Two Bachelor's in different areas of study?

[nas22]

Assuming they are NOT in the same area of study, and they wouldn't be completed simultaneously, would it look silly to receive two Bachelor's? For instance, a BSBA and a B.A.. I've heard the advice "Save that money and go for a Master's", but I'm just trying to evaluate my current options, and if I ever do go for a Master's, it would be WAY down the road. To sum it up, my question is this: Would it look redundant to receive two Bachelor's, although one would be a science and the other an art? Should it even matter? Thanks!

[soliloquy]

I've had the same question although I would prefer to obtain them simultaneously. I'm working on a BS with a concentration in Paralegal Studies but I kind of like their BA option in Political Science as well. Like you people told me skip the 2nd BA and get a Masters. I'm thinking about a Masters in Security Studies from ECU but a Masters in Legal Studies (sometimes called MLS) is kind of intriguing to me as well. To that my circle of wannabe life coaches scoff and tell me to just go get my JD but I don't want to be an attorney...and frankly...you can't really go to law school online and I can't afford to give up my job to do it.

So having said all of that...my personal opinion is that if the second BA is in a field that you will specifically be working in and not just a second degree to decorate your vanity wall, I can see going for another one. But, if there's no real use for it, I'd just get the Masters in something that is either enriching for you or something that can be used to further your career.

[Tedium]

I'm not sure what your educational/employment goals are, but it might make more sense to get some certificates/graduate certificates after your first degree to demonstrate any specializations in other areas. It would be more cost effective and you would feel less of a need to explain the decision, IMHO. Plus, once you do decide to pursue a full master's your grad. certificate might be applicable to your MA/MS/Whatever. Just need to do your homework about who will accept what, etc.

[Getiton1]

Hi Nas22,

Yes, I know how you feel. I was the same way once I missed the January registration period and thought, well maybe I can use this time to get a second Bachelors. Cookderosa, Sanantone, IrishJohn and a few others gave me a talk, and I have to agree with the logic that unless you really NEED it (like a nurse or a special degree/license to practice), it's not the best money spent. Of course if you really WANT it, and don't mind paying the money (and in my case doing a capstone requirement), then go for it. However, in today's highly competitive world, I have to agree that experience and certificates really make people take notice that you are a serious professional. You sound pretty busy, so taking an online certification might be a happy medium. After all you can always go back to school, and if you were going back to one of the big 3 they are so liberal with their granting of credits, you might even be able to use that certificate as part of your credits? Not sure, I am going to the next TESC Open House in January to feel out my options regardless. In the meantime, I took Cookderosa's advice and Sanantone's too and am studying for a World Religions DSST now which would work for the BA in Humanities and also fulfill my Gen Ed requirements.

Follow your bliss... you sound like you have a level head on your shoulder and would not get into something too coo coo. Weight the options/value/cost and figure out if it's the best thing for YOU.

Only you know what you want out of this crazy journey called life

Best of luck in your adventure,
T

I'm not sure what your educational/employment goals are, but it might make more sense to get some certificates/graduate certificates after your first degree to demonstrate any specializations in other areas. It would be more cost effective and you would feel less of a need to explain the decision, IMHO. Plus, once you do decide to pursue a full master's your grad. certificate might be applicable to your MA/MS/Whatever. Just need to do your homework about who will accept what, etc.

[lprstn]

I'd personally look at jobs/careers that you hope to utilize your degrees in to see if it's a viable option. Search current job descriptions and requirements. It makes sense in some cases where you want to do vastly different careers, otherwise it may appear redundant.

[sanantone]

Technically, one would not be a science and the other an art. The business administration degree is a bachelor of science, but business administration is an applied professional subject. A BA at TESC and many other schools can be a science. Science is a liberal art, but it's also science. Computer science, biology, natural science/mathematics, and mathematics are BA programs at TESC. What are you thinking about getting a BA in?