Can I use credits from my existing bachelor's degree at the Big 3?

[rebel100]

It seems like WGU requires you do the work entirely in their system. If that's the case, then money is the limiting factor for me. I don't have $3250 at the moment to get started.

Granted, I haven't dug very deep in the WGU policies. So if I'm wrong about having to pay full freight through them, please correct me.

You need to read through my review http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...eview.html

The important thing to understand about the WGU system is that a semester starts on the 1st of any month and runs for 6 full months. In that time you can complete as many competency units (credits) as you like. I took three months off eight in the middle, but should still have 1/2 the degree done in the 1st semester. If your at all motivated 2 semesters should be a very realistic goal, and it's possible to complete it in 1 semester.

Having experienced it first hand there is no freaking way I would go back for 60 more hours of undergrad to get a business degree...it just makes no sense at all.

Have you filled out your FAFSA? I wouldn't normally recommend loans for a degree...but if your determined you can be out in 1 year with around $7500 for an MBA...it's one of the rare occasions when I think the benefit of the loan might outpace my disdain for debt of any kind.

[rebel100]

A full scholarship (which you ain't gonna get) for the EC BSBA wouldn't change my mind....no way I would choose that over the MBA at WGU.

Your only likely to spend a few thousand more for the grad level degree...

[effdub]

I guess my primary hesitance to just go for the MBA (apart from the cost, which is a very real concern) is that I don't really have strong competency in the fundamental areas of study/practice. So if I jammed my way through, I'd likely come out the other end with a piece of paper and not a whole lot to back it up. I've met so many MBAs that are exactly that: guys with paper that are clueless. The world doesn't need another one, in my opinion.

I've taken one business class ever: microeconomics. That's it. I really don't think that's a qualifier for jumping into an MBA, despite everybody telling me that there are essentially no pre-reqs for MBA, you just need money. I feel that I would be better served, educationally, by studying the fundamentals and getting a BS in business. My primary goal is to learn, and after analyzing the different degree options, BSBA looks (on paper) to be the best bet for widening my knowledge base in the areas I'm interested in.

I know it sounds crazy, but for me this whole exercise is really about learning new things. Career advancement is secondary (or maybe tertiary).

[rebel100]

I guess my primary hesitance to just go for the MBA (apart from the cost, which is a very real concern) is that I don't really have strong competency in the fundamental areas of study/practice. So if I jammed my way through, I'd likely come out the other end with a piece of paper and not a whole lot to back it up. I've met so many MBAs that are exactly that: guys with paper that are clueless. The world doesn't need another one, in my opinion.

I've taken one business class ever: microeconomics. That's it. I really don't think that's a qualifier for jumping into an MBA, despite everybody telling me that there are essentially no pre-reqs for MBA, you just need money. I feel that I would be better served, educationally, by studying the fundamentals and getting a BS in business. My primary goal is to learn, and after analyzing the different degree options, BSBA looks (on paper) to be the best bet for widening my knowledge base in the areas I'm interested in.

I know it sounds crazy, but for me this whole exercise is really about learning new things. Career advancement is secondary (or maybe tertiary).

So...cost is a big concern...but your deliberately not concerning yourself about the result of the degree, the utility of it....I have to admit, your line of thinking doesn't make sense to me.

If you just want to learn about business read Kaufman's book/blog Personal MBA Book - Josh Kaufman (he will tell you NOT to get the MBA). Then read everything written by Seth Godin...skip B-School altogether. You don't need to spend $3000-10000 on a degree.

[effdub]

Yes, cost is a concern. But I could afford a MBA if I wanted or actually needed one. It's just not in my "fun" budget right now. This is something I'm doing mostly as an enjoyable diversion (not quite a "hobby", but you get the idea). It's not required for my career and I'm not desperate to claw my way to the upper management chain. I much prefer paying a couple hundy at a clip, which is what my discretionary budget can handle right now.

I'm not ignoring the utility of the degree. It's just the utility for me is primarily education and secondarily for career purposes. I understand that many others will think this is crazy, and that's fine with me.

The MBA program you pointed out does look really flexible, and it's the kind of program that appeals to me. Who knows, maybe in a year or two I'll realize you were right and sign up.

[Prloko]

I guess my primary hesitance to just go for the MBA (apart from the cost, which is a very real concern) is that I don't really have strong competency in the fundamental areas of study/practice. So if I jammed my way through, I'd likely come out the other end with a piece of paper and not a whole lot to back it up. I've met so many MBAs that are exactly that: guys with paper that are clueless. The world doesn't need another one, in my opinion.

I've taken one business class ever: microeconomics. That's it. I really don't think that's a qualifier for jumping into an MBA, despite everybody telling me that there are essentially no pre-reqs for MBA, you just need money. I feel that I would be better served, educationally, by studying the fundamentals and getting a BS in business. My primary goal is to learn, and after analyzing the different degree options, BSBA looks (on paper) to be the best bet for widening my knowledge base in the areas I'm interested in.

I know it sounds crazy, but for me this whole exercise is really about learning new things. Career advancement is secondary (or maybe tertiary).

There are many traditional schools that will accept your bachelors as block credit, and all you will need to complete are the requirements in the major. Now if you are CLEPing for fun, no one on this forum should knock you. There are many seasoned veterans on here who knock out a second degree for the fun of it. I am trying to do something similar to you but flipped around a bit. I'm leaving the military soon and am trying to knock out by BSBA to qualify me for the civilian series in my career. I'm then going to seek a second bachelors in the field of my choice for knowledge and to get more graded credits under my belt for grad schools.