<p>I am currently double-majoring in psychology and criminal justice. My future goal is to become a counselor. Criminal justice was originally my minor, but I loved it so much I decided to double-major. I work 40 hours a week, but am contemplating getting a second job (20 more hours a week) because I only make minimum wage (7.50/hr). I have no family that is helping me pay for any living expenses or school. After my rent and utilities are paid, I am practically left with nothing to cover my car insurance, gas, phone bill, food, prescriptions, etc. I am almost done with the psychology degree, but I still have another 30 credit hours or so for the criminal justice degree. Do you think I would be better off to graduate with a bachelor's in psychology, get a real job that will actually get my bills paid every month, and then go back to school to get the other bachelor's degree in criminal justice? Right now, I am just taking out loans and maxing out credit cards in order to pay my bills. I do get the full pell grant, but it is not even enough to cover my tuition let alone books.</p>
<p>I would not recommend going back for a second bachelor’s. I’m sure there are very rare situations where it’s a good idea, but unless you’re independently wealthy and bored, it’s most likely going to be a waste of time and money. And for counseling, you’ll likely need a Master’s degree, which will be MUCH more beneficial than a second bachelor’s.</p>
<p>What’s you’re reasoning for wanting a double major in criminal justice? It sounds like it’s just out of interest, but do you see it as benefiting you career-wise? Is it a degree you need, or just a degree you want? If it’s something you just enjoy and are interested in, I think it would be better to just complete the one degree and then pursue the interest in your own time. You may be able to audit courses for it at a nearby college, or later, instead of completing another degree in it, you could take a couple classes as a non-degree seeking student. You could learn about it on your own time, just for your own knowledge. Or there may be online resources you could use to learn about it for free.</p>
<p>If you actually do need the degree, then it will cost a lot less to finish it now then to go back and get a second bachelor’s degree. But it doesn’t sound like you need it.</p>
<p>If you go back for a second degree, you will get substantially less, or possibly zero federal financial aid. The Pell grant has a semester cap, and student loans do as well. You’d be taking out private loans for essentially the full cost. </p>
<p>Also doesn’t the second degree have a higher credit hour requirement since it is a stand alone degree as opposed to a double major. My understanding is that credits use for one degree cannot be applied towards a second stand alone degree but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>Second bachelor degrees were commonplace a long time ago. Today not so much. If you have a career interest in the second field, you would do better just to take the courses that will make you a marketable candidate, prepare you for certification, etc.</p>
<p>Going for a second degree at my school means you get the same lower unit cap as those going for their masters and you pay the same tuition as them, as well as get reduced priority. So, it doesn’t sound like a good idea!</p>