For Mom

My plan to finish my degree

I checked my actual Towson transcript, class by class, against every option. Here's where I'm going, how I'll finish, and how it compares.

My choice

Thomas Edison State University
B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing

~50 of 76my credits count
21–25classes left
~March 2028graduate
Onlineat my own pace

Why this is the right fit

A real major. The diploma says Business Administration, Marketing. That's the field I'm already working in.

A legitimate school. Public New Jersey state university since 1972, accredited by Middle States (the same as Towson), and the business program has its own business accreditation (ACBSP).

Built for students like me. TESU is known for accepting transfer credit, so most of my Towson work carries over.

Fits my life. Fully online with no set class times, so I can keep working while I finish.

How I'll finish

Done · Nov 2026Applied, ID verified, Towson transcript sent
Dec 2026Finish fall semester at Towson. TESU sends its official credit evaluation, before I pay any tuition
Jan 5, 2027First TESU term starts (3–4 classes). Enrolled before I leave Towson
All of 2027Business core at about 1.5 classes a month, self-paced. Monthly progress updates to you
Late 2027 – early 2028Marketing classes and final capstone
~March 2028Graduate

Every option

Tap any option for what transfers, what's left, and how it finishes. Numbers for other schools are estimates from their 2026–27 catalogs; each school confirms in its own evaluation.
My choice
TESU · Business Admin, Marketing
21–25 classes · March 2028
Online and self-paced. Most of my gen eds carry over, and film classes count as electives.
DegreeB.S. Business Admin, Marketing
Classes left21–25
Graduate~March 2028
FormatOnline, self-paced
Must take at TESU15 credits (I'll take ~24)
Cost~$7.5–10.5k
Already done · counts
ENGL 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labEMF 140EMF 2155 film classes → electives
Likely counts · TESU confirms in Dec
COSC 109 → Computer ConceptsTSEM 102 → Writing IIFMST 325 → Ethics
Taking now · fall
MKTG 341 → Intro to Marketing (needs C)EMF 311
Taken · doesn't fill a requirement here
ECON 201 (D)MATH 102MATH 105extra film classes
Still to take
  1. Financial Accountingself-paced
  2. Managerial Accountingself-paced
  3. Macroeconomicsself-paced
  4. Microeconomicsself-paced
  5. Statisticsself-paced
  6. Quantitative Skills for Businessself-paced
  7. Business Lawself-paced
  8. Principles of Managementself-paced
  9. Principles of Financeself-paced
  10. College Algebraself-paced
  11. Public Speakingself-paced
  12. 1 scienceself-paced
  13. Managerial CommunicationsTESU
  14. International ManagementTESU
  15. Information Literacy (SOS-1100)TESU
  16. Marketing ResearchTESU
  17. Applied Marketing PracticesTESU
  18. Electronic EnterpriseTESU
  19. New Product DevelopmentTESU
  20. Digital & Social Media MarketingTESU
  21. Small Business ManagementTESU
  22. Business CapstoneTESU
Up to 3 more if COSC 109, TSEM 102 or MKTG 341 don't count. "Self-paced" = low-cost online courses TESU accepts in transfer.
Staying at Towson
Towson · Film (current major)
~14 classes · May 2028
Fewest classes left and every credit I've earned counts. On campus and production-focused.
DegreeB.S. Film, Audio, Media Arts
Classes left~14 (44 credits)
GraduateMay 2028
FormatOn campus
RuleLast 30 credits at Towson
Cost~$16–20k
Already done · all counts
TSEM 102ENGL 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101FMST 325MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labMATH 102MATH 105COSC 109ECON 201EMF 120EMF 140EMF 215EMF 221EMF 222EMF 265
Taking now · fall
EMF 275EMF 311EMF 360EMF 377MKTG 341
Still to take
  1. EMF 367 or 373
  2. Intermediate production+1 if EMF 360 isn't passed
  3. Advanced Production I
  4. Advanced Production II
  5. Media elective
  6. EMF elective
  7. 2nd science
  8. ~7 upper-level electivesneed 32 upper-level, have 15
How it finishes
Spring 2027Science + electives (Towson, or CCBC online)
Fall 2027Production and film classes on campus
Spring 2028Advanced Production II → graduate
Towson · switch to Marketing
~23 classes · Dec 2028
Same major as my TESU plan, at Towson. Gen eds carry over; film classes become extra electives.
DegreeB.S. Marketing
Classes left~23
GraduateDec 2028
FormatOn campus
RuleC or better in 6 entry classes first
Cost~$27–28k
Already done · counts
TSEM 102ENGL 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labMATH 102COSC 109
Taking now · fall
MKTG 341 (needs C)
Taken · becomes general electives
EMF 120EMF 140EMF 215EMF 221EMF 222EMF 265EMF 275EMF 311EMF 360EMF 377ECON 201 (D)FMST 325MATH 105
Still to take
  1. ACCT 201
  2. ACCT 202
  3. ECON 201retake for a C
  4. ECON 202
  5. LEGL 225
  6. Business statistics
  7. MATH 115 or higher
  8. BUSX 301
  9. EBTM 300
  10. FIN 331
  11. MNGT 361
  12. EBTM 365
  13. BUSX 460internship
  14. MNGT 481
  15. MKTG 411
  16. MKTG 425
  17. MKTG 431
  18. MKTG 441
  19. MKTG 451
  20. MKTG 485
  21. MKTG elective
  22. MKTG elective
  23. 2nd science
How it finishes
2027Business entry classes (some at CCBC), then apply to the major
Fall 2027 – Fall 2028Three semesters of business and marketing on campus → graduate
Other online schools
TESU · Professional Studies
~20 classes · early 2028
Same school as my pick, with a flexible major built around a marketing certificate. Uses more of my film credits as electives.
DegreeB.S. Professional Studies (Marketing certificate)
SchoolPublic · Middle States
FormatOnline, self-paced
Classes left~19–21
GraduateLate 2027 – early 2028
Must take there15 credits
Cost~$6–8k
Already done · counts
ENGL 102TSEM 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labMATH 105EMF 140EMF 215film classes → electivesECON 201MATH 102
Likely counts · school confirms
TSEM 102 → Writing IIFMST 325 → EthicsCOSC 109
Taking now · fall
MKTG 341 → Marketing certificateEMF 275EMF 311EMF 360EMF 377
Still to take
  1. Public Speakingself-paced
  2. Information Literacy (SOS-1100)TESU
  3. 1 scienceself-paced
  4. 10 career-track coursesleadership, communication, organization
  5. 5 Marketing certificate coursesTESU
  6. Professional Studies CapstoneTESU
Estimate from TESU's 2026–27 catalog; TESU's evaluation confirms.
How it finishes
Jan 2027First TESU term
2027Career-track courses, mostly self-paced
Late 2027 – early 2028Marketing certificate + capstone → graduate
Charter Oak · General Studies
~15–16 classes · late 2027
Connecticut's public online college. I'd design my own concentration (Media + Marketing) from classes I've already taken. Fewest classes left of any option.
DegreeB.S. General Studies (Individualized concentration)
SchoolPublic · New England Commission
FormatOnline, 8- and 15-week terms
Classes left~15–16 (44 credits is the floor)
GraduateLate 2027
Must take thereCornerstone + capstone (30 credits if I start Fall 2027 or later)
Cost~$4–5k
Already done · counts
ENGL 102TSEM 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labMATH 105COSC 109EMF 120EMF 140EMF 215EMF 221EMF 222EMF 265
Taking now · fall
EMF 275EMF 311EMF 360EMF 377MKTG 341
Taken · doesn't fill a requirement here
ECON 201 (D) · elective onlyFMST 325 (D) · elective only
Still to take
  1. Cornerstone courseCharter Oak
  2. ~5 upper-level concentration coursesneed 18 upper-level in concentration
  3. Ethics / info literacy gen edif not covered
  4. ~7 general electivesto reach 120
  5. Concentration capstoneCharter Oak
Concentration classes need a C or better. Concentration plan is approved by Charter Oak faculty in my first term.
How it finishes
Jan 2027Start; submit concentration plan
2027Upper-level + electives, mostly low-cost transfer courses
Late 2027Capstone → graduate
Charter Oak · Marketing
~25 classes · late 2028
Named marketing major with modern classes (SEO, social media, AI for marketing, e-commerce).
DegreeB.S. Marketing
SchoolPublic · New England Commission
FormatOnline, 8- and 15-week terms
Classes left~24–25
GraduateLate 2028
Must take there30 credits (new policy, Fall 2027)
Cost~$11–13k
Already done · counts
ENGL 102TSEM 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labMATH 105COSC 109
Taking now · fall
MKTG 341 → Principles of Marketing (needs C)
Taken · doesn't fill a requirement here
ECON 201 (D)FMST 325 (D)film classes → electives only
Still to take
  1. Financial Accounting
  2. Managerial Accounting
  3. Business Law
  4. International Business
  5. Financial Management
  6. Principles of Management
  7. Organizational Behavior
  8. 3 business electives
  9. Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace
  10. Business Ethics
  11. Public Relations
  12. Social Media Marketing
  13. AI for Marketing
  14. Market Research & Consumer Behavior
  15. Digital Marketing
  16. E-Commerce Stores
  17. SEO Strategy
  18. Customer Loyalty & Retention
  19. Strategic ManagementCharter Oak
  20. Marketing CapstoneCharter Oak
  21. CornerstoneCharter Oak
  22. 1–3 gen ed / electives
69-credit major; every major class needs a C or better.
How it finishes
Jan 2027Start
2027Business core
2028Marketing major + capstone → graduate
Charter Oak · Business Admin
~20–22 classes · 2028
Business degree with a concentration in Entrepreneurship, General Business, or Project Management.
DegreeB.S. Business Administration
SchoolPublic · New England Commission
FormatOnline, 8- and 15-week terms
Classes left~20–22
Graduate2028
Must take there30 credits (new policy, Fall 2027)
Cost~$11–13k
Already done · counts
ENGL 102TSEM 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labMATH 105COSC 109
Taking now · fall
MKTG 341 → Principles of Marketing (needs C)
Taken · doesn't fill a requirement here
ECON 201 (D)FMST 325 (D)film classes → electives only
Still to take
  1. Business core: Accounting I & II, Law, Int'l Business, Finance, Management, Org. Behavior7 classes
  2. Major: Diversity, Project Mgmt, Strategy, Ethics, 2 electives6 classes
  3. CapstoneCharter Oak
  4. Concentration4–7 classes
  5. Cornerstone + gen ed gaps1–2 classes
How it finishes
Jan 2027Start
2027Business core
2028Concentration + capstone → graduate
Excelsior · Business, Marketing
~20–23 classes · 2028
Private nonprofit online university in New York, built for transfer students. Flat-rate tuition.
DegreeB.S. Business (Marketing concentration)
SchoolPrivate nonprofit · Middle States
FormatOnline, 8-week classes
Classes left~20–23
Graduate2028
Transfer ruleC or better to transfer
Cost~$10–13k ($3,200 per trimester)
Already done · counts
ENGL 102TSEM 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labMATH 105COSC 109film classes → electives
Taking now · fall
MKTG 341 (needs C)
Taken · doesn't fill a requirement here
ECON 201 (D) · won't transferFMST 325 (D) · won't transfer
Still to take
  1. Business core: accounting, economics, statistics, law, management, finance, IT, ethics~13 classes
  2. Marketing concentration~4 classes
  3. Arts & sciences to reach 60~2–3 classes
  4. Cornerstone + capstone simulationExcelsior
How it finishes
Jan 2027Start
2027Business core, 2 classes at a time
2028Concentration + capstone → graduate
UMGC · Marketing
~20–22 classes · late 2028
University of Maryland Global Campus: Maryland's public online university. Well known locally, structured 8-week classes with due dates.
DegreeB.S. Marketing
SchoolPublic · Middle States
FormatOnline, 8-week classes
Classes left~20–22
GraduateLate 2028
Must take there30 credits
Cost~$14–19k ($337/credit in Maryland)
Already done · counts
ENGL 102TSEM 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labMATH 105ECON 201 → economicsENGL 102 → WRTG 112film classes → electives
Taking now · fall
MKTG 341 → MRKT 210
Still to take
  1. Macroeconomics
  2. Statistics
  3. Computing / data course
  4. Accounting
  5. BMGT 110, 240, 250, 364, 380
  6. Finance
  7. Operations
  8. Marketing major: BMGT 330 + MRKT 354, 394, 411, 412, 458, 311, 3148 classes
  9. Marketing capstone (MRKT 495)
  10. Speech / upper writing + 1 lab sciencegen ed
How it finishes
Jan 6, 2027Start (sessions start year-round)
2027–20282 classes per 8-week session
Late 2028Capstone → graduate
WGU · Marketing
~25–28 courses · 2028
Western Governors University: private nonprofit, competency-based. Pay per 6-month term and take as many courses as you can finish.
DegreeB.S. Marketing
SchoolPrivate nonprofit · NWCCU
FormatOnline, competency-based, one course at a time
Courses left~25–28 of 37
Graduate2028 (faster if I move quickly)
Cost~$8–12k ($3,850 per 6-month term)
Already done · counts
ENGL 102PSYC 101POSC 103BIOL 120 + labMATH 105MUSC 114
Taking now · fall
MKTG 341 (maybe)
Taken · doesn't fill a requirement here
Most film classesECON 201 (D)FMST 325 (D)
Still to take
  1. Business core: accounting, economics, finance, law, management, ethics~12 courses
  2. Marketing courses: digital, research, brand, sales, analytics~10 courses
  3. Remaining gen ed~3–4 courses
  4. Marketing capstone
WGU takes mainly gen eds in transfer; most of my film classes don't apply.
How it finishes
Jan–Feb 2027Start a 6-month term
2027–20282–4 terms depending on pace
2028Capstone → graduate
SNHU · Marketing
~16–20 classes · mid 2028
Southern New Hampshire University: large private nonprofit online school. 8-week terms, option for digital or social media marketing concentration.
DegreeB.S. Marketing
SchoolPrivate nonprofit · New England Commission
FormatOnline, 8-week terms
Classes left~16–20
GraduateMid 2028
Must take there30 credits
Cost~$17–21k ($354/credit)
Already done · counts
ENGL 102TSEM 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labMATH 105COSC 109film classes → electives
Taking now · fall
MKTG 341 (needs C)
Taken · doesn't fill a requirement here
ECON 201 (D)FMST 325 (D)
Still to take
  1. Business core~10 classes
  2. Marketing major~7 classes
  3. Experiential learning / internship course
  4. 1–2 gen ed gaps
How it finishes
Jan 2027Start (terms every 8 weeks)
2027–20282 classes per term
Mid 2028Graduate
Purdue Global · Business Admin
~20–24 courses · 2028–29
Purdue University's online campus (public, Indiana). Business Administration with a marketing concentration option. 10-week terms.
DegreeB.S. Business Administration
SchoolPublic · Higher Learning Commission
FormatOnline, 10-week terms
Courses left~20–24
GraduateLate 2028 – 2029
Cost~$17–22k ($371 per quarter credit)
Already done · counts
ENGL 102TSEM 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labMATH 105COSC 109film classes → electives
Taking now · fall
MKTG 341
Still to take
  1. Business core: accounting, economics, finance, law, management, statistics~12 courses
  2. Concentration courses~6 courses
  3. Capstone
  4. Gen ed gaps
Uses quarter credits, so counts are approximate.
How it finishes
2027Start, 2 courses per 10-week term
2028–2029Concentration + capstone → graduate
ASU Online · Marketing
~18–22 classes · late 2028
Arizona State University's online campus: big public university, same degree as on campus. Strongest name recognition of the online options.
DegreeB.S. Marketing (W. P. Carey School of Business)
SchoolPublic · Higher Learning Commission
FormatOnline, 7.5-week sessions
Classes left~18–22
GraduateLate 2028
Must take there30 credits
Cost~$26–32k ($580/credit)
Already done · counts
ENGL 102TSEM 102POSC 103PSYC 101GEOG 102FMST 101MUSC 114DFST 101BIOL 120 + labMATH 105COSC 109film classes → electives
Taking now · fall
MKTG 341
Taken · doesn't fill a requirement here
ECON 201 (D)
Still to take
  1. Business core: accounting, economics, statistics, finance, supply chain, law, IT~12 classes
  2. Marketing major~7 classes
  3. Gen ed gaps~1–2 classes
How it finishes
Jan 2027Start
2027–20282 classes per session
Late 2028Graduate

General Studies & Professional Studies

Both are real, accredited bachelor's degrees and the fastest way to finish. The difference is the name on the diploma: a named major like Marketing points to a specific field, which is why I'm choosing it for a few more classes.

How sure is this?

Towson numbers come from Towson's own degree audit and What-If reports on my record.

TESU numbers are my class-by-class match to TESU's official 2026–27 requirements. TESU's evaluation in December gives the exact list, and my fall grades (Dec 14) can shift it by 1–2 classes.

Sources: my Towson transcript, degree audit and What-If reports (Nov 8), Towson 2026–27 catalog; TESU, Charter Oak, Excelsior, UMGC, WGU, SNHU, Purdue Global and ASU 2026–27 program and tuition pages.