GEtting a 2nd Bachelors?

[CGaboury]

Was talking to someone today and they stated that you can not get a 2nd bachelors. You have to get a Masters. I said that this was not the case. This got me thinking. if I complete my BSBA at TESU, and I wanted a 2nd bachelors, what would have to be done? Would my classes for my first Bachelors cover all my Gen Ed classes? I'd only have to go and do the AOS for the new Degree right?

[Flelm]

The Secret to Earning a Second Degree | Thomas Edison State University

Award of Degrees

Basically, at TESU, you need an additional 24 credits in the core and/or area of study. If you look at my signature, my current plan is to get a BSAST, and then a BSBA. I can do this because I have not taken any business core classes. I need a few Gen Ed credits for the BSAST (and the core). Once I get that degree conferred (in March, hopefully), I can take all my business core classes, and then apply for a second degree.

On a side note, the two times I discussed my plan with TESU (once over the phone with an advisor, once via ticket with the registrar), they both tried to point me towards getting a Master's instead of a second bachelors. Just be aware of that, and know what works best for you.

[dfrecore]

Was talking to someone today and they stated that you can not get a 2nd bachelors. You have to get a Masters. I said that this was not the case. This got me thinking. if I complete my BSBA at TESU, and I wanted a 2nd bachelors, what would have to be done? Would my classes for my first Bachelors cover all my Gen Ed classes? I'd only have to go and do the AOS for the new Degree right?

Also, if you want a second degree in the same area (for instance, another concentration in your BSBA), you can actually get that at the same time as your first concentration, as a dual concentration. It won't work with General Management, but if you wanted a BSBA in (for example) CIS and Marketing, you could do both, by just taking the 6 extra courses in the AOS.

If you want to get a 2nd bachelor's in a completely new area, then you have to do it the right way; in the case of TESU, it means that you have to get your degree conferred (not just finish all your courses), and THEN you can start taking new courses/exams in the new AOS; plus you have to meet any new requirements that may have changed since you got your first bachelors. So, if you were under the 2015 catalog to get your BSBA, and then you want to get a BA in Computer Science, you will be enrolled in the new catalog, and have to meet any requirements for that (so in that example, I would have to take Speech and American Government since those weren't requirements for my degree).

[rebel100]

I think a second bachelors is a waste of time and money in most cases. If you are changing lanes and needs the new bachelors to get you there that would be the exception (like if you decided to become and Engineer or something). This day and time a bachelors degree is often a minimal qualification...but far fewer people have a masters and that can set you apart and open doors.

If you wanted to do it cheaply at TESC that would make the most sense..but it's still a drain on time and resources for not a lot of gain IMKHO.

I don't mean to knock it really, i just don't see it being of any great benefit...of course around here we fast track everything while paying bottom dollar...so perhaps the value is relative.

[Flelm]

I think a second bachelors is a waste of time and money in most cases. If you are changing lanes and needs the new bachelors to get you there that would be the exception (like if you decided to become and Engineer or something). This day and time a bachelors degree is often a minimal qualification...but far fewer people have a masters and that can set you apart and open doors.

If you wanted to do it cheaply at TESC that would make the most sense..but it's still a drain on time and resources for not a lot of gain IMKHO.

I don't mean to knock it really, i just don't see it being of any great benefit...of course around here we fast track everything while paying bottom dollar...so perhaps the value is relative.

For me, two bachelors makes sense because from my original go at a degree, I have a lot of engineering and compsci credits. I needed 27 credits to get a BSAST: the capstone, project management, and a lot of Gen Ed. For a BSBA, which would fit my current career, I would basically need all of my business core classes, and the same Gen Ed courses. Project Management will fit into my AOS.

So, for essentially $1200 (the BSAST capstone cost), I can get a second bachelors. I view that as worth it. If I was much further away than that, I would probably not be going for it. As you said, in most cases it's not worth it. For me, I think the benefit is there.

[davewill]

Some schools won't award a second bachelor's, so your friend may be right in his experience.

[CGaboury]

Thanks everyone! For the record, I'm not, at least currently, considering a 2nd. It was just a question raised in a friendly discussion. Thanks for adding clarity everyone.

[TrailRunr]

So, if you were under the 2015 catalog to get your BSBA, and then you want to get a BA in Computer Science, you will be enrolled in the new catalog, and have to meet any requirements for that (so in that example, I would have to take Speech and American Government since those weren't requirements for my degree).

That is incorrect. A previous regionally accredited bachelor's degree will waive all TESU General Ed requirements regardless of the catalog. For example, I never took speech and still haven't thanks to the GE waiver. TESU will plug in a random course from the other credits section and apply the waiver.

[Nixi]

[quote=TrailRunr] "That is incorrect. A previous regionally accredited bachelor's degree will waive all TESU General Ed requirements regardless of the catalog. For example, I never took speech and still haven't thanks to the GE waiver. TESU will plug in a random course from the other credits section and apply the waiver."

That's good to know! I won't have to complete any extra GE requirements if I pursue another degree at TESU.

[videogamesrock]

That is incorrect. A previous regionally accredited bachelor's degree will waive all TESU General Ed requirements regardless of the catalog. For example, I never took speech and still haven't thanks to the GE waiver. TESU will plug in a random course from the other credits section and apply the waiver.

How about with an associates degree?