TESU Multiple Degrees Policy

[Jonathan Whatley]

Besides, why would anyone want to do this?

If they're using the cert is an interim award en route to the bachelor's, like many associate's are.

[DrMacLeod]

I don't mean to hijack this thread by any means, but I'd appreciate some opinions from the forum veterans on my current situation, which involves earning two Bachelor's degrees from TESU.  With tuition for me at TESU being $250 per credit, I decided to take several courses there to meet the prerequisites for a Master's program at UT Austin, and earn a couple of Bachelor's degrees along the way.

One of the degrees I am looking to earn is the B.A., in Computer Science.  My plan is that by the end of the year to have completed 34 credits (not counting 6 credits from "for fun" TECEPs), including the capstone, to graduate with the BACS.  

The other degree I would like to earn is the B.S., in Data Science and Analytics.  At this moment, for the BSDSIA, the only requirements remaining are the Statistics.com courses, which I will begin to take over three terms, being September, November, and January (there does not seem to be any capstone requirement for this degree plan; reached out to TESU for clarification, and never received an answer).

Until seeing this thread, I was unaware of the two Bachelor's degree limits for TESU (which is unfortunate because there was another degree I wanted to earn as well).  So I decided to find the policy to see for myself, and something stood out:

Complete a minimum of 24 credits in the area of study and/or core of the baccalaureate degree. These credits must be earned after the date the most recent degree, regardless of academic level, was conferred.

Does TESU count transfer credits toward these 24 credits?  Given that I will earn all but 12 credits of the Statistics.com credits prior to the planned completion of the BACS, I am wondering if I need to delay "graduating" from that program and try to align a simultaneous graduation from both programs (is this even possible at TESU)?  Do I need to delay the actual capstone course as well for the BACS, or can I complete it as planned and apply for a later graduation date?

I appreciate any advice here.  I certainly don't want to open a ticket with TESU on this until I understand the options more clearly.

[bjcheung77]

Does TESU count transfer credits toward these 24 credits?  Given that I will earn all but 12 credits of the Statistics.com credits prior to the planned completion of the BACS, I am wondering if I need to delay "graduating" from that program and try to align a simultaneous graduation from both programs (is this even possible at TESU)?  Do I need to delay the actual capstone course as well for the BACS, or can I complete it as planned and apply for a later graduation date?

I appreciate any advice here.  I certainly don't want to open a ticket with TESU on this until I understand the options more clearly.

Besides the BACS and the BS Data Science & Analytics, which other degree were you looking at? How did you score the $250/credit? At each institution, including TESU, you have to apply for graduation, they'll then do an audit to verify everything is complete. When you have both completed, apply then, pay one fee for graduation instead of two, and the requirement for the 24 credits will not apply to you (unless you already have a degree or more already at the Bachelors level).

[DrMacLeod]

Does TESU count transfer credits toward these 24 credits?  Given that I will earn all but 12 credits of the Statistics.com credits prior to the planned completion of the BACS, I am wondering if I need to delay "graduating" from that program and try to align a simultaneous graduation from both programs (is this even possible at TESU)?  Do I need to delay the actual capstone course as well for the BACS, or can I complete it as planned and apply for a later graduation date?

I appreciate any advice here.  I certainly don't want to open a ticket with TESU on this until I understand the options more clearly.

Besides the BACS and the BS Data Science & Analytics, which other degree were you looking at?  How did you score the $250/credit?  At each institution, including TESU, you have to apply for graduation, they'll then do an audit to verify everything is complete.  When you have both completed, apply then, pay one fee for graduation instead of two, and the requirement for the 24 credits will not apply to you (unless you already have a degree or more already at the Bachelors level).

Thanks for the quick reply!  

I was looking at the B.S., Electronics Systems Engineering Technology degree.  I really wanted an ABET accredited degree to support a potential enrollment in a M.Eng., Systems Engineering program. It’s not a priority, but is initially why I was looking at TESU in the first place. I have an Associate’s in Electronics Systems Technology from my time in the Air Force (why my tuition is $250 per credit hour) and combined with other credits from my other degrees I wasn’t too far off from completing that program as well. But, my focus at the moment is AI/ML so the path to the program at UT of Austin is the priority at the moment. 

It looks like completing the requirements first for both the BACS and BSDSIA programs and applying for graduation later is the path I need to take. This will work, as I can make it all happen before the priority application deadline for the MSAI program at UT of Austin. Not that I even need the degrees, just the courses completed, but it will still be nice to have culminating into something should I not be accepted. 

Thanks again for your insight!

[origamishuttle]

As far as we can tell, TESU's current policies are 2 TESU Bachelor's degrees, 2 TESU Associate degrees, and however many certificates you want (so long as they don't overlap with the degrees). Even if you have a previous degree (or two).

I actually asked an academic advisor (the one good one at TESU) to add another bachelor's degree when I was waiting for conferral of my BACS, and I was denied because two is the max. He said the only thing they could offer me is a master's degree, but he didn't think it was the right fit for me, and I agreed. However, maybe it's ok to go for both at the same time, as long as they're conferred together?

[DrMacLeod]

As far as we can tell, TESU's current policies are 2 TESU Bachelor's degrees, 2 TESU Associate degrees, and however many certificates you want (so long as they don't overlap with the degrees). Even if you have a previous degree (or two).

I actually asked an academic advisor (the one good one at TESU) to add another bachelor's degree when I was waiting for conferral of my BACS, and I was denied because two is the max. He said the only thing they could offer me is a master's degree, but he didn't think it was the right fit for me, and I agreed. However, maybe it's ok to go for both at the same time, as long as they're conferred together?

I currently have three different Bachelor's programs loaded.  I didn't receive any pushback when asking.  But now it seems based on policy I wouldn't be able to obtain more than two.
[img]blob:https://www.degreeforum.net/9b33ec69-70d4-42da-9b13-e75fd24d1ce2[/img]

[natshar]

As far as we can tell, TESU's current policies are 2 TESU Bachelor's degrees, 2 TESU Associate degrees, and however many certificates you want (so long as they don't overlap with the degrees). Even if you have a previous degree (or two).

This is what I wanted to know. Perfect.

[jch]

Some TESU advisers will sometimes allow students to put too many degree programs on their academic profile if they justify the request correctly. For example, I had a point in the past when I was deciding between several different degree programs and they agreed to provisionally add evaluations for all of them while I explored my options.
However, passing the final degree audit is another matter. That's when university personnel perform a thorough review of all degree requirements and policies. Unless there was some kind of waiver granted and on file, the audit would likely catch the overage.

[natshar]

I currently have three different Bachelor's programs loaded.  I didn't receive any pushback when asking.  But now it seems based on policy I wouldn't be able to obtain more than two.
[img]blob:https://www.degreeforum.net/9b33ec69-70d4-42da-9b13-e75fd24d1ce2[/img]

I have no idea how you how 3 different Bachelors degrees loaded. TESU never allowed 3 degrees.


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I probably won't do two Bachelors TBH. Who know if/when I'll do one TESU Bachelors and be done with it. Its mostly a side thing because I wanted to get a "hacked" degree since I first heard about it in 2012. I have all this ACE credit that I never used since I ended up getting a B&M degree in the end. So its basically just a personal goal at some point, not a high priority in my life, more just when I have the money/time/energy. Although could be good for career advancement or career change since the major at TESU is totally different than my B&M degree, but I'm still figuring career stuff out. If I think the TESU degree could help career wise, then it could become a higher priority.

The reasoning for the associates for just for fun if there are no extra work since I'm basically just collecting associates degrees at this point. So if they allow it and it is no extra work why not. Just wasn't sure since I already have multiple associates.


The reasoning for the certificates is simply that I think I already them done or nearly done. Makes sense I can't do a cert that is the same as my major or else it would be too easy.

[rachel83az]

I was looking at the B.S., Electronics Systems Engineering Technology degree.  I really wanted an ABET accredited degree to support a potential enrollment in a M.Eng., Systems Engineering program. It’s not a priority, but is initially why I was looking at TESU in the first place. I have an Associate’s in Electronics Systems Technology from my time in the Air Force (why my tuition is $250 per credit hour) and combined with other credits from my other degrees I wasn’t too far off from completing that program as well. But, my focus at the moment is AI/ML so the path to the program at UT of Austin is the priority at the moment. 

It looks like completing the requirements first for both the BACS and BSDSIA programs and applying for graduation later is the path I need to take. This will work, as I can make it all happen before the priority application deadline for the MSAI program at UT of Austin. Not that I even need the degrees, just the courses completed, but it will still be nice to have culminating into something should I not be accepted. 

Thanks again for your insight!

If you graduate with both at the same time, a BS Electronic Systems Engineering Technology degree and a BSDSIA degree will be ONE degree. The BACS would be your SECOND degree. If you want all of them, you must complete all requirements simultaneously.