college degree ? adult back to school any advice?

[kidzmom3]

My DH has his associates degree in horticulture from a community college and he also attended a 10 month accredited program to be a computer software engineer. Does anyone have any advice on how to convert these into a bachelors degree? Would you try to enter an established college and ask them to accept the credits or do you know of any programs for adults to earn a degree? We are in the first stages of looking into it any help?

 

[Cindy B]

Ok, I work at a school which specializes in this.

I work at Eastern University, School of Professional Studies. I work in the assessment department, so I can tell you in a non registrar way...

Ok, we have a lot of adults seeking to turn prior credits into a bachelors (hey, I'm even one of them, thats why I work there!).

All of our students try to "convert" if you will. It all depends on the school, course of study, etc... on what transfers or accepted as credit.. There is a certain formula that the registrar uses, according to some higher education accreditation formulas.

Most professional experience we do give credit. It all depends on the course, and how long ago, and what type of institution it was. For example, my DH is doing a MCSE/MCSA, since Microsoft is nationally recognized, he will get 30 professional credits when the MCSE is finished.


In our school as well, you can take CLEP and DANTES/Excelsior tests as well for credits. WE also have options for Computer Testouts and Learning Experience Essays which are also ways that students receive credits.

Best bet is to look into institutions that offer this.

 

[Saffron]

I have 2 associates degrees. This is what I did. I toured a bunch of colleges in the area, picked which ones I liked, sat down with counselors and saw which schools would accept which credits. The school I am attending now accepted 75 out of the 133 credits I had. OUCH!!!!! But that was the best I could do. They took the core courses I had, such as English Comp I and II, Basic Biology, Intro to Psych etc. and transferred them to their core program. So, besides a couple of elective courses, the courses I have to take are all related to my major, Elementary Education. Which is really cool! I am really interested in Elementary Ed so the courses have been a breeze for me. I would hate to do some of the core courses again, bleh!!!! Oh and another thing. I signed a core to core transfer agreement with the college I'm attending. In doing so, guarenteeing my enrollment there and not any of the other colleges, they dropped the forgein language requirement! That was another reason I picked that school.

Good luck to both of you! My advice would be to look into the colleges in your area that have the Major your husband is interested in, sit down with the counselors and see what THEY have to offer HIM, not what he has to offer them!!!

 

[annemariec]

Hi kidzmom3,

I'm not an expert. I know a little. I went back to school too.

There are some variances from state to state and even institutions have their own policy on conversions.

The top things I think to consider are:

1.) How long ago did your DH get his associates degree?

There is a time limit for applying credits towards another degree. In VA last time I checked I think it was 10 years for all credits except science related ones. That may have changed and may be different in the state that you live.

2.) Were the credits for semesters or quarters?

I believe most community colleges have converted to semesters here in VA. If you DH has semester credits the conversion should be pretty cut and dry. If it's quarters it may be he'll need to apply 2 courses for one. It's hard to say.


3.) What major is your DH interested in?

That could be the deciding factor in where he'll need to enroll. It might be a good idea to pick up a college/university book that describes the courses/programs. Also talk to some of the professors in the discipline he chooses.

Something that would help in the process of converting credits is to have a college book (from the community college he attended) that describes the courses he took. That may come in handy when talking to administrators. It makes the process a lot easier than going by the title of the class alone. They are looking for some key words to determine if the objectives have been met.

I just saw where Cindy B mentioned the CLEP. That's a great option. And Saffron had some good ideas too.

Good luck! I think it's a great idea.

Annemarie

 

[Saffron]

Just to back up what Annemarie said: .

My sciences from my first degree (AS in Nursing) did not transfer to my second degree (AA in Elementary Ed) because they were older than 10 years, but my sciences from my first degree did transfer to my 4 year college because they were not part of my major. Had I been a nursing or PT major at the 4 year college, I would have had to repeat the courses.

I graduate in May. I can't wait!

 

[kidzmom3]

thank you for your great advice everyone. It has been very helpful and its nice to know, other adults have done or are doing the succesful schooling to get their bachelors.

 

[gemmie214]

I am an adult student. I finished my bachelors in May and am now working on my Masters. With the amount of schools trying to recruit adult students your DH will have his pick. Try talking to the schools that interest him the most and see what they will do for him.....believe me they want your money (LOL ). They may give him credits for life experience too PM me if you have any other questions. Good Luck!