Which combination of degrees should I get?

[sanantone]

As you can see from my signature, I have a BA in Social Science (this fulfills my interests in the social sciences); an AAS in Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies (just because I could, I still haven't found a use for the degree), a Master of Security Studies, and I am working on a PhD in Criminal Justice. For some crazy reason, I want more degrees. I have an interest in biology, a knack for information technology that one of my professors said might help with the job search as a researcher, and almost all of the career tests I've taken said that I would be good in business management (I just might open my own business in the future or move into a management position).

Because of TESC's limit on the number of degrees it will award, I am limited in my options. I really do not want to take two capstones for the AAS in Computer Studies and BA in Natural Science/Mathematics. I don't think I can afford or even have the time for another master's degree. These are the combinations I've come up with.

BA in Natural Science/Mathematics, Associate of Science in Business Administration, and Undergraduate Certificate in Computer Information Systems.
BSBA in Computer Information Systems (I really do not want to take the System Analysis and Design Course) and ASNSM in Biology (even though I passed the Biology CLEP, I would have to take the courses for Biology I and II just to have the labs).
BSBA in General Management, Undergraduate Certificate in Computer Information Systems, and forget about the science degree.
BA in Natural Science/Mathematics, AAS in Computer Studies or Undergraduate Certificate in CIS, and suffer through a cheap MBA at WGU or Patten University.
BA in Natural Science/Mathematics; AAS in Computer Studies or Undergraduate Certificate in CIS; and an Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting, Human Resources, and/or Operations Management.
Other (explain in post).

I'm leaning toward the first option, but I don't think the ASBA will have much worth. However, I think I'm closer to a BA in Natural Science/Mathematics than a BSBA in General Management or BSBA in Computer Information Systems.

[clep3705]

Get work experience instead.

[sanantone]

Work experience in what? I can't gain work experience in several fields at once. I have several years of work experience in the criminal justice field including a few years of supervisory experience. I'm also currently gaining experience as a college instructor while working on my doctorate. I've been working regularly and mostly full-time since I was 18 years old, and I'm in my late 20s. I'm not someone who has been doing nothing or working at Starbucks the whole time I was earning my degrees. If I did that, I would have been almost finished with my PhD by now. To make myself stand apart when I finish my PhD, I want to be able to show that I can do the technical stuff such as GIS (crime mapping for geographic profiling) and developing applications for criminal justice research. This is crucial if I decide to become a researcher outside of academia. I also want to explore the biological influence on deviant behavior. If I wanted to work in science or even IT, they wouldn't even look at me for entry-level jobs without some kind of degree or credential in those fields. I know because I've already tried. I've thought about foregoing a certificate or degree in IT and just focus on passing the CISSP since I have the required work experience in two domains.

[rebel100]

MBA makes the most sense with your background, nice compliment to the Masters of Security Studies. You would argue thorough knowledge of Homeland Security/Emergency Management/CJ and the MBA would indicate executive level leadership and oversight...there would be plenty you could later teach that way too. No way I would go back for a Bachelors, I don't see the ROI.

You should do Patten and let us know how it is. I understand it's more test based as opposed to the writing intensive manner of WGU.

[sanantone]

MBA makes the most sense with your background, nice compliment to the Masters of Security Studies. You would argue thorough knowledge of Homeland Security/Emergency Management/CJ and the MBA would indicate executive level leadership and oversight...there would be plenty you could later teach that way too. No way I would go back for a Bachelors, I don't see the ROI.

You should do Patten and let us know how it is. I understand it's more test based as opposed to the writing intensive manner of WGU.

You might be right. Being able to teach business in addition to security studies and CJ would be a bonus. I wanted to attend WGU, but I don't think I could handle writing so much for them and my PhD program. The thing that turns me off about Patten University is that it was recently on probation and bought out by a for-profit company. My strong aversion to all for-profit schools might be irrational, but I didn't have very good experiences with the two I attended. I would also have to bug an employer and an instructor for a letter of recommendation. My PhD professors I have now will think I'm weird if I ask them for LORs for another graduate program and I think I've bugged my former instructors enough.

[Imran520]

You should choose BA in NSM, ASBA, and Undergrad Cert in CIS. It is the best for study.

[rebel100]

You might be right. Being able to teach business in addition to security studies and CJ would be a bonus. I wanted to attend WGU, but I don't think I could handle writing so much for them and my PhD program. The thing that turns me off about Patten University is that it was recently on probation and bought out by a for-profit company. My strong aversion to all for-profit schools might be irrational, but I didn't have very good experiences with the two I attended. I would also have to bug an employer and an instructor for a letter of recommendation. My PhD professors I have now will think I'm weird if I ask them for LORs for another graduate program and I think I've bugged my former instructors enough.

I share your concerns with Patten, but they don't strike me as money grubbing unwashed miscreants the way UofP/GC does...the price alone reflects that.

WGU is writing intensive, I don't think its anything you can't handle, but might drive you crazy. For that reason I don't think its right for you. They do have an MBA track that gives a nod to Info Systems Mngt. Might be a better fit for you given your computer background than the regular Strategy and Management MBA MBA in Technology Management | Online MBA | WGU College of Business Online

[sanantone]

I'll see how my workload is next semester when I really get into taking the difficult courses. If I do WGU or Patten, I want to finish in 6 months to save money. I thought about getting some kind of IT cert just so I can do WGU's MS in Information Technology - Network Management or MS in Information Security and Assurance. The latter seems to have less writing and more certification testing for competencies. The former doesn't look very technical on the IT or management side, so it doesn't really interest me.