COSC Concentration info

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Jodokk, Mar 19, 2004.

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  1. Jodokk

    Jodokk Member

    So, I'm all done except for my concentration essay and to turn in my concentration sheet (and pay the fee!). My advisor has sent along an "already fill-in" sheet with pure psych conc. degree plan. Can I reasonably believe that she knows that this has every likelyhood of being approved or should I play it safe and opt for the sure fire "liberal Studies" with concentrations in lit/psych which I know I have? The difference hinges on whether the Excelsior "Psych and Mental Health Nursing" test can be counted as upper level psych concentration material. She seems to believe it can. Anyone with experience here. I am already two months late and with the wait, now I won't graduate until JULY. It would be a freaking nightmare to have to redo the whole thing and pay a new fee.
    Thanks
    Any help is appreciated.
     
  2. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    I think I'd just call the advisor and ask her/him. Or barring that, write the essay in the broader form. It really doesn't matter since all their degrees state Individualized studies. If the advisor can't tell you then write the broader essay. Then you'll be safe and can get the diploma.
     
  3. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I do not understand why they can not tell you if the Psych and Mental Health Nursing test is upper or lower level.

    As far as your advisor, I would not assume anything. When I sent my concentration proposal in and the advisor read it, she said it looked great. It was rejected and I was pissed.

    The question is: would a BS in Individualized Studies meet your needs? Does it have to be a degree in Psych? Do you want a degree- any degree or does it have to be in a particular subject?

    I wanted any degree as quick as possible to go on to grad school. You must ask yourself what you want it for.
     
  4. Jodokk

    Jodokk Member

    Thanks

    Thanks Guys,

    I appreciate the advice. No, the test IS upper level and I got an "A", but it isn't in the psych category on the list of tests. It is in the nursing category. I would rather have the psych. I want to truct the advisor but as you said. I don't want to get rejected.
    I WILL be pissed. Student loans are coming due and I NEEEEED to get into grad school. Thanks again.
     
  5. DulciMark

    DulciMark New Member

    Randall,

    How was your accepted essay different from the rejected one?

    Mark
     
  6. Jodokk

    Jodokk Member

    Good Question

    Yes, I'd really like to know that, as I am sending mine Monday.
     
  7. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    The first one read more like a resume and the second (accepted one) was more of how the classes/tests either met the needs of what I am currently during in my career or plan to do in my career.



    Hope that helps.
     
  8. Jodokk

    Jodokk Member

    Thanks

    Thanks for all the info guys. Very helpful.
     
  9. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    You know, now that I think about it, I bet they'll mess with you over the exam because it says "nursing" in it. They consider nursing to be applied theory and psychology to be liberal arts. Maybe not. Good luck with your concentration proposal.
     
  10. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    He is an paragraph from my essay. You can see how I changed it from the rejected one to the accepted one. Hope this can help make my comments clearer.



    Rejected………
    The Service of Equipment
    As a biomedical technician, I must rely on my knowledge of electronics to repair sensitive medical equipment. The average hospital has over two thousand pieces of medical equipment and a through understanding of the theories of electronics is important to successfully repair and maintain equipment. I have been factory-trained on very delicate equipment such as telemetry systems, sterilizers, ventilators, and anesthesia machines.
    During a single procedure, a video scope may be used to detect colon cancer. The scope is inserted in the patient and an image is viewed on a monitor. If the physician would like to capture an image of the patient, he would press a button and the video card would capture an image. The digital image would be travel from the computer in the patient’s room to a file server. The file server would search for the patient’s records and add the image and exam information to the patient’s permanent records. With all of these different pieces of technology working together, a broad understanding of computers and electronics are necessary.
    Because of the nature of the equipment and the “zero failure rate” that is expected for patient safety, I must know when to outsource the repair and responsibility of the equipment.




    Accepted……………….
    The Service of Equipment
    As a biomedical technician, I must rely on my knowledge of electronics to repair sensitive medical equipment. The average hospital has over two thousand pieces of medical equipment, and a through understanding of the theories of electronics, pneumatics, and computers is important to successfully repair and maintain equipment. The biomedical equipment and electronics training that I received in the Army as well as the digital electronics classes I completed at DeVry has been essential to successful repairs of equipment. I am often called upon to repair equipment that I have never seen before. Without the training I had received, success in this industry would not be possible.
    With computers being part of everyday life, most medical equipment is now networked together. The computer certifications I obtained helped me to understand the concepts needed to work with the computer based medical equipment.
    During a crisis at my hospital, the Cardiac Cath Lab computer would not work, and the company that sold the hospital the system was out of business. A new system at a cost of $300,000 might have been the only solution. As a result of my computer training, I was able to repair the computer system within four hours. This saved the hospital the expense of the new system as well as the lost revenue from the lab being shut down for two weeks while the new system would have been installed.
     
  11. SJEditor

    SJEditor New Member

    My experience with COSC is that they are fairly flexible in allowing you to apply credits to your concentration from courses that are not strictly offered by the concentration's specific department, but which still have some application in that department (such as the Psych/nursing program you mention).

    I think the key will be in mentioning the course in your concentration essay and qualifying how it expanded you knowledge of psychology (as opposed to nursing).

    Otherwise, I found the essay to be fairly straightforward. I second earlier advise to avoid the mistake of thinking the essay is a resume or that the well-intentioned COSC advisers have the authority to approve the essay or concentration plan.

    Best of luck,
    Dan

    BA-COSC '03
     
  12. DulciMark

    DulciMark New Member

    I'm struggling through my own concentration essay, so the comparison between the two styles is useful. Thanks for posting it, Randell.

    Mark
     
  13. Jodokk

    Jodokk Member

    Really valuable stuff

    Thanks for some very practical and valuable info everyone!
     

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