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Lupe
Student
Hesperia, California
3
Questions
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Would it be possible to work towards an Associates and Bachelors at the same time??
Hi, I'm a rising junior interested in becoming an orthodontist and I want to know how much I'll be able to take on once I go to college. I've heard you can get some Associates degrees online, which is something I've recently become interested in. My question is could I get an Associates in Dental Assisting online whilst simultaneously working towards a Bachelors Degree (bio or chem) in person? If not, I'll settle with a Bachelors, but I'm curious if both are attainable as I don't want to spend more time than I have to. Thank you!
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Michelle M.
Actress
2662
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Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Lupe !
I would be very happy to give you some advice for your future career as an Orthodontist and the correct education/academic path towards it.
First, I'd like to address the issue you've mentioned that you do not want to attend college for a long time. It takes 10 years in California to become an Orthodontist, so if length of time is important to you, you may want to reconsider your long term professional goal, but it is worthwhile and very much a valuable length of time to be an orthodontist - it's a fabulous career. The accepted and expected path to be an orthodontist in California consists of four years for a Bachelors Degree, four years of Dental School and and a two to three-year orthodontic residency program. If you do this, you will take and pass the National Board Dental Examination and become Licensed in California if that is where you want to practice. Those are the guidelines for this career in your state.
If you only want to go for two years of college, you can very well go for an Associates Degree in Dental Assisting and stop at that. You would go for both a License and Certification to be a Dental Assistant in California. You wouldn't need a Bachelors Degree for this in California. You could also cut it even shorter if you wanted to do it with a one-year certificate program. To cut it even shorter, California allows you not to attend college or a certificate program, rather get on the job training. There are a lot of guidelines about the on the job training so do a search for the information online.
Your best bet is to do this path completely in person, on site. This is a profession at which you will be working hands on people's bodies and working with a lot of various tools, chemicals and equipment as well as needing experience interacting with people. I do not recommend any part of this path being done online. You'll learn much, much more and better if you do the whole thing in person, without any short cuts or rushing through it. It's a career with a lot of responsibility and requires a lot of focus and patience.
By doing the two year Associates Degree path for Dental Assisting, normally colleges that offer this major have a dental clinic on campus that you would have the opportunity to work in as a student. This gives you the vital hands on experience you'll need for this career. You won't get that online nor will you get the same support and direction you could have in person at a college.
If you're thinking of doing the dental assisting as a certificate program or on the job training and you want a Bachelors Degree, you will have to enter college as a freshman - there's no way to do an Associates and a Bachelors at the same time - the Associates is two years and the Bachelors is four years. You can get an Associates Degree and then go to a four year college for two more years for your Bachelors Degree. Speak with your guidance counselor in person so you can understand how it works.
So, my advice is to never do any health care related study online, come to terms with needing to be in college and Dental School for ten years and make a decision based on your idea of how long you want to attend college and how important your career goals are. Your guidance counselor can help you become better informed so that you can make a final decision. Keep in mind that the Associate in Dental Assisting will make you desirable for work compared to the other ways of training.
Best wishes in all you do !
I would be very happy to give you some advice for your future career as an Orthodontist and the correct education/academic path towards it.
First, I'd like to address the issue you've mentioned that you do not want to attend college for a long time. It takes 10 years in California to become an Orthodontist, so if length of time is important to you, you may want to reconsider your long term professional goal, but it is worthwhile and very much a valuable length of time to be an orthodontist - it's a fabulous career. The accepted and expected path to be an orthodontist in California consists of four years for a Bachelors Degree, four years of Dental School and and a two to three-year orthodontic residency program. If you do this, you will take and pass the National Board Dental Examination and become Licensed in California if that is where you want to practice. Those are the guidelines for this career in your state.
If you only want to go for two years of college, you can very well go for an Associates Degree in Dental Assisting and stop at that. You would go for both a License and Certification to be a Dental Assistant in California. You wouldn't need a Bachelors Degree for this in California. You could also cut it even shorter if you wanted to do it with a one-year certificate program. To cut it even shorter, California allows you not to attend college or a certificate program, rather get on the job training. There are a lot of guidelines about the on the job training so do a search for the information online.
Your best bet is to do this path completely in person, on site. This is a profession at which you will be working hands on people's bodies and working with a lot of various tools, chemicals and equipment as well as needing experience interacting with people. I do not recommend any part of this path being done online. You'll learn much, much more and better if you do the whole thing in person, without any short cuts or rushing through it. It's a career with a lot of responsibility and requires a lot of focus and patience.
By doing the two year Associates Degree path for Dental Assisting, normally colleges that offer this major have a dental clinic on campus that you would have the opportunity to work in as a student. This gives you the vital hands on experience you'll need for this career. You won't get that online nor will you get the same support and direction you could have in person at a college.
If you're thinking of doing the dental assisting as a certificate program or on the job training and you want a Bachelors Degree, you will have to enter college as a freshman - there's no way to do an Associates and a Bachelors at the same time - the Associates is two years and the Bachelors is four years. You can get an Associates Degree and then go to a four year college for two more years for your Bachelors Degree. Speak with your guidance counselor in person so you can understand how it works.
So, my advice is to never do any health care related study online, come to terms with needing to be in college and Dental School for ten years and make a decision based on your idea of how long you want to attend college and how important your career goals are. Your guidance counselor can help you become better informed so that you can make a final decision. Keep in mind that the Associate in Dental Assisting will make you desirable for work compared to the other ways of training.
Best wishes in all you do !
Thank you so much! In regards to your advice of reconsidering the career, I'm aware of how long it takes to become an orthodontist, which is why I don't want to waste any time I don't have to considering I'll already be in college for a while. I'll talk to my counselor!
Lupe
Sounds good ! Have an awesome day !
Michelle M.
You as well!
Lupe
Leslie Brown
Network Manager
8
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Leslie’s Answer
Hi Lupe. It may be possible depending on the program. My son majored in Computer Science initially. It took him longer to complete the program because he worked while attending school. His college advisor recommended that he change his degree program to Information Technology when she noticed that he had enough credits to complete his Associates degree in IT. He obtained his Associates. He continued the IT program and also completed his Bachelor’s degree in IT. It is possible to have both. The same courses were similar for computer science and Information Technology. Hope this helps.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
689
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I was able to get an associates degree on the way to get my bachelors degree. The trick will be to work with a counselor who can understand the overlap the 2 degrees have so you can optimize the classes you take. I was also able to do dual bachelors degrees, so it’s possible for sure.
Thank you so much! I wasn't sure if it was possible or not, so this gives me hope
Lupe
@Lupe - Just a bit of foresight, Lupe - Medical and Health careers CANNOT be done by dual majoring. Please do not attempt modifying the course of academia if you plan to go into a health care career which is very serious and lots of responsibility. If you attempt it, you're going to see how undoable it is , end up quitting, and may be a waste of money, energy and time. I have your best interest at heart. No employer asks for a double major and it's not needed. I'm glad you said you'd speak with your academic counselor. Best wishes !
Michelle M.
I see, thank you!
Lupe
Joseph Ford
199
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
I suggest attending the College of your choice and completing the Associate's degree then getting a job as a Dental assistant or similar. Verify the benefits of the company that they will pay for your continuation of education towards your Bachelor's degree. You can also transfer your credits from the Associate's degree which will help you complete your Bachelors in a shorter amount of time. Once you've graduated you will have built a resume with experience working in a Dental environment and have 2 degrees.
I didn't even think about this!! Thank you so much
Lupe
Kadar Anwar
Linux Architect
3
Answers
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Kadar’s Answer
Hi Lupe
I think a lot of the answer here depends on the specific program and the school. In undergrad, I knew people going for a combined BS & MS, or BS to RN for Nursing. I went through community college first for my AS, then did my BS in-person, and my MS online.
The BS is likely to be much more demanding in-person than the AS online, so you'll need to carefully consider the time commitments to both degrees before running yourself too thin.
Others may have mentioned it as well, but please don't forget to take care of yourself, focus on your personal enjoyment, hobbies, and health while you pursue whichever path makes the most sense for you. Good luck!
I think a lot of the answer here depends on the specific program and the school. In undergrad, I knew people going for a combined BS & MS, or BS to RN for Nursing. I went through community college first for my AS, then did my BS in-person, and my MS online.
The BS is likely to be much more demanding in-person than the AS online, so you'll need to carefully consider the time commitments to both degrees before running yourself too thin.
Others may have mentioned it as well, but please don't forget to take care of yourself, focus on your personal enjoyment, hobbies, and health while you pursue whichever path makes the most sense for you. Good luck!
Karen Barrose, M.S.C.J
Law Enforcement Officer
5
Answers
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Hi Lupe!
Absolutely, you can work towards both goals at the same time. It really depends on the program or career you choose. For example, I majored in science with a background in criminal justice. I completed my associate degree in two years, and by the third year, I graduated with my bachelor's degree. The timeline and program make a big difference. I recommend meeting with a school or college advisor to share your plans. They can help you find the best path forward. You've got this! Keep going!
Absolutely, you can work towards both goals at the same time. It really depends on the program or career you choose. For example, I majored in science with a background in criminal justice. I completed my associate degree in two years, and by the third year, I graduated with my bachelor's degree. The timeline and program make a big difference. I recommend meeting with a school or college advisor to share your plans. They can help you find the best path forward. You've got this! Keep going!
Amelia Marquart, RN
Registered Nurse
1
Answer
Chalfont, Pennsylvania
Updated
Amelia’s Answer
Hi, Lupe.
As someone who has worked and gone to school simultaneously I applaud your ambition. I feel that if you are seeking duel degrees you may see if your primary institution has an option for said subjects. You can be full time or a part time student in most associate and bridge programs. I would see if there is an associate’s to bachelor bridge program that way you don’t waste time and money on doing both. If not you can do whatever you want to with online vs. in person programs. Time management and the ability to manage/ handle the work load/stress would be my biggest concern here. I assume you want to become a hygienist to gain more experience before you become an orthodontist. If you find that you can handle both work loads then go for it! If not find what works best for you in the long run. Don’t give up! There is always a way to reach the end of your goals.
As someone who has worked and gone to school simultaneously I applaud your ambition. I feel that if you are seeking duel degrees you may see if your primary institution has an option for said subjects. You can be full time or a part time student in most associate and bridge programs. I would see if there is an associate’s to bachelor bridge program that way you don’t waste time and money on doing both. If not you can do whatever you want to with online vs. in person programs. Time management and the ability to manage/ handle the work load/stress would be my biggest concern here. I assume you want to become a hygienist to gain more experience before you become an orthodontist. If you find that you can handle both work loads then go for it! If not find what works best for you in the long run. Don’t give up! There is always a way to reach the end of your goals.
Thank you so much! It is to build experience, and it's still a lot to consider, but I wanted to know if it was even possible first.
Lupe