Route Planning

[KagomeH]

Your Location: Texas, USA
Your Age: 27
What kind of degree do you want?: Finish bachelor's degree
Current Regional Accredited Credits: Roughly 128 credits
Budget: Cheaper as I pay out of pocket
Commitments: Work
Dedicated time to study: I can do 20 to 30 hours a week.
Timeline: Couple of years but I would like to be done within a year if possible.
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: No undergraduate loans I paid out of pocket for all of my credits. I make too much too qualify for grants but can qualify for student loans if needed. Employer offers $3000 yearly so not too helpful.
Schools: UMPI, ASU, WGU (not a big fan of the tests), Any to be honest

First off, I was stupid in my late teens and early 20s wanted to be a CRJ major. I went back years later and I graduate with my MLT degree in May. Now, I'm wanting to finish as soon as I can so I can focus on getting into a graduate program or take prerequisites for program. I plan on being in the hospital lab for a while but I went that path so I had a degree to make a living off of. I am really wanting something to tie into my useless CRJ credits to finish or will take the most out of my allied health credits to bridge for my MLS at least or have a bachelor's degree to contest the boards in a couple of years after finishing. I have a lot of regrets going back years later but I had no path my original time in other than getting a CRJ degree. Now, I just want some advice. Most bridges from MLT to MLS require the classes listed at at the bottom of the page.

I can use any degree to contest the boards if needed.

ENMU: 13-16* Credits (Dual Credit)
ENG 102 P English Composition 3.00
HIST 101 P Survey of Amer History to 1877 3.00
HPE 117AP Basketball I 1.00 
MATH 107 P Intermediate Algebra 3.00*
ENG 104 P English Composition & Research II 3 
HIST 102 P Survey of Amer Hist since 1877
MATH 119 P College Algebra 3.00 

*This course has not transferred in the past so I'm aware of it not transferring now. I usually don't count it in my total so 13 credits

CCC: 16 Credits
Intro to Chemistry (non-mjaor): 4
Human A&P 1 - 4
Human A&P II - 4

LCU: 38 - Credits
Intro to CRJ - 3
General Psychology- 3
General Sociology - 3
Christian Heritage- 3*
Fundamentals of TX Criminal Law- 3
Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement- 3
Criminal Investigations- 3
Forensic Computer Examinations- 3 (Upper level)
English Technical Writing- 3 (Upper level)
World Religions- 3 (Upper level)
Death Penalty - 3 (Upper level)

AC (overall): 61* (freshman/sophomore level only)
MLT required:
Nutrition & Diet Therapy- 3
Medical Terminology I - 3 
Intro to World Religions- 3 (upper level did not transfer from private university)
Interpersonal Communication- 3
Coagulation- 1
Into to CLS Science - 2
Hematology - 4
UA & Body Fluids - 2
Immunlogy/Serology- 2
Immunohematology- 4
Clinical Microbiology - 4
Clinical Hour Classes- 6*

(Aware clinical hour classes may not transfer but...I wanted to go ahead and list it anyways)

Former CRJ major:
Art History- 3
Correctional Systems/Practices- 3
Criminal Investigation- 3
Fundamentals of Criminal Law- 3
Crime in America- 3
Court Systems in Practices- 3

General courses needed for a ASCP MLS later on (varies by program).

General Chemistry I (with lab)
General Chemistry II (with lab)
Organic Chemistry I (with lab)
Organic Chemistry II
Statistics
Microbiology
Science Elective (I am hoping my A&P courses fulfill this requrement)

Any certifications or military experience? N/A

Edit: (I forgot to add my goals....I just want some general advice.)

[bjcheung77]

@KagomeH, Welcome to the board, that's a great post with addendum, template, and extra details with your update.  I would add TAMUC to the list of schools and have that as a front runner, UMPI as a second option for backup.  With the tuition assistance you get, you already should have the TAMUC or UMPI degree completed for residency credits, you transfer in the rest of the degree.  Having said that, what you should do is, get as many community college credits for the ASCP MLS added into your degree... Or if you're pressed for time, get the TAMUC/UMPI degree first, then add community college credits afterwards.

TAMUC Competency Based Programs List Thread: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...ogram-List
TAMUC BAAS Health Services Admin option link: https://www.tamuc.edu/programs/health-se...tion-baas/
TAMUC BAAS Requirements Degree Guide: https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads...e-hscb.pdf

[Jonathan Whatley]

Another option, it's less often discussed here to date but South Texas College has a CBE Bachelor of Applied Technology in Medical and Health Services Management with tuition $900 per 7-week term for Texas residents.

[KagomeH]

Thank you both for the information. I have definitely considering both programs you both suggested. As for the community college classes, I plan to take those probably after finishing my bachelor's degree. Both tuition rates are within in my budget. I'm kind of torn as both degrees seem very similar but has the management portion that a lot of fields look into with.

If I went the UMPI route, I had considered a BLS with Management but this much better suited for my healthcare route. Plus the management classes can definitely be applied outside of my healthcare career. Thank you!