Motivations behind multiple degrees

[bjcheung77]

Basically for me, I got the BSBA as it was the "last" of the fully transferable degrees available at TESU, they started removing these degrees slowly since 2012, that was when the capstones were added. The BSBA was also my check the box degree, it was cheap/easy/fast and the value was it applied to more "jobs" than the BALS degree at a lower cost with a better ROI.

I am getting the BA Biology for fun/interest, as that is the subject I like the most. A BA Comp Science is more geared towards my current type of work, I am taking that instead of BSIT as I want to learn more programming, it's been something I've wanted to get my hands on for a while now. The cost for my second degree is mainly an extra capstone and residency waiver.

A double major is an awesome option, for some degrees, you get to major in two different subjects without the need of taking anything extra. What I mean by that is, the general education (60 credits are the same), the last 30 credits also are the same (27 free credits/3 capstone). The main difference is, the 30 credits in the two subject matters.

There are a few degrees that allow up to 9 credits from one AOS to another if you're interested in a double major. Other more scientific or specific degrees may require extra credits. That is where people will use the 17-20 general education credits to maximize credits towards the two degrees, and in the end, take about 120 credits towards the two majors.

[mysonx3]

If you plan it right, you should be able to do Psych and Comm with no extra credits required, though it depends what you already have

Ok, thank you for letting me know that I misunderstand the double major requirements. I will have to take another look. You rock!

They're very unclear on TESU's website. Basically, you fill out each degree's evaluation completely independent of the other's, with the caveat that only nine credits can be in the major for both degrees.

So, for example, if you did a Psych and Sociology double-major, your Intro to Sociology class could fill the Diversity requirement for the Psych degree and the Intro requirement for the Sociology degree, and Psychology of Women could fill Diversity for the Sociology degree and an AOS elective for the Psych degree.

With Psych and Comm, this would mostly mean that your AOS credits from one degree will fill up Knowledge of Human Cultures and GenEd electives for the other.

Hope that makes sense. It's very opaque on their website, but I was able to talk it through with advising and get it figured out for myself (History & Psych double-major)

[CarpeDiem8]

Interesting! Then why don’t more folks take advantage of double majors more often or am I just late to the party?! I will check it out - still fuzzy on the details.

I think I may have been assuming a double major is accomplished in the way that simultaneous degrees are done - where the 24 credits of the AOS is unique in both degrees and you are awarded 2 degrees? I know dual is one degree, though, just was thinking the AOS of both dual needed to be unique.

If so, what’s the pros and cons between simultaneous degrees vs double major? Lol!


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[Ideas]

Right, I can see that for CS + Math, sure!

But something like Communications + Psychology would be more work I'd imagine since neither have courses that overlap in the AOS.

Yeah another major in social science, humanities, etc would be way easier than adding a major in STEM.

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Interesting! Then why don’t more folks take advantage of double majors more often or am I just late to the party?! I will check it out - still fuzzy on the details.

I think most people are broke and just want to get their degree and focus on their career. Especially if they already spent 2-4 years finishing their GenEds and major, why would they want to take another 5-8 classes?

I think I may have been assuming a double major is accomplished in the way that simultaneous degrees are done - where the 24 credits of the AOS is unique in both degrees and you are awarded 2 degrees? I know dual is one degree, though, just was thinking the AOS of both dual needed to be unique.

If so, what’s the pros and cons between simultaneous degrees vs double major? Lol!

Double major makes way more sense as you'd do one capstone for both.

But sometimes you can't combine the majors you want, so you'd do simultaneous degrees. For example if you wanted Business Admin and Psychology, those degrees are offered by different schools at TESU and you can't do them in one degree. Now you're doing two capstones.

So people are somewhat more likely to choose majors that can be combined. Who wants to do two capstones? However it can make sense if your career really needs those different majors.

[CarpeDiem8]

Cool! I really appreciate everyone chiming in and sharing their stories, such good insight!

I’d love to do a double BA major + ASNAM in CS, so I’ll take a look!

I don’t have much done in respect to AOS for the double major, I believe only 1 course.

Thanks all!!! You are all awesome and my inspiration!


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[armstrongsubero]

@CarpeDiem8 if you are serious about doing the double major, I recommend you finish the requirements for one major first, before starting the AOS of the other.

That way if life comes up or you cannot complete it for whatever reason you will still have something to show.

A stone in the hand is better than 2 in the bushes.

If you MUST complete requirements for both at the same time, ask TESU to add the BALS to your eval as well, that way in case you fail to complete them both, you still have a BALS as a generic degree is better than no degree.

Just my $0.02

[natshar]

Here is how a second degree for bachelors degrees applies at TESU:

Two Majors within the same school (ex. BA in Communication and BA in Pysch): No more than 9 credits within the AOS can overlap. Except for a BSBA if you are getting dual AOS BSBA none of the AOS can overlap, which is only 18 credits for a BSBA. I guess this is what they were saying is two BA's might be possible with 120 credits with careful planning, but this would not be possible with two BSBA's.

Earning Two Separate Degrees at the same time: (ex. BA and BSBA): 24 different credits between the two degrees and no more than 9 credits in the AOS can overlap. This is not possible to do with only 120 credits, this option would require a minimum of 144 credits including two different capstones. Note I was told 24 different credits, which does not restrict it to only the AOS.

Earning One Bachelors degree getting it conferred and coming back for a second one (ex earning a BA in Pysch graduating and then coming back to earn another bachelors degree): 24 new credits to be earned in the AOS after the first degree is conferred. All gens and free electives are waived and you only need to do the AOS and any core degree requirements. For this reason, if you want to earn two BA's from TESU it makes sense to earn them both at the same time.

[Ideas]

I think that some schools make it harder to get a double major than others. It's reasonable at TESU.

[CarpeDiem8]

As soon as I pass the requirement for Stats I will ask my advisor about a double major. I can’t thank you all enough for all you input. After all these years it still amazes me the support of this forum!


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[Muldoon]

I really like the idea of earning multiple degrees. I love learning new things and there are still so many interesting classes I'd love to take. My GE's are mostly done and I have more free electives than I could possibly use from my CC days, so getting another degree would only be ~25-30 units and the fees. With so many cheap options like Study.com, I figure, why not see if it's doable? I may or may not actually try for another degree someday, but that's my reasoning.