Starting Almost From Scratch

[jblackhawk]

First off, wow this site is amazing! Thank you for doing this!!

I am a newbie with this so I am looking for suggestions on the best plan of action to achieve a degree in an inexpensive and quick manner as based on the below:

I have few credits (21 but maybe only 6 that will actually transfer) from a brief stint in school back in '97. I opted to have a wonderful career over the years (mainly business, marketing, legal admin) and with that a lot of life experience. As I look to my future, I am considering a career change and would like to work towards obtaining a masters in psychology or counseling.

I am basically starting at the bottom of the college plan as I still require most of the GE requirements. What would you recommend as a degree plan that could be quickly and easily obtained by mostly testing out that also would tie into either of the masters degrees above so that I am not way off base? It seems a BSBA might be the most applicable track given my work experience but maybe there are other broader options just to knock it out? After exploring this forum, I am leaning towards TESU...other options were CSU Global and Capella because I also need online programs.

Thanks so much in advance.

[boalex207]

Associates or Bachelors? Never mind.....I reread.

What are your 21 credits?

[jsd]

Let's start with what those 21 credits were, so we have a place to start. 21 is sizeable, and unless you failed out of those courses, they're very possibly usable, depending on what they are.

[jblackhawk]

They are quarter credits from Berkeley College, Fashion Marketing and Merchandising.

INFOTECH CA101 Computer Essentials - 2.00 CE
FASHION F101 Introduction to the Fashion Business - 4.00 C+
FASHION F106 Textile Analysis - 3.00 D
FASHION F110A Fashion Field Study - 2.00 A
FASHION F223 Product Knowledge - 3.00 D
LIBRARTS G100 Freshman Seminar - 1.00 C
LIBRARTS GS110 Group Dynamics - 3.00 D
MKTING SA101 Professional Selling - 3.00 C

I am embarrassed to share my low GPA...Berkeley included attendance in it's grading so if I missed classes (which I did for work) my grades dropped despite A's on my test. I graduated 9th in my high school class with a NY Regents Diploma...that doesn't count for anything does it, lol?

Anyway, CSU advised that only 6 credits would transfer to their school.

Thank you for looking!!!!

[dfrecore]

Where someone has a goal bigger than "just" a BA, then I always recommend that you begin with the end in mind. So, for you, I would suggest that as you continue looking into BA/BS degrees here, that you start to do research on the MA in Psych or Counseling programs you might be interested in. Let's say you like a particular MA program at a school, and then you realize you will need a 3.0 (or even higher) GPA for the last 30 credits of your degree. If that's the case, then you will need to find a way to get graded courses, rather than just testing out. Almost all of the options here are Pass/Fail, so no grades. The major exception is Excelsior, which does give grades for their UExcel exams.

Now, if that doesn't matter, then you can go crazy and take all the exams you'd like. But if it matters, you need to know up front.

One of the other things I like to think about is the degree you want. If you ultimately want a MA in Psych/Counseling, then it doesn't make a lot of sense to get a BA in Business. You will no be taking classes in the kinds of things you like to learn about, nor will you be well-prepared for your MA program. So my advice would be to get your BALS (if you decide on TESU), and take almost all of your courses the Area of Study in Psychology. That would certainly make a MA in Psych a little easier.

You could choose to get your BA in Psych, but I think that it adds an unnecessary burden if you're going to continue on, and it doesn't matter which degree you get as long as it's a Bachelor's. The BALS is so flexible, it's crazy not to get it so as not to add any extra expense and courses to your plan. If you're going to take all Psych courses, then you could get the BA in SocSci, but that's just a very broad degree narrowed a tiny bit from another broad degree, and I don't think it matters much. But you'd be on track to get that instead if you wanted to, it wouldn't add any extra work to your plan.

You should post your credits you've already received here: make sure to include the course title, course number, number of credits, and grade (for some courses it does matter). Also indicate whether it's a CC or 4-yr school, and if it's quarters or semesters.

Then we can help you further with a plan for a BA (and some people on here are really knowledgeable about MA programs as well).

[jsd]

I am embarrassed to share my low GPA.

You really shouldn't worry about it. I haven't seen any judgmental folks around here. Everyone is interested in helping, not petty judgement.

[jblackhawk]

Where someone has a goal bigger than "just" a BA, then I always recommend that you begin with the end in mind. So, for you, I would suggest that as you continue looking into BA/BS degrees here, that you start to do research on the MA in Psych or Counseling programs you might be interested in. Let's say you like a particular MA program at a school, and then you realize you will need a 3.0 (or even higher) GPA for the last 30 credits of your degree. If that's the case, then you will need to find a way to get graded courses, rather than just testing out. Almost all of the options here are Pass/Fail, so no grades. The major exception is Excelsior, which does give grades for their UExcel exams.

Now, if that doesn't matter, then you can go crazy and take all the exams you'd like. But if it matters, you need to know up front.

One of the other things I like to think about is the degree you want. If you ultimately want a MA in Psych/Counseling, then it doesn't make a lot of sense to get a BA in Business. You will no be taking classes in the kinds of things you like to learn about, nor will you be well-prepared for your MA program. So my advice would be to get your BALS (if you decide on TESU), and take almost all of your courses the Area of Study in Psychology. That would certainly make a MA in Psych a little easier.

You could choose to get your BA in Psych, but I think that it adds an unnecessary burden if you're going to continue on, and it doesn't matter which degree you get as long as it's a Bachelor's. The BALS is so flexible, it's crazy not to get it so as not to add any extra expense and courses to your plan. If you're going to take all Psych courses, then you could get the BA in SocSci, but that's just a very broad degree narrowed a tiny bit from another broad degree, and I don't think it matters much. But you'd be on track to get that instead if you wanted to, it wouldn't add any extra work to your plan.

You should post your credits you've already received here: make sure to include the course title, course number, number of credits, and grade (for some courses it does matter). Also indicate whether it's a CC or 4-yr school, and if it's quarters or semesters.

Then we can help you further with a plan for a BA (and some people on here are really knowledgeable about MA programs as well).

Thank you. I really appreciate the advice. Narrowing down the MA program does make sense and will be the next thing I look at. BALS sounds like a good option. I get stuck on the business BA as that could always enhance my current career in the meantime.
I posted my credits probably just as you posted, a little down the thread. I doubt the fashion courses will apply anywhere.

[cookderosa]

Where someone has a goal bigger than "just" a BA, then I always recommend that you begin with the end in mind. So, for you, I would suggest that as you continue looking into BA/BS degrees here, that you start to do research on the MA in Psych or Counseling programs you might be interested in. Let's say you like a particular MA program at a school, and then you realize you will need a 3.0 (or even higher) GPA for the last 30 credits of your degree. If that's the case, then you will need to find a way to get graded courses, rather than just testing out. Almost all of the options here are Pass/Fail, so no grades. The major exception is Excelsior, which does give grades for their UExcel exams.

Now, if that doesn't matter, then you can go crazy and take all the exams you'd like. But if it matters, you need to know up front.

One of the other things I like to think about is the degree you want. If you ultimately want a MA in Psych/Counseling, then it doesn't make a lot of sense to get a BA in Business. You will no be taking classes in the kinds of things you like to learn about, nor will you be well-prepared for your MA program. So my advice would be to get your BALS (if you decide on TESU), and take almost all of your courses the Area of Study in Psychology. That would certainly make a MA in Psych a little easier.

You could choose to get your BA in Psych, but I think that it adds an unnecessary burden if you're going to continue on, and it doesn't matter which degree you get as long as it's a Bachelor's. The BALS is so flexible, it's crazy not to get it so as not to add any extra expense and courses to your plan. If you're going to take all Psych courses, then you could get the BA in SocSci, but that's just a very broad degree narrowed a tiny bit from another broad degree, and I don't think it matters much. But you'd be on track to get that instead if you wanted to, it wouldn't add any extra work to your plan.

You should post your credits you've already received here: make sure to include the course title, course number, number of credits, and grade (for some courses it does matter). Also indicate whether it's a CC or 4-yr school, and if it's quarters or semesters.

Then we can help you further with a plan for a BA (and some people on here are really knowledgeable about MA programs as well).

+1 all that.
The overwhelming majority of posts will be targeted at how you can do it the fastest-cheapest. If you were staying in your current career and just wanted to check the box, then fastest-cheapest is a fine plan. You're considering a profession that not only requires a graduate degree, but also a license. So, first knowing that that means in your state. Once you know what you HAVE to do, then you can go about the business of creating a plan that considers fastest-cheapest WITHIN THE PARAMETERS that get you into grad school and licensed. Getting a BA via mostly testing is a) doable for people of average intelligence b) inexpensive c) fast. I've seen people here with a goal change their minds so they could earn a degree in "anything" in 12 months when "the something" that was their goal would have taken 13. Don't do anything until you understand most of it- and read, read, read here for as long as it takes before pulling the trigger. For every month you're here learning how to best do this, you're saving a year off your degree completion.

Finally your GPA from this school will not come over to TESC. You'll start from 0.00 However, your grad school will probably use these graded credits to calculate a "new" GPA when you apply. For that reason, I suggest enrolling in at least some TESC courses to pull that up- exams don't +/- your GPA.


INFOTECH CA101 Computer Essentials - 2.00 CE Continuing Education, no credit
FASHION F101 Introduction to the Fashion Business - 4.00 C+ Free Elective, credit
FASHION F106 Textile Analysis - 3.00 D free elective, credit
FASHION F110A Fashion Field Study - 2.00 A free elective, credit
FASHION F223 Product Knowledge - 3.00 D free elective, credit
LIBRARTS G100 Freshman Seminar - 1.00 C probably gen ed elective, credit
LIBRARTS GS110 Group Dynamics - 3.00 D unsure
MKTING SA101 Professional Selling - 3.00 C business elective in business degree, free elective in other degrees, credit

[jblackhawk]

Thank you. I am leaning specifically towards a Masters MFT in order to have a practice.

I guess it is really sinking in that I really need to look at the higher level programming, plan backwards and put it on paper now. I've been a little resistant to that because I figured it would be so many years away and things could always change, whether it be the Psy specialization, or if I wanted to pursue a Doctorate, school programming, who knows...making it tough to settle on a school right now to base my plan on. After finding this forum it seems that I could really work on obtaining the BA/S much sooner.

I have done some research on the licensing requirements in each state that I might be in (CA, WA, or CO) and the major accreditation commissions (CACREP / COAMFTE). I am okay with doing some coursework if required, just want to be able to knock out a lot of the undergrad quickly.

All this is new to me so I really appreciate you taking the time to provide advice.

-----------
As an update, I came across this school, Northcentral Univ, and their website seems to suggest the same as what this post details, only requirement would be BA.
http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...amily.html

[dfrecore]

Thank you. I really appreciate the advice. Narrowing down the MA program does make sense and will be the next thing I look at. BALS sounds like a good option. I get stuck on the business BA as that could always enhance my current career in the meantime.
I posted my credits probably just as you posted, a little down the thread. I doubt the fashion courses will apply anywhere.

First, my GPA, with an academic scholarship no less, was 1.98 my first year of college. On just 7 classes - because I got W's for the other 3. So don't feel bad about your GPA. Luckily, I figured out that while I wasn't crazy about college, I did enjoy something else - WORKING! Sounds like you figured that out as well.

I only really know TESU well enough to give you advice there, so keep that in mind.

The BSBA probably could certainly work in the meantime, it just doesn't leave a lot of room for those psych courses you'd probably want to take. But it's still doable for you. You can always get a quick (relative I'm sure) BSBA, then get a second degree with the BA in SocSci. Basically at that point, you would only need to take 24cr in your AOS. It was tricky to figure this one out, but I did it (ok, so I'm a spreadsheet dork!).

I figured yours out a little differently than others; first I planned your BSBA. I did all the free/cheap stuff first (Insurance Ethics, Kaplan PLA, Saylor & ALEKS), and then planned 8 TECEP's for residency. THEN, instead of other cheap courses or using SL to maximum effect, I used UExcel courses that would cost $145 to replace courses you were already going to pay 100+ for anyway. To get you some of the grades you might need for grad school (33cr). I came up with a cost of $3500.

I figured out where all of the courses would transfer to in the new plan, and that left you with exactly 8 courses to take for the 2nd Degree (you have to take 24cr in your Area of Study AFTER your degree conferral). So, after you finished with your BSBA in Gen Management at TESU, you couldn't start taking the additional courses until after graduation. At that point, you could take 7 additional UExcel's, for $1500, and then the Capstone for another $1500 (and another 24cr with grades). Kind of crazy that the second degree (24cr) costs almost as much as the first degree (110cr), but that capstone is a killer.

The other thing that might be helpful after getting your TESU BSBA (if you go that route) is to then switch over to Excelsior to get the 2nd degree instead. I'm not sure how it works there, but I'd it couldn't hurt to look at that as another option, since you'd have the UExcel exams there. It might look better to get that 2nd degree from another college. Also, by that point, they might have the testing out option for the capstone, which could make it a lot less expensive to go there (I've heard they're going to do that).

Anyway, getting your BSBA is not a bad plan, since it might take a while to finish up the BALS afterwards, and then go through a Masters program. You might want to save up some money to get through it, and having a degree that could move your career forward a little is definitely a good way to get there.