Thinking of getting a second TESC BA degree...

[Getiton1]

Hi Cook,

Yes, this would be a BA in Humanities in ADDITION to my BSN. I am going to get my BSN no matter what. I am doing nothing for the next 3 months because I am forced to wait until April Semester to take my next required course. So I figured, let me see what other college credits I can earn while I am stuck waiting. Also, I love the arts, and play an instrument, had a music major for a mom, I love to paint and draw, and I can speak decent French. So having a BA in Humanities might be fun to learn about/earn college credit this Jan, Feb. Mar. But I don't know anything about the BA in Humanties or what 24 credits will count using the usual things we use on this website (CLEP, DSST, SL and ALEC's).

Looking to know what my options are for getting a dual degree as well as looking to see if Humanities is a doable option.

I replied to a bunch of folks on this thread, but I feel I am being redundant...so let me stop there and wait for feedback.

Thanks for any advice,
Tara

[ironheadjack]

As others have already pointed out, the problem with starting a second BA is you need to earn 24 NEW credits after your first degree is conferred. I'm not sure how many courses you need to finish your BSN, but it seems like you are closer to it then a BA in humanities.

Here are a few links that will lead you to accepted CBEs for humanities.

General Education Courses
DANTES
CLEP - College-Level Exam Program
Humanities College Courses Online for Credit | StraighterLine

[sanantone]

Hi Sanantone,

Okay, so because I am in a Scientific Discipline (BS) that means I can't double major in an Arts (BA) degree? That sucks.

What might some other double major options be? Are there any science options that do not have this dreaded "Capstone" project I keep hearing people complain about?

I have 3 months to kill, where I am used to taking 2 TESC courses, one at the BS level and one at the MSN level, I think I am going to go nuts with all this free time in between now and April Semester. I was hoping to bang out another degree if possible and I love the arts.

Supposing I were to finish my BSN, could I then transfer those credits at TESC for a BA in Humanities? Would that still mean 24 more credits to earn in Humanities classes?

One more question...what test out options would work (count for the 24 needed credits) for the Humanities major at TESC? Any CLEP's? DSST's SL's or ALEC's? What is the capstone all about anyway?

I am getting the BSN no matter what... the BA in Humanities is more for personal satisfaction and just learning more about something in the arts.

Any additional advice?

Thanks,
T

I think that when you double major, the major has to come out of the same school, but you can always ask. The school of nursing only has nursing degrees.

If you finish your BSN first, you will need 24 new credits in the humanities major. They have to be earned after the BSN is conferred. I made a test out plan for humanities.
Sanantone's BA in Humanities - Degree Forum Wiki

[Getiton1]

Thanks Ironheadjack,

These links were helpful. I wouldn't be finished and conferred until next Fall, so I think that makes up my mind for this year. You are right that I only have 2 electives (math, Gen Ed...which I will likely take with CLEP for 6 credits) and the last 2 nursing courses (Community Health Nursing which is 7 credits and Seminar in Clinical Competence which is three). The finish line is visible and your point is well taken.

I love online learning and a part of me is really itchy to get that Humanities Degree.

Even if will start a Master's in Nursing, I wouldn't get in until September (for B&M colleges) or October (for TESC) anyway. If I stay with TESC, and do their Master's Program, I will not have that many courses left to take since I took the first 12 with them already. I think I would have about 20 credits left to take to get my Masters in Nursing.

Humanities classes for me would probably be pleasurable, almost like doing continuing education in an adult school, but more expensive and I would come out of it with college credit. So I think I will consider this option for sure! But I think I will just take some courses for fun in my off time.

Thanks again for including those helpful links,
Tara

PS Here's what's involved in finishing my MSN at TESC as an FYI:
Master of Science Nursing Degrees at Thomas Edison State College

As others have already pointed out, the problem with starting a second BA is you need to earn 24 NEW credits after your first degree is conferred. I'm not sure how many courses you need to finish your BSN, but it seems like you are closer to it then a BA in humanities.

Here are a few links that will lead you to accepted CBEs for humanities.

General Education Courses
DANTES
CLEP - College-Level Exam Program
Humanities College Courses Online for Credit | StraighterLine

[Getiton1]

Thanks Sanantone,

Yeah, I didn't realize that you couldn't double major across disciplines. Nor did I know you would have to wait for your current degree to be conferred as was mentioned above in one of the posts. I understand the logic behind... one school is for science and the other is the arts.

I just read Ironheadjack's and your reply with links for CLEP/DSST/SL/ALEC's options and I think I will take on an extra BA in Humanities degree. I am just not sure WHEN I will do it. I might just take a few courses now while I am stuck waiting. Taking a college course in drawing or painting or language would be enjoyable for me...so why not take a class during this down time? After all it's not like I would be taking Organic Chem. or Trig. it would be a drawing class or a painting class, maybe a psychology CLEP?

Your plan is super helpful!

Thank you for your advice. After I am done with my BSN and my BA in Humanities, I think it will give me a lot of personal satisfaction. I think it will be more like the education of the early centuries. I will be sort of a renaissance woman! Sounds good to me. Now, if I could only master Maths and playing the harp, I would be a total renaissance woman.

I can't thank you, or the people on this board enough for your honesty, help and advice. It's very difficult to discuss alternative means of earning credit with most people in my family, let alone people at B&M universities. Often, I feel like I am the one teaching them about CLEP, DSST's, SL, ALEC's the the rest.

I love this board, it's been like a second family to me over the past 10 months or so.

Thanks again!
Tara

[Getiton1]

Okay, CLEP's won't work, as they only have lower level value, it's going to have to be DSST's and B&M arts classes.

[cookderosa]

My first question- are you anywhere near meeting the eligibility criteria for an ANCC certification? If so, do that. ANCC Certification Center

Second question- are you located in proximity to any nursing conferences or professional development events? If so, do that. 2014 ANA Quality Conference

Third question - are your continuing education credits overflowing? If not, do that. https://www.google.com/search?q=nursing+...+education

Last question- do you volunteer at health clinics or in the community? If not, do that.

there are many quality ways to build your resume, develop professionally, or use your talents. I don't see the BA Humanities doing any of those. I also would like you to calculate the cost of those additional credits, because I don't think you're doing that; you're talking about A LOT OF MONEY.

[Getiton1]

Hi Cook,

These are great suggestions for professional development, and your link for additional FREE CEU's is something I will use a lot in the future.

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, I have had my ANCC cert in Peds in the past, but it's close to 400.00 a year to maintain it, and since I work in corporate, they won't pay for it anymore. Great suggestion though, when I get close to finishing my MSN, I'll probably test and get that certification again.

2. That ANCC Conference has always been interesting to me. I really like this idea, and maybe it might help me network with other nurses that are serious about particular causes in nursing. Even for networking value alone this seems like the best option. I don't have enough money to pay for the plane ticket, lodging and conference in Feb 2014, but this is something I would consider a "must" after I earn my BSN, thank you for reminding me about the ANCC Cook.

3. I am very good about my CEU's. I am licensed in 2 states, so they have different requirements and they expire on different years. For example, my NJ license expires in 2015, but my PA license in 2014. So I HAVE to take CEU's constantly. I took over 50 CEU's between December and March of last year, but you are right...this will be an excellent way to keep my brain busy, for a low cost in a way that will benefit me as a professional. I am already eyeing a few of the newer courses. Great idea, and this should work to keep my adult ADHD brain busy until April.

3. Yes, I have volunteered, here's what I have found: I gave flu shots in the past, but I am not really sure morally/ethically on the value of the flu shot, so I gave that up once I was lectured by a very knowledgable person who put up some great arguments against flu vaccine. I am a little leery to start volunteering again because once April comes, I will have to drop it, and my past experience is facilities kind of get mad at you for "quitting" even if you tell them up front this is only an "interim" thing for you. To be honest, when the hurricane hit the Philippines, I would have gone, except I was in the middle of my BSN/MSN classes and need those "A's, if I want to continue my education. So, ideally I volunteered it would have to be something that would have a short term limit by nature, to be the best fit for me. I have worked for the Red Cross in the 1990's and early 2000's teaching CPR. I can't really be a first responder at a local with my current job, and school re-starting in April (they would surely get annoyed if I did that) but I have rode on the paramedic truck with my Mom from time to time. I actually enjoy that, but I don't think I would do it myself full-time as the death aspect is pretty much every day. I am more peds in focus, so I like the fun, honesty and hope that comes from working with young people. I suppose I could volunteer to feed kids at my former job in a Ped's hospital, but there's no really joy in that for me. I prefer the therapy and making progress kind of helping.

4. In looking over the maps for a Humanities degree, I didn't realize so many credits had to be at level 300-500. We are talking at least 20 credits at this level. I only see a few test out options that will help me out there. (i.e. Religions of the World DSST) So yeah, this would be an expensive feather in my personal cap. I am already in debt for the BSN degree, so while I think I will get the BA in Humanities eventually, it's not something that is essential or profitable to me now. It's more of about something to keep my mind occupied and earn some college credits over the next 3 months. I am absolutely going to take your advice on the CEU's, and look into local "free" networking events. Also, I am going check into short term volunteer options (without strings), because I think if I have the time and some skills, it's best to share them to help others.

Thanks Cook, these were excellent suggestions! I think you tapped into my "need to read" and that was the motivation behind even considering the BA in Humanities.

Thanks again so much,
Tara

My first question- are you anywhere near meeting the eligibility criteria for an ANCC certification? If so, do that. ANCC Certification Center

Second question- are you located in proximity to any nursing conferences or professional development events? If so, do that. 2014 ANA Quality Conference

Third question - are your continuing education credits overflowing? If not, do that. https://www.google.com/search?q=nursing+...+education

Last question- do you volunteer at health clinics or in the community? If not, do that.

there are many quality ways to build your resume, develop professionally, or use your talents. I don't see the BA Humanities doing any of those. I also would like you to calculate the cost of those additional credits, because I don't think you're doing that; you're talking about A LOT OF MONEY.

[cookderosa]

Tara, I'm not trying to tell you which direction to go, only to show you a few areas that might be helpful besides the degree. By my calculations, it was going to be close to 5 grand for the humanities degree (major guessing, I could be off) and I figured the other suggestions might be more of a resume builder for less money. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[sanantone]

4. In looking over the maps for a Humanities degree, I didn't realize so many credits had to be at level 300-500. We are talking at least 20 credits at this level. I only see a few test out options that will help me out there. (i.e. Religions of the World DSST) So yeah, this would be an expensive feather in my personal cap. I am already in debt for the BSN degree, so while I think I will get the BA in Humanities eventually, it's not something that is essential or profitable to me now. It's more of about something to keep my mind occupied and earn some college credits over the next 3 months. I am absolutely going to take your advice on the CEU's, and look into local "free" networking events. Also, I am going check into short term volunteer options (without strings), because I think if I have the time and some skills, it's best to share them to help others.

I don't think you took a good look at the degree's webpage or my plan. You only need 18 credits at the 300/400 level, not 20 at the 300-500 level. 3 of those credits will be covered by the required capstone. I listed more than enough possibilities for you to use tests or Straighterline for the UL credits, although, not all of them are verified. The Saylor course is free and self-paced; and, you earn credits just by passing a proctored exam. You can take the exam at home using ProctorU for about $25. The ECEs are $95. Straighterline courses are $148 at the most. $99 for the monthly subscription fee and $49 for the course. The more courses you take in a month, the more money you save.

Being that you are a New Jersey resident, if you can finish before your enrollment fee or comprehensive tuition plan expires, you can probably complete the second BA for a little over $2500.