I am helping my son navigate his way to college. He is graduating high school this June. His current plan is obtaining an AAS in Cybersecurity from NOVA and transferring to GMU to complete the BAS degree.
He is the kind of kid who wants to get straight to the point – finish a degree in an area of study in which he is interested without a lot of extra class requirements and then get a good job in his field. He is also interested in internships.
I know there are limitations to a BAS degree. I’ve been told you can’t easily get a masters degree after this. If he can have a promising career with the BAS, he won’t need to pursue a masters. He’s the kind of kid who would rather work than be in school anyway. He is interested in earning and investing money.
I’ve always been told that the BAS is primarily for older people desiring career change, but it seems to suit my son. I don’t want to steer him wrong and need help navigating this.
I would love to have input on whether this is the correct path for him. Any insight from anyone would be helpful.
I’m sure your son could go to graduate school with a BAS degree. Depending on the graduate program, he may have to take a few extra prerequisite courses, but that’s not unusual. Usually for these types of computer-related technical degrees, a graduate degree isn’t necessary to advance professionally.
It’s weird that the program says it’s designed for students 25 years old and up. I’ve never seen that kind of age preference stated for any kind of academic program.
Students Under the Age of 25
Recognizing that transfer students present a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, students younger than 25 may petition* the Admissions Committee to be considered at a younger age if they meet the following criteria:
Have been conferred an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree
Have a 2.85 or higher cumulative grade point average
Have completed Mason Core equivalent Written Communication and Quantitative Reasoning requirements with grades of C or better in each course
Have no previous suspensions or dismissals
Meet the University English Language Proficiency requirement
*Note: Applicants under the age of 25 will automatically be considered for the petition upon application to the University. No separate application or forms are required.
However, since changing majors would require a separate application to GMU later on, I’d suggest that he pay a visit to the department and talk through the various related majors available at GMU. He might be able to get a very similar program of studies that is more flexible if he chooses a different major.
It looks like much of the BAS is online. Does he like that class format, or is he happier with courses that are primarily live or hybrid? Not everyone does well with online classes.
Penn also has a BAS, which is basically for their Engineering students who want a minor instead of all the strict BSE requirements (it’s not less rigorous in terms of core classes but it opens a small space for electives)…