Educational advice - 2nd Bachelors?

msarro
msarro Posts: 2,748 Member
edited September 21 in Chit-Chat
So a little background. I graduated with a BA in Clinical Psychology in 2007 from a small liberal arts college. I had originally majored in Computer science and Clinical psychology. My parents were (and still are) very ill, so I never got any real financial help. This led to me working numerous jobs through college - usually 2-3 at a time along with being a full time student. The computer science major had to get dropped because I simply didn't have the time to dedicate to the lab while balancing my workload out of school.

However, I have no real use for my psych degree. Its purpose is to show that I can finish college, basically. Its gotten me in the door at a few places, but mostly my experience has carried me. All through college I worked in IT, my last job started me in IT and led me towards engineering. Now I'm working at a fortune 500 company as an engineer. I think I found what I'd like to do. However, other than technical certifications my hands are tied because of not having at LEAST the computer science degree.

I would love to go for a master's degree, specifically in electrical engineering, however all programs that I've found require me to have a BS in Engineering or Physics. I don't have either. I have a BA in psych.

So, I'm left with the option of going to school part time after work to get a BS in Electrical Engineering, or not going anywhere since I don't think there's really any hybrid masters that would allow me to leverage my psych degree.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to proceed? Everyone says that a second Bachelor's degree is a waste of time, and under most conditions I would agree. My employer does have tuition reimbursement, but I don't know how well universities that are local cater to people who work full time and swing back for a 2nd bachelors. Or is there a line of graduate study I'm completely missing?

Replies

  • cuddlegrl
    cuddlegrl Posts: 101 Member
    Sounds like you need to sit down with an advisor!

    All your BA credits are still good. Most should transfer to another BA. You might be closer then you think to finishing a BA in the field you want. Some things you may even be able to test out of to help propel you to the end.

    As for how flexible the school will be: well that depends on the school. Some are more then others. The degree you are seeking is widely offered so you shouldnt have to much trouble. When you sit down with an advisor they will be able to tell you if any of the classes you need are only offered during your working hours.

    I am a full time college student and I work full time. My husband works full time and goes to school part time. He had to change majors because the labs for a medical engineering degree were only offered during the day while he was at work. I work nights so I have flexibility for my school schedule.

    I am a huge advocate of "where theres a will, theres a way" if you want it you'll get it. I also dont think a second degree is a waste of time since in most cases it helps attain higher or more preferred positions.
  • 00trayn
    00trayn Posts: 1,849 Member
    I would try to get in touch with some of the schools that you're interested in attending. Since you have a work background and some technical certifications, they might be willing to work with you to get you into a master's program despite the lack of B.S. in engineering. You'll likely just have to catch up with some prerequisites that they might require. I also agree that you might be able to skip a bunch of requirements for a Bachelor's degree based on what you already had. Definitely sitting down with the advising office is the best idea. Colleges will definitely make exceptions. I went to Cornell for Mech. and Aero. Engineering and I worked in the Biomed. Engineering office. They took students from various background for BME but they just had to take extra prereqs to ensure they had the right background to take the grad. level classes.
  • ashlee954
    ashlee954 Posts: 1,112 Member
    I definitely do not think a second degree is a waste of time. What I think is a waste of time is people who go through this entire life without attempting to acquire an education of SOME sort. Even if it is volunteering in another country to learn a certain trade. We are only given a short period of time on this planet and there is SO much out there to learn. Why waste your time doing nothing? I am in the health care profession. It's the one profession I didn't expect to complete my Bachelors completely online because health care is patient based. But I am doing just that! I take all of my classes online and LOVE it because it completely tailors to my time schedule. I say meet with a counselor, find out what you need to do to get your degree, and GO FOR IT! Good luck to you!
  • annie008
    annie008 Posts: 43
    Sent you mail...
  • xDeannaGarciax
    xDeannaGarciax Posts: 675
    Defenitly sit down with an Advisor. Have you chosen a school yet? Online, on campus? I would agree that a second bachelor's is a waste of time, other then the fact that your pretty much wanting to switch up your entire major/career. If it's right for you then have at it, if this is truly what you like to do. I just decided, yesterday as a matter of fact that I wanted my Associates of Science in Business Managment rather then my Associates in Business Administration, that's the great thing about college, you have that choice. If your not going to use your psych degree for this job then there's no reason to further it.

    You did mention getting certified, have you thought about just getting all of your certs first and then seeing where that lands you? You may not need a degree? Or do you already know that you do...or do you just want to have it? If you can do it, financially and fit it into your schedule then I say reach for the stars. What do you have to lose?:smile:
  • fxdl2k2
    fxdl2k2 Posts: 250 Member
    In most cases a second bachelor's degree is typically not a good use of resources UNLESS you are going into a completely different field of study such as in your case. I would start by looking at the master's degree program you want to complete and talking to a graduate advisor. It is possible that you can begin the master's program after only a semester or two of pre-reqs without completing a BS in the same field. The only way to find out is to sit down with the graduate advisor and go over your entire transcript. For profit schools or private universities are typically more willing to work with the adult learner than the traditional state universities, but our state institutions are starting to make some changes.

    Education is never wasted. If your dream is to become an electrical engineer, then you need to go for it. Best of luck to you.

    From a former academic advisor of freshman/sophmores and a current university professor.
  • Chenoachem
    Chenoachem Posts: 1,758 Member
    I have gone through a similar situation. I have a degree in chemistry but really need one in physics. What has been advised to me is to apply to a local college as a "non-degree" student. This means you pay for the class (sometimes work pays for them) and I take the undergraduate courses related to a physics BS that I have not taken as part of the BA I have. Then I will go to take the subject specific GRE and apply for a masters. My transcripts will show that I can do the work that undergraduates do and the GRE will show I am ready for the graduate level of that work.

    I hope it works out for you.
  • kaamcherif
    kaamcherif Posts: 1
    I am a social work major at another college.I am glad I found this post. My husband is a grad student at IUSB. He received his BA in Applied Mathematics from his home country. We have two kids. My husband was told to take 20 extra classes. Some were English writing classes for ESL students as well some CIS pre-reqs.

    He asked several times about the scholarships he saw posted on the IU website for grad students and was told that he was not eligible or that the scholarship was not available. He took out loans instead. Now with two semesters left, he received a letter stating that his FA was denied because he will not be able to graduated within the 150% credit limit. His appeal was denied. All his hard work and tremendous amount of debt later and nothing to show for it. We don't know what to do. He has a 3.5 GPA and has taught several classes there. His students have done very well and he is well-liked by professors and students alike. I feel that IU owes him his last 5 classes since they demanded he take all these classes. Has anyone else had to go through this?
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