AAS ESST enrollment extension

[chiquitacobbe]

I just received an email back form TESC saying that I can extend my enrollment for 3 months ($233 per month). (I graduated this month with AAS in Computers.) I then had to send them another ticket asking them if they could add the AAS ESST to my evaluation so I could see how many more credits I would need to get that. I'm not sure if they will do that since I'm not technically enrolled. When I try to look at it in my evaluation page it says that its not offered on the web.

I know I would need to take at least 12 credits in the FEMA area which shouldnt be that bad but I just don't know if I need to add the new Gen Ed requirements even though I originally enrolled last year before the new requirements and also if I need to take the APS-295 Capstone becuase I hear its still not available to actually take.

So my thought process was if all the stars aligned properly was to pay the extension, take the additional 12 FEMA credits, ask to have the CAPSTONE Waived, apply for graduation. Have the second degree.

Does anyone know of any flaws in my plan?? I know I'm missing something.

[mrs.b]

I know I would need to take at least 12 credits in the FEMA area which shouldnt be that bad but I just don't know if I need to add the new Gen Ed requirements even though I originally enrolled last year before the new requirements and also if I need to take the APS-295 Capstone becuase I hear its still not available to actually take.

So my thought process was if all the stars aligned properly was to pay the extension, take the additional 12 FEMA credits, ask to have the CAPSTONE Waived, apply for graduation. Have the second degree.

Does anyone know of any flaws in my plan?? I know I'm missing something.

Unless your one-year is up, graduating alone does not terminate your enrollment. If you're still within that year, they should add the AAS-ESST to your evaluation once they get to the request. If, however, your year has passed, you will no longer be eligible for the enrollment extension; that may have been a general email, or sent right at the end of your year. Either way, if the year has passed, they will tell you to re-enroll first. If you are within that one year, they will add it, but I would place money on the new Gen Ed reqs being included. While you were enrolled in your current degree plan under the old catalog, you are asking to add a new degree plan to your evaluation and catalogs have since changed. You remained locked into the catalog for the AAS-Computers so long as your enrollment did not lapse, which would have reset you to a new catalog. While you're still on the same enrollment, you're starting a new degree. Still, the requirements are not that different, so depending on the courses or CBEs you took to complete your first AAS, you may still meet most or all of the reqs.

One question, though. Will the AAS-ESST serve you in your career path? It's generally considered a novelty "hey, I can get that easily in passing" item around here while on the way toward a degree that'll be useful. Even if the free FEMAs are your only needed credits, that's still at least $233 (enroll ext) you'll spend on something that likely will have little or no impact on your resume at the best, or make you appear undecided or unfocused at the worst (depending on the prickly nature of the resume reviewer). Are you going to go for a Bachelors in the future? That might be the time to toy around with an AAS-ESST if you really want it, when you're already paying for the enrollment and just completing as a side project, rather than wasting $233 on it now.

[sanantone]

I don't see how an AAS in ESST can be useful after an AAS in Computer Studies. I would like to hear from someone who has found a use for this degree that couldn't be had from an AA in general studies.

[Lindagerr]

I added the AAS ESST after my Gen Ed AA and Nat. Sci/Math BA because I wanted the buzz words Environmental and safety on my resume. Of course I am a Scientist so they mean a little more in that field.

[sanantone]

I'm sure someone in the IT field would want the buzz word of security on one's resume, but a CISSP or some other kind of certification would be worth more. I also think it would be misleading to market yourself as having a degree related to IT security when it's more like emergency management with all of the FEMA credits. Of course, you can use IT credits in the AAS in ESST, but the OP already has those in the computer studies degree. Other than that, I predict most employers probably won't know what to think of the degree with its confusing title. Looking at the degree plan on TESC's website tells them nothing. I wish TESC would just create an AAS in Emergency Management and an AAS in Technical Studies....something that employers can easily recognize and understand. It doesn't make any sense to have a degree that mixes criminal justice, emergency management, homeland security, science, occupational safety, and computer science/information technology.

[chiquitacobbe]

Thanks everyone for the input. TESC emailed me back and they added the AAS ESST to my evaluation. They said I can extend enrollment still and Just need to take 12 additional credits in that area, COP, COS, CAP, and CIS. And also they said the capstone isn't available yet so I can fill that with another course in the field (which I already have). So financially its not a lot of money to get the second degree.

To answer the question of "worthiness" in my "career life"...I currently work in the IT field and more specifically in Public Safety IT. Not only Police and Fire but also Emergency Management. I handle alot the security systems as well as all technology that these departments require (surveillance, Radio communications, satellite, telephony, networking etc) In the beginning of the year I attended the FEMA conference held in Louisiana for work. Since I live in Florida and hurricanes are a common annoyance I need to stay up to date with the latest forms of communications and emergency response functions since police and fire are a 365/24 hour service. I'm not 100% convinced that it is worth it either or what it could do for me but I really do not have the time or money to continue on for a BA at this time so I thought this could be a quick achievement.

Just some more details to help you understand why I thought it was a good idea.

[Lindagerr]

I see why you would want it in your field, but I would ask how many FEMA courses have you used thus far? If you still have room for more why not look into the Homeland security and Emergency preparedness BA you could probably use lots of FEMA's and it would be good for your work too? if you are going to do 12 more credits why not a few more and get that BA it looks better.

[chiquitacobbe]

I see why you would want it in your field, but I would ask how many FEMA courses have you used thus far? If you still have room for more why not look into the Homeland security and Emergency preparedness BA you could probably use lots of FEMA's and it would be good for your work too? if you are going to do 12 more credits why not a few more and get that BA it looks better.

Thanks for the info I will look into it.