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Help Me Stay On-Track - gRoland - 04-27-2015
I'm having difficulty staying focused on the goal of finishing my education. I'm looking for input, whether specific to my degree option, or just general feedback.
Degree: Excelsior College's Dual Degree program Bachelor's of Science in Business (concentration: Management Information Systems) and a Master of Business Administration. I've a few credits I've carried into it from the military, but I still have a ways to go. What I have left and what I've completed are listed below ... this is supposed to add up to 147 credits, though the math doesn't seem to quite get there (I think this happens when you meet a requirement with an imported credit, though it might only be one instead of the normal 3 credits, so not sure what happens when I meet all the requirements but total credits don't add up to the 147).
[INDENT]What I still need:
(U=Undergrad, G=Graduate)
ARTS & SCIENCES COMPONENT
Humanities (7) U
Microeconomics (3) U
Statistics (3) U
Natural Science (3) U
Arts & Science Electives (15) U
BUSINESS COMPONENT
Managerial Accounting (3) U
Marketing Concepts & Applications (3) U
Principals of Finance (3) U
Production/Operations Management (3) U
Quantitative Methods (3) U
Capstone, Business Strategy (3) U
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Organizational Behavior (3) U
Business Ethics (3) U
BRIDGE COMPONENT
Business Communications (3) G
Global Business Environment (3) G
GRADUATE COURSE COMPONENT
Accounting for Managers (3) G
Human Resources Management (3) G
Operations Management (3) G
Information Technology (3) G
Leadership or Change Management (3) G
Capstone, Strategy and Policy (3) G
Business Electives (9) G
Credits Applied:
(B=Business, E=Applied Professional/Free Elective, H=Humanities, N=Natural Science/Math, S=Social Science/History, W=Written English Reqirement)
COCHISE COLLEGE
CIS-120 Intro to Info Systems (3) B
MIO-103 Military Justice & Intel Law (1) E
MIO-106 Map Reading & Analysis (3) S
MIO-111 Information Security for Intel Ops (1) E
MIO-114 Reporting of Intelligence Data (3) E
EXCELSIOR COLLEGE
INL-102 Information Literacy (1) E
PSY-101 Introduction to Psych I (3) S
BUS-230 Business Law (3) B
ACC-211 Financial Accounting (3) B
MAT-114 Intermediate Algebra (3) N
ENG-101 English Composition (3) W
HIS-101 US History I (3) S
ENG-202 Business Writing (3) W
ECO-262 Intro to Macroeconomics (3) S
MAT-116 Precalculus Algebra (3) N
US ARMY TRAINING & DOCTRINE COMMAND
COMM-131A Business and Professional Comm (1) H
HIS-131A Intro to Military History (1) S
BUS-200A Applied Management I (1) B
BUS-201A Applied Management II (1) B
PSY-131A Health Psychology (1) S
COMM-132A Strategic Communication (1) H
POL-131A Intro to World Politics (1) S[/INDENT]
Home Situation: I work full-time for the government in a draining job, and have a wife and toddler. My wife is tolerant of me working toward a degree, but I wouldn't say supportive. I'm also a military reservist. Time is difficult, but so far I've been managing...though I find school largely boring. I took off last trimester, and will only be taking one class through the summer, due to extensive travel.
Other credit options: I am studying for the CompTIA Security+ certification. I also have access to SkillPort, and am considering classes with TEEX and Defense Aquisition University. I'm hoping the ACE-specific classes will at least knock-out some of the credits/electives (and potentially pick-up some certifications, maybe PMP or Six Sigma). However, I still have the time issue.
This seems like it wil take forever. It's difficult to keep myself on track.
Help Me Stay On-Track - KittenMittens - 04-27-2015
gRoland Wrote:I'm having difficulty staying focused on the goal of finishing my education. I'm looking for input, whether specific to my degree option, or just general feedback.
Degree: Excelsior College's Dual Degree program Bachelor's of Science in Business (concentration: Management Information Systems) and a Master of Business Administration. I've a few credits I've carried into it from the military, but I still have a ways to go. What I have left and what I've completed are listed below ... this is supposed to add up to 147 credits, though the math doesn't seem to quite get there (I think this happens when you meet a requirement with an imported credit, though it might only be one instead of the normal 3 credits, so not sure what happens when I meet all the requirements but total credits don't add up to the 147).
A degree though COSC or TESC will be practically 100% tested out of - I see a lot of courses here where you can't test out of which will drive the cost up and be a pain in the ass to do. But through either COSC or TESC, that won't be a problem.
Here's what you do if you're not motivated enough. Pay for exams, and schedule them. That pressure when the week before the exam comes and you know you have to study for them will force you to study for them. On the COSC degree plan wikia, I list options that many test takers have found to be passable with under 20 hours or so of studying, often with far less. It's good if you're a procrastinator and just want the credit quickly.
There's a sample COSC Business Administration plan you can look into and I provide options for what you can do for each requirement. Good news is that there are less business and math requirements, they accept easy FEMA/TEEX credits for free (Excelsior charges like $80 or something), and you can use CLEPs, DSSTs, UExcels, etc.
Also, you can do your MBA at Excelsior or anywhere - what's the benefit of being in a combined MBA program? Like what does it gain from someone who didn't go to Excelsior for undergrad?
Below, I will list in bold what courses you don't have to take through COSC and exams that satisfy them. The exams that are chosen tend to be popular and generally have very positive test taker feedback. Go here: http://www.instantcert.com/college.php4 a compare the subjects with the exam titles to see feedback on these exams.
gRoland Wrote:I'm having difficulty staying focused on the goal of finishing my education. I'm looking for input, whether specific to my degree option, or just general feedback.
Degree: Excelsior College's Dual Degree program Bachelor's of Science in Business (concentration: Management Information Systems) and a Master of Business Administration. I've a few credits I've carried into it from the military, but I still have a ways to go. What I have left and what I've completed are listed below ... this is supposed to add up to 147 credits, though the math doesn't seem to quite get there (I think this happens when you meet a requirement with an imported credit, though it might only be one instead of the normal 3 credits, so not sure what happens when I meet all the requirements but total credits don't add up to the 147).
[INDENT]What I still need:
(U=Undergrad, G=Graduate)
ARTS & SCIENCES COMPONENT
Humanities (7) U -> CLEP Humanities
Microeconomics (3) U -> CLEP Microeconomics/PF Microeconomics/SL Microeconomics
Statistics (3) U -> ALEKS Business Statistics
Natural Science (3) U -> CLEP Biology or SL Biology
Arts & Science Electives (15) U - meh
BUSINESS COMPONENT
Managerial Accounting (3) U -> Straighterline Manageiral Accounting or Penn Foster MA
Marketing Concepts & Applications (3) U -> CLEP Principles of Marketing
Principals of Finance (3) U -> Penn Foster Financial Management
Production/Operations Management (3) U -> Don’t need for COSC
Quantitative Methods (3) U -> Don’t need for COSC
Capstone, Business Strategy (3) U -> Need for COSC
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Organizational Behavior (3) U -> UExcel Org Behavior
Business Ethics (3) U -> DSST Bus Ethics & society
BRIDGE COMPONENT
Business Communications (3) G -> don’t need for cosc
Global Business Environment (3) G -> don’t need cosc
GRADUATE COURSE COMPONENT
Accounting for Managers (3) G->
Human Resources Management (3) G
Operations Management (3) G
Information Technology (3) G
Leadership or Change Management (3) G
Capstone, Strategy and Policy (3) G
Business Electives (9) G
Credits Applied:
(B=Business, E=Applied Professional/Free Elective, H=Humanities, N=Natural Science/Math, S=Social Science/History, W=Written English Reqirement)
COCHISE COLLEGE
CIS-120 Intro to Info Systems (3) B
MIO-103 Military Justice & Intel Law (1) E
MIO-106 Map Reading & Analysis (3) S
MIO-111 Information Security for Intel Ops (1) E
MIO-114 Reporting of Intelligence Data (3) E
EXCELSIOR COLLEGE
INL-102 Information Literacy (1) E
PSY-101 Introduction to Psych I (3) S
BUS-230 Business Law (3) B
ACC-211 Financial Accounting (3) B
MAT-114 Intermediate Algebra (3) N
ENG-101 English Composition (3) W
HIS-101 US History I (3) S
ENG-202 Business Writing (3) W
ECO-262 Intro to Macroeconomics (3) S
MAT-116 Precalculus Algebra (3) N
US ARMY TRAINING & DOCTRINE COMMAND
COMM-131A Business and Professional Comm (1) H
HIS-131A Intro to Military History (1) S
BUS-200A Applied Management I (1) B
BUS-201A Applied Management II (1) B
PSY-131A Health Psychology (1) S
COMM-132A Strategic Communication (1) H
POL-131A Intro to World Politics (1) S[/INDENT]
Help Me Stay On-Track - cookderosa - 04-27-2015
gRoland Wrote:I'm having difficulty staying focused on the goal of finishing my education. I'm looking for input, whether specific to my degree option, or just general feedback.
Degree: Excelsior College's Dual Degree program Bachelor's of Science in Business (concentration: Management Information Systems) and a Master of Business Administration. I've a few credits I've carried into it from the military, but I still have a ways to go. What I have left and what I've completed are listed below ... this is supposed to add up to 147 credits, though the math doesn't seem to quite get there (I think this happens when you meet a requirement with an imported credit, though it might only be one instead of the normal 3 credits, so not sure what happens when I meet all the requirements but total credits don't add up to the 147).
[INDENT]What I still need:
(U=Undergrad, G=Graduate)
ARTS & SCIENCES COMPONENT
Humanities (7) U
Microeconomics (3) U
Statistics (3) U
Natural Science (3) U
Arts & Science Electives (15) U
BUSINESS COMPONENT
Managerial Accounting (3) U
Marketing Concepts & Applications (3) U
Principals of Finance (3) U
Production/Operations Management (3) U
Quantitative Methods (3) U
Capstone, Business Strategy (3) U
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Organizational Behavior (3) U
Business Ethics (3) U
BRIDGE COMPONENT
Business Communications (3) G
Global Business Environment (3) G
GRADUATE COURSE COMPONENT
Accounting for Managers (3) G
Human Resources Management (3) G
Operations Management (3) G
Information Technology (3) G
Leadership or Change Management (3) G
Capstone, Strategy and Policy (3) G
Business Electives (9) G
Credits Applied:
(B=Business, E=Applied Professional/Free Elective, H=Humanities, N=Natural Science/Math, S=Social Science/History, W=Written English Reqirement)
COCHISE COLLEGE
CIS-120 Intro to Info Systems (3) B
MIO-103 Military Justice & Intel Law (1) E
MIO-106 Map Reading & Analysis (3) S
MIO-111 Information Security for Intel Ops (1) E
MIO-114 Reporting of Intelligence Data (3) E
EXCELSIOR COLLEGE
INL-102 Information Literacy (1) E
PSY-101 Introduction to Psych I (3) S
BUS-230 Business Law (3) B
ACC-211 Financial Accounting (3) B
MAT-114 Intermediate Algebra (3) N
ENG-101 English Composition (3) W
HIS-101 US History I (3) S
ENG-202 Business Writing (3) W
ECO-262 Intro to Macroeconomics (3) S
MAT-116 Precalculus Algebra (3) N
US ARMY TRAINING & DOCTRINE COMMAND
COMM-131A Business and Professional Comm (1) H
HIS-131A Intro to Military History (1) S
BUS-200A Applied Management I (1) B
BUS-201A Applied Management II (1) B
PSY-131A Health Psychology (1) S
COMM-132A Strategic Communication (1) H
POL-131A Intro to World Politics (1) S[/INDENT]
Home Situation: I work full-time for the government in a draining job, and have a wife and toddler. My wife is tolerant of me working toward a degree, but I wouldn't say supportive. I'm also a military reservist. Time is difficult, but so far I've been managing...though I find school largely boring. I took off last trimester, and will only be taking one class through the summer, due to extensive travel.
Other credit options: I am studying for the CompTIA Security+ certification. I also have access to SkillPort, and am considering classes with TEEX and Defense Aquisition University. I'm hoping the ACE-specific classes will at least knock-out some of the credits/electives (and potentially pick-up some certifications, maybe PMP or Six Sigma). However, I still have the time issue.
This seems like it wil take forever. It's difficult to keep myself on track.
You won't like my suggestion, but I'm going to say it anyway
I think you should separate your BS and MBA. The goal post comes a WHOLE LOT CLOSER if you take the MBA out of the picture. That doesn't mean there are no advantages to these combos, but as you're experiencing, life of an adult is hardly linear- you already had to take off one term. Though I've got no data -just observation- I firmly believe that TIME is the number 1 degree killer. I can think of nothing else that comes close.
Not to discourage you, but the graduate component will actually be more involved than what you're working on now- more reading and more writing. If it turns out that you don't have the endurance to finish the MBA, you will at least have earned your BS. I don't think this would be a step back btw, I think this would be smart strategy. I think these combos work great when someone has the energizer bunny in their heart thumping them through at warp speed- but for most people, that's a lot of credit at one time, with an incline at the end. You might even want a break in between the two degrees.
Hang in there.
Help Me Stay On-Track - KittenMittens - 04-27-2015
COSC BS in Business Administration Requirements for Comparison
Business Major requirements
Need Micro
Need ALEKS Statistics
Need Managerial Accounting
Need Penn Foster Financial Management
Might need CLEP Information Systems & Computer Applications but CIS-120 into to info systems should count for it.
Need UExcel Organizational Behavior (UL)
Need Intro Marketing - Use Saylor Principles of Marketing only $25
Need COSC course on Strategic Management (UL)
Need COSC Cornerstone course
Need 4 Business UL business electives in anything: DSST Business Ethics (UL), UExcel Human Resource Management (UL), UExcel Labor Relations (UL), Penn Foster Employee Benefits (UL)
Gen Ed Requirements
Need 6 credits of English writing -> CLEP College Writing
Need 3 credits of lit/fine arts -> CLEP Humanities
Need DSST Environment & Humanity for global understanding and natural science
Need Saylor Bio ($25) + Straigher Line Bio Lab
Need [B]Remaining UL exams:
[/B]Pick any 4 UL exams - i.e. DSST, UExcel, or TECEP. I personally recommend DSST or UExcel due to practice exams, and review materials available, and ability to cram for a few hours to pass.
Good examples: 1) DSST Substance Abuse (UL) 2) DSST Civil War & Reconstruction (UL) 3 ) UExcel Psychology & Aging (UL) 4) UExcel Social Psychology (UL)
If there are any remaining credits (don’t think so) you can fill the rest with some quick, free, and easy FEMA or TEEX credits
Help Me Stay On-Track - sanantone - 04-27-2015
There is no reason to switch schools (unless you want to save money). Excelsior has a test-friendly general business program just like COSC and TESC. The MIS concentration is what makes it more difficult to test out of. TESC's BSBA in CIS is test-friendly if you really want an IS concentration. If you just want a plain business degree, then all you have to do is switch programs at Excelsior. Otherwise, I'm not familiar enough with how things transfer to Excelsior in order to help you. Maybe a current or former EC student will see this thread.
Help Me Stay On-Track - KittenMittens - 04-27-2015
sanantone Wrote:There is no reason to switch schools (unless you want to save money). Excelsior has a test-friendly general business program just like COSC and TESC. The MIS concentration is what makes it more difficult to test out of. TESC's BSBA in CIS is test-friendly if you really want an IS concentration. If you just want a plain business degree, then all you have to do is switch programs at Excelsior. Otherwise, I'm not familiar enough with how things transfer to Excelsior in order to help you. Maybe a current or former EC student will see this thread.
Total cost from scratch is typically $2000 more than COSC at least, and as much $5,000 or more than TESC using the TECEP plan. There is also no instantcert materials for Organization Management, and it requires 7 UL business electives. There are only really 3 or so "easy" remaining UL business exams with prep materials - DSST Business EThics & Society, UExcel Human Resource Management, and UExcel Labor Relations. Could do Penn Foster for the 4th, and then have to find another 3 UL business courses or exams to take, but problem none of the remaining UL exams available are backed by solid test prep.
Help Me Stay On-Track - sanantone - 04-27-2015
KittenMittens Wrote:Total cost from scratch is typically $2000 more than COSC at least, and as much $5,000 or more than TESC using the TECEP plan. There is also no instantcert materials for Organization Management, and it requires 7 UL business electives. There are only really 3 or so "easy" remaining UL business exams with prep materials - DSST Business EThics & Society, UExcel Human Resource Management, and UExcel Labor Relations. Could do Penn Foster for the 4th, and then have to find another 3 UL business courses or exams to take, but problem none of the remaining UL exams available are backed by solid test prep.
The requirement is Organizational Behavior, and there are flashcards for the DSST (LL) and Uexcel (UL). There is no test for Organizational Management, but it's not a requirement anyway. DSST MIS is an easy UL test with flashcards. Many people have tested out of the business degree at Excelsior. Life does not revolve around IC flashcards.
Help Me Stay On-Track - KittenMittens - 04-27-2015
sanantone Wrote:The requirement is Organizational Behavior, and there are flashcards for the DSST (LL) and Uexcel (UL). There is no test for Organizational Management, but it's not a requirement anyway. Many people have tested out of the business degree at Excelsior. Life does not revolve around IC flashcards.
You're on a website whose business is centered on IC flash cards that work extremely well in getting credits with relative ease - so yeah they're pretty significant. Numerous people have found them to be invaluable and some who have dedicated websites to them. Free-clep-prep.com, 123collegedegree.com, bain4weeks as some examples. Life doesn't revolve around IC, much as life doesn't revolve around forums.
For someone with little motivation, being able to test out of a degree relatively quickly and easily is a great motivator. Far better than wasting 3 - 4 months in class for 3 credits, which isn't very motivating.
edit: Operations Management is a requirement according to this - https://my.excelsior.edu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=6b6233cd-72ab-43a7-9907-4d185880aa87&groupId=78666
Help Me Stay On-Track - gRoland - 04-27-2015
To add some clarifying information/motivations to the questions raised in response:
- I chose Excelsior because they had a dual-degree program that seemed like it would save a few credits as opposed to getting the degrees separately (and I've relegated myself to the fact that really I need a Master's at this point to help make me competitive). I also believe that Excelsior has the option that upon completing the bachelor's portion, one can either continue, or choose to be awarded the BSB and continue enrollment within a year to work on the Master's. So it should be available as a milestone on the way to the MBA.
- I chose MIS because it's a fairly specific discipline that seems to have solid demand across many, many industries. So, it was a decision of practicality, not passion. Additionally, some of the courses are applicable to potential future career options (e.g. quantitative methods). The issue with getting too general or vague in trying to meet degree requirements is that certain potential jobs require a certain amount of credit hours in specific topics (e.g. 24 hours in accounting, law, quantitative methods, etc.).
- Costs are largely borne by the GI Bill, so cost is not necessarily a prime motivator (though obviously I want to minimize out of pocket costs, as well as minimize wasting my GI Bill so I can try to stretch it farther).
- Testing out is not something I'm super confident in. My classes have generally been A's, and I think I can test generally well (and pass/fail is better in some regards). But I don't know how feasible it is to cram with little time available and a spouse who tolerates (just barely) pouring any time into schoolwork. Perhaps there's a balance I can strike somewhere in there...
Help Me Stay On-Track - ajs1976 - 04-28-2015
gRoland,
Have you thought of mixing in some Straighterline courses for at least the gen ed requirements? It isn't testing out, but not quite as rigorous as a regular course.
TESC also offers a bachelor's to master's program. switching schools might not be the answer, but it is worth taking a look. Bachelor's to Master's Program
How are you scheduling your courses? Maybe load up one semester and then the next take either easier courses or a reduced course load. it may drag out the process (which i'm not a fan of doing), but it sounds like you are in a marathon and not a sprint.