Charter Oak State College - New Degree in B.S. Business Administration

[Tedium]

Federal aid for undergraduate degrees is capped in two ways: 1) Total number of hours attempted. Can't exceed 180. 2) Financially. Lifetime for Undergrad is ~$56k. As long as you don't exceed either or both of those, you could theoretically get as many degrees as you like. That's where testing really helps. It doesn't count toward either cap. I've attempted a lot of hours, but I'm sure that 6 more for this degree won't push me over the edge for hours attempted.

Instead of a double major, what I'm going to do is attempt to convince the Provost to let me pursue another degree concurrently. All 48 of the credits I'll earn for the BSBA will be different, so that's not the issue. The problem will be trying to get them to let me pursue both degrees at COSC. All the guidelines for it that I linked to above refer to getting the second degree at another institution. It may sound silly, but I don't know if their system is even set up for two separate degrees by the same student at the same time. They can do it, I'm sure, there is just nothing about it in the catalog.

[Tedium]

While I was looking at the CSU Global CBEs I realized that they were an excellent source of credits for the new COSC BSBA. If one were to take 4 UL CSU Global accounting exams to fill in for the 4 UL business electives, you would have at least 18 hours in accounting on your transcript when you include the two LL Financial and Managerial accounting courses. That's enough to list Accounting as a minor (which I've seen listed as being between 18-24/120cr degree). It would be more expensive ($1100), but it could be pivotal getting someone's career going.

It wouldn't be official with COSC, but does anyone see anything wrong with listing it as such on an application or CV?

[KittenMittens]

While I was looking at the CSU Global CBEs I realized that they were an excellent source of credits for the new COSC BSBA. If one were to take 4 UL CSU Global accounting exams to fill in for the 4 UL business electives, you would have at least 18 hours in accounting on your transcript when you include the two LL Financial and Managerial accounting courses. That's enough to list Accounting as a minor (which I've seen listed as being between 18-24/120cr degree). It would be more expensive ($1100), but it could be pivotal getting someone's career going.

It wouldn't be official with COSC, but does anyone see anything wrong with listing it as such on an application or CV?

I don't know much about these, but assuming they are worth UL credits and assuming COSC would accept them (I don't know), the only thing I don't like about them is that they're expensive ($250 for 3 crdits) and you better pass the exam otherwise you lose $250. I know you're not interested in Penn Foster courses, but for others, those courses cost $237, can count for UL, and there is more of a "guarantee" you'll pass usually with an A or B.

You'll have to confirm that these credits will be accepted, but I don't see where accounting is listed as a concentration or minor for COCS. Is that true?

I don't think there's anything wrong with listing anything on a resume so as long as it suits your goals and makes you look good with an employer. You could say you did a "post-baccalaureate" certificate or training in something, which is what a lot of schools are now offering.

But if you're looking to become an accountant, don't you need an accounting degree as well as becoming a CPA?

If you're not looking to do accounting, most companies will care about your work experience more than what particular coursework you took (unless it fits a certain niche you're trying to fit).

I think overall, with a degree from TESC, COSC, or Excelsior, a degree will open up opportunities in government work or certain companies that absolutely require a degree for the sake of having one. Non-technical degrees by their nature are less employable compared to technical ones i.e. engineering, health sciences, computer science,etc., so a lot of people end up doing some type of business/liberal arts degree + build a work history to rise up the corporate ladder. The less technical and the "lesser known" the degree is (imho), the more the need comes to go for a master's on a part-time/full-time basis. For me, I was just looking to have a piece of paper since my job through the government said I needed a "regionally accredited" degree and I already had/have technical skills needed for my role as a data scientist.

[ajs1976]

I don't think there's anything wrong with listing anything on a resume so as long as it suits your goals and makes you look good with an employer. You could say you did a "post-baccalaureate" certificate or training in something, which is what a lot of schools are now offering.

I would advise against listing a minor or any type of certificate that hasn't been completed and doesn't actually exist. If I found an example of it on a resume for a job candidate, I would throw it away and move onto other candidates.

Lie on Your Resume at Your Own Risk
What Really Happens When You Lie On Your Resume
Biggest Resume Lies -- and How Job Seekers Get Caught

[KittenMittens]

I would advise against listing a minor or any type of certificate that hasn't been completed and doesn't actually exist. If I found an example of it on a resume for a job candidate, I would throw it away and move onto other candidates.

Lie on Your Resume at Your Own Risk
What Really Happens When You Lie On Your Resume
Biggest Resume Lies -- and How Job Seekers Get Caught

It never was question of putting down something that didn't exist. That's why I mentioned "post-bacc certificate" or "training" depending on what's offered which wasn't ascertained. What can be said, however, is that X or Y is in progress and projected completion is by this/that date. In a different thread, Tedium mentioned doing some sort of certificate. Everyone knows what they're risking if they lie on their resume and there's always a certain level of "embellishment" that is done to make the resume look flattering i.e. you're technically a janitor - you shouldn't put down "custodial engineer" but maybe "Custodian" instead and up play the leadership, management, and more desirable parts of the job. Politicians, and people in general, do it all the time. In other words, it's not just what you know, it's also how you say it too.

[ajs1976]

I do have to clarify what I posted early. I don't have a problem listing a minor or a certificate that one has started and actually offered by the school as "in progress" although it is something I am personally shying away from.

The thread is about COSC and I have never seen any mention of the school offering minors or post-baccalaureate certificates. There are undergrad certificate, but I don't see one in accounting.

[Tedium]

I don't know much about these, but assuming they are worth UL credits and assuming COSC would accept them (I don't know), the only thing I don't like about them is that they're expensive ($250 for 3 crdits) and you better pass the exam otherwise you lose $250. I know you're not interested in Penn Foster courses, but for others, those courses cost $237, can count for UL, and there is more of a "guarantee" you'll pass usually with an A or B.

You'll have to confirm that these credits will be accepted, but I don't see where accounting is listed as a concentration or minor for COCS. Is that true?

According to sanantone, you have 12 months to retake a failed CSU exam for free. That gives them a lot of value for the money paid, as opposed to another form of testing. If COSC accepts them (I'd be surprised if they didn't) then they should all be in the general category of "Business credits". Considering the various Financial, Managerial, and Principles of Accounting exams are listed on the Master Exam List as Business credits. This is all just a hypothesis until I get a confirmation Monday, but I think the logic is sound.

There is no accounting minor or concentration at COSC. I was wondering aloud if, because this way you would have as many credits as a typical minor, if it would be alright to say you had a minor or focus even if the school did not have such a classification. Not to be dishonest, but to highlight the number of credits earned.

I would advise against listing a minor or any type of certificate that hasn't been completed and doesn't actually exist. If I found an example of it on a resume for a job candidate, I would throw it away and move onto other candidates.

Lie on Your Resume at Your Own Risk
What Really Happens When You Lie On Your Resume
Biggest Resume Lies -- and How Job Seekers Get Caught

I appreciate someone in HRs input on this. I may have phrased it poorly, but I just would want to highlight the fact that my BSBA has more accounting credits than, say, a BSBA in General Management. Since COSC doesn't offer the minor or concentration, what would be the best way to let that fact be known? Am I limited to writing on an application or stating in an interview "My degree contains 18 accounting credits"? If so, then I might be better off just getting the BSBA Accounting from TESC, since the CSU exams make it half as expensive as it was before when everyone was using LSU credits. That was a big obstacle for me deciding to take that route.

[ajs1976]

It wouldn't be official with COSC, but does anyone see anything wrong with listing it as such on an application or CV?

There are a couple of other ways I would consider emphasizing it. One would be in the cover letter and/or the professional summary section of the resume. Another place would be by adding a course listing in education something like course highlights or relevant courses, etc. I have been working on a Homeland Security certificate that looks out of place on my resume, but when I mention that it includes an courses on Info Sec and Continuity Planning it fits.

[ajs1976]

According to sanantone, you have 12 months to retake a failed CSU exam for free. That gives them a lot of value for the money paid, as opposed to another form of testing. If COSC accepts them (I'd be surprised if they didn't) then they should all be in the general category of "Business credits". Considering the various Financial, Managerial, and Principles of Accounting exams are listed on the Master Exam List as Business credits. This is all just a hypothesis until I get a confirmation Monday, but I think the logic is sound.

There is no accounting minor or concentration at COSC. I was wondering aloud if, because this way you would have as many credits as a typical minor, if it would be alright to say you had a minor or focus even if the school did not have such a classification. Not to be dishonest, but to highlight the number of credits earned.



I appreciate someone in HRs input on this. I may have phrased it poorly, but I just would want to highlight the fact that my BSBA has more accounting credits than, say, a BSBA in General Management. Since COSC doesn't offer the minor or concentration, what would be the best way to let that fact be known? Am I limited to writing on an application or stating in an interview "My degree contains 18 accounting credits"? If so, then I might be better off just getting the BSBA Accounting from TESC, since the CSU exams make it half as expensive as it was before when everyone was using LSU credits. That was a big obstacle for me deciding to take that route.

We were posting at the same time.

I'm also intrigued by some of the CSU exams and the retake policy helps minimize some of the risk.

I'm not in HR. I'm a hiring manager that had to go through about 200 resumes in the last year.

[KittenMittens]

According to sanantone, you have 12 months to retake a failed CSU exam for free. That gives them a lot of value for the money paid, as opposed to another form of testing. If COSC accepts them (I'd be surprised if they didn't) then they should all be in the general category of "Business credits". Considering the various Financial, Managerial, and Principles of Accounting exams are listed on the Master Exam List as Business credits. This is all just a hypothesis until I get a confirmation Monday, but I think the logic is sound.

There is no accounting minor or concentration at COSC. I was wondering aloud if, because this way you would have as many credits as a typical minor, if it would be alright to say you had a minor or focus even if the school did not have such a classification. Not to be dishonest, but to highlight the number of credits earned.

I appreciate someone in HRs input on this. I may have phrased it poorly, but I just would want to highlight the fact that my BSBA has more accounting credits than, say, a BSBA in General Management. Since COSC doesn't offer the minor or concentration, what would be the best way to let that fact be known? Am I limited to writing on an application or stating in an interview "My degree contains 18 accounting credits"? If so, then I might be better off just getting the BSBA Accounting from TESC, since the CSU exams make it half as expensive as it was before when everyone was using LSU credits. That was a big obstacle for me deciding to take that route.

Have you ever looked at some linked.com profiles? People put down their coursework that is of interest to prospective employers. You can certainly put down you had a "focus" or "emphasis" in accounting and even include courses of relevance as necessary. Nothing wrong or unethical with that. For me, I've taken some free MOOC coursework through Udacity, Stanford, Harvard, and MIT with no issues whatsoever and which I've posted on my C.V. Employers found it as a plus, and what they really cared about was my proficiency and ability to demonstrate those skills I allegedly learned.

It all depends on the type of company you're looking at, how bureaucratic or laid back the HR culture is, etc. On the beginning of a career, your degree may matter more, but the farther down the road you go, the less and less your degree and where you went matters. A lot will also depend on how you apply (a lot of companies filter out applications based off of what buzzwords you put in the application). Sure going to Harvard may give you a leg up initially, but over time, if you are savvy/have skills that are in demand/work hard/stay competitive, these things shouldn't matter too much.

If you want to be an accountant, then I would encourage you to go for an accounting degree and get a CPA. If you're looking to show that you have an "accounting" emphasis and don't intend to specialize as an accountant but show you have that background/familiarity, I think you'll be fine.