AA in Human Services

[ejones]

Ok. So I just found this forum today and I think it's great. I've been thinking about taking some CLEP tests but am a little nervous. Also, I've been considering getting my AA in Human Services from TESC. I hoping someone(s) could give me advice on transfer credit. Ultimately I am planning on getting my degree in Social Work, but I want a relevant AA to compliment my degree and hopefully make me more competitive in the job market. I'm currently attending a local community college. Below I've listed me credits and where I hope they will apply to the AA in HS. I want to get this degree as fast as possible. So any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

TESC Owens Community College
A. English Composition
* English Composition I Composition I (3/B)
* English Composition II Composition II (3/A)

B. Humanities (12)
* Ethics Course (i.e PHI 286)
* Humanities Electives (9)

C. Social Sciences (12)

* Intro to Sociology Sociology (3/B)
* Intro to Psychology General Psychology (3/A)
* Theoretical Foundation course*
* Client Population course*


D. Natural Sciences and Mathematics (6)

* One college-level mathematics course
* One computer science course

E. General Education Electives (3)

II. Required Courses (18)
A. Theoretical Foundation Courses* (6)
B. Intervention courses* (3)
C. Client Population Courses* (3) Abnormal Psychology (3/C)
D. SOC 322 Cultural Diversity in the US(3) Multicultural Diversity in US (3/B)
E. Capstone course (3) Social Work Practicum (3/A)
III. Free Electives (3)


I've also taken the following classes:
Intro to Social Work (3/A)
Life Span Psychology (3/B)
On Being a Supervisor (1/A)
Devel Communication Skills (1/A)
Leadership (1/A)
Social Work Assessment (3/A) (formally Interviewing and Documentation)
Business Professionalism (1/B)
Social Welfare Institutions (3/B)
Managing Yourself (1/B)
Improving Prod & Quality (1/A)
Cultural Anthropology (3/A)
Small Group Communication (3/A)
Intro to Geology/Hydrology (3/B)
American Government (3/C)
Workplace Diversity (3/B)
Women and Work (3/A)
Medical Sociology (3/B)
Basic Nutrition (2/B)

[burbuja0512]

Ok. So I just found this forum today and I think it's great. I've been thinking about taking some CLEP tests but am a little nervous.

I can't really comment on everything that you posted, so I'll stick to what I know. First of all, I think that most of us were a little nervous before our first CLEP or DSST, it's totally normal. I get nervous before each test, but what is the worst that could happen? You spend some time studying and around 100 bucks with proctor and exam fee. If you fail, it doesn't hurt your GPA. You're just out the hundred bucks. Yes, it stinks to lose the money, but it's not the end of the world.

On the other hand, what happens if you pass? You just got three or more college credits for an amazing price and likely in a lot shorter time. I would recommend starting off with one of the "easier" tests based on what interests you most and also read the forum threads for feedback on what would be easiest for you.

I also don't know a lot about an AA in Social Work (wait...didn't I say I wasn't going to comment?) but I wonder how far that would get you. I don't want to knock an Associates degree, because it's more than what I have right now, but in some fields it's really helpful and in some it's not. Do some research and see where it would get you. It would likely be cheaper to CLEP out of as many subjects as you can and go straight for the Bachelor's depending on how many of your requirements you've already met and how many subjects you could test out of. It takes me roughly one week to study for a test and at the rate I'm going, it will take me about a year from start to finish to get my BS.

Another thought for you, depending on how much money and time you have, and also how much you like taking traditional classes, what about getting your BA in Psych from TESC? Then, take your class time and money and put it towards a masters in social work. That would get you a lot further career-wise and probably be quicker. I'm not certain, but I have read that social work is a career path that psych majors can go towards. I know that RMRoberts, a 17 year old here, got her Psych degree from TESC in 9 months through testing only and starting from the bottom.

Anyway.. just some different ideas to offer you options to think about. The first step would be to take a test to see if it's for you. You really need to be self-motivated and be able to do a lot of self-learning or this path won't be enjoyable for you regardless of the time and money you could save. The concept of testing out of subjects sounds so darn easy, but it really does involve a lot of hard work. Still, I have found that it's a lot more feasable for my busy schedule than taking a semester's worth of homework/tests plus lots of $$$ just for one class!

[ejones]

Thank you for your comments. I appreciate them.

I'm actually looking at getting my 4 year degree in Social Work from the local university. I was just looking at maybe picking up an AA on the way.

I liked the suggestion with getting my degree in Psych, it's a great option for some. But I plan on getting my Masters and if you have your undergrad in Social Work your Masters is only a year! That's one of the main reasons I working towards my Social Work degree, also it's a good degree even if I don't go for my Masters.

[Lindagerr]

IMHO it is not the end it is just a step along the way. If you need the math course why not try ALEKS for Intermediate or college Algebra, your college may take it and TESC will. For the computer course try the CLEP Comp Aps and Info Systems ( Something like that ) I found that fairly easy. I did get my AA on my way to my BA was afraid I would never get to the BA (it took me 36 years to get the AA). Now I am thinking about an MAT.milelol:

I was always a nervous wreck before a Clep/DSST etc. and I would sweat it the whole time and think I was going to fail. I passed them all with room to spare. So don't let the nerves get you down.

If you know you want a masters might might it not be just as fast to get your BA in Psychology from TESC or one of the other big 3 and then do the Masters it might even come out to the less time just more on the masters end.

Just food for thought

[burbuja0512]

If you know you want a masters might might it not be just as fast to get your BA in Psychology from TESC or one of the other big 3 and then do the Masters it might even come out to the less time just more on the masters end.

Just food for thought

I agree... if you try the testing and find that you can keep a pretty tight schedule, for example, I find that I can study for and take about one test a week assuming no other major interruptions. I have five kids and work full time with travel once or twice a month. My study time starts in the evening after I get the kids to bed. If you have more time or a better memory than I do, you may be able to get through it even quicker. You could probably wrap up your BA in psych in under a year. Then, yes you would have to do two years on your master's but I still think you'd end up ahead.

I am following my brother's advice (who got his BA from COSC, then his master's from Texas A&M and now is well on his way to a DR and he's not even 30!) He told me to spend as little time as possible on the undergrad and really focus on the graduate degree(s). I think that's what a lot of us here are trying to do. Testing out of subjects isn't easy, but it really can be very efficient.

Anyway... whatever will make you happy is the best path to choose. Even if you only take one CLEP/DSST, that will save you time and money!

[JBjunior]

Thank you for your comments. I appreciate them.

I'm actually looking at getting my 4 year degree in Social Work from the local university. I was just looking at maybe picking up an AA on the way.

I liked the suggestion with getting my degree in Psych, it's a great option for some. But I plan on getting my Masters and if you have your undergrad in Social Work your Masters is only a year! That's one of the main reasons I working towards my Social Work degree, also it's a good degree even if I don't go for my Masters.

What school allows you to turn the 60 hour MSW into a one year program with an undergrad in SW?

[ejones]

What school allows you to turn the 60 hour MSW into a one year program with an undergrad in SW?

I think there are a number of programs in the country, but the one I am referring to is the program at the University of Toledo.

"Students applying for Advanced Standing in the program must meet the above criteria as well as the following requirements:
(1) Hold a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited social work program.
(2) Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
(3) Have a minimum social work major GPA of 3.3
(4) Three letters of recommendation.
(5) A Personal Statement that includes:

a. Why the applicant is pursuing an MSW at this time
b. Career goals
c. Ability and interest in working with diverse populations
d. Commitment to social and economic justice‚ and
e. Previous social work or social work related experience"

(Taken from the University of Toledo website.)

[JBjunior]

I think there are a number of programs in the country, but the one I am referring to is the program at the University of Toledo.

"Students applying for Advanced Standing in the program must meet the above criteria as well as the following requirements:
(1) Hold a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited social work program.
(2) Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
(3) Have a minimum social work major GPA of 3.3
(4) Three letters of recommendation.
(5) A Personal Statement that includes:

a. Why the applicant is pursuing an MSW at this time
b. Career goals
c. Ability and interest in working with diverse populations
d. Commitment to social and economic justice‚ and
e. Previous social work or social work related experience"

(Taken from the University of Toledo website.)

"Full time Advanced Standing requires one year plus one summer course‚ and part-time advanced standing requires either two or three years. These options are detailed in the following tables."

So, evidently the way they are structured the first 30 credits are "more than likely repetitive" and you have to complete 33 for the advanced standing. Seems like a good find for those pursuing.....