Advice needed for Health Degree

[Airamb]

"Yes, unfortunately a Bachelors doesn't really signify much nowadays'

I don't want to give you the impression that "a Bachelor's degree does not signify much." It is certainly an accomplishment! My point is that many majors simply check a box and may not have much utility. Yes, I agree that many majors are crucial to obtaining a career in a specific field.  After reviewing your coursework, it looks like you have a good natural science foundation. The bachelor in liberal arts worked for me and I was able to go to graduate school and focus on an area of my interest. It checked the box! Additionally, I went back and earned an associate's degree in nursing. 

I think associate degrees are often the best hidden treasures in this country providing a lot of "bang for the buck!" Many associate degrees offer a two-year track to a profession that often puts food on the table like nursing, respiratory therapy, x-ray technology, aircraft mechanic, etc. Of course, many majors at the bachelor's lead to high-paying careers in engineering, science, healthcare, business, etc., but many just check a box and provide no return on investment.

If you are not going to go back to school and pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing or another allied healthcare field, I recommend pursuing the fastest and cheapest BS possible from an RA-accredited school to check the box and then go for a master's degree with a major that gives you a return on your investment. I'm not convinced a major in Health Science has any more utility than a liberal arts major. With that said, if the health science major doesn't add years and added expense to your journey, then go for it!

[allvia]

https://www.tamuc.edu/programs/health-se...tion-baas/

TAMUC has a Health Services Administration BAAS that is CBE.

@thethinker58  This may be an ideal option even if your low initially on transfer credits because we know that TAMUC is alternative credit friendly.  Here is the wiki page for the TAMUC BAAS Organizational Leadership (it shows how many Gen Eds can be met with Sophia, for example) - https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...egree_Plan

Also, what are the course #s (and school name ideally) of the 'public university as a Biology major'? Without knowing that we can't assume they were considered LL or UL. You may be quite close to a TESU 'BALS with Natural Sciences/Mathematics' concentration.

[thethinker58]

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I recommend attending the school that accepts the most credits and allows you to graduate the fastest and cheapest. A bachelor's degree is a bachelor's degree. Why? Because the Bachelor is the new High School Diploma and unless it is in something that requires a specific major, I would save my energy and finances for a master's degree in a health-related field like nutrition, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, physical or occupational therapy school, etc. From my experience, Excelsior University or TESU offers a bachelor of science in liberal arts and many have gone on to graduate school with a basic BS from these schools.

"Yes, unfortunately a Bachelors doesn't really signify much nowadays"


Watch out with this line of thinking—I completely understand and partially agree, but it's a bit of a slippery slope. Certain professions, like engineering, bioengineering, cyber-security, nursing, and more, demand a focused and challenging course of study, culminating in a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree can still hold significant value. Firstly, it signifies a lot to you right now; secondly it means you've successfully planned, started, and completed something, unlike the high school experience we all have to suffer though, mostly by force.
Consider that a substantial portion of the American workforce holds only a high school diploma, with around 30-35% having attained a bachelor's degree. My suggestion of pursuing an Interdisciplinary Studies degree or BLS isn't just about getting any bachelor's degree—it's about tailoring your education to make yourself stand out in your specific industry.
Imagine two candidates with carpentry experience vying for a management or supervisory role in a large construction firm. One has a BS in Business, while the other with a BLS brings not only experience but also business, carpentry, and construction classes (trade school credits can be transferred in at Liberty as college credits), along with leadership courses. In this scenario, the BLS holder is likely to secure the job, unless, of course, the interview goes south. 
In your case, if you thoughtfully select your Minor(s) and elective courses, you can have a tailor-made degree, that sets you up for a promotion now, and advancement in the future.

 

I agree completely, you put it in a very good way with that example

I was more referring to the fact that a business or general liberal arts degree in a specific field like mine doesn't "add" anything new to the actual work you perform. But it is required to check the box for many of the job descriptions, and can show the things you mentioned above which aren't job specific but show discipline and commitment at the very least

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Thank you everyone for all the input!

I spoke with a UW Flex advising today, and submitted my application with transcript requests and personal statement. You need a minimum of 30 credits done for residency from the school for Health Science, so I'll see what the total transfer amount is

Also looking at:
-TESU General Liberal Arts degree
-WGU options (different degrees with most amount of transfer credits)
-Texas A&M BAAS
-Excelsior's programs

I think the program guides and advice on this forum are phenomenal. Saving people months and years of time and helping build professional resumes much quicker!

[wow]

What did you end up deciding? I've toyed with the idea of getting a 2nd bachelor's in health science. Did you go for UW Flex?

[thethinker58]

What did you end up deciding? I've toyed with the idea of getting a 2nd bachelor's in health science. Did you go for UW Flex?

This is a very late reply, but I thought I'd post it for information for others.

I ended up going with UW Milwaukee's Flex program for Biomedical Health Science online in early 2024. 

I've completed 8 classes, and on track to complete 7 more within the next few months and graduating. 

I've been very slow at school due to work and other circumstances, but doing more now, I could've been done with the program by now. Overall, it's a good school that's not the cheapest (2250 for 3 months unlimited classes) but does provide a health science degree online from a reputable school UW Milwaukee. There is a lot of papers and homework, but if you can crank that out, you can finish this rather quickly. They accept at least 60 credits, which isn't much but if you have an associates and want an online program, it's a good idea.

[wow]

What did you end up deciding? I've toyed with the idea of getting a 2nd bachelor's in health science. Did you go for UW Flex?

This is a very late reply, but I thought I'd post it for information for others.

I ended up going with UW Milwaukee's Flex program for Biomedical Health Science online in early 2024. 

I've completed 8 classes, and on track to complete 7 more within the next few months and graduating. 

I've been very slow at school due to work and other circumstances, but doing more now, I could've been done with the program by now. Overall, it's a good school that's not the cheapest (2250 for 3 months unlimited classes) but does provide a health science degree online from a reputable school UW Milwaukee. There is a lot of papers and homework, but if you can crank that out, you can finish this rather quickly. They accept at least 60 credits, which isn't much but if you have an associates and want an online program, it's a good idea.

Thanks so much! And no worry on the delay-- I've been working on applying to UoPeople's Health Science program but I'm not set on that. How long do you think it will take you overall? And what do you think would be the fastest practical to complete it for someone who had 20 to 30 hours a week to study?

[thethinker58]

What did you end up deciding? I've toyed with the idea of getting a 2nd bachelor's in health science. Did you go for UW Flex?

This is a very late reply, but I thought I'd post it for information for others.

I ended up going with UW Milwaukee's Flex program for Biomedical Health Science online in early 2024. 

I've completed 8 classes, and on track to complete 7 more within the next few months and graduating. 

I've been very slow at school due to work and other circumstances, but doing more now, I could've been done with the program by now. Overall, it's a good school that's not the cheapest (2250 for 3 months unlimited classes) but does provide a health science degree online from a reputable school UW Milwaukee. There is a lot of papers and homework, but if you can crank that out, you can finish this rather quickly. They accept at least 60 credits, which isn't much but if you have an associates and want an online program, it's a good idea.

Thanks so much! And no worry on the delay-- I've been working on applying to UoPeople's Health Science program but I'm not set on that. How long do you think it will take you overall? And what do you think would be the fastest practical to complete it for someone who had 20 to 30 hours a week to study?

For 20-30 hours a week, if you need to do 14 classes let's say, you can probably do it in 3 terms (9 months).

I work full time, have a family and was taking care of a dying family member at home (hospice) and was able to do about 2 classes per term. On track to do 3+ this term and 3+ next and be finished

[wow]

What did you end up deciding? I've toyed with the idea of getting a 2nd bachelor's in health science. Did you go for UW Flex?

This is a very late reply, but I thought I'd post it for information for others.

I ended up going with UW Milwaukee's Flex program for Biomedical Health Science online in early 2024. 

I've completed 8 classes, and on track to complete 7 more within the next few months and graduating. 

I've been very slow at school due to work and other circumstances, but doing more now, I could've been done with the program by now. Overall, it's a good school that's not the cheapest (2250 for 3 months unlimited classes) but does provide a health science degree online from a reputable school UW Milwaukee. There is a lot of papers and homework, but if you can crank that out, you can finish this rather quickly. They accept at least 60 credits, which isn't much but if you have an associates and want an online program, it's a good idea.

Thanks so much! And no worry on the delay-- I've been working on applying to UoPeople's Health Science program but I'm not set on that. How long do you think it will take you overall? And what do you think would be the fastest practical to complete it for someone who had 20 to 30 hours a week to study?

For 20-30 hours a week, if you need to do 14 classes let's say, you can probably do it in 3 terms (9 months).

I work full time, have a family and was taking care of a dying family member at home (hospice) and was able to do about 2 classes per term. On track to do 3+ this term and 3+ next and be finished

Thank you! And sorry for your loss.