Inexpensive (test out) AAS/AA? (already have core credits)

Well I am certain I am going to complete my bachelors degree, but I am wondering if there might be an AA or (preferrably) AAS that I could/should pick up "along the way"?

Basically something that would not sidetrack me a lot, so it couldn't cost a lot (as I need the money towards planned courses for bachelors) or take that much time. I know that sounds like a lot to ask, but maybe someone has input?

Reasons to do the associates would include: more respect and job possibilities without waiting the ~1.5 or more years before I graduate w/bachelors, and it's another degree (I'd want it in a different subject than the bachelors) showing I have more diverse knowledge.

Also it should NOT be from the Excelsior Liberal Arts school, since I want to get my bachelors from there. Besides, I would love to have this other degree from a different school with a better name.

I do already have ~37 credits banked at Excelsior, plus their Information Literacy course completed, and I took some FEMA that I can pay to get transcribed. For the bachelors, I plan to take two subject GREs and lots of CLEP/DANTES/ECE.)

I did some searching but mostly I come up with... a) TESC Emergency Management. Which is somewhat expensive and is not an ideal major. b) A more traditional route where I have to take actual courses for 12+ of the credits.

Is there anything else? Anything Health related would be my first choice by far and I am probably willing to take more exams in that area. Business related is pretty good.

IT I may be able to do. I'm thinking there are the most possibilities in IT...

Was trying to think about how it could work at COSC despite the cost... The idea being a) take Computer Science GRE or Literature GRE b) take about 3 CLEPs because my current credits don't include any history, etc but they'd be CLEPs I needed anyway towards bachelors. However I think even for associates I need 36 credits in one field and 15 upper level...?! Hopefully that's not true? I looked at all the CS exams accepted by COSC and the others are only 3 L credits each. All the English exams are L too. A degree with "General Studies" or "Liberal Arts" would be okay with me, then do I need less in one concentration? How many Upper level are needed?

If I "use" my core credits towards the associates degree, they still can be used at Excelsior towards bachelors, right? It's only the credits toward a major which can't get reused... or what?

Anyway it's looking like maybe I should just wait it out and save the effort/money/time for later (2nd bachelors, masters, etc) but I thought I would explore the possibility.

 

There are no majors for AA/AS/AAS degrees therefore the credit hours can be applied towards a BA/BS major.

Thomas Edison State College offers an Associate of Arts degree which is very flexible in terms of courses.

However, since you already have credit hours banked at Excelsior College why not earn the AA/AS degree there and earn the BA/BS from Thomas Edison State College give that you said, "I would love to have this other degree from a different school with a better name." I have found the presence of "State College" in the name of Thomas Edison State College to eliminate any potential questions about where I earned my undergraduate degree. Perhaps if you listed the courses and credit hours already earned we could offer more options.

 

Thanks. I've planned to earn the bachelors at Excelsior because they let you put majors on your degree, they are not as expensive as TESC, and most of all they give so many credits for GRE subject exams. Also they allow double majors so I am planning to have 2 GRE subject exams.

Current credits are roughly something like: English 6, Chem 6, Bio 6, Physics 6, Calculus 6, Psych 4, Information Lit 1. I like to think that I could knock out a dozen CLEP/DANTES pretty easily although with the GRE studying and other things it may be 6+ mo.

 

I wonder why you say you want an associates degree from a school with a better name but plan to get your BS at Excelsior? Why not get an AS from Excelsior and a BS from a school with a better name?

An AA is typically an general ed degree without a focus. An AS is usually 15 or so gen ed credits and the rest are geared toward a "major" and some electives, and an AAS is just like an AS but with a lower level math requirement. That is my experience with Florida Community Colleges. It may be different elsewhere.

You do not need upper level classes for an associates degree, they are made up of 100 and 200 level classes. I know it is not a popular choice for some but if you have a military background you can get an Associate of Arts Degree Through Credit Recognition from the University of Phoenix. When I did it, I had to take one writing class and it cost $550. That was it. The class, fees, everything - $550. It might be worth looking into as an option. It is not a well known program and I stumbled upon it years ago. I never really hear it discussed on this board and even when I called the school about it, the "advisors" that answer the phone had no idea what I was talking about. I had to walk them through their own website so they could find it. If this interests you, or anyone else, I recommend you call 800.366.9699 and ask to speak with a military enrollment representative.

Best of luck.

 

If you are looking for an AA or AS degree along the way toward a BS degree from Excelsior, I would recommend to check with the local community colleges. Here in Sacramento, we have five community colleges in the area and four from the same district, so we have a lot of options available to take online courses. Matter of fact, I am having both my wife and son get their AA degrees.

One of the reasons why I decided to have my son is AA degree is to better his chances toward finding part time work while finishing his BS in General Business at Excelsior. Once he completes his degree he plans to study for GRE and apply to at least 20 schools in the US to get into an MArch program. Same for my wife, as she is trying to get into CNA then letter LVN/RN and would have better chances with AA then no degree. Funny thing, when you complete your profile in careerbuilder and monster you don't have an option to put down you have three years of school. It's either some college, 2-year degree, or 4-year degree.

Keep in mind, I am only referring to community colleges for AA if you plan to look for part-time or full time work in the local area. I know a lot of the schools have internships and work with local businesses on getting their students hired. If this does not fit your criteria, I do not see any reason why you would not get your AA at Excelsior because it's very inexpensive and you only pay half of the enrollment fee after you complete your AA and enrolling into BS within one year from graduation.

 

I would stick with Excelsior for both an AA and a BS - once you get your BS then it is usual to drop the AA from your resume.