ULPT I need a cheap and easy online bachelor’s degree program I can half ass my way through
Posted by Unlucky-Listen1068@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 81 comments
I live in SC, not that it matters for most online colleges. I have most of the credits for an associates in medical office administration. I did not complete the capstone due to COVID and personal/professional burnout. I am currently working FT in healthcare. I keep getting passed over for much higher paying positions despite my extensive experience, knowledge, and expertise because I don’t have a bachelor’s degree. I just bought my first home and I’m not looking to spend a shitload of money on a program. I don’t give a damn if I learn anything, I just want the degree without compromising my free time and savings. Between the education I already have and the nearly 20 years I have in healthcare, coding, management, and office administration, there isn’t a whole lot I’m going to learn that I don’t already know. I know there’s no point in obtaining a unaccredited degree, and with background checks, I’m not gonna be able to BS my way through. What cheap, easy, universities can you recommend to just get me this stupid bachelor’s degree?
mypoisoneddream@reddit
Depends on what you mean by cheap and easy. Western governors university is accredited , self paced, and ranges from $3k-$5k per 6 months depending on the degree. But it’s fully online so you could probably pay someone to do most of the courses for you, and in theory if you don’t have to work or take care of kids you can get a bachelors in 6 months. They have some medical programs, but I’m looking at tech so I’m not sure how accurate that time line is, I assume you’d have to do some kind of clinical/lab classes.
hippydippyshit@reddit
Yes WGU for the win. It’s a lot of learning how to use the program your first semester, but it’s quick and easy. You take 3 classes at a time, but you can finish them as quickly as you want. Like if I had a whole bunch of free time (I didn’t, I worked two jobs and a single mom) you could knock out a class in a week or two. It took me about a month per class with me barely working on it.
Future_Telephone281@reddit
I’m guessing you weren’t in information technology?
hippydippyshit@reddit
Business
Future_Telephone281@reddit
Information technology is a lot more brutal requires passing industry certifications. I found it much harder than a brick and mortar school.
GeoHog713@reddit
WGU is a good choice, but this is Ulpt.....
Utah Tech University is $225 per credit hour.
ULPT - pick a school that has closed, and say you graduated from there. There is no way for them to check the recordsn
https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/closed-colleges-list-statistics-major-closures/
Hinote21@reddit
This isn't true. There are two major clearing houses in the US that manage student academic records, even for closed schools.
GeoHog713@reddit
Sure, but employers aren't going to go through the process of contacting a clearing house. No one has time for that.
They rarely check credentials from schools that are actually operating.
sourfillet@reddit
They usually just contract another company to do it during a background check. I've seen people get rejected for lying about the year they graduated let alone whether they have a degree in the first place.
LucysFiesole@reddit
Really?
kaleb42@reddit
Rinkdy dink mom and pop shops might not but actual companies will typically do a standard background check which does typically include education verification. Especially if the company has any goverment oversight or does business with the government
PiperFM@reddit
If the company is going to invest time and money into you… oh yes they will.
Miserable_Wish_465@reddit
So what you're saying is we need a guy on the inside at one or both clearing houses. This would solve all of the need a degree questions on reddit.
jayrady@reddit
Keep believing and perpetuating this lie lol
Unlucky-Listen1068@reddit (OP)
No kids, but definitely have to remain employed. I work for a strong start up, I’m currently a WFH clinical documentation specialist (think, like, medical coding), and my company has interviewed for multiple internal promotions. Various people in leadership have reached out to me about advancing my career with the company, but it seems to boil down to having a bachelor’s degree of some kind to fulfill the educational requirements.
Der_Prager@reddit
JFC, can't they make an exemption based on your proven track record?
Who runs that start up, 80yo corporate nuns with 15 titles? I'd expect some degree of flexibility, especially from a startup.
Unlucky-Listen1068@reddit (OP)
The company is based out of a major city and run by wealthy elder millennials and Gen X for the most part. I know it’s my lack of degree that’s keeping me from landing these promotions because of how they phrase the rejections. I’ve had like 3 interviews and then radio silence in multiple positions leadership has encouraged me to apply for. THEY reach out to ME, telling me to apply. When I voiced my frustration about all of these applications and interviews that lead nowhere, my regional director requested a meeting with me and told me how fantastic my quality of work is, how I’m driving results and capturing revenue better than my colleagues, and how much the company wants to keep me and that there will be “other opportunities.” I’m over here like WTF else do y’all want from me?! It has to be a formal degree, that’s all I’m missing 🤷♀️
roxas_leonhart@reddit
Have you considered that maybe they don’t actually want you to be promoted out of your current position? If you do quality work and have a proven track record why would they mess with a good thing for them by moving you somewhere else internally? Of course they’re going to encourage career growth, have you ever worked with people that said “stay in your current position” or “don’t apply for this position you’re clearly qualified for?”
DignamsSwearBox@reddit
I know this isn’t a careers advice subreddit , but if you haven’t done already, it might worth asking exactly why you aren’t getting the promotion, so you get a direct answer. It would be a shame to go to the effort of getting a degree if that won’t make any difference?
gravitysrainbow1979@reddit
That’s kinda what startups do though
Half_Life976@reddit
See if work is willing to pick up at least a portion of your tuition. There may be bursaries available.
NoNeed4UrKarma@reddit
Unfortunately it's all too common. I teach at a community College & people are constantly coming in not just because they won't be promoted, but some will actually be fire if they don't get a degree!
letuswatchtvinpeace@reddit
Have you looked to see if your company will help pay for a degree? I would also stick with a in state college, they are cheaper. And stick with a degree you are familiar with.
Single_Asparagus4793@reddit
Not sure you could get away with someone else taking it for you nowadays. My spouse is currently obtaining his online and with the system they use (not saying all universities do this) he’s required to show his ID and then it takes his picture (required to have computer with camera). Every exam he takes is recorded, so no one is allowed to be in the room.
Uncanny_Hootenanny@reddit
One might could use an HDMI splitter to run a very long HDMI cable under the closer door to create a duplicate of the display and have another person watching that display and having Chatgpt answer the questions and then feed the answers to the person taking the test through a small skin colored ear bud. I took a lot of classes at WGU.
Col_GB_Setup@reddit
You have to show the entire room with your webcam, pick up laptop etc, if the proctor suspects something fishy they will fail you
Uncanny_Hootenanny@reddit
Yeah, I would spin my webcam around for them, show them my ID and everything. I had my boom stand and mic and all that with cables running around on my desk. No one ever questioned anything though. I guess it depends on the proctor, most of mine didn't seem to speak English that well or really gaf about the actual test, I'd assume most wouldn't question an HDMI cable.
Immediate-Echidna-11@reddit
I d'md you i need tips on this lol
ech0_7ruth@reddit
Wireless video, keyboard and mouse to another room
Col_GB_Setup@reddit
Have you used proctoru or examity?
Shotgun_Mosquito@reddit
This was similar to a process that was used in this fraud
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2024/06/28/781747.htm
mypoisoneddream@reddit
Good to know!
Also darn it. I hecking hate history classes and was hoping I could pawn them off on my boyfriend
Samuel_L_Blackson@reddit
You won't be able to have someone take tests for you. They verify your ID before every exam, and have a strong proctoring service.
ctaymane@reddit
No way you could half ass WGU and finish it fast. And the proctor checks your ID for all tests, so unless they found a lookalike its not going to work.
overisan@reddit
Sophia is the cheapest route, but be careful. I tried transferring my Sophia credits to my local community college and they didn't accept them so I had to retake those classes. So just be sure where you want to transfer to beforehand if you go that route.
LucysFiesole@reddit
Just write it in your resume. Unless you're looking to be a CEO of some major corporation, they're not gonna check, and is be surprised if they did then too. They're not gonna call the school, and the school wouldn't be able to verify for privacy reasons anyway.
No one's going to check. I've had my bachelor's on my resume for 7 years now, for the same exact reasons you're stating. It works!
slade797@reddit
The part about the school not being able to verify is not true. Schools where I live will provide a letter to employers who check.
Different-Phone-7654@reddit
I'll take this down in a little bit but this guys legit.
https://passexams.fo/store/
Slight-Ad-1038@reddit
Faved
BoxedMushrooms@reddit
Wait what did it say
Slight-Ad-1038@reddit
I think it was https://passexams.fo/.
But I bookmarked sophia.org and mst.edu.
Should've screenshot
Desert_Jellyfish@reddit
Look into Northern Arizona University. They have 90/30 degrees which only require you to complete 30 credits with them.
VixenTraffic@reddit
Pathway!!
glavent@reddit
Go on Facebook and start looking for someone with your exact name and roughly the same age. Do some social engineering to find out where they went to college and what degree they got as well as graduation year.
Go on eBay and find someone making fake degrees and buy it.
When an employer does the background check, they will match with the other person.
Ajaymach@reddit
Start with Sophia. It’s about $400.00 per semester, take as many class as you can pass. The credit will transfer to WGU. Finish the degree up at WGU in a semester. There are plenty of people that will tutor you through the Sophia classes.
Positive4me@reddit
Can you explain what Sophia is?
Useful_Expression382@reddit
sophia.org offers over 60 self-paced ACE accredited courses. Not all schools accept the credits. WGU publicly lists what credits can be used to satisfy courses here
Acidic_Junk@reddit
Go on LinkedIn and find someone with your exact same name who is roughly the same age. Put down their college, degree, and years attended. Mention to the new employer that you had to freeze your credit and change your social security number due to identity theft (this will explain why the SS number doesn’t match, but everything else does.)
bmanthrowaway37@reddit
Check to see if your state has a program to aid residents who are close to finishing a degree actually finish it.
I had my capstone course left before my university sprang the “oh you have two more classes to take that slipped through our notice.” Moving and marriage, I never took the classes and capstone. Then the university did away with the major and there was no way for me to go back and finish.
10 years later I heard of a state program called “compete to complete.” Contacted them and enrolled in one online class from a state university. It dealt with job interviews, resumes, cv’s, job fields, and a lot of interacting and commenting on other classmates work.
Graduated with a BS in Liberal Arts after completing it and the state was able to record another successful graduation and get more federal money.
ElleJefe@reddit
Check out this website. https://www.instantdegrees.com/degrees-available
Upper-Homework-4899@reddit
This looks shady lol
jackintheboxtacoguy@reddit
Get a job at Starbucks and work enough hours to get ASU online for free
fruderduck@reddit
If you’re sure you know the subject matter, have you thought about challenging some of the courses? Some will let you take the tests and if you pass, you get the credit.
cashtornado@reddit
Just say you did a bachelor's degree in Canada. They won't even know how to check
YoloIsNotDead@reddit
Trying to pull a Michael Ross from Suits, nice
User-Name-8675309@reddit
I don’t know about the half ass part But
The UK has a bunch of things that would work for you
First off their degrees are usually 3 years not 4
Second if you go year round that tastes it down to 2
Third there are some shady British schools that have online ba degrees that take like…18 months.
The London school of business and research is one.
Google one year ba uk
Two year ba uk
And scroll
No-Community7786@reddit
Greendale Community College. You'll need to be decent at paintball, but the classes are cake...well ice cream actually. And Spanish 101 with El Tigre Chino is a must take
tpeaches@reddit
Ashworth university. 100% online and easy
NippleSlipNSlide@reddit
I mean, there are a lot of them but just know interviewers will always know your degree is bullshit
Unlucky-Listen1068@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I’m not looking for a diploma mill or to make up a fake degree. I’m trying to figure out a shortcut using the credits and experience I already have to get an accredited degree with the bare minimum of effort and money shelled out. I’m not expecting to look like a Harvard or Yale graduate to potential employers or my current one for that matter. I just want to get the bachelors out of the way with minimal blood, sweat, and tears so I can advance.
Murky-Donkey7328@reddit
I'm understanding you completely. Your work experience should do the talking for you, but... They want what the want. I am in an amazingly similar situation. I've been passed over more times than I can keep track of. But when they really need something done right you know the come to me. Or they want it done correctly and quickly. Yup, I'm a dumb ass. Bite the bullet and get it done. It doesn't get any easier as you grow old.
I wish I had a clear cut answer for you. At this point, I'd pay a university for a degree. Straight up. I can teach their classes, literally, but I don't have a degree.
ApeMoneyClub@reddit
University of the Cumberlands is about $200 per credit hour, and their books are included in tuition.
weenis_mcgeenis@reddit
My versus stupid ex-husband got his l Masters from El Paso University
No_Love_5013@reddit
Google "diploma mill"
MaloneSeven@reddit
Univ of American Samoa. Professor Goodman will vouch for you.
nagasgura@reddit
Go land crabs!
OracleofFl@reddit
I thought he is working at the cinnabon in Nebraska now?
MaloneSeven@reddit
You must have him confused with someone else.
Unlucky-Listen1068@reddit (OP)
Probably Professor Badman.
ech0_7ruth@reddit
Btw You can use work experiencing some existing certifications if they qualify to get credits and out of classes. You can also pay someone to take almost any online proctored certification, but that runs between three and $500 not including the cost for the test.
ech0_7ruth@reddit
Run a wireless keyboard, mouse and monitor to another room so you pass the “security” check, have someone looking up the answers and selecting the right ones as you pretend to be the one in the mouse. For AA courses use Sophia.org and pay someone to do the courses while you sleep- costs around $30-40/class last I checked.
hectorxander@reddit
Diploma Mill. Look it up.
Other-Style1958@reddit
You have to sacrifice time, money, or ethics. What's it going to be? It would be cheaper and quicker to complete the associates degree at the college you left, then transition to online business. Start calling admissions and advising at the most recent college and give your story about fighting covid with your Healthcare team. Have literal doctors and nurses "agree" with carefully crafted letters of recommendations.
Starting over at a different school online, they don't care about your almost associates so you will have to retake those classes again, unethical on their part. Those who say classes transfer, not 100%
You have plenty of experience and can name change old work projects into your capstone or outsource "wink" the project. Tell your manager that you have an idea to help teach and solidify new employee engagement and retention by having brainstorm sessions for your capstone I mean how the group would handle work environment changes wink
Unlucky-Listen1068@reddit (OP)
Trust me, I know I screwed up by not completing my capstone. If I had the mental capacity to do it at that time, I would have. Regardless, most companies in my field want a bachelor’s or higher. I hear what you’re saying. I’m trying to figure this out.
Other-Style1958@reddit
It's not a screwup because stuff happens. The screwup would be transferring to a college that won't take your credits. You are grandfathered in at the place and I think with a couple of calls you could almost be fully reinstated after paying application fee
Carefully Google adult education completion programs in your area and you might find something that works toward bachelor's
Unlucky-Listen1068@reddit (OP)
Good advice! Thank you 😊
Other-Style1958@reddit
Sorry this is ulpt... look up adult completions because you are an adult and will be completing
Use your work resources and outsource help. Turn in someone else's work for the capstone
Positive-Feedback-lu@reddit
Check the programs at missouri s&t
JurassicParkTrekWars@reddit
I graduated from Strayer University. My God those weekly assignments were absolutely cake. I had to get special permission from the dean but I knocked out my BS in 2.5 years.
geosand01@reddit
Community college to get a marketing degree, I was working full time and slept through my classes and still got a 3.5
yoldaki@reddit
A good question. Same here.
I was checking options at Open University which seems to be not too bad. Keep us posted if you stumble upon something.