit is guaranteed.

 

Their tuition is $325 for full time (12 credits of undergrad) or $365 part-time.

Financial Aid | LU Online Costs | Liberty University

 

Unless there is significant financial aid/resources that's a LOT of $$$ There are big name schools that are a lot less expensive.....not to say there aren't good reasons to go there of course. Just seems an odd choice considering the criteria.

 

One of the big three is what I usually recommend because cost can be minimized by taking low courses plus earning credit via CLEP and DSST exams. Upper division credit is usually the most expensive credit but DSST offer some upper division exams. And as you can se from many contributors to degreeinfo a big three degree got them into grad school.

I know nothing about straighterline courses so I have no comment on them.

Best of luck whatever you do.

 

I disagree.

I went the IDS route because I came from a trade background. I used my electronic, computer and electrical theory classes to make up one cognate. Then I added some business classes to make up my second cognate. The remainder of my degree was Gen Ed classes and electives. On paper my degree plan looks similar to an industrial technology degree.

 

The military rate is $250 per hour

 

And with military assistance I'm sure its an even better deal. Christians also have a great reason to pick Liberty....but it's far from the cheapest/quickest.

 

That degree is really meant for someone who has taken a boat load of units already in multiple fields (because they generally couldn't decide upon which major to pursue).

Wrong - you should a have stated that this was YOUR opinion on why someone may decide to go with that degree program. And if that is what YOU think of the reasons why someone may go with that program, then you are wrong a second time.

Coming from personal experience I can tell you that I had several reasons to go with an IDS undergrad program, none of which was that "I could not decide" on a major.

Having quite a bit of personal experience in several areas, and an "idea" of where I wanted to be professionally after active duty basically afforded me the opportunity to go in that direction. I love Psychology but that degree program would not have helped me in my professional endeavors but I though about it. I was more confused about what school to attend like most I guess. My final decision was not achieved through the careless lumping of miscellaneous credits acquired through blind course taking. Yes, having credits did help me out in several prospective programs I was looking at, the same as it does others that transfer credits earned at different schools. Why label IDS graduates as undecided, snatch grabbing utility degree holders?

Giving advice through personal experience is always best, however when an opinion is offered say so, because your statements are based on conjecture not fact. :thinkerg:

 

Arttillygirl,

If you are looking to get into a field that utilizes the concentrations you are interested in, the school offers them, AND it helps you in your career direction, I say go for it. The three concentrations I decided on are all utilized in my field.

Business helps me with my critical thinking, accounting, business writing, meetings, and operations.
Social Sciences helps me with the various people I deal with day-to-day in the government and public. (and there are many, from all walks of life!)
Behavioral Science (my personal fav) helps me with Accident Investigations, talking with people (witnesses, victims, and so on.., as well as professional interpersonal encounters. They all fit, and yes I am glad I went with the IDS program.

My first career plan post military discharge was some sort of HR position, a new field for me but interesting(I like dealing with people). And who would not love telling someone they are hired! However, when I was presented with my current career field, I jumped at it. It is of the same career "family" as my last few military assignments (experience) but as a federal civilian. Education/training was another career I looked at. But the IDS degree and my new federal career = a match made in heaven!:fing02:

Actually, my IDS concentrations were one of the reasons my Director/Chief selected me (along with CPAC) for my job. During the final interview He said, "I see you have your major listed as IDS, what is that program? I said it's an interdisciplinary degree program, he said ahh, OK - what were the choices you went with? After I told him he said they would go pretty well in this field, I agreed and they have.:usa2:

In the beginning I was nervous when offered the IDS path from my admissions counselor and academic adviser. However, when they explained that my concentrations could be tailored to my prospective career path and used in several career choices I leaned forward to listen.

The one thing I did change was one concentration from Labor Relations to Social Sciences because of time my constraints, I had a time table to finish. :slomo: Please note that I did go with Social Science because of what it was, not because I had loose SS credits floating around I could use, I had none.

In whatever path you decide to travel I want to wish you the best of luck.

 

You're right, it is my opinion. BTW, I could have taken the IDS myself (I was one of those individuals who had taken business classes, music classes, and behavioral classes all the same). I decided to make a focus instead of dispersing it from multiple subjects.

IDS It's not a bad degree... I just believe there are better degrees you can obtain.

 

I agree. I think it all depends on what the OP wants. The Big 3 seems like the cheapest route to go, but maybe the OP wants a degree from a traditional school with a B&M campus, sports teams and all that other jazz. I'd say the OP should look at Fort Hays and few other schools if that is the case.

 

I'm with focuses and all but you have to realize that most people take whatever job they can get after they graduate. I have an industrial job and we have people with a wide range of undergraduate degrees: music, criminal justice, environmental science, psychology, construction management, technology, and business.

 

True, True... People have to bring food to the table any way they can.