From A.A.S. to Bachelors

Hello,

I've search long and hard for a program that would help me turn my technical degree into a bachelors degree and only came up with a few options. I have an A.A.S Degree in Electrical Technology, and certificates in Diesel Mechanics and Industrial Maintenance. As of right now I plan on going with Fort Hays State BGS with a concentration in electrical and mechanical technology. I learned about this program through the Navy College Program. If I stick with FHSU I will have to complete 45-hrs of upper level classes to finish.

I've talked to Thomas Edison State and I'm not a big fan of them. They seem very rude and unprofessional. I looked over my transcript and feel like I would have to complete around 30-hrs with them but who knows. They seem to answer ever question with, "send your transcripts in and pay the $75.00 application fee."

If anybody can point me in the direction of another school, please do so. I just want to finish up a bachelors degree with the last of my G.I. Bill. I don't care if it's Liberal Art Studies or General Studies with a technology concentration, I just want to get this thing banged out. I also want to transfer as many of my 130+ credits as possible.

Thanks,
Lawrence

 

University of West Alabama:

http://online.uwa.edu/bachelor.asp

BS in Technology

Call the advisor listed.

 

Funny thing is I live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I applied to them and they had me taking like 60 + credits.

 

Well, try Troy University with Bachelor in Applied Technology Mamagement.

http://www.troy.edu/ecampus/programs/ugdegreeprograms.htm. It is an Alabama public institution, I had good experience with them. Without any credits, but I was managed to graduated only 60 credits from them in 24 months. All other credits from DANTES, CLEP, Marine Corps Institute, and Military Training.

They accept up to 90 credits for the degree, 60 from 2 years school (DANTES, CLEP, Military Training fall under this category), and another 30 credits from 4-years University. I never step into their campus, but I had great experience with the staffs. Some instructors were @ss, but it is not a big deal.

Have you try Excelsior College or Charter Oaks State College, or even Empire State College (New York State College System)?

 

I'll look into Troy a little more. I'm ready to transfer and get started. It's kind of exciting when I think about.

I've looked at all of those schools. Hell, I looked at a ton of schools and may have missed something. Let me re-check them all.

 

I had a bunch of mechanical engineering and math courses from the UK. I got them accepted by Excelsior plus I took other courses to meet their requirements and earned a BS inLiberal Studies - all my electives are those engibneering courses.
Excelsior also has BS degrees in Engineering technology.

 

so why not do the following:


http://academicoutreach.ua.edu/page.cfm?page=degrees&sub_page=3&degree_no=48

http://exd.ua.edu/

Same program Joe Namath completed. Great program and they will help you with portfolio credit.

You will still have to do 30 credits (university residency requirements) but your degree will have name recognition (for better or worse ... War Eagle! ).

You might also want to check with Athens State University:

http://www.athens.edu/academics/onlinedegree.php

Having 130 credits does not help if they do not fit into a program. (Due to the fact I must take continuing education I have almost 100 extra undergraduate credits beyond my BA in various subjects doing nothing.)

 

45 credits isn't bad. From what I have seen 30-45 credits is the norm for a school's residency requirement.

Check out Embry-Riddle's Technical Management program.

 

You right about having a bunch of useless credits.

I'm taking the shortest path possible.

I looked at both of those programs. The UA said they wouldn't take my technical credits, which makes no sense.

The thing I like about Athens is the price. Athens had a BSAT program a few years ago but changed it to the Management of Technology. This is my second choice if all else fails.

Being that I only have about 8-months of G.I. Bill money, I'm trying to do this a cheap as possible. That's why right now FHSU is in the lead.

 

>>

A traditional bachelor's degree will be 120 credits, so if you earned 60 in your associate applied science degree, needing only 60 is a gift- grab it.

Typically, associate of applied science degrees have very little general education (21 credits or fewer) so, I would think many schools are going to require
a) the full 60 in general education
b) a concentration of around 33 credits.

This is a situation for many of us with this type of degree, I would have guessed they wanted you to complete more than 60 additional. There are exceptions, try looking for "Bachelor of Professional Studies" too. If you can find one in your field, you might be able to slip in as a Junior. I'm sure if you looked back in your associate degree literature somewhere in size 6 font on the back page written upside down it stated that applie science classes typically don't transfer. I think most colleges are less than direct in that regard.

 

Bellevue University will accept your AAS as meeting all of its core requirements. No matter which major you select you'll have to take only the 36 hour major and the 9 hour Kirkpatrick series. You can use FEMA credit (free) for any free electives that remain. Best yet, most majors are accelerated, meaning 1 class at a time every 4 weeks. You want fast, you got it.

Pug

 

I'm pretty sure Excelsior will take all your AAS credits towards the BS in Engineering Technology.
Their requirements are:
Arts & Sciences - 60 semester units
Technology Component - 48 units
Free electives - 12 units.
Total 120 units.
Check out their program under "publications"
https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/School_of_Business_and_Technology/Technology_Programs

 

Actually it does. Many technical degrees are from schools that are not Regionally accredited and will only transfer to some schools. If you would like to share where the AAS and technical credits are from maybe we can provide some further insight.

In addition, technical degrees obtained in a narrow focus, even from regionally accredited schools, have a tough time transferring due to the vocational nature of the degree. Hence the articulation agreements between community colleges and universities with the transference of completed associates (and not individual credits) as block transfer towards a bachelors degree.

 

Hi Pug,

Question for you. If your Associates Degree does not line up exactly with the Bellevue General Education core requirements, is that okay? I am only referring here to the 36 hour Gen Ed core requirements. I understand that the 9 hour Kirkpatrick series is mandatory.

Thanks,
Tom

 

I'm assuming that your AAS is from a regionally accredited college.

 

Have you considered the 90-credit hour Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree offered by Athabasca University. There is no academic residency requirement; all credit hours can be earned elsewhere and transferred into the degree. Although the degree does require a significant number of 300-level or 400-level credit hours.

 

I graduated from Shelton State in Tuscaloosa.

The thing that's killing me is the general education classes. I can understand the UA not taking residential and commericial wiring classes, but they could take the electrical, electronic and mechanical fundamentals classes.

I would like to thank everybody for the help. I still think FHSU is a steal for the price but I may go with a bigger school just for the hell of it. You only live once.

I found several 2+2 programs that look good.

 

Shelton State is part of the STARS program. Do some nosing around here and make the calls to the advisors and exercise the appeals process.

http://www.registrar.ua.edu/transfer/

TRANSFER APPEALS PERSON:
(appointed by President)
Dr. Mark D. Nelson
Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs
254 Rose Administration Building
P.O. Box 870114
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0134
PHONE: (205) 348-4893
FAX: (205) 348-9137
E-MAIL: [email protected]

As is often advised, negotiate and ask.

Best,

Kevin

 

Thomas Edison State College offers a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology (Electrical Technology) which might meet your requirements. It would only cost USD75.00 to have them evaluation your credit hours against that degree plan.

 

Hi Sentinel,

Does AU offer funding options for American students since they are Middle States accredited? My sister likes the (Distance Edu) Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Nursing programs.

Thanks,