Is Transferring Your BBA Credits Necessary?
By Melody GoughQuestion
I have a bachelor's degree in business administration but it's from Egypt (for 4 years, 192 hours). Now I've arrived in the United States and am wondering how to make my degree equivalent to the American degree.
Answer
There's no standard for determining how a foreign degree maps onto the U.S. system. Each school decides how many transfer credits to grant you, based on your prior education. That's why it's important to shop around before deciding on a U.S. degree program--you could save significant money and time by finding a program that requires fewer classes. Contact the admissions counselors at the schools that you're considering to determine exactly what it would take to complete a bachelor's degree in business administration in the United States.
But before you head into an undergraduate business program, consider applying to MBA programs instead. There's a good chance that your Egyptian degree is already equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree, given the amount of credit hours you've completed. Most MBA programs require either a bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree from a foreign country. It's pretty standard for MBA programs to admit international students; at most, you may need to take some prerequisite undergraduate classes.
In any case, this two-year master's degree will not only put a U.S. credential on your resume, but it also significantly boosts your job prospects. Plus you'll have the opportunity to network with other business professionals, making the transition into the workforce that much easier.
Another option is to head straight into the job market with your Egyptian bachelor's degree and pursue the MBA part-time. Online MBA degrees are gaining popularity as a way to work and develop your career at the same time.
Business degrees are versatile and in high demand. Whether you decide to head into an MBA or find an entry-level job, you may find that your foreign degree carries more clout than you expected.
University of Nevada Reno professor Melody Gough is here to answer your questions every week. Professor Gough has taught poetry in both online and community college classrooms for almost a decade and has also taught English composition at the local university for the past five years. In addition to advising her students and inspiring them with witty classroom exercises, Professor Gough writes both poetry and memoir. Her Master of Arts in Teaching English is from the University of Nevada, Reno.
