Whats the best diploma for 36-60 credits

[MNBrant]

I am planning on Joining VRAP, Veterans retraining program. They are going to give me 1500 a month for a year for training in a high demand program. I looked at practical nursing for 36 credits but it has limited admission and I dont think I can get in. I am considering an IT diploma for 54 credits. I figure some IT would be better than nothing, or welding, but I think I am too old at 48 to get into that. Any idea what would be a good degree to get into. The school I am thinking of does have air traffic controller too. I guess I am going to do it regardless because I will make money by going to school.

This sounds impressive for a 2 year degree. From excelsior college: Associate in Science in Technology
with area of focus in Computer Technologies

[The Man]

Originally Posted by MNBrant

I am planning on Joining VRAP, Veterans retraining program. They are going to give me 1500 a month for a year for training in a high demand program. I looked at practical nursing for 36 credits but it has limited admission and I dont think I can get in. I am considering an IT diploma for 54 credits. I figure some IT would be better than nothing, or welding, but I think I am too old at 48 to get into that. Any idea what would be a good degree to get into. The school I am thinking of does have air traffic controller too. I guess I am going to do it regardless because I will make money by going to school.

It may depend more on your own personal intrests and inclinations than anything else. IT generally has good demand but also has a lot of people with the knowledge to fill that demand. Welding takes skill as well as knowledge it’s also a completely different work environment than IT. So what are your intrests and inclinations? What other types of courses are available? Things like robotics and automation kind of combine the best of both worlds. They depend on information technology but use it to physically interact, troubleshooting and repair of such takes knowledge as well as skill.

A few decades ago I started on a 2 year associate’s degree in mechanical design (mostly for the metallurgy). That course was discontinued after my fist semester. The Electrical (emphasis on electronic communication) and Electromechanical (emphasis on robotics) degrees were still available and required the courses I had already taken. I got them both and eventually worked my way (professionally) into mechanical deign (as a Product Designer, Engineer, Project Engineer and Production Engineer). These days I work in robotics and automated material handling systems (the Electromechanical AAS degree) and while I miss actually designing stuff I’m paid well and enjoy my job. So try your best to do what you want and like but get something you can at least live with and on. Which is better being 1 of 100 guys in the area that can keep any of the 40 customer’s server farms running or one of ten guys in the area that can do good thin metal TIG welding reliably for any of the 4 companies there that need it? In the end it’s your niche, you’ve got to find it and fill it.

Best of luck MNBrant on whatever you choose.

Originally Posted by MNBrant

This sounds impressive for a 2 year degree. From excelsior college: Associate in Science in Technology
with area of focus in Computer Technologies

Don’t forget “All the Rights and Privileges” (says it on the degree) that come with it. Sounds great and I’m still exploiting mine for all they’re worth (and then some).

[MNBrant]

Originally Posted by The Man

It may depend more on your own personal intrests and inclinations than anything else. IT generally has good demand but also has a lot of people with the knowledge to fill that demand. Welding takes skill as well as knowledge it’s also a completely different work environment than IT. So what are your intrests and inclinations? What other types of courses are available? Things like robotics and automation kind of combine the best of both worlds. They depend on information technology but use it to physically interact, troubleshooting and repair of such takes knowledge as well as skill.

A few decades ago I started on a 2 year associate’s degree in mechanical design (mostly for the metallurgy). That course was discontinued after my fist semester. The Electrical (emphasis on electronic communication) and Electromechanical (emphasis on robotics) degrees were still available and required the courses I had already taken. I got them both and eventually worked my way (professionally) into mechanical deign (as a Product Designer, Engineer, Project Engineer and Production Engineer). These days I work in robotics and automated material handling systems (the Electromechanical AAS degree) and while I miss actually designing stuff I’m paid well and enjoy my job. So try your best to do what you want and like but get something you can at least live with and on. Which is better being 1 of 100 guys in the area that can keep any of the 40 customer’s server farms running or one of ten guys in the area that can do good thin metal TIG welding reliably for any of the 4 companies there that need it? In the end it’s your niche, you’ve got to find it and fill it.

Best of luck MNBrant on whatever you choose.





Don’t forget “All the Rights and Privileges” (says it on the degree) that come with it. Sounds great and I’m still exploiting mine for all they’re worth (and then some).

Excelsior is an interesting school in that you can clep all but the core classes. I got to find out how much the core is. I probably could do the two year degree in a year. Tuition is 220 a credit for military. I also have to see if I can get a military discount.

[TheDoLittle]

Originally Posted by MNBrant

Excelsior is an interesting school in that you can clep all but the core classes. I got to find out how much the core is. I probably could do the two year degree in a year. Tuition is 220 a credit for military. I also have to see if I can get a military discount.

You also might want to read this thread. Several of us posted about our experiences going back to school later in life. I also go into the pluses and minuses of grants and scholarships. You also might want to see what the VA can do financially. I've had several student vets who got books and laptops through the VA.

[MNBrant]

Originally Posted by TheDoLittle

You also might want to read this thread. Several of us posted about our experiences going back to school later in life. I also go into the pluses and minuses of grants and scholarships. You also might want to see what the VA can do financially. I've had several student vets who got books and laptops through the VA.

I just checked out tuition for the local community college and its 178 dollars a credit. Tuition for for excelsior for the military is 220 and you can do your classes online. This saves on child care. I have to see if I can get the military discount

[tsig]

Originally Posted by The Man

It may depend more on your own personal intrests and inclinations than anything else. IT generally has good demand but also has a lot of people with the knowledge to fill that demand. Welding takes skill as well as knowledge it’s also a completely different work environment than IT. So what are your intrests and inclinations? What other types of courses are available? Things like robotics and automation kind of combine the best of both worlds. They depend on information technology but use it to physically interact, troubleshooting and repair of such takes knowledge as well as skill.

A few decades ago I started on a 2 year associate’s degree in mechanical design (mostly for the metallurgy). That course was discontinued after my fist semester. The Electrical (emphasis on electronic communication) and Electromechanical (emphasis on robotics) degrees were still available and required the courses I had already taken. I got them both and eventually worked my way (professionally) into mechanical deign (as a Product Designer, Engineer, Project Engineer and Production Engineer). These days I work in robotics and automated material handling systems (the Electromechanical AAS degree) and while I miss actually designing stuff I’m paid well and enjoy my job. So try your best to do what you want and like but get something you can at least live with and on. Which is better being 1 of 100 guys in the area that can keep any of the 40 customer’s server farms running or one of ten guys in the area that can do good thin metal TIG welding reliably for any of the 4 companies there that need it? In the end it’s your niche, you’ve got to find it and fill it.

Best of luck MNBrant on whatever you choose.





Don’t forget “All the Rights and Privileges” (says it on the degree) that come with it. Sounds great and I’m still exploiting mine for all they’re worth (and then some).

That means that the school has the right to dun you for money the rest of your life.

[MNBrant]

Originally Posted by tsig

That means that the school has the right to dun you for money the rest of your life.

I suppose I should write excelsior and see if I get the military discount even though I dont fit the criteria

[CharlesCollom]

I don't know if you're in California, but Cerro Coso Community College has tons of online classes and degrees. I'm taking an associates degree in mathematics as a hobby.

[Manopolus]

Originally Posted by MNBrant

I am planning on Joining VRAP, Veterans retraining program. They are going to give me 1500 a month for a year for training in a high demand program. I looked at practical nursing for 36 credits but it has limited admission and I dont think I can get in. I am considering an IT diploma for 54 credits. I figure some IT would be better than nothing, or welding, but I think I am too old at 48 to get into that. Any idea what would be a good degree to get into. The school I am thinking of does have air traffic controller too. I guess I am going to do it regardless because I will make money by going to school.

This sounds impressive for a 2 year degree. From excelsior college: Associate in Science in Technology
with area of focus in Computer Technologies

I will be using the VRAP program too. My course of study will be Graphic Arts Technology, which although it isn't listed in the "high demand occupations" on the VA website, it does cover several of the areas that are, including prepress procedures, printing press operation, photography, and what I actually put down on the application: "other sales and related occupations" (since it's generally related to advertising).

The main reason I chose this is that it relates to my prior education and experience. I already have a BFA in Art that does absolutely nothing for me in terms of getting a job, and worked as a portrait photographer for about 8 years. I'd say what you should go for would depend on your prior education and/or work experience, if that's applicable in your case. In my own situation, an eventual BS in Commercial Art/Graphic Design wouldn't require all that many more credits beyond the tech courses and what I've got already.

[The Man]

Originally Posted by tsig

That means that the school has the right to dun you for money the rest of your life.

Well, while that may be the story in a lot of cases I must have just went to the wrong school then, as it didn't give them any such right or privilege. Affordability, proximity (all I had was my motorcycle at the time) as well as the fact that I wasn't required to take the SATs and it being part of the SUNY (State University of New York) system were all factors in my choosing Duchess Community College.

[The Man]

Originally Posted by Manopolus

I will be using the VRAP program too. My course of study will be Graphic Arts Technology, which although it isn't listed in the "high demand occupations" on the VA website, it does cover several of the areas that are, including prepress procedures, printing press operation, photography, and what I actually put down on the application: "other sales and related occupations" (since it's generally related to advertising).

The main reason I chose this is that it relates to my prior education and experience. I already have a BFA in Art that does absolutely nothing for me in terms of getting a job, and worked as a portrait photographer for about 8 years. I'd say what you should go for would depend on your prior education and/or work experience, if that's applicable in your case. In my own situation, an eventual BS in Commercial Art/Graphic Design wouldn't require all that many more credits beyond the tech courses and what I've got already.

Excellent news Manopolus, I'm glad to hear from those that are or at least trying to put the VRAP program to use. Glad you were able to find something that coincided with your interests and experience.

Best of luck.

As a side note when I first graduated I was working as a drafter for a number of years (back when you used to have to do it all by hand). So elements involved in Art/Graphic Design and compositing (at least back then) like layout and paste up as well as photostat camera work were all things I had to do in producing procedural and instructional documentation for customers.

[Bionic Hips]

Think carefully about going into IT at the age of 48 - age discrimination is real in the computer fields. Get some hard recent data before spending resources on this.

[MNBrant]

Hmm, I am rethinking it altogether. the GI bill give 1500 a month for college. A community college credit around here costs around 250 each give or take a few. Thats 3000 a semester not including books. Not the moneymaker I was hoping for. Let me look around for some cheaper programs.

[MNBrant]

Hmm. I found a techical school that has a aas IT degree for 150$ a credit. It has an online paralegal degree for 1200 but its not done in credit fashion