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+--- Thread: My Head Is Spinning! Info. Overload. Need bachelor's (/Thread-My-Head-Is-Spinning-Info-Overload-Need-bachelor-s)
My Head Is Spinning! Info. Overload. Need bachelor's - bogey72 - 08-03-2011
First off, I want to thank you for this website. I have read and found a lot of good information.
Now on to my question. It's kind of convoluted and confusing but you guys seem like the experts. I am currently a practicing chiropractor that is not at all happy with my career choice. I won't go into all the ins and outs of it but suffice it to say that I have reached a point in my life where I'm not willing to stick it out in this profession. I've known for the last 10 years that teaching/coaching is my true calling. I love the academic world and I'm starting down that path. My problem is that I don't have a Bachelor's degree. How can one be a doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) and not have a Bachelors? I'm glad you asked. You see, in my state of Alabama, in the 90's one did not have to have a bachelors to matriculate to chiropractic school. I did my 90 hours of prereqs and went straight to chiro school. I kick myself everyday for not finishing my Bio degree when I was young and unencumbered. However, I can't change the past and I need to get started in the right direction. I'm currently enrolled in a B&M school and I have to take 30 sem. hours of 300 and up bio courses and 36 sem hours of education courses to become certified to teach biology in high school.
I basically cut out my senior year of college. All pre-reqs are finished. I'll admit that going back to school is gonna be hard on my family and myself both financially (can only work 3 days/week) and time wise. The one thing I have going for myself is that I know MOST of the school administrators in my area personally because I've lived in the same rural town for 38 years.
I have poured over the certification requirements for Alabama and I believe it may be beneficial to me to get a BA or BS in anything and then take the Education classes to become certified. I think that my quickest route might be applying to TESC for an official transcript evaluation and then testing or taking classes to finish up whatever degree is the fastest for me. Honestly, I'm torn in that I really don't know what to do. I would like to teach middle school or high school science/bio/anat and physiology but if I could get my foot in the door and start teaching "something" I could go after a master's or 18 sem hours in a science discipline and get an additional certification in that.
Would it help to post my credits/classes so you guys could give me some advice? BTW, I fully understand I'll have to verify all the info with the AL State Dept of Edu. before I make any decision.
I'll post up my credits ASAP.
My Head Is Spinning! Info. Overload. Need bachelor's - bogey72 - 08-03-2011
English
EH101 freshman comp. 3.0 qtr hours
EH102 freshman comp. 3.0 qtr hours
Math
PreCalc I 3.0 qtr hours
PrecalC II 3.0 qtr hours
Elem. Statistics 3.0 Sem. hours
Physics
Physics I+lab 5.0 qtr hours
Physics II+lab 5.0 qtr hours
Chemistry
CH101 Intro. to chem+lab 4.0 qtr hours
CH121 Gen./Inorganic Chem I+lab 4.0 qtr hours
CH123 Gen./Inorganic Chem II+lab 4.0 qtr hours
CH233 Organic I+Lab 5.0 qtr hours
Ch234 Organic II+lab 5.0 qtr hours
Biology
BIO103 +lab 4.0 sem hours
BIO104 +lab 4.0 sem hours
BYS313 Anat.&Phys I 4.0 qtr hours
Psychology
General Psych 3.0 qtr hours
History
Western Civ I 3.0 qtr hours
Western Civ II 3.0 qtr hours
Philosophy
PHL101 Intro to philosophy 3.0 qtr hours
Spanish
101 3.0 qtr hours
102 3.0 qtr hours
201 3.0 qtr hours
202 3.0 qtr hours
Speech
106 Fund. of Communication 3.0 sem hours
Music
110 intro to music listening 3.0 qtr hours
PE
HPE131 Volleyball 1.0 qtr hour
HPE220 Scuba 2.0 qtr hour
HPE105 Beg. Karate 1.0 qtr hour
EMT med
Emer Med Tech Basic + lab 4.0 qtr hours
Business
BUS100 Intro to business 5.0 qtr hours
Computer
CIS196v MSDOS 2.0 qtr hours
CIS196o Windows 3.1 2.0 qtr hours
I did not list the ridiculous amount of credits the I rec'd in Chiro school b/c I didn't know if TESC would accept them for a bachelors. I took tons of anat/phys, biochem, microbiology, parasitology, Health and Wellness, Neurology, etc...... 288 qtr hours
I was thinking of just applying and having all my transcripts sent to TESC for evaluation.
My Head Is Spinning! Info. Overload. Need bachelor's - Yenisei - 08-03-2011
While I agree getting an evaluation from TESC is the best first step you can take, if I were you I'd look into whether the BA in Natural Sciences & Mathematics suits your needs best, and I think you would be well on your way to getting that particular degree with your myriad chemistry, biology and physics credits (in fact you might have all that you need for that Area of Study). You may also be close to a BA in Biology, so TBH, I wouldn't look at any other degree other than those two. Get your evaluation done for those two Areas of Study and then post it so we can provide additional advice.
At first glance, the only additional credits you may need are some more humanites and social science credits that can easily be tested out of with CLEP and DSST exams.
My Head Is Spinning! Info. Overload. Need bachelor's - bogey72 - 08-03-2011
I will check into that, thank you.
My Head Is Spinning! Info. Overload. Need bachelor's - Merlin - 08-03-2011
I would also submit your chiro school transcript as well to see what they'll give you for that if anything, if they don't come from a RA school (and ACE isn't an option), chances are slim. Assuming they do accept them, its possible that they may come in as post graduate credits, which may not be directly helpful but who knows.
My Head Is Spinning! Info. Overload. Need bachelor's - bogey72 - 08-03-2011
I was actually planning to submit my chiro school transcripts anyway. I went to Life University which was/is regionally accredited by SACS. Crossing my fingers that it will meet some requirements.
My Head Is Spinning! Info. Overload. Need bachelor's - rebel100 - 08-03-2011
If it's an RA school much of that credit should apply! Even if it's not it might count anyway. Definanatly submit the transcript and find out where you stand. How much UL credit do you have, from what I see so far that is the unknown...I suspect much of your Chiropratic training might be 300-400 level or above.
Your a unique case, be interesting to see how it plays out.
My Head Is Spinning! Info. Overload. Need bachelor's - bogey72 - 08-03-2011
Upper level credit is always the sticking point at B&M schools. Many classes in chiro school are upper level, but it seems they are never even counted by traditional 4 yr schools. I understand I'm in a unique situation and that usually works against me.
Never know until I try I guess.
My Head Is Spinning! Info. Overload. Need bachelor's - brothert69 - 08-03-2011
bogey72 Wrote:Upper level credit is always the sticking point at B&M schools. Many classes in chiro school are upper level, but it seems they are never even counted by traditional 4 yr schools. I understand I'm in a unique situation and that usually works against me.
Never know until I try I guess.
Usually being the key word. The big 3 specialize in unique situations. I think that one of them will end up having the right fit for you. Good luck in your journey.
My Head Is Spinning! Info. Overload. Need bachelor's - bogey72 - 08-04-2011
I applied to TESC today and all of my transcripts have been sent. After scouring the internet, it looks like TESC does grant undergrad credit for graduate/professional courses. I found a fellow chiropractor on the web that rec'd her bachelors from TESC after getting her DC degree. She said that she only took a couple of classes and they counted a good bit of her chiro school credits.
I'm sure I'll need a few classes but I think the BA Biology might work for me. I'm not getting my hopes up but it is definitely worth the $75 to find out.
Thanks again for all your help. I'll update when TESC finishes my evaluation.