Hi Everyone,

I would like your advice on the fastest way to get a degree online.

Here's some background on my reasons for wanting to do this:

About 20 years ago I did a couple of years of Computer Science in college but dropped out without qualifying. In the last couple of decades I have worked my way up to very senior and well-paid roles in Telecoms and Networking. I now work in the Middle East and find that not having a degree is a real impediment when it comes to changing employers. Very often, having a degree is a requirement for the residence visa process and often HR departments will rule out CVs that don't include a degree.

So, despite not really needing one to advance my career other than as a "check-box" item, I would like to try and earn a degree in a field somewhat related to my current work for example: general business/IT/Networking/Telecoms/Security. I hope this does not sound too arrogant, I don't think for a minute that I have nothing left to learn but really I don't think that having the degree will help me with my work particularly other than in the ways I mentioned.

I would really appreciate people's input and advice.

Thanks for reading!

Hi,

Thanks for the question about finding the best online college for bachelor completion.

You do NOT sound arrogant. I assure you you are not the only 40 year old freshman (ha ha. Your situation is not so very uncommon, especially among IT and computer specialists. Many in your field trained in the trenches and on the job rather than completing a formal bachelor's degree.

But you're right -- at a certain point not having that degree can make it hard to get new interviews or switch jobs.

Here is my advice ...

First, you can probably take most of those "old" credits or couple of years of college you completed long ago and transfer these toward an online bachelors degree TODAY. Probably you took mostly general ed or liberal arts courses like Western Civilization, English, History, Psychology, and basic math.

SEE: 5 Ways to Earn College Credit for Career Life Experience
www.geteducated.com/online-degree-financial-aid/cutting-online-university-cost/145-online-life-experience-degree/

Transferring Old Credits & Online bachelor degree completion ...
www.geteducated.com/online-degree-financial-aid/cutting-online-university-cost/257-online-college-credits

What you need is an online bachelor degree completion program that will a) give you maximum credit for those old courses + b) allow you maximum flexibility to earn college degree credit for your career experience. I am going to imagine that you may hold or have held a number of professional certifications in IT / computers or that you could quickly study and pass some competency exams in computers and IT as well as perhaps business/management.

There are 3 or 4 online colleges that might help you the most in maximizing your opportunity to earn credits/courses toward an online IT BS or business degree.

SEE: The Best Real Online Colleges that Award Life Experience
www.geteducated.com/diploma-mills-police/life-experience-college-degree/162-is-a-life-experience-online-degree-a-scam

I do not know which of the colleges mentioned in the above article might be best for you but in your situation I'd look at bachelor completion programs first and explore where and how you can most rapidly convert your career knowledge into college degree credits, especially in the IT/computers major area.

All the Best
Vicky

Thanks very much Vicky! Some really helpful ideas here. In particular I did not know that "life experience" could be considered for a real degree (I am well aware of the degree mills that offer fake qualifications based on experience!)

Well, yes! You have to watch out if you are searching online for life experience degrees as the degree mills all "use" that phrase and come up high in search results.

BUT there are REAL online colleges that have adopted options for converting professional certifications to college credit; let well-read adults take exams to show they have the equivalent knowledge of what is taught in a college level course; and allow professionals to create extensive portfolios of products/items they have "made" or produced at work that together show a mastery of practical things like Intro to Newswriting.

The MAJORITY of college kids are older than 24 these days so earning credits for competencies that can be DOCUMENTED is not a part of almost ALL degree programs -- online or not.

I have worked with computer pros who have earned half to two-thirds their bachelors in technology/computers by applying professional certifications or project portfolios in areas like programming, network administration, management of info system, and so on. They did take some formal courses -- usually in the upper level liberal arts or math/hard science to "round out" their degree BUT the heart of their degrees came from a great body of professional knowledge.

All the Best
Vicky Phillips


useru12 wrote:
Thanks very much Vicky! Some really helpful ideas here. In particular I did not know that "life experience" could be considered for a real degree (I am well aware of the degree mills that offer fake qualifications based on experience!)

I have worked with computer pros who have earned half to two-thirds their bachelors in technology/computers by applying professional certifications or project portfolios in areas like programming, network administration, management of info system, and so on. They did take some formal courses -- usually in the upper level liberal arts or math/hard science to "round out" their degree BUT the heart of their degrees came from a great body of professional knowledge.

Hi Vicky,

You mention that you "have worked" with computer pros before. Do you offer some kind of consultation service? If so, I would be very interested to talk to you about it.

Thanks again!

HI Again,

I began counseling students about 1985 when I worked as an assistant registrar and then registrar and academic portfolio counselor. For a decade I helped students evaluate their records, compile portfolios and decide on majors and the best distance degree plans and colleges. I do not do this anymore as a business service.

If you have specific questions I'll try to help you here in this forum. If you search my site here you'll also find answers to many of your questions but alas I no longer offer any paid counseling services to students.

All the best
Vicky Phillips
Founder - Get Educated (R)