Considering switching from LA to Business

[JanusthePhoenix]

So I'm about halfway through my test-out degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior; I plan on taking this degree to a brick and mortar state university and going for a second degree in engineering, followed by a master's which will also be in engineering.

I'm noticing now though that the Excelsior business degree doesn't seem to be that much more difficult than the LA degree, although perhaps a bit more expensive with more ECE tests in the mix. I figure, "If my Excelsior degree is little more than a platform from which to jump to my second Bachelor's, why not make it a Business degree?"

So that's my question: any particular reason why not? Can anyone think of a reason why a LA degree might be preferable after all?

[skyfall123]

Would a business degree make sense for you, considering your career goals? Yes. Even if you started the business degree and only made it half way through, before switching back to the LA degree.... the knowledge you gain from those courses will be useful in your career. Knock off Management, Marketing, Macro, Micro, Statistics, Ethics, OB, Business Law...and if you are still enjoying it, the rest will be doable.

[Gary]

I completely second that. To do over, that is what I would have done. The BSL is quicker and easier but the Business side of it is definitely more applicable. Now I'm looking at an MBA from Wilmington University and while the BSL doesn't hurt, the Business degree would tie everything together better. You read that Liberal Studies and General Studies degrees produce a more well rounded individual. Maybe???? But there are more opportunities with a Business Degree. I've talked to many HR people, especially in gov't including my sister-in-law who is head of Global Talent for a Fortune 500 company and they have all seconded that. I wish now I went that extra mile.

[creationstory]

get the AS in business.. finish the BS in liberal arts.. and continue on with your engineering degree

[JanusthePhoenix]

Thanks for the replies. I've just sent off my request to my academic advisors to transfer me. Apparently they charge a fee for that, and it takes six to eight weeks. Oh well, though. If you guys are right, and I think you are, it will be worth it.

[skyfall123]

The Excelsior business team is on the ball and the catalog is clear about the steps needed to complete the degree. You can download the business catalog and begin testing out with the appropriate exams. I would also not hesitate to give the business team a call to assist in speeding up the process.

IC has proven to be invaluable when it comes to testing out of business related courses.

[Gary]

Ask the average person in the street, Business Administration or Liberal Studies degree?????? Ask some who have polished jobs. This may put you at ease. My guess is the BA wins the race. IF you ever think about gov't employment, I think again, the BA wins. It has more applications and will improve your chances (check USAJOBS). We take Liberal Studies for a reason, it's quicker to earn because you can cut/paste classes, it was about getting the paper. One last thing, w/an extremely competitive market out there, you want an edge. If you google LIBERAL ARTS DEGREE, you'll see many sites on how to market it. Google BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE, you won't see that. You know what you need to do and how to use it.

[JanusthePhoenix]

I would also not hesitate to give the business team a call to assist in speeding up the process.

How do you mean, exactly? I would love to speed it up all I can, especially now that I have to take that 15 week Business Policy and Strategy course.

[skyfall123]

How do you mean, exactly? I would love to speed it up all I can, especially now that I have to take that 15 week Business Policy and Strategy course.

email directly @ busteam@excelsior.edu

or call on the phone @ 888-647-2388

Be polite when you speak to them. Act like a regular enrolled business student. When they explain that you aren't plugged in yet and that it might take a few weeks for the change in program....act shocked, then bewildered, (oh,no...etc) then ask them if they would please do everything in their power to speed up the process.

When I used the same tactic I was in the system and rolling less than a week after enrolling. Be polite. Act shocked. Ask for assistance. Thank them.

You don't get far in life without continuous unabated persistence.

BTW the business advisers are or were very good. The department secretary also helped me graduate early, by flagging and forwarding my last two exams.

[JanusthePhoenix]

Thanks for the advice, Geezer! We'll see how it works for me.