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Ok guys, I've read, researched and read some more.. I'm sorry to have to post questions, if I missed something it is not for lack of trying. When I started this journey I was set on a CJ or psychology degree. After a little growing and learning I have changed my mind... maybe.. Here's my story, I have worked in the biology field for ten years. I was grandfathered in before they required a minimum of a bachelors. I learned everything the hard way (stubborn me). I also work for the state doing their DNA testing (for fun), hence my CJ passion. Recently, my son said to me why don't you just be a teacher.  Why don't I??? I was originally planning to go to WGU and earn my degree to teach 9-12 science. Problem is, they require you to work for free as a student teacher for 15 weeks... (single mom here) not gonna happen. I thought of every possibility but in reality I can't leave my job on a whim and not have another job lined up. I spoke with a teacher friend who informed me if I get a bachelors in biology, I can teach biology with a transitional license for a year then apply for my teaching licence and take the praxis. OK, great!!! Here are my questions: Can I earn a biology degree online? Are there any upper level science classes I can take? I am enrolled with NMJC I will list my classes below. Also, If I go ahead and get an Associate of science with NMJC, will it affect my pell grant?
Credit earned
Biology 1 + lab 4 (NMJC)
Biology 2 + lab 4 (NMJC)
General sociology 3 (NMJC)
Intro to forensics 3 (NMJC)
AM GOV 3 (NMJC)
College success 3 (NMJC)
child psychology 3 (NMJC)
medical terminology 1 1 (NMJC)
med terminology 2 1 (NMJC)
health, safety & nutrition 2 (NMJC)
narcotics and dangerous drugs 3 (NMJC)
Eng 104 3 (study.com)
Eng 105 3 (study.com)
Intermediate algebra 3 (ALEKS)
Intro to statistics 3 (ALEKS)
personal finance 3 (study.com)
intro to religion 3 (study.com)
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The Associates degree won't affect your grant.
Yes, there are online UL science classes. If you need them with a lab, they are often $800-$1200 each  This may work for you if you're okay with going a slower, and if you still have years for the Pell Grant.
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01-11-2018, 03:43 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-11-2018, 03:44 PM by sanantone.)
Right now, I can only think of two schools that have online bachelors in biology: TESU and University of Florida. TESU does not offer all the required courses. I highly recommend UF if you can get in. Their undergraduate biology program is ranked #6 in the country.
Excelsior and APUS offer natural science degrees with concentrations in biology. APUS' program is better even though it's not as flexible, but still not close enough to a typical biology program. I've only looked at local forensic science jobs that focus on DNA. They want certain chemistry and biology courses, but I guess that won't be an issue if you stay in the same job.
Graduate of Not VUL or ENEB
MS, MSS and Graduate Cert
AAS, AS, BA, and BS
CLEP
Intro Psych 70, US His I 64, Intro Soc 63, Intro Edu Psych 70, A&I Lit 64, Bio 68, Prin Man 69, Prin Mar 68
DSST
Life Dev Psych 62, Fund Coun 68, Intro Comp 469, Intro Astr 56, Env & Hum 70, HTYH 456, MIS 451, Prin Sup 453, HRM 62, Bus Eth 458
ALEKS
Int Alg, Coll Alg
TEEX
4 credits
TECEP
Fed Inc Tax, Sci of Nutr, Micro, Strat Man, Med Term, Pub Relations
CSU
Sys Analysis & Design, Programming, Cyber
SL
Intro to Comm, Microbio, Acc I
Uexcel
A&P
Davar
Macro, Intro to Fin, Man Acc
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Thank you I am looking into UF now!! If you're interested in DNA work look up specimen specialist of America, that's who I do contract work for. It's not a lot of money but I love it and its great for my resume. Thanks ideas, I've read a lot of your posts! I think I will go ahead and get the AS in the process. I have only used one semester of pell grant funds so I have a while to go. Does UF take ACE credits?
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(01-11-2018, 03:51 PM)Tennesseegirl87 Wrote: Thank you I am looking into UF now!! If you're interested in DNA work look up specimen specialist of America, that's who I do contract work for. It's not a lot of money but I love it and its great for my resume. Thanks ideas, I've read a lot of your posts! I think I will go ahead and get the AS in the process. I have only used one semester of pell grant funds so I have a while to go. Does UF take ACE credits?
Thanks for letting me know about that company.
I don't know if they accept ACE, but they accept CLEP. There's a good chance they'll accept Uexcels since they're graded and come from a regionally accredited college.
Graduate of Not VUL or ENEB
MS, MSS and Graduate Cert
AAS, AS, BA, and BS
CLEP
Intro Psych 70, US His I 64, Intro Soc 63, Intro Edu Psych 70, A&I Lit 64, Bio 68, Prin Man 69, Prin Mar 68
DSST
Life Dev Psych 62, Fund Coun 68, Intro Comp 469, Intro Astr 56, Env & Hum 70, HTYH 456, MIS 451, Prin Sup 453, HRM 62, Bus Eth 458
ALEKS
Int Alg, Coll Alg
TEEX
4 credits
TECEP
Fed Inc Tax, Sci of Nutr, Micro, Strat Man, Med Term, Pub Relations
CSU
Sys Analysis & Design, Programming, Cyber
SL
Intro to Comm, Microbio, Acc I
Uexcel
A&P
Davar
Macro, Intro to Fin, Man Acc
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You may want to get a BA in Psychology or CJ instead. Much quicker, cheaper, and easier. However, there is probably much more competition to teach psychology or CJ with a transitional license, since those degrees are some of the easier, more fun ones. Normally a CJ degree is not a very good idea, but for teaching it might be as good as Psychology.
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(01-11-2018, 04:06 PM)Ideas Wrote: You may want to get a BA in Psychology or CJ instead. Much quicker, cheaper, and easier. However, there is probably much more competition to teach psychology or CJ with a transitional license, since those degrees are some of the easier, more fun ones. Normally a CJ degree is not a very good idea, but for teaching it might be as good as Psychology.
That is my exact fear! I think it will be difficult to find a school in desperate need of a psych teacher. I'm looking into UF and they don't have a very high admission rate... That's a little scary. Maybe WGU is the way to go after all 
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(01-11-2018, 04:34 PM)Tennesseegirl87 Wrote: That is my exact fear! I think it will be difficult to find a school in desperate need of a psych teacher. I'm looking into UF and they don't have a very high admission rate... That's a little scary. Maybe WGU is the way to go after all
To me, WGU seems like the way to go. Can the student teaching be spread out? So you only teach two half days per week, for example?
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No, I asked. It has to be done consecutively. But, I do have time to save. I’m just really concerned with leaving my stable job and not having another job after my 15 weeks are up. I wish I could find UL science courses and just transfer them in to TESU.
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01-11-2018, 05:15 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-11-2018, 05:19 PM by Ideas.)
(01-11-2018, 05:04 PM)Tennesseegirl87 Wrote: No, I asked. It has to be done consecutively. But, I do have time to save. I’m just really concerned with leaving my stable job and not having another job after my 15 weeks are up. I wish I could find UL science courses and just transfer them in to TESU.
I believe you can, but they are expensive (compared to courses that most of us take for TESU) and probably don't take financial aid. Possibly some UL at University of New England. Also University of California, Berkeley Extension. Also there seems to be a UExcel that is UL. I'm not sure you can find every single one you need online.
Unfortunately TESU just downgraded some Study.com biology courses But you may still be able to get Straighterline Microbiology to come in as UL. That is cheap and quick and easy. Otherwise, probably the UExcel.
I feel that schools would look at your transcript and notice if you took anything without a lab.
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