Hi All, I got info from UMass Lowell for BS in Information Technology. Although the list of courses they offer in this program are good, but I find the cost is very high, $280 for each credit. Other one that I looked at is Bellevue. They are I think at $200 per credit. They are both RA right ? Are there any other cheaper options (US based - other than the big three)? It would also be good if they have open admission policy so I can take a course before enrolling for the full program? Thanks,
etech, Hello. Yes both Bellevue and Umass Lowell are regionally accredited (and yes, Umass is a little expensive... as are ALL New England schools <g>). Troy State University (Western and Florida Region) has an online BSCS program. The curriculum isn't as "scientific" as other CS degrees (it's more like an IS degree), however, it seems pretty good. I am taking two classes right now (which is considered fulltime for MGIBill students). They use blackboard. So far, I am pretty satisfied with the program. They cost 130 per semester hour and courses are around 8 weeks long. Here is the URL: http://www.tsufl.edu/distancelearning/advisor/Bachelor%20of%20Science%20Computer%20Science.htm They also have a minor called "Military Science" for military/former military w/ military credits. Basically, if you have 36 credits of military training, MOS, rating, and correspondence courses, you can satisfy the minor completely. I think Franklin University is cheaper than UMASS Lowell. They have a BSCS program as well (sorry odn't have the URL). Fort Hayes has a "general studies" degree w/ a concentration in Networking and Telecommunications (or something to that extent). They are pretty cheap. Can't really think of any more off the top of my head.. Hope this helps. Best Regards, Bill
Hi Etech, I'm in my next to the last course for the BS IT at UML. I just can't say enough about the school and the program. I started the UMUC CIS program which I found to be disorganized. The faculty was distant and the administration hostile. Wherever you decide to enroll try to talk to some current students before making a committment. Good luck, Dave
Hi Dave, Thanks for the advice. I remember sending some emails to UMUC. I did not even receive a proper timely reply from them so I didnt bother any further. I am sure you must have enjoyed the program. Their IT electives courses are good! BTW, you have almost completed this program, how long did it take you?.
Its taken years to get this far but don't use me as a yardstick. My day job is psychologist and I'm only doing this for the challenge. I take one course a term and I have been stalled out a couple of times by an artifact of online IT training where all men (students) are not created equally. By this I mean there is typically a bimodal distribution of students in the upper level courses. The classes are made up of folk like me who are absolute neophyte learners and, mostly, talented IT folk who either skipped undergrad and who are taking the courses online to get the BS ticket punched or else mid-career professionals who take the course as continuing ed. Practially speaking it makes it really tough because the instructors have to create a level that appeals to most of the students. I wound up dropping out of Visual C++ and taking a course at a community college just to get up to speed. I've encountered this dynamic at both UMUC and UML and the instructors readily acknowledge this is a problem they have to conend with. One of the main reasons I dropped out of UMUC was the department refused to acknowledge the problem. It still exists at UML but they've been great about the hassles it creates. Dave
