Hodges or certificate?

[DavidHume]

It's kind of crazy to spend many thousands of dollars to get a 2nd BA just so you can spend many thousands to get a MA. Why wouldn't you just find a MA program that will take your first undergrad degree and let you start without any prereqs? Unless you could find some inexpensive ways to get your prereqs.

Perhaps, but as much as I love that the BALS let me study a little of everything, I feel like it was a lot of compromise. I already had a decent paying career and feel like I'm in a position to indulge myself. This will help me get into the best possible master's for me instead of compromising for the path of least resistance. I have about 10 years to pursue whatever education I want before my partner plans on relocating/downsizing/leaving the high paying job. I keep tormenting myself with the options for things that are quicker/easier/lead to better paying jobs, but that's exactly how I ended up in healthcare with an associate degree. It paid well, there was little monetary investment, but I didn't enjoy my work. Various departments, different hospitals, and I even tried a clinic, but it all felt pretty empty. I feel like finally completing the bachelor's degree has given me the confidence to fulfill my dreams instead of settling. Maybe that's crazy. Maybe it was crazy to leave a career others would enjoy. But I'm okay with being crazy.