After reading through many posts, I am thoroughly impressed with what a lot of you have to say... particularly regarding going back to school, finishing up a degree and moving on to grad school. I have recently been accepted to TESC, and I am waiting on their assessment of my transcripts. I would like to give a little background, and hopefully some of you will chime in and offer your expertise. I have approx. 112 college credits (with grades ranging from D to A) in sociology and related disciplines, and I am looking to finish my social science degree through TESC. I have already identified the local community college where CLEP is administered, and I am doing research as to which exams I need to take. I am just waiting on TESC's assessment. I would like to post the results, and get some direction from all of you. As of two weeks ago, I had no idea about the world of the big 3, CLEP, DANTES and so on... and although I have a very good job, I want a great education and career. I would like to get my online BA in Social Science as soon as possible. The possibly get my BSBA online by the end of 2014, and set myself up for an online MBA program. I am taking Bus 101 at my local junior college just to get the cob webs off, and looking to test out of as many classes as possible over the next 12 months. When I look at all of your accomplishments, I am truly envious, as many of you seem to have been in my shoes a while ago and now are on to such great things. Any preliminary advice is appreciated. I will post any developments, and hopefully make some great friends and gain some great advice over the coming months and years. Thank you, and warm regards to all, Derek
Welcome - Some on this forum will likely tell you not to do a 2nd bachelors since the MBA covers much of the same ground. But it's the school and your call.
Congrats on going back to school! Definitely post your assessment once TESC is done reviewing the transcripts. With 112 potential credits, you may be virtually done. Depending on where your credits fall, you may just need a few FEMA credits. My suggestion is to complete whichever major offers the quickest path to completion, then go to graduate school unless there is a very specific reason to complete a second BA.
If you want to be admitted to a decent MBA program, then you will either need to complete prerequisites or take leveling/foundation courses at the graduate school. You can include the typical MBA prerequisites in the free electives section of your BA if you have room. Or, you can just take the tests/courses anyway regardless of whether or not there is room just to get them on the TESC transcript. In other words, you don't need a bachelor's in business in order to get into an MBA program. I made nearly 100% test out plans for the BA in Social Science and BSBA in General Management. Sanantone's BA in Social Science - Degree Forum Wiki Sanantone's BSBA General Management - Degree Forum Wiki
Thank you all for you recommendations and contribution. As I stated before, I am quite new to this, and the possibility that I may be finished with a bachelors degree sooner rather than later has been a great source of excitement. Obviously, I am still waiting for my assessment from TESC, however in researching my graduate options I have moved the online MBA program at U Louisiana-Monroe to the top of my list. It requires 30 credits past these basic business courese, which can all be completed via CLEP or DANTES (as per the U L-M business school website): •Accounting 2012 and 2013, or 5002 •Economics 2001 and 2002, or 5002 •Finance 3015 •Management 3001 and 3009 •Marketing 3001 •Quantitative Methods 2010 I guess my thought process was to finish the BA in Social Science, beacause that is what I have the most credits in, as my original undergrad major(s) were poli sci and sociology. I figured by completing the testing out of the courses listed above, it would then put me in a position to receive a BSBA by simply taking the pre-req's for the MBA program. Now, upon review of Sanatone's enlightening degree forum wiki, I may be better served by taking a little extra time and do the BSBA, as it will position be better for a MBA program. It is all a little confusing, and difficult to ascertain exactly what my next steps are to be. I know I want my bachelors asap, and I want to get into the MBA program. I guess I will wait on the TESC assessment, continue to read this forum's threads, and begin studying for some of the CLEP and DANTES exams that I know I will need. Thank you again for all of your insight and assistance in my rekindled desire and hope for higher education.
Get me finished! Since PM'ing my evaluation is not an option due to its length... here it is. My objectives are simply to get my BA in Social Science done ASAP, then prepare/get in to a grad program (management/org leadership/MBA). All input is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.... S.H. S.H. Applied S.H. Comm Coll S.H to Overall TESC Required to Degree Req Remaining S.H. Applied be Planned GPA Met GPA 120.00 103.00 17.00 37.00 17.00 YES ================================================================ BA General Education (60 SH) Semester Hours Completed: 51.00 Complete all 4 subrequirements: A: Intellectual Skills (In Progress) > Complete 15 semester hours (SH) of Intellectual and > Practical Skills coursework, to include: > *English Composition I, 3SH with grade of C or better > *English Composition II (Writing Intensive), 3SH with grade > of C or better > *Math, 3SH > *Intellectual and Practical Skills Electives, 6SH Semester Hours Completed: 9.00 ENC-101 (Completed) Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 3.. ENG101 Composition I............ 3.00 B ENC-101 *CC *TE ENC-102 (Writing Intensive) (Not Started) _____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits Math (Completed) Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 1.. ASOC221 Stat for Sociologists.... 3.00 D STA-201 *TE Intellectual and Practical Skills (In Progress) Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 3.. CIS111 Computer Systems & Applic 3.00 B CIS-107 *CC *TE _____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits B: Responsibility (In Progress) > Complete 9 semester hours (SH) in Personal and Social > Responsibility coursework to include: > *Diversity or Global Literacy, 3SH > *Responsible Ethical Leadership, 3SH > *Elective, 3SH Semester Hours Completed: 6.00 Diversity or Global Literacy (Completed) Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 3.. BHS203 Sociology................ 3.00 B SOC-101 *CC *TE Responsible Ethical Leadership (Not Started) _____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits Personal and Social Responsibility Elective (Completed) Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 2.. ENG231 World Literature I....... 3.00 A LIT-217 *TE C: Human Cultures (Completed) > Complete 18 semester hours (SH) in Human Cultures and the > Physical and Natural World to include: > *Humanities, 3SH > *Social Sciences, 3SH > *Natural Sciences, 3SH > Choose electives from Humanities, Social > Sciences, Natural Sciences and Interdisciplinary course, 9SH Semester Hours Completed: 18.00 Humanities (Completed) Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes Student: Mr. DXXXXXXXXX Staff: datatel Date: 12/28/13 Page: 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.. SPA101 Elementary Spanish I..... 3.00 C SPA-101 *CC *TE Social Sciences (Completed) Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 3.. GOV121 American National Govt... 3.00 A POS-110 *CC *TE Natural Sciences (Completed) Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 1.. AGEO100N Planet Earth............. 3.00 C- GEO-101 *TE Interdisciplinary (Completed) Semester Hours Completed: 9.00 Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 3.. PSY111 Psychological Prin I..... 3.00 A PSY-101 *CC *TE 3.. BHS103 Socl Prob in Today World. 3.00 B SOC-173 *CC *TE 1.. RPOS103M Political Theory......... 3.00 C+ POS-199 *TE D: General Ed Electives (Completed) > Complete 18 semester hours (SH) in General Education > Electives. Semester Hours Completed: 18.00 Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 1.. AGOG125M The American City........ 3.00 C GOG-199 *TE 2.. PHIL102 Reasoning/Critical Think. 3.00 B PHI-102 *TE 3.. BHS142 Criminology.............. 3.00 B SOC-291 *CC *TE 1.. RPOS321 State & Local Govt....... 3.00 C POS-211 *TE 1.. ASOC283M Juvenile Delinquency..... 3.00 C SOC-242 *TE 1.. RPOS204 Sel Problems Pol Sci..... 3.00 D POS-299 *TE ================================================================ BA Social Science (30 SH) Semester Hours Completed: 30.00 GPA Achieved/Needed: 2.690 / 2.000 Complete both subrequirements: A: Concentration (24) (Completed) > Complete 24 semester hour credits in the Social Sciences. > Among the 30 credits required within the entire > concentration: > -at least THREE different subjects must be included for > breadth of knowledge. > -A student must earn at least 12 semester hours in ONE > subject. > -A maximum of 18 semester hours can be earned in any ONE > subject area in order to have a balanced interdisciplinary > concentration. > -A maximum of SIX semester hour credits at the 100 level > can be applied toward the area of concentration. > **At least 15 of the 30 credits required within the > concentration must be at the 300/400 level.** Semester Hours Completed: 24.00 Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 1.. ASOC350 Social Movements......... 3.00 B SOC-470 *TE 1.. ASOC200 Political Sociology...... 3.00 B+ POS-414 *TE 1.. EPSY420 Child & Adolescent Develo 3.00 B+ PSY-342 *TE 1.. ASOC235 Sociological Theory...... 3.00 B- SOC-380 *TE 1.. RPOS383 Amer Foreign Policy...... 3.00 C POS-300 *TE 1.. APSY270 Social Psychology........ 3.00 C+ PSY-370 *TE 1.. ASOC282M Race & Ethnicity......... 3.00 C+ SOC-323 *TE 2.. HIST217 Nevada History........... 3.00 B HIS-355 *TE B: Concentration (6) (Completed) > Complete 6 additional semester hours of Social Sciences ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > coursework. Semester Hours Completed: 6.00 Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 3.. HIS103 History of U S a I....... 3.00 B HIS-113 *CC *TE 3.. HGE101 Intro to Contemp Society. 3.00 C SOS-199 *CC *TE ============================================================================================= Liberal Arts Capstone (3 SH) > Complete course LIB-495 Liberal Arts Capstone for 3 > semester hours (SH). Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes ___ LIB-495___ _________________________ ______________________ 1 course needed =============================== BA Free Electives (27 SH) > Complete 27 semester hours of Free Electives. Semester Hours Completed: 22.00 Required: 27 Remaining: 5 Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes 1.. ABIO117N Nutrition................ 3.00 C BIO-208 *TE 1.. ASOC351 Social Conflict.......... 3.00 C- SOC-399 *TE 1.. ASOC380 Sociol Deviat Behav...... 3.00 D SOC-383 *TE 1.. ASOC220 Intro to Social Research. 3.00 D SOC-390 *TE 1.. RISP100 Internet & Info Access... 3.00 D CAP-140 *TE 3.. PHS105 Technology & the Future.. 4.00 D TEC-101 *CC *TE 3.. HED123 Contmpry Health Issue.... 2.00 A HEA-101 *CC *TE 3.. PED129 Basketball............... 1.00 C PEA-199 *CC *TE _____________________________________________________________________ 3 credits _____________________________________________________________________ 2 credits ===================================== OTHER COURSES: Src Course # Title S.H. Grd TESC # Notes --- ---------- ------------------------- ------- --- ---------- --------- None ================================================================ 12/26/13 The following courses cannot be used to fulfill the Area of Study/Concentration/Specialization/Career Track of your degree. Thomas Edison State College accepts courses with a grade of C or better into the major area of all degrees. RPOS-204 Selected Problems Political Science ASOC-221 Statistics for Sociologists ASOC-220 Intro to Social Research ASOC-351 Social Conflict ASOC-380 Sociology of Deviant Behavior NOTES *CC Community College Credit *G Grade - course failed the minimum grade requirement *TE Transfer Equivalency *U Used! - has already been used elsewhere
Can I ask why, if your ultimate goal is the MBA, you are set on the BA in Social Science? It seems to me that taking the path of least resistance to complete your BA would be a more efficient use of time and money. There are many MBA programs out there with no prerequisites and others require far fewer than the one you listed. Wouldn't it make more sense to complete your BA in whatever was the quickest, then move on to the MBA program of your choice? Once you have the MBA, no one will care what your undergraduate was.
Maybe it's just too early and I haven't had enough coffee, but I'm having a hard time reading which courses you already have under your belt. Perhaps if you just listed those?
The OP has a ton of social science credits. It is the path of least resistance. Since one could completely test out of a social science degree anyway, it's not any harder to complete than a BA in liberal studies.
These are my recommendations for your missing credits. Make sure you have all of these pre-approved by an advisor. English Comp II: Straighterline, TECEP, or CLEP (you have to take the one with the essay) Intellectual and Practical Skills: DSST or TECEP for Technical Writing or DSST for Intro to Computing. There is also the Information Systems CLEP, but it duplicates Intro to Computing and is considered to be harder. Responsible and Ethical Leadership: DSST for Ethics in America, DSST Business Ethics in Society, or Straighterline Business Ethics Liberal arts capstone: This has to be taken at TESC. 5 remaining free electives: FEMA (these are free) Looking at your credits and considering that the whole major is completed with the exception of the capstone, this is the fastest degree for you to complete. You are far from completing any other degree.
Correction: You aren't far from completing a liberal studies degree, but you might be further away since a liberal studies major can't be entirely social science. Your social science major is already done and almost any degree is better than liberal studies, liberal arts, or general studies. All of the credits you have left to complete now would have to be completed for any other BA degree.
Pugbelly, I am 100% with you - you need a Bachelors to get into an MBA program (usually in any field) unless you do Herriott-Watts. I don't see the utility in getting a second Bachelors. Any leveling credits can be stand alone and will make for a quicker path into the MBA. To the OP: I wonder, would it be faster to go back to the school where you have 112 credits and finish there?
Thank you for all of the input. The goal is to first complete the BA in Social Science, and then begin studying for the GMAT. From reading the responses, it looks like this will be my plan of attack: Step 1: Get some clarity from a TESC adviser (I will call after the holidays, when they are back in the office). Step 2: Get some FEMA credits (any suggestions would be appreciated, as this process seems vague to me) Step 3: Immediately CLEP the English Composition so this req is fulfilled Step 4: Begin preparation for the DSST in Business Ethics It seems as though these steps can be completed rather quickly with the correct organization. Again, I cannot thank all of you enough for the help. A renewed enthusiasm for education is an amazing feeling, and a great thing to have approaching a new year.
The OP can knockout the free electives in a day or two with FEMAs. There are only 3 tests left to take for TESC. The capstone is only 3 months.
Okay... 5 FEMA credits done, Eng Comp CLEP next week, 2 DSST's approved by an advisor. The goal is to be finished with everything by May. It looks like it is going to be approx. $4000 to enroll at TESC, this includes the capstone and graduation fees (per the cost calsulator on the website, and confirmation by the bursars office secretary). I was told this is my only option, as the per credit option makes it necessary to complete 24 credits through the school. Does this seem about right to those who have chosen this route? Thank you.
I went to apply for graduation at TESC today, as I am a few weeks away from completing my capstone course, and saw that there were 2 uncompleted classes I need for my Social Science major. I have spoken to advisers at least 4 times in the last 6 months, and not one of them told me that I had to complete Oral Communication and Civil Engagement. I took the CLEP and DSST exams that I was told to take and am almost done with the LA capstone... now my academic evaluation is showing these classes as not started.... I know there are a couple TESC social science majors on here, like sanantone who was extremely helpful in getting me started on this whole project... Any insight into this? Did I possibly fulfill these requirements and it is not posting? Did the major requirements change? I am perplexed. I emailed the general adviser email address and will call Tuesday, but this kind of sucks, as I would have been taking these classes all along if they were required and I was advised to do so. This is what I have so for, for reference: Course/Section and Title Credits HIS-351 A History of Vietnam War 3.00 (Clep/DSST) PHI-384 Ethics & Business Professional 3.00 (Clep/DSST) ENG-201 Technical Writing 3.00 (Clep/DSST) ENC-101 English Composition I 3.00 (Clep/DSST) ENC-102 English Composition II 3.00 (Clep/DSST) HIS-355 The History of New Jersey 3.00 LIT-217 World Literature I 3.00 PHI-102 Philosophy II 3.00 CAP-140 Introduction to the Internet 3.00 POS-199 Spec. Stud. in Selected Topics 3.00 SOC-242 Juvenile Delinquency 3.00 SOC-383 Sociology of Deviant Behavior 3.00 GOG-199 Spec. Stud. in Selected Topics 3.00 PSY-370 Social Psychology I 3.00 PSY-342 Adolescent Psychology 3.00 SOC-390 Mthd. of Sociological Research 3.00 SOC-399 Spec. Stud. in Selected Topics 3.00 SOC-380 Sociological Theory 3.00 SOC-470 Social Movements 3.00 POS-211 State & Local Government 3.00 POS-300 American Foreign Policy 3.00 POS-414 Political Sociology 3.00 STA-201 Principles of Statistics 3.00 BIO-208 The Science of Nutrition 3.00 GEO-101 Introduction to Geology 3.00 POS-299 Spec. Stud. in Selected Topics 3.00 SOC-323 Major Minority Groups 3.00 CIS-107 Computer Concepts and Appl 3.00 ENC-101 English Composition I 3.00 HEA-101 Contemporary Health Issues 2.00 POS-110 American Government 3.00 HIS-113 American History I 3.00 PSY-101 Introduction to Psychology 3.00 SOC-291 Criminology 3.00 PEA-199 Spec. Stud. in Selected Topics 1.00 SOC-101 Introduction to Sociology 3.00 SOC-173 Social Problems 3.00 ENC-101 English Composition I 3.00 SOS-199 Spec. Stud. in Selected Topics 3.00 SPA-101 Elementary Spanish I 3.00 TEC-101 Technology and Society 4.00 ________________________________________ Total Earned Credits 121.00
