I have an AS from Ashworth, a BS from Cal Coast and an MS from Aspen. These degrees have suited me fine professionally for many years but I am seeing some changes on the horizon at my current job that may cause me to want to bail out in the next few years and move onto something else. I have enough experience and technical certifications that I don't think I will have a problem finding another job. I also have a network of colleagues at similar companies that I can reach out to if need be but I'm considering getting myself an RA degree just to add to the arsenal and avoid problems if I decide to pursue other opportunities for which I do not have connections. I do not want to do any CLEP exams or anything like that. I like the structure and rigor of an academic program. My question is, is it very likely that I will have to begin at square one again, i.e., as if I have no degree at all, if I want to obtain an RA degree? A general studies bachelors would do me fine. I just want to be able to say that I have an RA bachelors. If I do have to start from square one, I am going to let it ride and let the chips fall where they may. Thanks for any suggestions.
If I were you, I would probably look for a master's program that would accept my NA BS for entry, rather than go back for a bachelor's. For example, Liberty requires a "regionally or nationally accredited bachelor's degree" for admission into its MA in Management and Leadership: Masters in Management and Leadership Requirements | Liberty University Online I'm sure there are other RA schools like this. I would search around and pick the one best school/program for you.
Western Governors University accepts DETC and American Military/Public University accepts NA degrees. University of Phoenix accepts NA degrees too, but I would avoid them like the plague. WGU is cheap and self-paced.
First off, congratulations on your considerable achievements to date. With your credentials you should not have to start over. I agree with the others to go for an RA masters that accepts NA degrees. Peru State College has a MS in Organizational Management. Tuition is reasonable too at $275 per credit hr.
Sideman, I don’t believe Peru State College will accept a NA baccalaureate degree for graduate admission (?). E.g., “Official transcript verifying possession of an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.” Then again, such might be negotiable (?). Graduate Programs - Peru State College
I guess they only accept them from certain schools or certain accreditors. Credit Transfer Information - University of Phoenix The NA school I work for has told students that UoP will accept their credits even though we don't have an articulation agreement with them.
What my school is saying is based on prior experience. They know which schools in our area will and will not accept our credits. So far, they've only found two, and UoP is one of them.
I will also echo sentiments that you should look at a masters from a RA school rather than anther bachelors degree. If you have a RA masters, no one will care if you have a NA bachelors. I think your best bet would either be AMU/APU or WGU. And AMU/APU is $250 a credit, so that would be my #1 pick if I were you. A master's degree will open a lot more doors for you than a bachelor's will.
Oops. Good catch major. That's what I get for winging it instead of doing my due diligence. I do know that in the past, as far as getting a bachelors, they would accept up to 90 credit hours from an accredited college (NA or RA). If they do, that would have the OP with a 30 credit hour shortfall and that sorta defeats the purpose. And I don't know if that's still the case but I will call tomorrow (if they're open) and confirm and report back what I learn. It won't hurt to ask about the masters. I guess the worst thing they can say is no.
Sideman, Possibly the OP could initially enroll in /complete the 9-credit hour Peru State College graduate certificate in organizational development (OD) and use those 3-courses toward the MSOM degree. The 3-OD certificate courses are also required for the MSOM degree. E.g., “Certificates may be earned separately or while working toward a Master degree…” By completing Peru’s OD graduate certificate, wherein the same 3-courses can be also used toward the MS degree, might be negotiated as regards accepting the NA baccalaureate for the MSOM degree /graduate admissions (?). CertificateofAchievement_OM Graduate Certificates of Achievement at Peru State College http://www.peru.edu/graduate/docs/msom_rotation.pdf