No degree to MBA-HR in 20 months - Nodaclu's Progress Thread

[Nodaclu]

I'm going to finish Cyber 101 either today or tomorrow, so I'm not quite going to make RANSOMSOUL's goal of finishing everything by today. 

But I'll still easily be done by January 10th. I can live with that.  

Awesome job Nodaclu!!

Thank you for the push! It helps, and I appreciate it. 

[Nodaclu]

TEEX Cyber-101 complete

[Nodaclu]

Cyber 301 is on hold, as there appears to be a glitch in the Matrix...er...I mean, a glitch in the course software. I've emailed TEEX about the problem - hope it can be resolved quickly.

In the meantime, I've sent HIS-108 (completed 12/20/17) and PSY-106 (completed 12/27/17) and TEEX Cyber 101 (completed 12/31/17) over to TESU today, via ACE. I'll report back with how they transfer in.

---

I'm re-thinking things a tiny bit, as I've come to the realization that the area of HR I'm best at (and have the most interest in) is Benefits Administration. I don't see my career goals going any higher than a Benefits Manager at this point. That has me questioning whether I should stay on my current path, or make some adjustments.

General Business classes (along with finance, economics, etc.) aren't my strength at all, and an MBA might be more than I need.

So here are my two new potential options going forward:

1. Continuing to finish my BALS quickly, then getting my CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) and possibly PHR certifications, then continuing on with an MS-HRM from Amberton.

2. Back up and take an extra 3-6 months longer to finish a BSBA in HR, get the CEBS/PHR certifications, and be done with it.

Based on the Benefits Manager job postings I'm researching, I've yet to find any that require a Master's. Most of them however, DO require a BS specifically in Business, HR, or a "related field".

So that's where I'm currently at. Any thoughts?

[dfrecore]

Cyber 301 is on hold, as there appears to be a glitch in the Matrix...er...I mean, a glitch in the course software. I've emailed TEEX about the problem - hope it can be resolved quickly.

In the meantime, I've sent HIS-108 (completed 12/20/17) and PSY-106 (completed 12/27/17) and TEEX Cyber 101 (completed 12/31/17) over to TESU today, via ACE. I'll report back with how they transfer in.

---

I'm re-thinking things a tiny bit, as I've come to the realization that the area of HR I'm best at (and have the most interest in) is Benefits. I don't see my career goals going any higher than a Benefits Manager at this point. That has me questioning whether I should stay on my current path, or make some adjustments.

General Business classes (along with finance, economics, etc.) aren't my strength at all, and an MBA might be more than I need.

So now I'm thinking that finishing my BALS quickly is still the right choice, then perhaps pausing in between to get my CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) certification, then continuing on with an MS-HRM from Amberton.

More expensive, and potentially slower, but if I'm already working as a Benefits Specialist/Administrator (a role I believe I can achieve right now based on experience alone), then the need to be speedy is dulled somewhat.

I agree that an MBA isn't necessarily what you need, although you can also look at an MBA with an HR concentration if you want.  I also don't really have an interest in an MBA, and would rather be HR-focused (I was in Compensation when I left the workforce).

In the HR world, I think certs are the way to go.  I'm not even sure you need anything higher than a BA, if it were a BSBA in HR.  With the BALS, I'm still not 100% certain you need more, but not as sure.  You might also look at WorldatWork's CBP designation, which is VERY detailed in the Benefits area (much more so than the CEBS).  LOTS of info, and fairly expensive.  Look at jobs in the field you want, look at the degrees they're looking for, and the certs.  Don't do any more than necessary, unless you want to go higher.  Even then, a lot of companies will pay for your degree, so I would wait until I got the job I wanted with the degree I had, and then look at the next level up.  Why pay for a degree that you don't need now, when your company might be more than willing to pay for it at any number of universities.

[Nodaclu]

I agree that an MBA isn't necessarily what you need, although you can also look at an MBA with an HR concentration if you want.  I also don't really have an interest in an MBA, and would rather be HR-focused (I was in Compensation when I left the workforce).

In the HR world, I think certs are the way to go.  I'm not even sure you need anything higher than a BA, if it were a BSBA in HR.  With the BALS, I'm still not 100% certain you need more, but not as sure.  You might also look at WorldatWork's CBP designation, which is VERY detailed in the Benefits area (much more so than the CEBS).  LOTS of info, and fairly expensive.  Look at jobs in the field you want, look at the degrees they're looking for, and the certs.  Don't do any more than necessary, unless you want to go higher.  Even then, a lot of companies will pay for your degree, so I would wait until I got the job I wanted with the degree I had, and then look at the next level up.  Why pay for a degree that you don't need now, when your company might be more than willing to pay for it at any number of universities.

Sorry about that! I was editing my post for further clarity when you responded, but your reply actually makes perfect sense to my re-write anyway. 

Having looked at more than 40 job postings just now across the U.S. for Benefits Managers, not a single one required a Master's Degree (two didn't even require a Bachelor's - much to my amazement). About half asked for the CEBS (required or preferred), only one asked for the CBP (and that was a Comp & Benefits Mgr position that also wanted the CCP). 

That being said, I'll take a long look at both certs (along with the PHR, which many wanted along with the CEBS). But I think you're right. Especially as it pertains to Benefits Managers, the Master's might be overkill right now, and it's something I can always come back to if it appears my career is going to be blocked again by the lack of a degree.

Looks like I need to create a new plan for a BSBA!   Fortunately, I'm right at the tail end of the window where I can do it, without having to back up even more. When I checked previously, I think it meant that 21 units I've already taken can't be used. That's a major bummer, but not the end of the world.

EDIT:
BALS - 32 units to degree completion
BSBA - 60 units to degree completion

Ouch.

I wonder if splitting the difference with a BALS - HR concentration would make sense?

[Nodaclu]

The more I'm thinking about this, the more the BALS - HRM option makes sense to me. I have the business experience to complement the degree, it shows a well-rounded degree path, and I get it done at least 6 months faster.

With certs being so important in HR, along with my age, and experience, I think this combo would work in 90% of the scenarios I might find myself in.

Hmmm....

[dfrecore]

The more I'm thinking about this, the more the BALS - HRM option makes sense to me. I have the business experience to complement the degree, it shows a well-rounded degree path, and I get it done at least 6 months faster.

With certs being so important in HR, along with my age, and experience, I think this combo would work in 90% of the scenarios I might find myself in.

Hmmm....

Unfortunately, the HR Concentration for the BALS has courses you can't find cheaply:
Change Management
Sociology of Work

So if you had the study.com affiliate membership and registered prior to 6/30, those would each be $1098.

I think sometimes people forget that you not only have to look at the number of credits you need to finish, but also the amount of time and money it will take to finish.  Those will be 3-month courses, probably with multiple papers required.  I think it's more work/time/money that it's worth.

I would get the BSBA-HR.  That's my preference.

Regarding the CBP, yes, that's normally required for higher-level jobs in upper management.  So, don't spend the time and money getting it (it's like $10k plus travel time and money to take the exams at onsite cities around the country, which aren't offered all the time).

So, go with the CEBS and the PHR, they are relatively inexpensive, generalist certs, and show currency which is important in HR - they want to know that the stuff you know is current and relevant to what's going on in an ever-changing marketplace, ESPECIALLY with regards to health insurance right now.

[Nodaclu]

Unfortunately, the HR Concentration for the BALS has courses you can't find cheaply:
Change Management
Sociology of Work

So if you had the study.com affiliate membership and registered prior to 6/30, those would each be $1098.

I think sometimes people forget that you not only have to look at the number of credits you need to finish, but also the amount of time and money it will take to finish.  Those will be 3-month courses, probably with multiple papers required.  I think it's more work/time/money that it's worth.

I would get the BSBA-HR.  That's my preference.

I'm looking in the TESU course catalog for the specific class list for the HR Concentration, and I can't seem to find it. Can you possibly point me somewhere where I can take a look at all of them?

As far as the work/time/money perspective, it's honestly 50/50 for me. I have *never* taken a single college business course. I'm missing *everything*. And since it's one of my least favorite areas of study, it's going to likely take me a lot of extra time to finish.

In addition, my last algebra-based class (trigonometry) was taken in 1987. And math is my worst subject of all. I'm seriously unsure if I can ever pass a College Algebra class. And if I can, i'll probably have to take at least one (and probably two) remedial classes before I can tackle it. More time. More money.

Now with those excuses made   I'm still strongly considering the BSBA. I just need to think on it for a bit longer.

I can also push the decision off for another month at least by carefully selecting my next two Study.com courses, making sure that they'll work in both plans. 

[dfrecore]

I'm looking in the TESU course catalog for the specific class list for the HR Concentration, and I can't seem to find it. Can you possibly point me somewhere where I can take a look at all of them?

As far as the work/time/money perspective, it's honestly 50/50 for me. I have *never* taken a single college business course. I'm missing *everything*. And since it's one of my least favorite areas of study, it's going to likely take me a lot of extra time to finish.

In addition, my last algebra-based class (trigonometry) was taken in 1987. And math is my worst subject of all. I'm seriously unsure if I can ever pass a College Algebra class. And if I can, i'll probably have to take at least one (and probably two) remedial classes before I can tackle it. More time. More money.

Now with those excuses made   I'm still strongly considering the BSBA. I just need to think on it for a bit longer.

I can also push the decision off for another month at least by carefully selecting my next two Study.com courses, making sure that they'll work in both plans. 

RE the HR concentration for the BALS, just go to the BALS page, then click on HRM down in the concentration area.  It will list specific courses there.

Yes, it is hard to get into the groove of the BALS if you've never taken the courses, but they aren't impossible for sure.  I am doing Study.com's Microecon right now, and there is a lot of overlap from Macroecon, Managerial Accounting and Intro to Finance.  It's not as hard as I thought it would be.  Not that the courses are a piece of cake, but they're not impossibly difficult.

Re: math, I feel your pain.  I have to do Stats, and I'm not loving it.  So far though, I have to say that Study.com is making it fairly easy.  A lot more concepts than computations.  But I had to start with ALEKS's pre-algebra and work my way up before I could complete College Algebra.  It did take a while.

Definitely keep taking courses that work in both degrees.  Things like Macro/Micro econ will work in the BALS gen ed's or AOS, and also are required for the BSBA.  One thing to keep in mind: the HR concentration of the BSBA will probably really interest you.  So it almost offsets the courses you have to take that you don't want to (Finance or Accounting or Econ or whatever).  6 interesting courses to look forward to... and there will be some overlap there as well, to make it a bit easier.

[davewill]

I know that I would be hesitant to go with the BALS when you are seeing so many listings wanting a business degree. The BALS is fine as a check the box degree, but it sounds like you really need something more specific.