Can credits used for an associate's also be used for a bachelors?

[bdarei]

If I got the Pierpont BOG associate's degree, would I be able to re-use those same credits for a bachelor's? Or would I have to get entirely different credits?

And is it possible to get an associate's in 1 AOS and a bachelor's in another AOS at the same time? Basically using the gen ed credits and whatever overlapping credits there might be?

TESU's blog, for example, only mentions 2 associate's or 2 bachelor's, nothing about a associate's then a bachelor's. (https://blog.tesu.edu/the-secret-to-earn...ond-degree)



Sorry if these are obvious questions, I couldn't find these answered anywhere. I've just discovered this board and realized a degree is possible for me so I'm pretty new to anything to do with college and a degree.

[Flelm]

Credits aren't "used up". Different universities have different policies on additional degrees, where they may want X amount of new credits earned since the last degree.

However, in the US, for every school I've heard of, you can absolutely apply all credits used to earn an associates for a bachelor's, and there's no new credits earned requirements. It's second, third, etc. bachelors and masters that those requirements usually pop up.

[rachel83az]

Yes, college credits aren't like money. When you "pay for" an Associate degree by getting 60 credits, you still have those credits. You can use them for another Associate degree (within reason) or a Bachelor's degree.

[Courcelles]

An Associate's is typically half of a Bachelors. 60 out of the total of 120 you need for the BA/BS. Rather than exhausting the credits, you sometimes have an easier time transferring somewhere to get a BA/BS with the AA in hand; some state systems have "block transfer" of the entire degree, rather than doing it course-by-course.

[rachel83az]

some state systems have "block transfer" of the entire degree, rather than doing it course-by-course.

This is uncommon these days, especially around here and definitely when referring to the Pierpont degree.

[dfrecore]

An Associate's is typically half of a Bachelors.  60 out of the total of 120 you need for the BA/BS. Rather than exhausting the credits, you sometimes have an easier time transferring somewhere to get a BA/BS with the AA in hand; some state systems have "block transfer" of the entire degree, rather than doing it course-by-course.

The first part is true; the second, not so much.  Generally speaking, with in-state CC to 4yr transfers, the 4yr school is still going to look at each course to make sure that you have taken all necessary courses - or they're going to make the CC "certify" that you took everything needed for the particular degree.

An example: you want to transfer as a business major.  Not only will you have to take the required GE, you also have to take the required pre-req courses for the major.  The 4yr school is going to check.

[allvia]

And is it possible to get an associate's in 1 AOS and a bachelor's in another AOS at the same time? Basically using the gen ed credits and whatever overlapping credits there might be?

 
At TESU the answer is yes.  For example - many* here have gotten a TESU BSBA (in an AOS such as General Management) and then added (for 'free) a ASNSM in something like Computer Science or Biology or Mathmatics (the ASNSM doesn't have a capstone, making it have no extra expense in route to the bachelor, you just need to graduate with them at the same time).  Now if you already have the BOG AAS then you would only be able to add one associates to your bachelor, but if you plan your BOG AAS carefully you could add a concentration to that - leaving you without a need to add the 2nd associates to your TESU plan.

*like myself

[rachel83az]

Now if you already have the BOG AAS then you would only be able to add one associates to your bachelor, but if you plan your BOG AAS carefully you could add a concentration to that - leaving you without a need to add the 2nd associates to your TESU plan.

Actually, TESU's catalog now has wording that indicates that prior degrees are fine, but they will still only award 2 each of Bachelor's or Associate degrees. I would still proceed with caution, just in case, but it's not a definite "no" right now for students who already have a prior degree.

[bdarei]

Thank you everyone! Your answers were very helpful!

Now I know I can start in on some credits for a bachelor's and I can just basically get an associate's on the way.

[rachel83az]

Yes. Depending on your actual goals, though, it may not be worth getting an Associate along the way. "Good" Associate degrees: the free Pierpont degree, the free add-on TESU Associate degrees. "Bad" degrees that may not be worth it: almost everywhere else.