I want to do a BS Biology Major through Excelsior but they will only let me do a BA?

Nursing Students Excelsior

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I just called Excelsior to switch from lpn-asn to BS in Biology but they would only do BA. Im confused as to why I cant do a BS Biology major. Ive read online in many places that people did Biology majors from start to finish. I really didnt understand the ladys explanation as to why i will be doing a BA liberal arts major and not a BS Biology major. I didnt want to sound stupid so I didnt ask a 3rd time. I probably should call back but if anyone has even a remote answer as to why this is please share.

Ahahahahhahahhahhaha thats so funny lol. Thank you I wish the same to you!!!!!!

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As someone who just finished a biology degree, I would caution you not to take it lightly. I don't know about the school you're talking about but in my experience, there is no testing out. Courses change every semester based on the current literature. It is not an easy major. And it also is not helping me one bit for nursing. Chemistry might be a better major for CRNA school but that's going to be just as challenging.

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Believe me I am not taking it lightly. But there are a lot of classes I am planning to test out of. This degree will help me because I am about to start traveling and wont be getting no where as far as school unless I do it online through Excelsior. Also the degree is what will qualify me for an accelerated bsn not to mention applying to crna. I agree chemistry might be better but there also will be many applicants who dont have a BS in Biology accompanied by a bsn. Here is a biology degree plan from Degreeforums.com it is mainly testing out:

ExcelsiorBiologyDegreePlan:

GeneralEducationDistribution_(36credits)

WrittenEnglishRequirement(WER)(3) StraighterlineEnglishCompI(3) Humanities(12) CLEPHumanities(6) CLEPAnalyzingandInterpretingLit(6) SocialScience&History(12) CLEPIntotoSociology(3) CLEPAmericanGovernment(3) CLEPSocialScience&History(6) NaturalScience&Math(9)_(includingquantitativerequirement) CLEPNaturalScience(6) DSSTStatisticsQ(3)

_____________________________________________________________ MajorRequirement-

Biology(31credits,18atUL) CLEPBiology(6) DSSTEnvironment&Humanity(3) Microbiology204w/LLLab(4)(CommunityCollegeofDenver) BIOL3104BehavioralGeneticsw/ULLab(3UL)(UCDenver) ECEHUMx310Bioethics(3UL) BIO412PlantAnatomy(3UL) BIO340Biodiversity(3UL) BIO404Ecology(3UL) BIO360DevelopmentalBiology(3UL) LA490(FilledusingresearchpaperwrittenforBIO412)

AppliedProfessionalorotherArts&SciencesCredits(55credits,12 atUL)

InformationLiteracy(1) CLEPWesternCivilizationI(3) CLEPUSHistoryI(3) CLEPUSHistoryII(3) DSSTCivilWar&Reconstruction(3UL) DSSTRise&FalloftheSovietUnion(3UL) DSSTTechnicalWriting(3) DSSTAstronomy(3) DSSTHuman/culturalGeography(3) DSSTFoundationsofEducation(3) DSSTAnthropology(3) DSSTOrganizationalBehaviorA(3) ECEWorldPopulation(3UL) DSSTBusinessEthics(3UL) CLEPPrinciplesofManagement(3) CLEPPrinciplesofMarketing(3) DSSTIntrotoBusiness(3) DSSTHumanResourceMgmt(3) DSSTIntotoComputing(3)

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

I would make sure that aBSN programs will accept a program from EC.

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You think some may not? Why not? Its accredited. .

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Some places frown on the online experience, accreditation or not, and vice versa. Even with community colleges, whatever is hoped to be transferred in, they want to make sure that the course content is very similar to those they offer. I did have a couple courses that were taken in a community college that EC would not accept for general education credits for the ASN nor the BSN. So, no matter where you choose to receive a BSN, make sure that those credits will be accepted at your graduate school of choice before you spend your money. Leaving EC does not solve the issue of acceptance. Everybody is picky nowadays for any number of reasons. If you look around on this site, you'll read that even one of the Admins here had the issue of acceptance, not to the college but more so being required to repeat a few things, even with more than 200 credits, and therefore had to utilize a plan B.

The college I chose to attend initially for the BSN accepted EC's non-lab sciences but would not accept my statistics course from Straighterline....go figure! Amazingly, EC accepted then (YAY!), but doesn't now. I found it much easier to return to EC than to repeat anybody's stat course. You must always look ahead when making plans and decisions such as the ones you're anticipating. Look at the courses you plan to take and where and decide if you will be willing to repeat some of them if required. As I said previously, get a list together and ASK specific questions about course AND degree acceptance....

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

One more very important note: if the degree-granting entity requires a 3.0 in its courses, some of those facilities will not accept CLEP courses even though they offer CLEP testing at their location. Passing a CLEP exam, no matter the score, will only be reflected as a 'P'ass, and therefore not reflected as the grade needed for their program.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Just two cents: nowadays it is difficult to get job in ICU as a new grad having Cum Laude from 4-years university based, locally known BSN program + work experience + networking connections in an area where almost all new grads have some kind of nursing jobs within 3 months of so after graduation (and many people here will tell you that it sounds like the haven itself comparing with California). It is even more difficult for grads from accelerated programs unless he/she manages to work during study and make strong connection within the place.

That's not counting possible royal mess with your credits. Reputable Master's programs which do not have to accept every human soul walking through their doors, such as CRNA schools, will only accept online courses from their own school (or, maybe, they will bow to Ivy League), but nothing else. They may not accept credits from community colleges, for-profits and places where less than "X"% grads pass NCLEX first attempt. Same true about reputable BSN/ABSN programs which you'll have to graduate from to get your chance for ICU job of the level which will make you a good candidate for CRNA school (yes, ICU jobs are not all the same, too).

Please do your research really well before you throw your money to fly with the wind. You're playing with possibility to face 6-number in school loans here.

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Im hoping my LPN experience counts for a lot also theres a new grad icu fellowship that I have my eye on at a hospital near me.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

As a former LPN of 24 years, I can tell you that only 12 years of experience was acknowledged, and that was solely for the purpose of negotiating my pay. Unfortunately, as thoroughly as I enjoyed being an LPN, that license meant more to the person holding it that it did to anyone else. Make your plans with very little regard to your LPN experience. We are not trying to discourage you at all. Your plans for your future are admirable!!! I say shoot for the stars!!! But remember, current trends are hindering ASN RNs; so that is a clear indication of how an LPN license is viewed. (And I'm not just saying that because I moved forward....I was forced out of my comfortable LPN career due to economic changes and it's impact in my area). What we all have said has come from us testing the waters and trying to show others calmer seas.....

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Hi yes! My lpn experience is riding on anything really. I just really think if anyone would look down on an accelerated bsn then they would look less down upon me because of my LPN. The new grad icu fellowship program is designed for new grads and im sure many applicants bypassed lpn and asn so I am not banking on my lpn experience for that either but I dont think itll hurt. You are so sweet!!! I already find your journey admiring and it definitely has inspired me! Thank you so much! ♡

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