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

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

Have you tried being very specific? The program that I saw was a BS in Natural Sciences (majoring in biology). Maybe she just misunderstood your request for the degree in question.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

Just a thought, maybe she was looking at which degree is more attainable based on the credits that you already have. When you call again, indicate that you are aware that there may be additional requirements that you agree to, if that is the case. Good luck!

Ultraposh · Jun 13, 2014

I said BS over and over and spelled the acronym out. That lady was weird I called back and spoke to someone else and they said that I enroll in the major myself. That other lady told me she was enrolling me in BA Liberal Arts. I think she just didnt really know what she was saying and I felt like the 2nd lady realized that and expected my call. Idk! I also have no credits to transfer. 0 creds. I only have a diploma. Thanks!

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jun 13, 2014

Typically the difference is 1 or 2 math classes. At least that was the case for me when I got a BA in Chemistry (vs a BS in Chemistry) from a state school. In order to get the BS I would have had to take Calc 3 and and 1 more advanced chemistry course.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jun 13, 2014

on another note, why do you want a BS in Biology? I would stay in nursing, there aren't many jobs for bachelor or masters level biologists.

Ultraposh · Jun 13, 2014

I want to get a BS in Biology and do an accelerated bsn program. Work in icu for 2 years and apply to crna school. Im doing it primarily because I want to up my chances of getting accepted into a crna program and also to get a better grip on sciences. The other reason is because I am hopefully going to start a career in travel nursing. I will be able to continue school online while on assignments. I am not entertaining the idea of excelsior any longer and ISU is not an option because I am a resident of NY. I will get a degree in biology regardless if I do it now or after my BSN so this is actually less school for me this route. I plan to test out of most of the classes. I dont think ill finish this quick but ive read some pretty inspirational stories from people who completed a BS or BA degree from Excelsior in as little as 6 months. My goal is under 2 years. Thanks you guys!

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jun 13, 2014

Make sure the Excelsior bachelors will me accepted for the absn program.

Edited. Just saw you were no longer entertaining excelsior. But what program will allow you to "test out" of most of the coursework for a BS Biology? With the exception of degree mills that are generally not properly accredited for transfer.

Ultraposh · Jun 13, 2014

Sorry I am no longer entertaining the idea for Excelsior for my rn! I will do the biology major with then. And also I dont plan on doing the accelerated bsn through Excelsior either!

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

Wow! I'm sorry to hear that you are no longer considering EC's LPN-ASN program! You have to do what you feel is best for you, though. ASN programs are very competitive, as you probably know. I don't know about other colleges, but LOTS of EC's BSN students will tell you that there are some components that had to be repeated with the BSN even though they already held a bachelors degree in another area. So be on the lookout and ASK which or how many courses will have to be repeated.

Also, a lot of those "record-time" degree obtainers don't tell the whole story. For example, my record time, which I have posted here on this site somewhere, entailed me sitting in a physical classroom WHILE I did EC's program. Another friend of mine received her BSN degree from another college within 6 months, but what I found out later was that the papers she had to write were copied off the internet and tweaked just enough to fly under the plagiarism radar.

So, wherever you choose to go, do your research, as I'm sure you are doing already. FWIW, I did EC's LPN-ASN back in 2009-2010 (several changes have been made since then), and I'm now finishing up their BSN degree. Had I known just how doable their BSN program was back in 2010, I would have been done with it by the end of 2011. But I experimented with another college and when they wouldn't accept my stats course (not taken at EC), I returned at the end of 2011, then sat out the year of 2012. I returned again in March of 2013 to finish up 2 exams and that writing course, took 4 nursing courses during the fall semester, 2 nursing courses during this past spring semester, and am 9 weeks away from the BSN. All that to say that, at the risk of sounding like an EC PR spokesperson, the porch light is always on if you need it.

Good to luck to you on your journey! I'm sure that what you seek is out there somewhere....

Ultraposh · Jun 13, 2014

Yes I already am looking at accelerated bsn programs and their requirements. I am doing certain classes at a community college like micro and a&p because I will need that later anyway. The reason im no longer considering excelsior is because I really dont want any problems at all working in california and also because I will do the biology degree anyway. I really love all the stories excelsior graduates and really find them so inspirational. I definitely would do it if there werent so many other things to consider. Thank you for your story as well. Im glad you actually went ahead and did the bsn! Congrats on that! Thank you for all your advice!

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

You know you could have just said one word from the beginning: California! Then that would have been enough said! :) We avoid California as hard as they avoid us!!

Your career is your own. I wish you well in building it!