BSBA MIS or general business degree with MBA?

[rsm1112]

I am struggling with a decision and I hope yall can help.

I was thinking about doing a Excelsior BS BA MIS concentration at first, but I am struggling to find cheap, quick options to fulfill the MIS concentration. I have A+ cert, finished ISCA clep, Intro to computers dantes, and planning to do the MIS Dantes. But there arent really any cheap quick options for Programming, Systems analysis and design, and database requirements.

I am 90% sure I want to pursue an MBA, probably immediately after I finish this degree.

So that being said would I be better off doing the quick general business degree, and then get an MBA in MIS, IT, Information Assurance, Quality Assurance or something like that afterwards?

[IrishJohn]

That would depend IMO on what your situation is right now and how you think it will be over the period of time it would take you to finish one or both. Money could also be a factor. If you need a bachelor's right away for getting a job or promotion purposes, then I'd complete that right now as fast as possible. It's always good to have that degree in your hand, especially during these uncertain economic times. However, if you do have the time to wait and Excelsior has a deal like TESC where you take some master's courses in finishing your bachelor's and they count for both degrees, that's what I'd recommend doing then.

[colinsr]

I was recently struggling with the same problem. No efficient way to complete the MIS concentration at Excelsior. I opted to go for the BSBA general business at Excelsior, and should be done in a few months.

Also, be careful - I had the ISCA Clep approved by an Excelsior advisor, and then they reevaluated it and found that it duplicates too much of the DSST Intro to Computers. I got them to credit my account so when I pay my fees this year that will come off the top.

My advice would be get the BSBA general business since it is the path of least resistance.

[dcan]

TESC has a BSBA CIS that should be similar. Look around for ryoder's posts, he completed his in like six months with a lot of testing out. He may know where you can look for your tech credits.

[MISin08]

I'll play the devils advocate and suggest that if you have work experience and want a MBA that you consider a major like Psychology (with business pre-reqs for the MBA covered via testing out) which is readily accessible via exam. Or...go for the business BS and do a MS in IT, like this one.

Phillip

[rsm1112]

TESC has a BSBA CIS that should be similar. Look around for ryoder's posts, he completed his in like six months with a lot of testing out. He may know where you can look for your tech credits.

Thanks for the response! yeah I did look at TESC but, I already enrolled at Excelsior. My goal is to get the BSBA MIS 0-120 in 6 months too hopefully..
Dont know if its possible but im sure gonna give it a shot.

[rsm1112]

I'll play the devils advocate and suggest that if you have work experience and want a MBA that you consider a major like Psychology (with business pre-reqs for the MBA covered via testing out) which is readily accessible via exam. Or...go for the business BS and do a MS in IT, like this one.

Phillip

I see your user name says MISin08.. Were you able to complete the MIS degree yourself? Or did you end up going for something else?

thanks for the link to dakota state.. that is exactly the kind of thing I am looking for

[rsm1112]

I was recently struggling with the same problem. No efficient way to complete the MIS concentration at Excelsior. I opted to go for the BSBA general business at Excelsior, and should be done in a few months.

Also, be careful - I had the ISCA Clep approved by an Excelsior advisor, and then they reevaluated it and found that it duplicates too much of the DSST Intro to Computers. I got them to credit my account so when I pay my fees this year that will come off the top.

My advice would be get the BSBA general business since it is the path of least resistance.

uh oh... I looked on here and saw other people were able to get isca and intro to computers both accepted so i just kinda went for it. I guess thats what I get for not checking first!

[dcan]

Thanks for the response! yeah I did look at TESC but, I already enrolled at Excelsior. My goal is to get the BSBA MIS 0-120 in 6 months too hopefully..
Dont know if its possible but im sure gonna give it a shot.

No, I meant ryoder completed a BSBA CIS from TESC, similar to Excelsior's degree, with similar tech requirements, and he got at least some of his tech requirements through tests or alternate distance learning sources (i.e. other online colleges) for cheap. He may be able to point you towards good sources of credit that Excelsior will take to fill your tech slots.

[ryoder]

When I did mine, I took only Straighterline and Penn Foster classes. Penn Foster no longer is ACE certified for many of its classes including sys anal and design.
You might consider doing a PLA on that one. Also, the TESC classes are pretty cool. I took computer architecture and think I should have taken more computer science courses through TESC when I did my BSBA CIS. The courses are 50% assignments and 50% exams so you can really do well on the assignments, study for the exams and easily pull in a B or A. I don't know how Exelsior is but it might be similar.

You can take the Network Tech TECEP for 3 credits but thats about it in addition to the MIS DSST.
I got 7 credits from my MCSD toward the CIS elective block.

All that said, I would have done the general management BSBA last year if I couldn't have tested out of everything. I am glad it worked out for me the way it did though.