The Marketability of Two Bach. Degrees: Is it a waste of time?

[rwhitmarsh]

I am your average student that attends your average college university. Within the next 6 months, I will receive my BA in Management and I was wondering if there is any apparent marketability in making the journey towards another BA in a similar field before I decide to work on my MBA.

My problem is that I have unfortunately just found out about this site right before my degree is complete so I was trying to take more advantage of it by pursuing my second degree with one of the "Big 3" college in say, Organizational Leadership, so as to take full advantage of these study materials.

Also, I am a military funded examinee..So take the fees of the tests out of the question

Thank you for any input,
Russ

[JanusthePhoenix]

The way I understand it, getting a second degree would be a way of branching out of your current job field. If you wanted another degree so closely related to Business Management, why not go for your MBA?

Alternatively, what is it you want to be managing? If you have a specific field or industry you want to get into, that would be where a second degree comes in.

That's my unprofessional opinion, I'd actually like to know what everyone else things about this as well.

[perrik]

If you earned a history BA but wound up as a programmer, it makes complete sense to go back for a comp sci BS. If you need a bachelor's of any sort right away for advancement (or increased marketability), it makes sense to go back for a more targeted bachelor's later (like getting a BALS and then returning for a management BS).

However, following a management degree with an organizational leadership degree at the same level seems redundant. Both Excelsior and TESC require that the major for a second baccalaureate degree be significantly different from that of your first one. If you get the management BS from Park, neither Excelsior nor TESC is likely to admit you for an org leadership undergrad degree program.

Why not seek out a graduate certificate in organizational leadership? You can't test out of it, but then again, it's good practice for your future MBA coursework. The graduate-level accomplishment would also give you a competitive edge for getting into the MBA program of your choice.

Two online options are Kansas State University's graduate certificate in Organizational Leadership and the University of Maryland University College graduate certificate in Leadership And Management. Graduate certificate programs, like graduate degrees, are eligible for federal financial aid.

[MISin08]

I kick this question around from time to time, especially as I'm pretty good at Psychology (and I could probably knock out the GRE without too much trouble), but I'm more inclined to go for a certificate in something like data mining or systems science.

If you have quantitative knack, econ or stats would make a good second BS and is marketable because people don't like to learn math, limiting the supply of qualified candidates for jobs requiring those skills. Or a certificate focused on practical skills in a field that interests you might be good and faster to complete than a second BS. Louisiana State U offers a DL cert in Accounting that would be beneficial to anyone looking at a MBA down the road.

As a hiring manager, I would look at a second bachelor's as a good thing for 1) a career changer 2) if I were hiring a position where learning itself is a focus 3) if the mix of skills is useful/synergistic (and the interview supports the hiring decision )

Phillip

[cookderosa]

I vote no. I do vote that you double and tripple check all the MBA programs you are looking at, make sure you have every possible pre-req done (pre cal, stats, micro, macro, etc) before you close your transcript. All of those are cleppable. Also, if there are any business CLEPs or DSST exams, I would say take them- why not? You might not need much study, and they would be free and in your major!...but to add a second undergrad degree? Naw. Do it now while your college can put them on your transcript, it will keep your records neat and tidy. All the best to you and thank you for your service.

[alleycat]

I am in the same bind. I am thinking about not finishing my BA in ID Management. I have done the math and I need 6 more classes to be done. But I would only need 10 classes to get my MBA. I have most pre req's done at this point. Also the program I would go to can be done in as little as 12 months. They also will let you finish any pre req that are not already completed by your 5th class. For me it just will make more since. I have had a busy summer and have just completed 3 more business classes which I have enjoyed. I am probably going with the MBA. :eek:

[jadechow]

Russ,
I am decidedly in the minority on this one, but I honestly don't see the downside to getting a second undergrad degree and plan to do just that myself once I finish my BSBA at TESC. It's just 30 more credits and if most of them are cleppable (nice new word) and free (for you anyway ) then why not?

I do plan to eventually go for an MBA, but I don't plan to take forever to score 30 new credits for the 2nd bachelors anyway. However, my plan differs slightly from your question in that I am considering a 2nd degree in a subject dissimilar from the business degree I'm working on. I am leaning toward English, History, Economics or something Liberal Artsy.

Just my two cents and like I said it's admittedly not the popular opinion. Have a great weekend,
Kelly

[jadechow]

But I would only need 10 classes to get my MBA. I have most pre req's done at this point. Also the program I would go to can be done in as little as 12 months. I am probably going with the MBA. :eek:

Hey Allison,

What MBA program are you looking at?

[cookderosa]

Russ,
I am decidedly in the minority on this one, but I honestly don't see the downside to getting a second undergrad degree and plan to do just that myself once I finish my BSBA at TESC. It's just 30 more credits and if most of them are cleppable (nice new word) and free (for you anyway ) then why not?

I do plan to eventually go for an MBA, but I don't plan to take forever to score 30 new credits for the 2nd bachelors anyway. However, my plan differs slightly from your question in that I am considering a 2nd degree in a subject dissimilar from the business degree I'm working on. I am leaning toward English, History, Economics or something Liberal Artsy.

Just my two cents and like I said it's admittedly not the popular opinion. Have a great weekend,
Kelly

>>

I'll add something to what Kelly said, if it's for "you" then I say go for it- but if you are looking for a return on investment, I don't think you'll find it in 2 undergrad degrees- especially if the second is in the liberal arts. When I count costs, I consider time a HUGE expense (since I have so little of it). Granted 30 undergrad credits won't take too long, but that just pushes back MBA graduation all that much. I don't think it's wrong to get a second bachelor's degree (My tally will be 3 associate and 2 bachelor degrees within the next couple years) I just don't see it as being all that marketable, which was your question.

[rwhitmarsh]

Thank you for all the input! I just left for vacation for a couple of days and definitely didn't expect this much help.

Hrmm, I guess I'll look into the Master's program on-base to see if there's any holes in my current BA pertaining to pre-reqs for it.

Besides stats or econ what 2nd bach would one consider "synergistic" from TESC? Math just happens to be my forte.