transfer between colleges to reduce costs

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by jhp, Sep 4, 2013.

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  1. jhp

    jhp Member

    I am currently enrolled in a degree at Wilmington University, DE.
    I would like to transfer to Champlain College, VT.

    Wilmington University rates are one of the lowest I can find, but not all classes are offered online. Champlain College has a forensics track where the last "specialization" counts toward the Baccalaureate and Masters degree.

    My questions are:

    Can I transfer credits and continue at Wilmington University, "like nothing happened"?

    Is there a reason, Champlain College would not accept future transfer-in credits (other than non-accreditation, over max transfer-in credits, etc.)?

    Is there a reason I should not register at Champlain College, during and while registered at Wilmington University?

    Does anyone know what are the Champlain College requirement to be considered enrolled? That is, how often do I have to take a class with them to remain within the degree program I initially registered with?

    Thank you!
     
  2. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I am currently enrolled in a degree at Wilmington University, DE.
    I would like to transfer to Champlain College, VT.

    Wilmington University rates are one of the lowest I can find, but not all classes are offered online. Champlain College has a forensics track where the last "specialization" counts toward the Baccalaureate and Masters degree.
    Do they charge you those last classes at undergraduate tuition or graduate tuition?

    My questions are:

    Can I transfer credits and continue at Wilmington University, "like nothing happened"?
    You'll have to check the transfer policy. It's probably on their website.

    Is there a reason, Champlain College would not accept future transfer-in credits (other than non-accreditation, over max transfer-in credits, etc.)?
    Schools set their own policy. The only required transfer acceptance is when a written agreement exists between a community college and a 4 year school as part of an articulation agreement. They can do anything they want regarding transfer. Beyond that, it's their call.

    Is there a reason I should not register at Champlain College, during and while registered at Wilmington University?
    If you're using financial aid, you won't be able to split it. Other than that, I was enrolled at 2 colleges simultaneously for most of 2008. It's very common.

    Does anyone know what are the Champlain College requirement to be considered enrolled? That is, how often do I have to take a class with them to remain within the degree program I initially registered with?
    There is no way I would know that without doing some homework on their website, which you should do. I don't mean to sound rude, but are you asking if you should stop attending an affordable school to attend a more expensive school so that you can pay for 1/4 of that program at graduate rate tuition? I'm scratching my head, that sounds like a terrible plan. Why not finish up at Wilmington and just go to Champlain for your masters? That way you're only working with Wilmington's transfer policy. How many classes do you need from them that you can't do online? Surely you could find them elsewhere (probably for cheaper than Wilmington) and transfer them back in.

    Thank you!
     
  3. Sauron

    Sauron New Member

    $45K a year at Champlain seems a bit much. Their computer forensics program is probably top notch but you might also consider a degree from WGU and SANS and/or SEI certifications. You would still have plenty of money left over for a graduate degree from George Washington U in High Tech Crime Investigation.

    Cookderosa's plan is is probably best, stick with Wilmington; graduate with a degree in Computer Science or Information Technology. You can also participate with collegiate level Cyber Defense competitions if you're into pen testing and red vs blue scenes. If you really want to get an education, attend BlackHat and Defcon.
     
  4. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I agree with other DegreeInfo forum members' inputs. Nowadays, cost effective might beat institutional reputation.
     
  5. jhp

    jhp Member

    Thank you for the very quick responses.
    Let me elucidate.

    I believe Champlain College charges undergraduate fees for the three additional courses. Even if they do not, counting them twice (BS and MS) would save at least $1,500 per class as of today.

    Meaning Wilmington University?

    All out of pocket.

    Actually, I was referring to program. I have had the misfortune of registering in one college, taking some courses, then there was a long gap of inactivity where I could not take classes. When I started back up, I had to re-register, and the curriculum for the original degree changed. The college required additional (and might I say totally irrelevant) classes to be taken for the same, identical degree. I was informed that those who maintained their enrollment were grandfathered, but I could not take advantage of this.

    So, the rephrase the questions - should I register at Champlain College to grab and hold onto the current curriculum, in case it changes in the future?

    I would continue to go to Wilmington University and take the minimum at Champlain College. The question refers to the minimum requirement before one is required to re-enroll, thereby losing the "original" curriculum requirements. Some colleges allow 3 semesters of no classes taken, some 2, and so on. I thought someone might know.

    I am set with certifications. :bandit:

    I Looked at GWU Master's and although it looks very tempting, it appears to be in class versus Champlain's 100% online. I would not be able to travel to Arlington, VA for the classes. Do I have this wrong? Can this be taken 100% online?

    The degree at Champlain is enticing, besides the +1 of the 4+1, is because of the word "Forensics" in the degree title. The employers I am interested in give extra attention to the words.

    I have been in the industry for decades; I just need my CV to get that stamp of approval from an accredited higher ed facility. :sad:

    Again, thanks for all the responses. Any further suggestions, like 100% online Master's programs would be very welcome.
     
  6. Sauron

    Sauron New Member

    JHP, I can appreciate your situation. The Open University has a MSc in Computing - Information Security and Forensics. To matriculate into the MSc program, complete a PgCert in Computing which consists of two courses.

    "You will need a bachelors degree (or equivalent) in computing or a related discipline, or relevant industrial experience. If you do not hold a degree, we would expect you to complete our Postgraduate Certificate in Computing (K22) before embarking on this MSc. If you are successful in completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Computing (K22) you will be able to go on to study our Postgraduate Diploma in Computing (E81) and Master of Science in Computing (F66)."

    The University of Liverpool also has an online MSc in Computer Security but the caveat is cost and the security related coursework seemed "light."

    Royal Holloway, University of London has a similar policy for admission for those without an undergraduate degree and may have more varied coursework but I haven't investigated this further. All of the above programs are online.
     
  7. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 5, 2013
  8. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Can I transfer credits and continue at Wilmington University, "like nothing happened"?
    Most colleges do not allow double dipping of credits (if that is what your question is)

    Is there a reason, Champlain College would not accept future transfer-in credits (other than non-accreditation, over max transfer-in credits, etc.)?
    Check with the college. Excelsior College accepted additional credits over the basic degree credit requirements for me.

    Is there a reason I should not register at Champlain College, during and while registered at Wilmington University?
    No but why go to the expense. You can probably earn credits at any RA school and have them transferred to your Wilmington degree (subject to school limits)

    Does anyone know what are the Champlain College requirement to be considered enrolled? That is, how often do I have to take a class with them to remain within the degree program I initially registered with?
    I'm not sure what you mean by "enrolled) but the majority of US colleges/universities require that a minimum of 30 semester units be obtained from them to meet their degree requirements (this is called "residence" even if you studying via DL).


    How many credits do you have towards your degree at Wilmington?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 6, 2013
  9. jhp

    jhp Member

    Thank you for the details! I definitely will look into Open University, of for nothing else but transferable credits.
     
  10. jhp

    jhp Member

    Thanks!

    I am in the OTHER camp. I need a specific field - "digital forensics", and this is why I am thinking to transfer to Champlain College. They have a BS in digital forensics. When I started my BS, there were no such degrees.

    I hope to transfer all the credits, take advantage of Champlain's PLA, test out options, and similar hoping to push to credits to the maximum of 90. The remaining 30 credits to be completed with Champlain.

    I understands, thanks. I would prefer not to pay that much either. With the hope that 30 credits are the only ones I have to take at Champlain, that would put me at $590/credit or $17,700 - still an enormous amount of money. My future question will be "how to reduce the $17.7K to as much as possible?"
     
  11. jhp

    jhp Member

    That is, thanks! How would one college know that I decided to attend an other college? As for the ethics of it, I do not know - I never agreed to such rule to bind me - nor do I see if there is one.

    Right; I need the word "forensic" in the degree :(

    Currently, 42 and hope to have 48 by end of year.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 9, 2013
  12. jhp

    jhp Member

    Sauron thank you.

    I will definitely look into Open University, if for nothing else but for transferable credit courses.
     
  13. jhp

    jhp Member

    cookderosa, thanks!

    I am in the OTHER camp. I would like to have "forensics" in both my bachelors, and masters for future goals.

    Agreed - $45K is way too much. I hope to maximize all my credits at a lower cost prior to transferring to Champlain. This is part of the dilemma - when is the best time to transfer to achieve this goal?

    At worse case I will pay Champlain $17,700 which is still enormous amount of money. My question is around this, to reduce it somehow - after taking advantage of transfers, PLA, test out and similar.

    I have searched the posts in several ways, but I am sure there are some gems I have missed. My final educational goal is retire and teach at college level. I believe I would need a PhD for that within my field.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 9, 2013

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