AirborneSurfer

Hello, I’m interested in earning a Bachelors and eventually a Masters in either Marine Biology or Oceanography. I’m Active Duty Military with around 22 months left on my contract. While I’m still in the Military, I would like to get ahead and knock out some online courses or even an online certificate. Right now I can only take online courses due to my work schedule, and because I’m stationed about two hours away from the ocean. I talked to my education center and I cannot use tuition assistance to cover a Bachelors Degree because I already have a Bachelors in Civil Engineering (I’m looking to branch away from Engineering and towards Oceanography or Marine Biology once I’m out), and they recommended I use tuition assistance for a certificate (up to 21 credits). They did not recommend using the GI Bill while Active Duty because then I wouldn’t receive the full benefits. Then once I’m out I would look at becoming a full time student on campus. All that to say, can anyone point me in the right direction? What certificate programs would be ideal for my situation, and are there any colleges I can apply to that offer online Oceanography or Marine Biology courses? I’m having trouble finding colleges that offer online Oceanography and Marine Biology courses (understandable, since those majors involve a lot of lab work). Would it be feasible for me to skip the Bachelors and just apply for a Masters in either, since I already have a Civil Engineering degree? Finally, what else can I do to set myself up for success for either career field? Any help would be appreciated!