Second Bachelor

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by goly, May 27, 2018.

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  1. goly

    goly New Member

    Hello all,

    I have already a Bsc in computer science (Suny empire state college) and a MBA degree (National American University). However, I would like to pursue a "more" prestigious degree starting from Bsc. My GPA is pretty low 2.75 (was working during my studies and my primary concern ) and I dont know my options. My preference in study type is distance learning or online. Also, I've googled it and I didn't find any interesting options. Is there any option for Ivy or in high ranked UK universities ? Also, is there anyone here that done the same thing ? How many courses do someone need to take for finishing a second bachelor ?

    I've reached University of London and they responded that the available option is the exempt courses.

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. goly

    goly New Member

    Also I have to mention that I work in the field of computer science for the last 18 years and I've completed my Bsc degree in 2007
     
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Under no circumstances would I do another bachelor's degree, particularly since you already hold one from a SUNY branch, which is perfectly serviceable.

    If I were in your situation, and really hellbent on earning a degree in ICTs from a better regarded school, I would look at:
    Although, to be frank, with 18 years of experience under your belt I wouldn't even bother do those, because your credentials seem fine. Your call, though.
     
  4. goly

    goly New Member

    Thank you for your answer but my purpose is to exchange my suny degree to a prestigious one e.g. from Ivy college or UK highest. However, I don't know my options. For example how many courses do I have to take in order to do this ?
     
  5. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member


    You want the second degree to be in CompSci? If so then you'll probably not be allowed.
     
  6. goly

    goly New Member

    Yes, kind of replacement of my current Bsc but I would like to be more prestigious
     
  7. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member

    I don't think that U.S. schools will allow a second bachelor's with the same or similar major.

    Unless, perhaps, you can argue that your first degree is now hopelessly outdated.
     
  8. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Many Australian and UK schools offer a BSc Hons degree that is a post bachelors degree meant for PhD entry. The schools below offer this program in a distance format:

    https://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/bsc-hons-computer-science-online

    http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q62

    http://www.port.ac.uk/courses/computing-and-creative-technologies/bsc-hons-computing-and-information-systems-top-up/

    https://www.brighton.ac.uk/courses/study/computer-science-bsc-hons.aspx

    https://www.derby.ac.uk/online/course/online-computing-information-technologies-it-bsc-top-up-degree-course


    However, I don't know of any ivy league school that offers this option. To be quite honest, computer science is more about professional experience and expertise than the prestige of the degree. I would only consider the BSc Hons degree if you were to specialize in another area or if you would want to pursue a PhD degree
     
  9. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    You want a second degree with almost no effort, most schools would require at least 30 credits for a second bachelors degree so I think the option of just getting a second one with no extra work does not exist.
     
  10. nyvrem

    nyvrem Active Member

    Here's some options that you can do online from some 'top universities' that won't really bother about your GPA.

    1) Take a Harvard graduate degree from their extension school. They have some IT programs.

    Read up on how to get admitted.

    https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academics/graduate-degrees

    2) Do a BSc in Computer Science from the University of London via Coursera

    Don't declare your previous BSc and just dive into it from the bottom

    https://www.coursera.org/degrees/bachelor-of-science-computer-science-london

    3) 2nd degree from University of Illinois (UIUC - their flagship campus) in Environmental Science (focus on GIS)

    http://online.illinois.edu/online-programs/undergraduate-programs

    4) University of Edinburgh's Masters in Data Science online

    https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&id=906

    5) Johns Hopkins Masters in Computer Science

    I would talk to them first before applying.

    https://ep.jhu.edu/programs-and-courses/programs/computer-science
     
  11. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I concur with Steve, I can't think of any reasonable reasons to pursue a second Bachelor's degree when you already hold one from a regionally-accredited school.

    My Bachelor's alma-mater is a small, perfectly generic liberal arts college (Curry College in Milton, MA) that probably few from outside New England have heard of, but it's solidly RA, and I've never been refused admission to any Master's program to which I've applied. I knew I'd "upgrade" on the prestige scale with my Master's degree (which I first did with UMass-Lowell), so the source of my B.A. didn't matter at all to me.
     
  12. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Maybe there's a language thing going on here but you will not be "exchanging" your degree. You will be adding a degree. Both will appear on your record and when read chronologically it will be clear that you earned the second Bachelors after the Masters and this will seem, to my way of thinking, like a complete waste of time and money(something MBAs are supposed to know about). I can not imagine how you will adequately explain all this in a job interview.
     
  13. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    I don't know if I agree with this. A second bachelor is way cheaper and faster than getting another masters degree. It can add value if you are doing it in a different field. I have a second bachelor and has helped me to show proficiency in a second field so it was not a waste of time and it cost me only few thousand dollars.
    People do it all the time, reasons might vary but many times is cost, low GPA, etc. I have seen people getting an associates after a Masters degree as well. It all depends what you need it for.
    The problem with the OP is not that he or she wants a second bachelor but that he or she is not willing to put effort but just go and get a second bachelors based on the first bachelor but from a better school and same field. There are many programs meant for people with foreign degrees that need a local degree for better employment prospects that might fit the bill but extra work is required.
    Also, in some countries in Europe is the Bachelors that counts and not the Masters degree. In Spain, it is the first degree that qualifies you to practice and not the masters degree. In Canada, you cannot practice engineering with a MS degree but only with a BS degree in some provinces and the same stands for education careers such as high school teacher. In few words, there are some valid reasons for getting a second Bachelor's.
     
  14. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I know that some people have done it but saying that "people do it all the time" seems an exaggeration.
     
  15. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    I think Steve provided a very good answer.
    What I see people do is supplement/update their knowledge, resume with name recognized university certificate.

    For example, I got a certificate from MIT and Harward via EDX. Got newly updated knowledge on latest technologies.
    I feel better about these than if I had to do another degree.
    Better to learn latest CIT, Security etc.
    There are a micro masters in Cyber Security from Rochester Institute of technology and many really cool and informative classes on EDX and Cursera.
     
    SteveFoerster likes this.
  16. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Honestly, I don't see the point of getting a second Bachelor degree. First, you are very much is in my situation. I got my Bachelor degree in 24 months from Troy University, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with 2.78 GPA and institutional 3.18. However, I thought about doing a second Bachelor to replaced the old one, but most small and medium companies do not care about your degree...sometimes just a check-mark. Any company likes Fortune 500 companies will check your educational background through Student Clearance House; which your first Bachelor degree will pop up in your academic credential. So, if you goal to get the second Bachelor for replacement does not work.
     
  17. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I knew I liked you for good reason. ;)

    By the way, that's a very cool profile picture.
     

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