I got a wild hair up my ass a few weeks ago and contacted Devry about their Bachelors program, specifically looking at a BS in Technical Management, because I'm moving quickly (sooner than I expected) towards my goal of becoming a manager in my engineering field and would like to have a degree when that offer arrives.
Devry offers what looks to be an excellent Technical Management program with the goals and details needed for what I'm looking to accomplish, which also prepares me for a MBA afterwards. I'm 30 and need to get crackin'.
I'll come right out and say, I have no college and have never attempted to ever go to college, let alone apply. I fucked around after high school and ended up joining the Navy, where I went into the Advanced Electronics Technical Core Pipeline, which is a two-year program, then off to be either a Weapons System Tech, Electronics Tech, or Data Systems Tech. I chose the former.
I started with Tech Core (basic and advanced electronics, basic and micro soldering), being chosen due to my high ASVAB scores to be placed in an advanced class, graduating in two months versus the normal eight. I finished first in my class of eight with a 96%.
I moved on to Fire-Controlman "A" School (Weapons System Tech) where I learned everything from advanced mathematics and fire-control theory, to radars, guidance systems, and syncros/servos/generators for starters. I graduated second in class behind my class leader in a class of twelve with a 94% (after missing a week as well), and chose my orders for Tomahawk Cruise Missile "C" School.
"C" school was just as stated, learning how to kill people and buildings using cruise missiles from 1000+ miles away, and operating and repairing the systems used for it. I also attended satellite communications school. I graduated first in class out of twelve, with a 97%.
After that, I went to my ship. No more "official" training that was accredited. So I contact Devry, and they were notified that I have my military transcript, but they tell me it's not enough and I need to have an Associate's degree for the TM program, or enough credits specific to the program itself to qualify. I hand them my military (SMART: Sailor/Marine ACE Registry Transcript) transcript and wait.
I get this a few days ago:
Hi Anthony,
Great timing! I just received your evaluation back. With your SMART transcripts, they gave you 49 credits into the BTM program. Minimum for graduation in the BTM program is 122 so that would leave you 73 left to graduate with your Bachelor's degree.
I am VERY impressed with this number off of a military transcript.
Have you had a chance to talk to the VA rep?
If you would like to begin the application process please let me know and we should start the process ASAP to ensure you can start classes on October 29th.
I'm already 40% into my BS for TM and haven't even started school yet. I shoulda done this years ago.
So how long will it take for those other 73 credits, I'll be doing this as online courses. Anyone else gone this route? I'm not afraid of school, obviously if you look above. I'm just worried about time with how much I work.
Advice would be appreciated.