What Can I do with Liberal Studies Degree

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by DyanBermeo, May 25, 2014.

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  1. DyanBermeo

    DyanBermeo New Member

    I like to help people and I have good people skills.
     
  2. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    My Excelsior degree is in Liberal Studies - what I did was to include all the prerequisite courses for acceptance into masters programs that would enhance my career credentials.
     
  3. Michelle

    Michelle Member

    Dyan, if it wouldn't be much trouble, could you list the courses you've already taken?

    Have you taken any type of career aptitude or interest tests? I looked over the profile that you had briefly linked to, and I got the impression that you are passionate about health, math, and helping people. Is that accurate?

    Do you want to be finished with your education once you have a bachelors degree or do you plan to get more specialized training with a masters degree?
     
  4. Michelle

    Michelle Member

    I'm sure that getting a bachelors degree in liberal studies or general studies would work fine for you, but after looking over your profile, I am wondering if you might enjoy a career helping people with a specialized associates degree. You had mentioned NOT wanting to work as a nursing assistant, but maybe a more respected and higher paying healthcare career would suit you?

    My sister is a nuclear medicine technician, and she is great at her job because she has a lot of the same skills you do - she's really good with people and she's also really good at math and science. When she was in her 30's, she got an associates degree as a radiology technician and then enrolled in another program (I think it was about a year) to specialize in nuclear medicine. She has been able to get a lot of training on the job and is now certified in several other things too. She makes good money and loves her job. Plus, our state technical schools are so affordable that she graduated without any debt.

    Occupational therapy assistant and physical therapy assistant are two other well paying jobs that only require an associates degree, plus they would give you the opportunity to continue your studies later to become an occupational or physical therapist. You could use the core classes you've already taken to apply to a program, although I believe you would need to take most, if not all, of the career classes in-person. Here is a link to accredited OTA programs: OTA Programs - Accredited - AOTA and here is one for PTA: CAPTE

    Here is a link to an article about high paying jobs that only require 2 year degrees: High-Paying Jobs With An Associate's Degree - Business Insider .

    Again, getting a bachelors degree is a great idea. I just wanted to throw out a few more options for you to think about.
     
  5. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Wonderful advice and insight. Use the degree to cut your own way.
     
  6. Michelle

    Michelle Member

    Eh, now I see your messages above mine. For some reason they weren't showing up for me earlier.
     
  7. DyanBermeo

    DyanBermeo New Member

    I just want to graduate with a degree as soon as possible. I sent my credits for evaluation. Somethime this week will find out if BA in General Studies or BA in Liberal Studies depending on which one takes most of my credits Ill choose. I hate science classes never was good so no nursing and radiology tech for me and that entrance exam is hard. The same time I get a degree or certificate in those I can get a bachelors. I would like to leave T.J minimum wage job and work and as I work, work on the masters degree.
     
  8. Michelle

    Michelle Member

    Sounds like a great plan. What do you think you'll want to get a masters degree in?
     
  9. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    If I can make a suggestion, the number they TAKE isn't necessarily indicative of how cheap or quick the degree can be completed. For instance, everyone will take all the gen eds- that's not an issue. The upper level credits are where you'll have to figure out the fastest/easiest/cheapest or whatever approach. If, for instance, you wanted to compare degrees in Psychology, Music, and History - they will accept identical credits UNTIL you hit the "major" or upper level 33, at which time history will be the faster and cheaper option. (followed by psych and music very very far behind). It's how you'll COMPLETE the degree that is the key. General Studies and Liberal Studies are pretty much the same, depending on which school you choose and how you plan to fill in the remaining credits (credit acceptance policy varies a bit from each of the big 3)
     
  10. DyanBermeo

    DyanBermeo New Member

    I decided to go for the general studies bachelors. They are taking more then 78 credit hours. All I need is 120 to graduate. Im meeting with one of their advisors tomorrow.
     
  11. What about an English degree? I'm currently in a program that is going to take 2.5 years to finish (an extra .5 because of stupid requirements for foreign language and "not-exact" transfer credits). I can finish Excelsior in Spring of 2015 by taking three SL classes and a CLEP. But it would be a BSLS. I want to be a writer, so my first jobs will be as a lackey in the publishing biz or a gopher somewhere. Do you think having the BSLS will be less useful than a degree in English? Or is this a field where talent is all that matters? *sigh* I'm not real happy with the program, and a little po'ed about the extra 24 semester credits the school is extorting from me.
     
  12. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    I would go with the BSLS - lower cost and fastest time to finish. Then you can always study more courses (or start a masters degree) that would enhance your writing skills including the subject you are writing about.

    You might consider joining a prpfessional writers association - good way to make contacts and keep up to date. Here is one list of such groups
    Writers Associations: A List Of Organizations For Writers
    I have never been employed as a writer however my belonging to a professional association has done more for me than my degrees.
     
  13. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    I listened t an interview with a president of a leading enterprise.

    In his words, he prefers to hire people with liberal arts degree for leadership positions at the company.

    " We have time to train but we have no time to educate" I prefer educated individuals.
    He was very critical of some MBA's they hired over the years.
     
  14. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    frame it and hang it on the wall?
     

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