Advice for college age and high school home schooler?

[collegehomeschoolmom]

Hello, I am a mother of two, one started CC last year, the other is an 11th grade homeschooler. My son that is in CC is interested in testing out his degree after showing him this forum. My only concern is that he wants to study neuroscience (behavioral sciences). Should he go for the BS in Psychology at Excelsior? I did see the additional three courses he would need from the school outside of testing out. Right now he has:

Engl Comp 1 3 credits
Engl Comp 2 3 credits
Intro to Biology 3 credits
Intro to Health 3 credits
Mandatory College Orientation 1 credit
College Algebra 3 credits

The testing out option would work for him because a) we had so many problems with the CC, I am still stunned and b) it would cut down on costs since I am considering relocating to another state for work and he wants to stay here where we live now with family. I am concerned about him applying to graduate school afterwards. I see many people on this forum are doing this, but could not find many who are studying neuroscience. His likes/strengths are math & science. Any thoughts on this?

My youngest son wants to go into the music business. Since we are going to align his home school curriculum with CLEP courses, we were looking into the possibility of him completing the General Management concentration track at TESC. He has taken a Coursera Berklee course in music production. No credit received, but at least he experienced a taste of what the industry is like. In our state we have dual enrollment for homeschoolers (age 16 in which he isn't just yet), but he would have to attend the same CC. No thanks. Ironically, his strengths are science, not so much in math, but he puts forth the effort in learning/completing it. Would this degree plan work for him?

For myself, I have an overpriced/overpaid BS in Int'l Business. Right now I am fine, taking an online course for a career change into web dev. Might complete my Masters later, for now just trying to focus on my both of my sons' education. Thank you so much to everyone for your wealth of information. I wish I had known this for myself years ago, would have saved myself a ton of money...

[GoodYellowDogs]

An excellent resource right here! She's on this forum and will chime in I'm sure. Here's her info:

Jennifer
Homeschooling for College Credit (Book)
Homeschooling for College Credit (Facebook Fan Page)

MS Nutrition, 2014 Canisius College, Buffalo, NY
BA Social Science, 2008 Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ
AA General Studies, 2008 Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ
AOS Culinary Arts, 1990 Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

[collegehomeschoolmom]

Thank you so much! Yes, I have already downloaded Jennifer's book. The joys of motherhood never stops

[cookderosa]

Wow, thanks for the props

Okay, so I have a few questions before I can offer any real suggestions.
1. For your oldest, when you say "neuroscience" I want to confirm you mean the field of psychology, not the field that becomes a doctor of medicine, correct? They are vastly different, so just need clarification on that.
2. For your youngest, why don't you like the dual enrollment option and is it free in your state?

Thanks!

[UptonSinclair]

For a degree like neuroscience, your son should work backwards from his goal while planning. First decide which school he plans to attend for his Master's degree and figure out how to meet the admissions requirements. In my opinion, testing out of a Bachelor's degree is a poor option for younger students. It works well for older folks, but younger people need the experience of working with people outside their bubble before entering the workforce.

[Jonathan Whatley]

Neuroscience is organized as a subfield of biology – this is key. Although both these things are true:

• Neuroscience is part of biology
• Neuroscience is close to psychology

The first is really central to the definition of neuroscience. The second is a meaningful attribute, but basically less important.

What does this mean in practice? Some degree programs in psychology are, or can be made to be – with careful choice of courses within the major, outside the major at the bachelor's level (supporting courses especially from biology, chemistry and mathematics), and if possible research experience – heavily neuroscience-oriented. These programs in psychology can provide strong preparation for further education and for careers in neuroscience.

However, many programs in psychology will be lacking, as preparation for neuroscience. If we had nothing else to go on than the degree title (fortunately we don't and this is hypothetical), I'd counsel a prospective neuroscientist to get a bachelor's degree in biology rather than in psychology. This isn't said out of a bias against psychology. I'm a psychology concentrator myself.

Neurology is something else again. It's the medical specialty for non-surgical treatment of nervous system disorders. Every neurologist is a physician with residency training in neurology after their medical degree. Other medical specialities referring heavily to the nervous system: Neurosurgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, anesthesiology, ophthalmology.

[collegehomeschoolmom]

Wow, thanks for the props

Okay, so I have a few questions before I can offer any real suggestions.
1. For your oldest, when you say "neuroscience" I want to confirm you mean the field of psychology, not the field that becomes a doctor of medicine, correct? They are vastly different, so just need clarification on that.
2. For your youngest, why don't you like the dual enrollment option and is it free in your state?

Thanks!

You're welcome!

1. Yes, I should clarify that "behavioral science" was me trying to distinguish psychology vs. medicine. He does not want to pursue medicine, but psychology for undergrad, and neuroscience for graduate studies. From what I have researched, there are not that many bachelor degree programs with a neuroscience major. For example, there is a minor in neuroscience at University of Maryland, which is near me: Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science :: About However, it appears that the major focus of this program is for those pursuing psychology or biology.

Another option for him could be for him to go back to CC, combine some CLEP and graduate, and complete his bachelors elsewhere with the neuroscience concentration/program. I was just curious to know if him testing out completely would be ideal for him, particularly since he would attend grad school afterwards. I have researched that at UMD some of the CLEP courses with the CC degree, would not transfer over to the neuroscience minor program, thus forcing one to take those classes over. Another reason I was looking into him testing out.

2. As for my youngest, he does not meet the age requirements to do dual enrollment at the same CC in our county. The requirements are a bit confusing to me. The requirements state that my son would have to be enrolled in a public school in order to take advantage of the paid tuition as a dual enrollment student. I do not understand how I would enroll him in a public school if he is homeschooled.

Thank you for your response.

[collegehomeschoolmom]

Thank you UptonSinclair! Makes sense what you suggested, I never looked at it this way! This would be ideal since we can also look into the costs for grad school as well. Believe me, I am concerned about him testing out as good as this option sounds! However, this summer, he took two of his CC courses online since this was more flexible due to work. The courses were actually hybrid as he had to attend the campus for labs and tests.

[collegehomeschoolmom]

Neuroscience is organized as a subfield of biology – this is key. Although both these things are true:

• Neuroscience is part of biology
• Neuroscience is close to psychology

The first is really central to the definition of neuroscience. The second is a meaningful attribute, but basically less important.

What does this mean in practice? Some degree programs in psychology are, or can be made to be – with careful choice of courses within the major, outside the major at the bachelor's level (supporting courses especially from biology, chemistry and mathematics), and if possible research experience – heavily neuroscience-oriented. These programs in psychology can provide strong preparation for further education and for careers in neuroscience.

However, many programs in psychology will be lacking, as preparation for neuroscience. If we had nothing else to go on than the degree title (fortunately we don't and this is hypothetical), I'd counsel a prospective neuroscientist to get a bachelor's degree in biology rather than in psychology. This isn't said out of a bias against psychology. I'm a psychology concentrator myself.

Neurology is something else again. It's the medical specialty for non-surgical treatment of nervous system disorders. Every neurologist is a physician with residency training in neurology after their medical degree. Other medical specialities referring heavily to the nervous system: Neurosurgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, anesthesiology, ophthalmology.

Thank you Jonathan for your explanation and advice! I was under the impression that if he obtained the biology degree, that was putting him on the track to pursue neurology vs. neuroscience. He actually enjoys biology more than he does psychology. This is still something he would need to consider with regards to testing out, testing some or going back to CC. The more I learn tonight, the more I think he should attend the CC and test some. Perhaps electives?

[cathgrl]

OP, Are you dealing with PGCC?

Is there a link to a page that tells you the student must be enrolled in a public school for concurrent enrollment (what it's called in MD) to be paid? I'm not seeing that at the PGCC website.