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+--- Thread: Degree planning - Environmental Science-ish? (/Thread-Degree-planning-Environmental-Science-ish)
Degree planning - Environmental Science-ish? - namwen - 03-31-2026
Howdy, folks!
I am looking to obtain a degree to satisfy the state licensure requirements in Texas.
Requirements: "A Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, physical science, or natural science."
I'm well entrenched in the building science, environmental consulting, remediation, and general construction nerd world. If I could stay in that, it would be amazing. I'm open for suggestions. I generally hate biology and so forth. If I can avoid it, that would be amazing.
Honestly, I need to check the box so I can become licensed work on downsizing my operation to a more comfortable and efficient level.
Your Location: TX state, USA
Your Age: 50
What kind of degree do you want?: BS in the fastest/easiest pathway
Current Regional Accredited Credits: like 74 on an Excelsior transcript and a BSBA from Cal Coast
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 20ish
Any certifications or military experience?: Nope
Budget: Eh, I could spend a little if I had to
Commitments: I own 3 businesses, and work mainly from home. Empty nester.
Dedicated time to study: 30 hrs/week if I can blast through it
Timeline: ASAP
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None
Degree planning help - CenterSquarEd - 03-31-2026
Which license? Does it have to be a second Bachelor’s or would something like an M.S. in Engineering Management qualify? The TESU B.A. in Mathematics would probably the fastest non-computing STEM degree but isn’t strictly one of the categories in your list. Is there specific coursework you need for the license?
RE: Degree planning help - namwen - 03-31-2026
(03-31-2026, 06:48 PM)CenterSquarEd Wrote: Which license? Does it have to be a second Bachelor’s or would something like an M.S. in Engineering Management qualify? The TESU B.A. in Mathematics would probably the fastest non-computing STEM degree but isn’t strictly one of the categories in your list. Is there specific coursework you need for the license?
Asbestos Consultant
A management degree will not work for the requirements, unfortunately. Getting straight answers from the state is a really painful process when it comes to TDSHS. I've been dealing with them for years and it is a really terribly wing of the state.
I have requested approval for the East Texas A&M BAAS in Safety & Health. We shall see.
Degree planning help - CenterSquarEd - 03-31-2026
(03-31-2026, 09:07 PM)namwen Wrote:(03-31-2026, 06:48 PM)CenterSquarEd Wrote: Which license? Does it have to be a second Bachelor’s or would something like an M.S. in Engineering Management qualify? The TESU B.A. in Mathematics would probably the fastest non-computing STEM degree but isn’t strictly one of the categories in your list. Is there specific coursework you need for the license?
Asbestos Consultant
A management degree will not work for the requirements, unfortunately. Getting straight answers from the state is a really painful process when it comes to TDSHS. I've been dealing with them for years and it is a really terribly wing of the state.
I have requested approval for the East Texas A&M BAAS in Safety & Health. We shall see.
That option makes a lot of sense, especially since it’s in-state. Hopefully they give you a positive answer. I found the regs at: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/asbestos/pdf/TAHPR%202021%20(effective%20070821).pdf
Do you happen to meet the work experience requirements for option iii on the bottom of page 35? The letter of recommendation bit is a twist though. If it’s a fit, you could do something like https://www.prereqcourses.com/ and not even need to finish the second degree.
RE: Degree planning help - namwen - 03-31-2026
(03-31-2026, 09:31 PM)CenterSquarEd Wrote:(03-31-2026, 09:07 PM)namwen Wrote:(03-31-2026, 06:48 PM)CenterSquarEd Wrote: Which license? Does it have to be a second Bachelor’s or would something like an M.S. in Engineering Management qualify? The TESU B.A. in Mathematics would probably the fastest non-computing STEM degree but isn’t strictly one of the categories in your list. Is there specific coursework you need for the license?
Asbestos Consultant
A management degree will not work for the requirements, unfortunately. Getting straight answers from the state is a really painful process when it comes to TDSHS. I've been dealing with them for years and it is a really terribly wing of the state.
I have requested approval for the East Texas A&M BAAS in Safety & Health. We shall see.
That option makes a lot of sense, especially since it’s in-state. Hopefully they give you a positive answer. I found the regs at: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/asbestos/pdf/TAHPR%202021%20(effective%20070821).pdf
Do you happen to meet the work experience requirements for option iii on the bottom of page 35? The letter of recommendation bit is a twist though. If it’s a fit, you could do something like https://www.prereqcourses.com/ and not even need to finish the second degree.
I own the consulting firm, along with a few other businesses. My expertise is more focused on developing, growing, and structuring businesses than performing technical functions these days. The experience has to be after the series of licenses required to qualify for the consultant license. The experience would be a bit prohibitive for what our next steps are. I prefer to qualify with a degree and less experience. We employ a licensed consultant in our firm but he is wanting to go on his own. Since he is our license holder, I need to get to moving on this quickly. I have the certifications set up for the month of April to be taught to our group on a private basis. Now I need to line u the rest pf the requirements.
RE: Degree planning - Environmental Science-ish? - wow - 04-01-2026
For natural science, TESU offers a bachelor's in biology. It's not the cheapest option to do quickly due to the lack of availability of cheap upper level courses for transferring in, but with 30 hours a week, it could be doable depending on your previous knowledge/aptitude with natural sciences.
RE: Degree planning - Environmental Science-ish? - bluebooger - 04-01-2026
> Asbestos Consultant
you could probably knock out an associates really quick
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies
https://www.tesu.edu/degrees-programs/associates/aas-environmental-safety-security-technologies.php
I don't see a plan in the wiki
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:TESU_Degree_Plans
but I thought I've seen one before
TESU does have a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Environmental Studies
https://www.tesu.edu/degrees-programs/bachelors/ba-environmental-studies.php
but it seems to require a lot of transfer courses to meet the requirements
I see nothing in the wiki for it either
WGU has a Bachelor of Science in Public Health -- don't know if that'll meet your state's requirements
https://www.wgu.edu/online-nursing-health-degrees/public-health-bachelors-program.html
UMPI has a Bachelor of Applied Science -- don't know if that'll meet your state's requirements
https://www.umpi.edu/yourpace/academic_programs/applied-science/
UMPI yourpace programs are supposed to be fairly inexpensive
you have to have an Associate of Applied Science to apply though - TESU's Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies would fulfill that
RE: Degree planning - Environmental Science-ish? - bjcheung77 - 04-04-2026
Ding ding! I would recommend those two routes as well! 1) TESU AAS > UMPI BAS or 2) TESU AAS > TESU BA Environmental Studies
Degree planning - Environmental Science-ish? - CenterSquarEd - 04-05-2026
(04-04-2026, 08:19 PM)bjcheung77 Wrote: Ding ding! I would recommend those two routes as well! 1) TESU AAS > UMPI BAS or 2) TESU AAS > TESU BA Environmental Studies
I mean, the rules are pretty specific when they say “architecture, engineering, or a physical or
natural science.” If they’ve already told OP that an engineering management master’s degree that’s generally CIP coded as an engineering degree doesn’t qualify, then I’m not sure I would want to go too far out on a limb recommending some sort of interdisciplinary technical degree. You can’t even apply chemistry or physics courses to the BAS technical credits area, right?
Academia makes a pretty harsh distinction between engineering and engineering technology. If this regulator meant to include anything in the realm of engineering technology, they probably would have. As it is, I think ETAMU Safety and Health could have this same problem, but that’s at least relevant material.
This isn’t like somebody entering the job market where they can convince one among many different employers to hire them, this is somebody trying to get the approval of one specific government regulator.
The TESU Biology recommendation is probably the only one that would really work but OP said right off the bat he wasn’t interested in biology so that’s not a great fit.
There’s an SNHU Environmental Science degree: https://www.snhu.edu/admission/academic-catalogs#/programs/N1Ok44IYg
It’s not competency-based and 10 courses would need to be taken at SNHU across multiple 2-month terms, but at least SNHU is friendly to Sophia and SDC options. It looks like someone could get ENV101 from Sophia and the intro bio/chem/physics courses with labs from SDC. I’m not familiar enough with SNHU to know if they’d waive the gen eds for OP’s current bachelor’s degree, so if they don’t, there could potentially be a few silly things that should be able to be handled with Sophia. A few “major electives” at the 200+ level would probably need to be sourced and could end up being unwanted bio courses just based on what’s available from the major credit providers, but maybe there’s some opportunity for creativity there.