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+--- Thread: BALS or no BALS? (/Thread-BALS-or-no-BALS)
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BALS or no BALS? - natshar - 01-09-2019
I know I've posted a little about this before, but now I have all the facts from TESU so its facts not speculation. So why not post another question? I'm kind of in a unique situation and I'd love to hear some thoughts.
Because I transferred in so much prior credit, according to my evaluation, the only requirements I need for BALS-no concentration are 5 UL Liberal Studies courses and the LA capstone. However, I figured a BSBA could provide more opportunities in the future, so I'm going for a BSBA-HR instead and I currently have 80 credits complete towards it. I'm currently a TESU student because of enrolling in the cornerstone. But then I realized I could earn both degrees, so my degree program is currently set to both degrees. My plan is to finish most or all of the requirements both degrees between now and March. Then in March I'll take the LA-capstone and then in May I'll take the BUS-capstone, with the month of May overlapping between both capstones at once. I'd graduate in September only paying one residency wavier for both degrees.
Also, I e-mailed TESU and they told me 9 credits (3 courses) can overlap between AOS for both degrees. They gave me specific courses that work for both degrees and approved it. This means a BALS would only require two extra UL courses and the capstone.
I mapped it all out and got it approved, the two extra courses I plan on taking towards the BALS and not the BSBA are study.com's Organizational Communications and the Substance Abuse DSST. They both have TESU approval for a BALS UL credit. I've already finished all the quizzes on the sdc course so I just need to do the project and final and I have a DSST scheduled this month. So this part is definitely doable.
However, the difficult part is the capstone, due the time commitment and cost of the capstone. This is making consider if this all worthwhile.
My question is this:
Should I go for the extra BALS? Will it add anything to my resume (especially since it has no concentration.)?
Is the extra cost, and time of the LA capstone worth it?
Any other thoughts?
RE: BALS or no BALS? - zzzz24 - 01-09-2019
If I was in your situation and had the time, I would just go for the BSBA. I think it offers a little more significance over a BALS, although it really depends on what your goals are.
I am fine with the BALS only, as I am just checking off a box at this point. I think having both is kind of pointless.
RE: BALS or no BALS? - natshar - 01-09-2019
(01-09-2019, 03:42 PM)zzzz24 Wrote: If I was in your situation and had the time, I would just go for the BSBA. I think it offers a little more significance over a BALS, although it really depends on what your goals are.
I am fine with the BALS only, as I am just checking off a box at this point. I think having both is kind of pointless.
To be clear my question isn't BALS or BSBA? I'm for sure doing the BSBA.
So my choices are either:
BSBA only?
OR
Both BSBA & BALS? (to which it will require: 1 DSST, 1 SDC course and the LA-capstone)
RE: BALS or no BALS? - zzzz24 - 01-09-2019
If you feel spending another 3 months doing a capstone course is worth it (plus the extra money), it's ultimately up to you.
I don't really see how getting a BALS alongside the BSBA degree adds any extra value to your resume.
RE: BALS or no BALS? - davewill - 01-09-2019
I don't think it adds any extra to your resume, and I personally wouldn't bother.
RE: BALS or no BALS? - armstrongsubero - 01-09-2019
The best degree is a one in hand. Do whatever you can finish fastest, before TESU makes some weird policy again.
RE: BALS or no BALS? - Merlin - 01-09-2019
The BALS is considered a generic "checkbox" degree. Its usually the fastest degree and people get it to prove they have a degree. It isn't really valuable for any other purpose... particularly one without a concentration.
If you're applying for a job that lists a business degree as minimum qualifications and you have a BSBA (regardless of what concentration it is) most hiring managers won't look at the BALS at all... or at best will wonder why you have both degrees. For any other job, the degrees are functionally equivalent; a BSBA is no better than a BALS for a job where a business degree isn't necessary.
If you want the BSBA because that is what you're interested in (or because you think you might pursue a business-oriented master's program later), then get that and forget the BALS so you can graduate 3 months earlier.
If you just want a bachelor's degree so you can earn more money or apply for better jobs, then get the BALS and forget the BSBA since you're so close to being done with that now.
There is no purpose in getting both, except to cost you more money.
RE: BALS or no BALS? - Johmford - 01-09-2019
Is there a chance you might not finish the BSBA? If so do both concurrently if there is a chance life might get in the way so you have SOMETHING.
However, my path was do the BALS and then MBA at WGU, which I finish in February. Technically, in the time it takes you to finish the BSBA you could have completed almost the entire MBA too.
RE: BALS or no BALS? - Ideas - 01-09-2019
BSBA only for multiple reasons. One reason is what armstrongsubero posted.
Maybe add an undergrad certificate if it doesn't slow your graduation at all, or max 3 months? I think BSBA + an undergrad cert that applies to your career path is much better than BSBA + BALS with no concentration.
For some of their certs, especially business related certs, you'd only need 2-4 cheap classes (Study.com, etc). I think that would be quicker, easier, and cheaper than another capstone.
Oh, but a business certificate may not make sense because you could do a second BSBA concentration instead.
Anyway a certificate can help you stand out a little, depending on how it relates to the career.
RE: BALS or no BALS? - natshar - 01-09-2019
(01-09-2019, 05:44 PM)jjsafari Wrote: Is there a chance you might not finish the BSBA? If so do both concurrently if there is a chance life might get in the way so you have SOMETHING.
However, my path was do the BALS and then MBA at WGU, which I finish in February. Technically, in the time it takes you to finish the BSBA you could have completed almost the entire MBA too.
Timing works the same for both. With the BALS if I really worked hard got all the UL done and signed up for the February capstone I could graduate in June, but this would be difficult for me to do. I'm not even sure with the new rules, if they would let me sign up for the capstone without the UL done.
So realistically I'd be looking at a September graduation for either degree I pursue. And I don't think June vs September graduation doesn't make much of a difference for me anyways.
Thanks everyone for the input. I think I'm just going to do the BSBA. However, if somehow TESU's policy changes, I get burnt out, have any issue that prevents me from finishing, etc. I have the option switch to the BALS. I guess it's good to have a backup plan.