What is the best way to get a 2nd bachelor's degree?

[CanBeGrumpy]

I have a B.S. in engineering, but I am wanting to change careers. What would it take to get a second bachelor's degree? My first degree was awarded almost 20 years ago, so would I have to repeat even the basic, core courses? I am really confused by how to go about changing careers (I am thinking of something in the health/nutrition field). Anyone have any advice?
Thank you for your help!

 

[Quiksilvr]

I don't know the answer to your question, but am interested to hear what others have to say. I think it probably depends on the institution that you apply to now.

I seem to remember from undergrad that if you left without finishing the degree you could come back and finish it at any time... it's not like the credits "expired." I don't know how that would work if you did actually finish the degree and wanted another.

As an alternative, you could take the prerequisite courses for a master's degree and then apply to a master's program. I know a bunch of midcareer people who wanted an MBA, so they went and took the undergrad prerequisites they needed and then applied for the master's program. Perhaps you could do that in your field.

 

[barkley]

your best bet would be to meet with an academic advisor at the college you are considering attending. dh got his transcripts together and did this, he found that with the exception of a couple of classes that happened to be lower division pre-reqs his previous degree did'nt require, and a couple of lower division classes that were'nt offered/required back then-all of his general ed work was accepted. he was given a detailing of what already taken courses would count towards the new bachelors and what new ones he would need.

 

[RangerPooh]

I would definately meet with an academic advisor for the program that you are interested in. However I would think that because you already have a bachelors degree that you wouldn't have to repeat all of the basic general education requirements. This said, there will probably be a few that you would have to take due to a change in major and 20 years of time between programs.

I know that when my dad considered returning to college after 30 years he found that he would only have to retake a few classes due to time, and that the remaining courses required to earn his degree weren't that many. So it never hurts to inquire about it.

 

[mill4023]

I'm sure it varies, but when I got my second bachelor's I was not required to complete any of the general ed requirements. I just had to take the courses required for the major and I had to take a certain number of credit hours.

My first degree was in General Science from University of Oregon and my second was in Computer Science from Southern Oregon University.