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Okay I have 129.33 hours at the local community college with a GPA of 3.374 and no degree. I heard on the radio today that they are offering a new degree program.
One is Associate of Applied Science Degree in Management
Construction Management Concentration (http://www.chattanoogastate.edu/building_construction/bci_page_files/Construction%20Management%20AAS.htm)
I would need these classes at first glance.
Legal Environment of Business
Intro Statistics
Principles of Management
Project Management
Human Resources Management
Contracts & Specifications
The other is Associate of Applied Science Degree in Engineering Technology
Construction Engineering Technology Concentration (http://www.chattanoogastate.edu/building_construction/bci_page_files/Construction%20Engineering%20Tech.htm)
Here I would need:
Concepts of Physics
Construction Safety
Construction Planning & Scheduling
Contracts & Specifications
Statics & Strength of Materials I
Statics & Strength of Materials II
I wonder if it is worth the effort? I mean most of these classes I've learned through the school of hard knocks and do every day. It wouldn't help me at work and would only get me a diploma on the wall.
Chad
John of Phoenix
10-09-2006, 03:22 PM
Associate of Applied Science Degree...
Isn't that "Associate" a two year degree? Bachelor of Science is a "regular" four year degree. At 130 hours, aren't you pretty close to meeting the requirements for a Bachelor's? Granted you'll need a few courses to finish it out, but the four year degree is where you want to go. Also, there are schools that will give you credit for "life experience".
huisjen
10-09-2006, 03:26 PM
Are those Quarter hours or Semester hours?
Dan
Also, there are schools that will give you credit for "life experience".
You should definately check into this. Both work and military experience can apply.
My hours are kinda all across the board. I've pretty much got all the humanities that I will ever need. Comp 1 & 2 Tech report writing, Amer. History 1 & 2 Art History, Amer. Goverment and so forth.
Than I've got the tech hours in several AutoCad classes and surveying 1 & 2 Conc. design and Steel design. Heck I even have college level drafting classes. I've got Const methods and estimating and Const. materials testing.
Hours all across the board, but not enough in one place to get a degree, even a 2 year degree.
Chad
The first half of my hours was in quarters. The 129.33 repersents semesters after the conversion was done. I have 11 hours from the Community College of the Air Force (military credits).
Chad
huisjen
10-09-2006, 03:42 PM
Hmm. That reminds me of Jami's stories of how, while in the Air Force, she used to goof off from work one afternoon each week or two by taking challenge tests to get college credits.
Dan
Bruce Hooke
10-09-2006, 03:45 PM
In general I am a big fan of education, but with something like this I think the "hard nosed" approach is good idea. Will this degree allow you to apply for better jobs or get you better pay at your current job? Note that there does not need to be a direct linkage whereby someone with that degree automatically gets paid more. It could be a situation where getting the degree will allow you to do your job better and so ultimately allow you to advance faster. However, if the latter is the case it is worth considering whether the degree makes sense or whether you can achive the same ends by taking particularly courses that would fill in gaps in your experience.
John of Phoenix
10-09-2006, 03:47 PM
Pretty good collection of info and links.
http://distancelearn.about.com/od/nontraditionalcredit/a/lifeexperience.htm
Personal experience - when I finished my degree (at age 33) doors opened that I didn't even know were there. There's no better investment of time or money.
Another One
10-09-2006, 03:51 PM
More like every month or two. ;)
But Chad, the problem I ran into (and which you might also discover) is that most colleges will only transfer in so many credits - I had 130 or so piled up between CCAF, CLEP and a few other odds and ends, but only about 80 of them translated to an actual matriculation program. It took me another 2 years of a non-traditional full-time schedule (nights and weekends) to finish my B.S.
But to answer your question - it's worth it. Maybe not immediately, other than bragging rights, but in your future. I'm continually amazed how many little "bumps up" I get by virtue of having a degree of some sort.
John of Phoenix
10-09-2006, 04:00 PM
Jami:
I'm continually amazed how many little "bumps up" I get by virtue of having a degree of some sort.
So true. A professor once explained that getting a degree demonstrates several things to an employer - obviously a certain level of intelligence, but more importantly the determination to commit to and complete a complex long range task. He finished with, "And they'll pay up for that." I thought that was pretty good. :)
Okay I'll try and fill in some gaps here. These degrees, if you notice, are a concentration. And the way that works is that it is transfarable to a 4 year instituition towards a Bachalor's degree.
At the present it will not effect my job. In other words no promotion or no raise. It may make me more markatable, but I'm not in the market, but who knows what happens in a few years.
Also I'll go ahead and do a brief run down of my current transcripts.
Basic for Science & Eng.
Intro Engr. Tech.
Algebera & Trig I
Gen Chemestry I
Composition I
Mythology
Algebra & Trig II
Composition II
Business Math
Prin of Acct. I
Calc/Anlac Geom I
State/Local Govt.
Intro American Govt.
Eng Drawing I & II
Micro Comp Drafting I
US Hist to 1865
Fund. of Public Speaking
Comp-Aid Design I
Lit/West World
US History since 1865
Intro Art History
CAD Applications
Astronomy
Comp II (conversion from quarters)
Const/Methods & Estimating
Prin Econ. I
Surveying I & II
Const Materials Testing
Structures I & II
And here is what I got when they transfered my military schools
Typewritting I
Office Machines
Gen Office Proc
Unrestricted Elective
Physical education activity
When you type it out like that it don't seem like much, but it totals to 129.33 hrs.
Chad
Paul Pless
10-09-2006, 05:35 PM
I wonder if it is worth the effort?
two words of advice for you (plus a smilie)
COLLEGE CHICKS:D
capt jake
10-09-2006, 05:38 PM
These degrees, if you notice, are a concentration. And the way that works is that it is transfarable to a 4 year instituition towards a Bachelor's degree.
Look into that closely. I have an AA in applied science, Fire Protection Technology and the credits are NOT tranferable. It probably varies from state to state. If I had a regular AA all of the credits would be transferable. As it is, they can pick and chose what they want to accept for the higher degree.
One really nice thing that I found with the 'applied' degrees is that (in my case) most of the classes were tailored to the field. Physics for the fire service, Applied physics, Applied math, etc. Directly showing the uses of each to that field. I had a great time in school with these classes.
capt jake
10-09-2006, 05:39 PM
two words of advice for you (plus a smilie)
COLLEGE CHICKS:D
LOL, in my case they were young enough to be my daughters! :eek:
These degrees are tailored to transfer to UTC for there 4 year program. Chattanooga State works closely with UTC on these type of programs.
Chad
Yes, chad, it will be worth it. Maybe not in the next year or two, but you have a lot of years yet where you might come to regret not having a college degree.
paladin
10-09-2006, 07:36 PM
do it.....you probably have enough stuff for an associates already......and you can sit for some of the other hours by paying the course fee and then 25-50 bucks for an advanced standing exam for much of the rest...then with the bachelors you will really be surprised how easy a master's becomes....
Katherine
10-09-2006, 08:24 PM
Chad, get the degree if nothing else then an example for your daughter. Besides, having the degree opens doors.
capt jake
10-09-2006, 08:29 PM
she used to goof off from work one afternoon each week or two by taking challenge tests to get college credits.
That is worth checking into! I know from personal experience that is worth it. ;) I challenged about 45 credits worth. Sure sped up the process! :)
Ethan
10-09-2006, 10:53 PM
Do it Chad. It'll make a difference somewhere, sometime.
Okay I will look deep into this. Now that I have a catalog and an idea what is needed I will start looking into how to pay for this. I've used up all of my GI Bill so I need to see how the tuition assistance works in the Guard. They have 100% tuitiion assistance, but I'm not sure of all the details.
I will start making some calls today.
Chad
But to answer your question - it's worth it. Maybe not immediately, other than bragging rights, but in your future. I'm continually amazed how many little "bumps up" I get by virtue of having a degree of some sort.
and it makes any talk with your daughter about the importance of education seem more 'real'
Just an update.
We had an education briefing at the Guard this weekend. I can get 100% tution assistance and even may be able to start up my GI Bill again.
Still working on it. Next is to set up an appointment with my advisor and see what is offered this spring and get registered. Than apply for tuition assistance.
Chad
excellent! and good luck!
John of Phoenix
10-16-2006, 12:32 PM
Next the knees. ;)
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