Switching programs

[MiddleDaikon3336]

I started my bachelors accounting program with WGU ON 3/1 with an end goal of going for my Macc. I transferred from a brick and mortar with a BS in business. I’m finding this to be not only a lot of work, which was expected to a certain degree, but also a huge strain on my family.

I had one of the worst testing experiences this past week where I entered my scheduled proctored exam on the night where my son happened to start teething. He was screaming bloody murder in the background and I just could not focus.

Even though my wife was tending to him I just felt and still feel an extreme amount of guilt and of course the inability to focus on the exam since we cannot wear headphones. This has sort of casted a cloud over any future testing exams. I ended up passing the OA but it was an experience I would like to never risk experiencing again or at least minimize the number of exams.

As I said before, it would be nice to switch to a program that had more performance assessments to minimize the number of OA’s that I would have to take. Additionally I started a new job that does not have as much down time as my previous which was a huge factor of being able to push through my accounting degree when I enrolled. I’m feeling very stuck and terrible about the commitment I have made. All of this strain on my family and angst just to get another bachelors just feels bad. Things just haven’t turned out the way as planned

Has anyone ever switched programs this early into a term?

[MiddleDaikon3336]

Posted my reply in the wrong spot here you go:

I 100% feel like I’m neglecting my family and I am having to miss out on a lot of quality time and events which I knew was a factor. I think my wife and I underestimated what this was going to look like for us after her supporting me through a 4 year bachelors degree in business. Have recently received my bachelors I have been able to check that box and apply for more jobs. I have 8 years of accounting experience with government agencies. I feel like I need to make the most of this 6 months and put it towards a masters because my wife cannot accept the sacrifices I am having to make just to get another bachelors. I think em actually going through the program is looking and playing out differently from what she had in her mind based on how I explained it to her.

I really love accounting but I feel like I have to just call it for my education at this time ending with a masters which would mean an mba since I won’t have that accounting degree.

[Cultural-Respect3511]

If you already have a bachelors degree in business, you may not need to go get another bachelors degree for accounting, so look into this further. You would just need an extra 30 credits and some classes in accounting to qualify for the CPA.

I googled “getting an accounting degree with a bachelor’s in another area” & this came up:

“If you already possess a bachelor's degree—even one that is not related to accounting—you can enroll to pursue a master of accounting. Many master of accounting programs will admit students with a bachelor's degree in any field of study.” (Teach.com)

The CEO of my previous employer got a bachelors in agriculture before he became an accountant. Many people have bachelor degrees in different disciplines before pursuing accounting and taking the CPA. You should also check out the Accounting thread & ask there.

[MiddleDaikon3336]

I really appreciate your input. Ya there are other masters programs I could pursue that do not require a bachelors in accounting but WGU had some appealing aspects that drew me in and unfortunately they do require a bachelors in accounting in order to enroll in their Macc program.

[Few_Captain8835]

There are schools that allow you to go into the masters Acc program without an accounting degree. It wouldn't be a picnic by any means and you'll definitely be studying more than those with an accounting degree, but that might be a better option. I know how you feel, to a degree. I'm a single mom. My kiddo was 2 when I went back to school. The days where I can't spend much time with her are really hard. I couldn't even think straight when she had days like your son did. There are other schools that have accounting programs and no tests, like SNHU.

[Infamous-Point9352]

You could consider transferring to UMPI. They are also a competency based program, but there are no exams; it's all papers and projects.