Degree Track Help

[kodiak61]

Hello, Hi and Howdy from lurker to first time poster,

I decided to go back to school to obtain my degree and enrolled full time at Oregon State University. During some research on a random subject I stumbled on/discovered this site. Now it has me rethinking my entire original plan and I'm wishing I found this before I wrote a couple hefty checks to OSU.

With all that said, I'm going to continue to read and learn, I have been through the Wika and I "think" I have a fairly good idea of a path....

Think being the optimal word there. So, I'm here hoping that one of you "been there, done that" experts could help me create a plan and possibly answer a couple questions for me. My hope is to do this right this time and not just jump in head first like I did when I decided to enroll at OSU.

1. Do I have to enroll in either Thomas or Charter before I start taking Aleks/Clep/Dantes ect? I saw where you pay the $75 to see how what credits you have will transfer, however I then also saw a note where it said you can come here (to this forum) and get the same help. This is what I'm attempting today. I "believe" the answer is no, get your plan and then push like crazy to get through them until the end and there is a couple classes you HAVE to take at either school.

My long term plan is an MBA in Organizational Industrial Psychology. So with that said I'm going to copy past my "unofficial transcripts" here in the hopes that one of you fine people can help me with a plan. I "think" I can get into an appropriate MBA program with either a generic BS/BA, BS General Management or Psychology Degree. I would have interest in any of those 3 undergrad degree's. I'm hoping for you insight into which rabbit would be better for me to travel down.

Here we go:

Portland Community College back in the 90's (OSU accepted xfer)

BA 230 BUSINESS LAW I "C"
3.000
ELEC LDT INTRO CRIM JUSTICE SYS: COURTS "A"
3.000
HST 202 *HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES "B"
3.000

ACE Awarded credits from the military:

ELEC LDT LOWER DIVISION MILITARY CREDIT "P"
5.000
HHS 241 *LIFETIME FITNESS P
1.000

Central Oregon Community College in the 90's (OSU accepted)

BA LDT PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING "B-"
3.000
BA LDT BUSINESS ECONOMICS "C+"
2.000
BA LDT INTRO TO BUSINESS "B-"
3.000
COMM 111 *PUBLIC SPEAKING "A-"
3.000
ELEC LDT INTRO LAW ENFORCEMENT "D"
3.000

My current course load from OSU, I will pass all of these classes.

*MUSIC APPRECIATION I: SURVEY MUS 101 (3)
*GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY PSY 201 (3)
PRINCIPLES OF STATISTICS ST 201 (3)
*ENGLISH COMPOSITION WR 121 (3)


The reason for the randomness of the community college credits is I had no idea of what major I was even beginning to think about back them. Also, as a GED holder I just needed to complete 26 credit hours so that the ARMY would allow me to enlist as a high school graduate.

So that is where I stand, I will be completed with Summer term in late August, however I would like to get a head start on a degree track with Charter or Thomas with eventual lead into an MBA program for Organization Industrial Psychology.

Thoughts, comments, concerns and alibi fires are all ok.

I do truly appreciate any and all help any of you can provide me.

Thanks again,

Andrew

[ajs1976]

No, you don't have to apply now.

That doesn't look like a common MBA specialization. Do you have a specific school in mind? If you do, you will want check their admission requirements for the program.

[kodiak61]

I have looked into a couple schools for that MBA track and it does not seem too difficult to get accepted as long as you have the prerequisite.

What I'm really hung up on is the major. Do I go for the Psychology, General Management or BS/BA. Each one presents different options. The MBA program at WGU is not Industrial Psychology, however is is quality and would help my career so that opens doors on the major choice.

I know all the information I'm asking or need is in these forums or on wika. I will keep reading/searching in hopes of the light bulb going off and me "getting" it. However at this point I'm still a hair lost and could use some help from ya'll.

Thank you for you input so far ajs1976, I do appreciate it.

[dfrecore]

I think you have to decide on the MBA degree you want before we can help you decide which BA/BS to get. Most people who have a very specific goal in mind have to work backwards from there.

But I will say that if you want an MBA, it certainly can't hurt to get the BSBA first, since that will knock out all of your prerequisite courses. If you want to take some Psych courses to fill in the Gen Ed's to prepare you for the other portion, that's a good way to go.

I think that a BA in Psych is a much more difficult proposition (in terms of testing out), and getting a job with just a 4-yr Psych degree (in case you don't get that MBA right away) will be more difficult than the BSBA. And, you will have to make sure you get all of your business prereqs anyway.

[Prloko]

I know this will sound like there is an "echo" in the thread, but I will re-affirm the advice that if you have a specific grad program in mind, it would be to your great advantage to work backward from that goal.

Find about 3 grad schools that you can afford and would like to attend. Don't be afraid to include a more selective school in that list. Research their application requirements. Find out which undergrad school (COSC, EC, TESU) has the most advantageous credit/degree mix that will get you into your grad school. Plot out your current credits with the needed credits and the cost/speed of each. Make your choice and execute! Don't forget that some grad schools want references, some either professional/academic or some combination of both. If you need an academic recommendation, consider getting one from a current professor or plan on taking an online course to get it.

EDIT: On a second note, I remember OSU being on the quarter-hour system. Are the credits you listed above under the quarter-hours? If so, you need to multiply them by 0.67 to get the equivalent semester hours you will get at TESU, COSC. Also, does your Army JST have additional courses that perhaps OSU did not accept? TESU and COSC are very military friendly and there may be a few more credits in there.

[kodiak61]

Thank you for your help and advice so far! I do truly appreciate it.

Yes, OSU is on quarter term hours, so are both of the community colleges I attended. So that will have to taken into consideration.

After reading the above replies and doing a literal TON more reading last night, I have decided to obtain a BS/BA and then look to WGU for masters. After obtaining the BS/BA I "may" explore some options of Industrial Operational Psychology, however that can be for another day.

The main reasoning is that I worked my way up from the bottom. I'm currently employed as a plant manager and have a solid reputation within my company. Sadly, that only extends to my company. Should the worse case scenario happen and I was to be let go or wanted to quit, I would struggle to obtain an equal position as I do not have a degree. Last industry survey I read stated that 75% of people in my field and position have at minimum a bachelors.

So, I need to obtain my bachelors to stay competitive in the job market should something happen.

Thank you again for help thus far, it got me thinking quite a bit more and was insightful.

Can I ask for some more advice on a BS/BA plan?

Currently these threads are helping considerably:
http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...llege.html
http://degreeforum.wikia.com/wiki/Sanant...ly_1,_2015

I guess I just am looking for a more specific to me plan, I dont want to repeat courses or make a mistake.

I have always referred to experts in their fields for advice, as many of you are experienced in this, I'm turning to you for help.

Thank you in advance for any help offered,

Andrew

[dfrecore]

So what degree do you want then, and from which school? That's what we need to know in order to figure out a plan for you.

[kodiak61]

BS/BA from TESC in General Management I believe.

Then MBA from WGU.

I can explore the Psychology options once I have the BS/BA in hand. Maybe I will elect to take a few courses as electives or for entertainment purposes.

[Prloko]

Being your schools were on the quarter system, you will have about 27 transferable credits give or take. You may run into issues where a requirement is 3 credits but you only have two. Some people, myself included have had similar issues waived, others weren't as lucky.

I haven't done a degree plan in some time. Let me see what I can dig up and maybe we can at least get you started and you can finish it up.

[kodiak61]

So another question.

Because COSC will accept FEMA/TEEX credits, would pursuing a BSBA from them be more efficient in my case then TESC?

My apologies for jumping the gun, as I read more and more I keep coming up with more questions and ideas.

I'm seriously leaning towards COSC now due to the FEMA credit option.