TESU BSBA Plan and Questions for Double Concentration

[bjcheung77]

Hello Everyone,
Hope everything is great with you and your loved ones.

A bit about myself, I'm married to an awesome and supportive wife, and have two very sweet and young children.
I've graduated high school in '95, however; that's basically all the education I have as I've worked my way up to my current position.
I started working in computer sales and service, building/repairing computers and setting up networks, troubleshooting, etc.

Basically, i'm stuck in a Technical Support Analyst (call center) job and would like to expand on my skill set as well.
I am looking to complete a BSBA General Management and CIS double concentration from TESU for moving up the ladder.
I've done a bit of research using this forum and the wiki pages to create a plan of attack to complete my TESU BSBA CIS.

Can I get some feedback in the courses/plan that I've selected in the attached spreadsheet?
I have decided to follow most of the recommended courses from several forum members as well.
I copied it from several of DFRecore's responses to a few board members and have compiled/modified it to this.

My questions are below, I have a few after reading info on the TESU BSBA website: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree Program
My understanding is that the General Education/Professional Business Requirements and the Free Electives add up to 102 credits.
And I noticed that there are free electives/general education electives, these can add up to 20-23 credits already.

1) How do I add the General Management concentration to this CIS concentration?
2) Is it as simple as adding another 18-24 credits of the Gen Man concentration?
3) Can I just substitute these "electives" with the second concentration instead? So total will be 120+ credits, instead of 120+18 or more?
4) Are there other recommendations for the courses listed, such as removing TECEP Sociology and going for another CLEP or DSST?
5) I will mainly be using Saylor, Straighterline courses for ones I'm missing credit for, are there other recommendations?

I am thankful to this forum (and the other forum), the wiki on degreeforum.wikia.com and the contributors to this forum.
There are so many threads I've gone through and each one has so much helpful information and you gals/guys are so supportive.
I've been lurking for a few years and finally have decided to go for my ever elusive Bachelors degree from scratch.
It's a long road ahead but with determination and motivation, I know I'll get there.

Thank you and have a great remainder of your day,
Bjcheung77

[dfrecore]

Regarding electives, the Gen Ed electives are for General Education only, and most Management courses don't fit there. The "elective" is that you can choose a SocSci, Humanities, or NatSci/Math course, but it's not "elective" in that you can choose not to take the courses. If that makes sense. That's what I got out of your question anyway.

In regards to looking at your BSBA CIS plan, I think the only issue is the TEEX and NFA courses - I know for sure the NFA are free electives, and at least 1 of the TEEX courses is a free elective. So if all 3 TEEX courses were free electives (you never know what TESU is going to do next), then you'll need 1 additional credit in GenEd. If they put any of them in your Area of Study, that would be good too. But I wouldn't count on that.

Regarding a dual BSBA degree, you need to do 18cr (12cr UL) in the second Area of Study in addition to what's already in your plan (the 120cr for the BSBA CIS). I would do:
Org Behavior UL (MAN) -SL
HRM UL (MAN) - DSST
PR (MAR) - TECEP
Intermed. Acctg (ACC) - SL's Financial Acctg
Cost Acctg UL (ACC) - SL's Managerial Acctg
Marketing Communications UL (MAR) - TECEP
It should only add another $600 or so to your plan.

You would need to take an additional SocSci/Hum course to replace Org Behavior that's up there now. Or choose another GenMgmt course instead.

Some other options (all UL TECEP's)
Federal Income Taxation (ACC)

Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (FIN)

Financial Institutions and Markets (FIN)
Sales Management (MAR)
Advertising (MAR)
Operations Management (MAN)

Just remember that you need to cover 3 out of the 4 areas of study (MAN, MAR, ACC, FIN), and have 4 UL courses in there.

Also, since you'll have plenty of TECEP's, I would probably do Financial and Managerial Accounting through SL (Acctg I & II), so that it's an easy transition between those and the next 2 accounting courses. But that's just me.

You can substitute any of the courses as you see fit - I would choose the Sociology TECEP only because I like testing at home, I avoid DSST/CLEP's because it's very inconvenient for me. Plus, it seems like an easy TECEP, and if I have to take 8 of them, I'm going to try to make them as easy as possible. I can't imagine that the Sociology TECEP is THAT much more difficult than the Sociology CLEP, but I certainly could be wrong. I would probably do the Sociology SL course instead of CLEP though, if you're going to be doing a bunch of SL courses anyway.

Last but not least, I wouldn't spend any time on the FEMA certs, just because TESU won't take any. Unless you have unlimited time on your hands, in which case, have at it!

Good luck!

[bjcheung77]

Just an update on my progress and what I've found out about the Double Concentration.
I have a couple more questions for the members of this board.
See below to the answer from an admissions counselor from TESU.

Thank you for contacting Thomas Edison State University! Students may complete up to two areas of study within one bachelor’s degree. For example, students can pursue a BSBA in Marketing and a BSBA in Accounting but students may not pursue a BSBA in Marketing and a BA in Psychology, nor a BSBA in General Management with any other BSBA option. No more than 9 credits that are used in the first area of study may be used for the second area of study. All related required credits for each area of study, as well as all degree requirements, must be met at the same time. Students cannot complete a third area of study within one bachelor’s degree.

Once you are an enrolled student with us you will have the opportunity to speak with an advisor to discuss your options for degree completion, including how you may best pursue two areas of study in one degree. I have included links to our website below where you will find details on the programs we offer and the admissions process. Once you have had the opportunity to review this information, please feel free to contact me directly with any additional questions you may have, I will be happy to assist you further.

I have decided to delay my thoughts on taking the double concentration until I get to the TECEPS stage.
For those wondering, TECEPS are located here: Thomas Edison State University | All TECEPÂ Tests
My focus right now is to complete my ALEKS, Saylor and Straighterline courses and get an evaluation from TESU.
Once my evaluation has come back, I'll then know what I'm missing and can take the DSST and CSU-Global CBE courses.

At the rate I'm working at now, I should be able to complete all the ALEKS transferable courses by this month end and have 1/5th of my degree completed!
My Saylor courses i'm taking are going along just fine as well, I'm not sure when I should take the proctored finals.
I'm wanting to graduate December of this year (2016), so if I'm not mistaken, I need to apply by June.
Lastly, I should have all my courses completed and sent to them by October 1 for a final evaluation.
I gathered that info from Thomas Edison State University: Graduation Information

My questions: For Saylor Courses: Are we just evaluated by the Final Proctored Exam? It seems like it but I'm scared to just take the final.
I want to go through every course material just to make sure I've got everything I need in order to pass the exam the first time.
For Straighterline Courses (haven't enrolled yet): Is it just possible to quickly go through the assignments/tests, midterm and then study hard for the final?
As the final is the only portion of the course that's proctored, I should be able to breeze through the midterm and assignments quickly right?
I'm trying to find out how I should study or complete these as fast as possible to have these requirements by the deadline for TESU grad.

Thank you all for your recommendations and again, I love this board for all the valuable information and support.
There are so many success stories and inspirational words of wisdom that you all provide. Thanks again,

[dfrecore]

I did not know that you can't get the General Management AND another concentration. Good to know.

Regarding Saylor, your entire grade is based on the proctored final exam. I would first take the unproctored final to see where you stand. I wouldn't take the Proctored Final until I was pretty comfortable with the material, and had gotten at least a 75% or so on the unproctored final. Just my 2cents.

Regarding SL, it's almost the exact opposite. You need to go through the material and take the quizzes and possibly a midterm, which are unproctored. A lot of people seem to be able to do well enough on all of those that they need a very low score on the final to pass the course. The proctored final turns out to the be the least important part of the course in that case.

Regarding deciding on a concentration, you can take TECEPs for GenEd's long before you decide on a concentration. I wouldn't wait and take the all at the end, it kind of limits your options at that point. I would take some of the easier ones, and fit those into the plan first (Tech Writing, English Comp I & II, Computers, Applied Math). Taking all SL courses without figuring out your TECEP's first is the wrong move, just in terms of finding the easiest TECEP's to fit into your plan.

[davewill]

...
My questions: For Saylor Courses: Are we just evaluated by the Final Proctored Exam? It seems like it but I'm scared to just take the final.
I want to go through every course material just to make sure I've got everything I need in order to pass the exam the first time.
For Straighterline Courses (haven't enrolled yet): Is it just possible to quickly go through the assignments/tests, midterm and then study hard for the final?
As the final is the only portion of the course that's proctored, I should be able to breeze through the midterm and assignments quickly right?
I'm trying to find out how I should study or complete these as fast as possible to have these requirements by the deadline for TESU grad. ...

Yes, credit is granted strictly through passing the proctored final. One thing you can do is save a copy of the non-proctored quizzes and final to use as a course review for the proctored final. You're probably not supposed to, but there is nothing to stop you from copying the test questions to the clipboard.

[bjcheung77]

Hello,
Thank you for your valuable information and thoughtful replies.
That pretty much summed up what I was thinking and wanting to do.
I have a set list of things I'll be committed to do and have a timeline to get it done.

1) I will apply to TESU in late June/before July 1 so I will be in the 2016 Graduation Year.
2) I'll send all finished ACE Recommended courses to TESU for evaluation then as well.
Or any time before the deadline, but I want to get it done ASAP so I'll know what I need if I'm missing credits.
3) For the Saylor courses, I'll read the materials quickly and go through the final with the tips provided.
4) For the Straighterline courses, I'll slowly make sure my assignments/midterm get the highest marks possible.
Then I'll study hard for the final in order to make sure I get a good grade (even though I think it's just a pass/fail).

5) I've been looking at the DSST for Public Speaking and will go with the SL Intro to Communications instead.
6) I'll work on the 2 DSST and 2 CSU-Global CBE at the same time as the TECEPS to finish off the degree.
7) For the TECEPS, I'll be taking these ones if I'm missing anything, since it has recommended text/books/resources.
They fit into my concentration as well: http://www.tesu.edu/degree-completion/do..._TECEP.pdf
8) Lastly, I should have all my courses completed and sent to them by October 1 for a final evaluation.
I gathered that info from http://www.tesu.edu/current-students/Gra...mation.cfm

Thanks for your recommendations and tips on getting things done better and faster.
I feel so much better and confident with this forum "assisting" and "hand holding" me through.
I'm so compelled to thank you guys for what you have done to help others.
It is very much appreciated! You guys rock, Thanks again!