please help me figure out what's the best way to finish my BA/BS

Confirm the credit hour requirements for an Area of Study concentration/major at Excelsior College. Many schools require 30 to 36 credit hours in a concentration or major. With your portfolio of prior graphic design work it might be possible to earn the remaining credit hours in the area of study. University of North Dakota offers a course called Introduction to Drawing and Color Materials that might be a match for you to use as prior learning assessment (PLA) at Excelsior College.

 

Hi Jim,

In most cases you are correct; most people don't care whether you have a BA or BS. With that said, I do know of a situation at my company (Fortune 500 Pharma Company) where the VP of my department indicated that someone would be less likely to obtain a departmental position with a BA, then someone with a BS. In either case, the degree had to be in one of the "hard" sciences (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.). Of course the major makes sense, given the industry in question.

A BA degree is seen more as a liberal arts degree (regardless of the major), while the BS is seen as being more science oriented (hence the name, Bachelor of Science. Of course, this doesn't always hold true, but that is the impression that some people have (employers in particular).

Tom

 

Hi,

Keep in mind that with Excelsior, unless you major in Criminal Justice, Nursing, Engineering, Business or IT, your "major" is officially Liberal Studies. I know this is confusing, as Excelsior lists a number of so called majors on their website. However, I have seen a number of people on this forum with a so called major, only to graduate with a BA or BS in Liberal Studies. Just something to keep in mind.

In general, my advice to you is to pick a "major" or concentration in something that interests you. That's what college is all about, right?

Tom

 

I called excelsior and they told me that an area of study could be 21 credits- so it might work...

 

does it say it on the transcript?

 

funny, because in excelsior the BS has less science than their BA!

 

I imagine so, but I cannot speak from direct experience. Only what I have read on this board.

Tom

 

I got a major in political science at EC and it says that both on my transcript and on my degree.

 

does anyone have more info about Area of Study...

 

I'm also interested in the area of study. Can someone fill us in on this?