Can I use credits from my existing bachelor's degree at the Big 3?

[effdub]

First off, I'm brand-spanking new to the forum (and self-study education in general). I admire the hard work and steely determination you guys display.


Okay, so my question is this:

Can I use credits from my existing bachelor's degree towards a second degree from one of the Big 3?

I have a BA in English from NC State. Sure, I can probably blow through the CLEP / test-out exams for general ed humanities courses at a break-neck speed (or so my ego tells me), but I'd rather not spend the time or money if I don't have to.


I've searched here and at the web sites of the Big 3, and I can't find the answer to my question. I also read through a great deal of the Wiki, and I did not see a page regarding reusing credits from a prior-earned degree (from a non-Big 3 school). So if I've missed some very obvious information, I do apologize.

Thanks in advance for you help. I'm looking forward to getting started putting together a plan.

[rebel100]

You can use many of your existing credits. In general you will need to complete all the requirements of the new degree, and complete an additional 24-30 credits in the new area of study. Award of Degrees

[effdub]

Excellent.

Of the three, is TESC the most accepting of transfers, or are they all similarly liberal? Or does it vary by area of study?

I realize I could probably answer these questions myself with some additional research, but I'm just super-excited that this process is possible. I never even knew it was possible until I happened across a news article today on slashdot.org.

[Publius]

As long as the credits are from a Regionally Accredited (RA) school, you shouldn't have a problem. Without researching NC State, I'm pretty sure it should be RA. Best thing to do is get a transcript ready, send it to which ever of the Big 3, and apply there to see what and how they credits will transfer.

[NAP]

Yes, you can transfer your previous credits to EC, but whether you can get a second bachelor's degree at EC depends on the subject you are choosing to pursue.

Look at the Student Policy Handbook at EC for more details:

Handbooks - excelsior.edu

[rebel100]

Charter Oak's policy Charter Oak State College - Second Baccalaureate Candidates

Whats the desired result? I would usually advise going after a masters instead of a second bachelors...how will a lateral move help you?

[effdub]

I would usually advise going after a masters instead of a second bachelors...how will a lateral move help you?

I'm still assessing my options at this point. A second bachelor's degree may well afford me more options for career advancement. But then again, a Master's in a closely related area (but not exactly the same) may well be better.

I've got some research, thinking, and planning to do. Need to see what the specific degree options are (at both levels) at the Big 3 and then proceed.

Thanks for the input, everyone.

[NAP]

Are you considering graduate-level certificates, too?

[Yanji]

I have a BA in English from NC State. Sure, I can probably blow through the CLEP / test-out exams for general ed humanities courses at a break-neck speed (or so my ego tells me), but I'd rather not spend the time or money if I don't have to.

I was in a similar situation with you. I have a BA in English Lit from a research university in the UK and got a second degree from TESC. Have you even decided what kind of second degree you want? If you want a highly technical science/engineering-type degree you probably need to get a second degree but I don't think TESC/COSC/EC would be a good place to earn that kind of degree. I got a BSBA from TESC as a second degree but it was mainly just to prove to myself I could do it through exams... it was actually pretty fun to do. But if you want to advance yourself your English BA will already open doors to most liberal arts/journalism/business Masters programmes... and there's a lot more than 3 schools to choose from. (I'm pursuing a full-time MBA in September)

[effdub]

Have you even decided what kind of second degree you want? If you want a highly technical science/engineering-type degree you probably need to get a second degree but I don't think TESC/COSC/EC would be a good place to earn that kind of degree. I got a BSBA from TESC as a second degree but it was mainly just to prove to myself I could do it through exams... it was actually pretty fun to do.

I should probably go for something business-related and be practical. The problem is that I'm the kind of person who is interested in almost everything. My initial gut reaction is to go for a History degree, but I suspect that will be just as career-useless as a master's in English (for my career, that is). I'm a technical writer now (for a software developer), and was a journalist for a decade.

And like I said in a previous post, I just learned about the non-traditional options today. My head is spinning with ideas and questions. I'll need some more time to settle things out and figure what I really want and/or what is most practical. But you guys are already helping quite a bit!

But if you want to advance yourself your English BA will already open doors to most liberal arts/journalism/business Masters programmes... and there's a lot more than 3 schools to choose from. (I'm pursuing a full-time MBA in September)

Oh yeah, that much I do know. I'm just attracted by the prospect of being able to get the majority of a degree done through credit-by-exam and transfer credits. I'm not sure I can afford the full freight of a "traditional" master's program. But if there are master's level options, please do post a link or two and I'll start reading up.

Thanks!

Are you considering graduate-level certificates, too?

At this point, everything is on the table. I'm considering all options. My goal is primarily self improvement, but career advancement is also a compelling motivation.