0 credits to BA at UMPI: how long while working FT? (Psych, IGS, PolSci grads pls)

[stateside]

Hey everyone — I’m planning to start UMPI YourPace for a BA in Psychology (also considering IGS or PolSci) and I’d love to hear directly from grads. I’ll be starting with no transfer credits and plan to work full-time (about 6–8 hours/day, remote) while studying. I’m trying to build a realistic timeline and budget.

If you graduated (or are finishing soon), could you please share:

1. Major (Psych / IGS / PolSci)
2. How many terms (8-week sessions) it took you to finish from zero transfer credits — or if you transferred in credits, how many and from where.
3. What resources/credit options did you use to speed things up (Sophia, Study.com, CLEP, Prior Learning Assessment, college transfers, etc.)? Which helped most?
4. Which courses felt the heaviest (lots of writing, research, stats) and which were quickest to pass?
5. Any tips/tricks for balancing a full-time job with YourPace? (time blocking, study hours/day, batching assessments, tutors, templates for papers, etc.)
6. Total investment (only if you’re comfortable of course)

I appreciate any details — even a short “I’m Psych, 4 terms, worked 30–40 hrs/wk, used Study.com for gen-eds, stats was brutal” helps a lot. Thanks in advance!

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My addendum, as recommended by bjcheung77, thanks!

Your Location: Switzerland, EU

Your Age: 26

What kind of degree do you want?: BA in Psychology or IR/Diplomacy/Political Science

Current Regional Accredited Credits: None

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: None

Any certifications or military experience?: None

Budget: None, currently working as a freelancer in web design, and will likely have a major corporate client on a $4.2k monthly retainer for the most of next year. Will likely go into a full time remote design role after that to make sure I have enough to continue with my degree until I have a Master's.

Commitments: 6-8h/day for work, and about 6h/week for grocery runs and upkeep.

Dedicated time to study: 3-4 hs/day (likely 6-10 PM my time)

Timeline: Ideally a year or less for the Bachelor's. Both Master's programs I'm interested have intakes in Jan, May and Sep each year. I'd like to be ready to start with my Master's by Sep 2026, but would be ok with moving it over to Jun 2027 too, if needed.

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None available from what I know

[bjcheung77]

Welcome to the board, great initial post with questions to get the ball rolling. It's great to get as much info before starting, the same goes for asking questions and providing a bigger picture so people trying to help can actually help you further. Thus, as I always recommend, please fill out the addendum and template here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

[stateside]

Welcome to the board, great initial post with questions to get the ball rolling. It's great to get as much info before starting, the same goes for asking questions and providing a bigger picture so people trying to help can actually help you further.  Thus, as I always recommend, please fill out the addendum and template here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

Added, thanks!

[bjcheung77]

Basically, have you thought about doing a Level 4/5 diploma in the UK and then ladder up to a Bachelors Top-Up? Cost, ease, speed would be about the same. You can then ladder up to a masters after doing a Level 7 UK diploma afterwards... My only question is, you've not provided any info on what the two masters program you want to get into is, and/or which institution it's from. If you do that, we can see what the requirements are for entry and/or alternative entry...

[Sunny21]

I would suggest doing two or three months of study com and see how many credits you can get. Then think about trying a term at UMPI and see how far you can get in a term. Then reassess from there.

[LevelUP]

Based on what you shared, it might be worth stepping back and looking at how your degree choice lines up with what you’re already doing. You’re making good progress in web design, you’re about to move into a remote design role, and you’ve already built paying client relationships. In that situation, a Business Administration degree especially with a Marketing concentration that tends to support your actual career much more directly than Psychology or Political Science.

Business pairs naturally with design work: branding, consumer behavior, project management, client communication, even basic analytics. It’s the stuff that helps you earn more and move up faster in the work you’re already succeeding in.

That said, if Psychology or PoliSci really interest you, UMPI is flexible. You can take advantage of the fact that they allow up to three minors, so you could major in Business and still add Psych and/or PolSci as minors. That gives you the best of both worlds which is a degree that strengthens your career plus the academic areas you’re excited about.
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UMPI_!Minors

So it’s not “drop Psych/PolSci,” it’s more about putting the work-aligned major first and letting YourPace’s structure support your broader interests.

[Mint Berry Crunch]

Hey everyone — I’m planning to start UMPI YourPace for a BA in Psychology (also considering IGS or PolSci) and I’d love to hear directly from grads. I’ll be starting with no transfer credits and plan to work full-time (about 6–8 hours/day, remote) while studying. I’m trying to build a realistic timeline and budget.

If you graduated (or are finishing soon), could you please share:

1. Major (Psych / IGS / PolSci)
2. How many terms (8-week sessions) it took you to finish from zero transfer credits — or if you transferred in credits, how many and from where.
3. What resources/credit options did you use to speed things up (Sophia, Study.com, CLEP, Prior Learning Assessment, college transfers, etc.)? Which helped most?
4. Which courses felt the heaviest (lots of writing, research, stats) and which were quickest to pass?
5. Any tips/tricks for balancing a full-time job with YourPace? (time blocking, study hours/day, batching assessments, tutors, templates for papers, etc.)
6. Total investment (only if you’re comfortable of course)

I appreciate any details — even a short “I’m Psych, 4 terms, worked 30–40 hrs/wk, used Study.com for gen-eds, stats was brutal” helps a lot. Thanks in advance!

---


My addendum, as recommended by bjcheung77, thanks!

Your Location: Switzerland, EU

Your Age: 26

What kind of degree do you want?: BA in Psychology or IR/Diplomacy/Political Science

Current Regional Accredited Credits: None

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: None

Any certifications or military experience?: None

Budget: None, currently working as a freelancer in web design, and will likely have a major corporate client on a $4.2k monthly retainer for the most of next year. Will likely go into a full time remote design role after that to make sure I have enough to continue with my degree until I have a Master's.

Commitments: 6-8h/day for work, and about 6h/week for grocery runs and upkeep.

Dedicated time to study: 3-4 hs/day (likely 6-10 PM my time)

Timeline: Ideally a year or less for the Bachelor's. Both Master's programs I'm interested have intakes in Jan, May and Sep each year. I'd like to be ready to start with my Master's by Sep 2026, but would be ok with moving it over to Jun 2027 too, if needed.

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None available from what I know

Why start UMPI with 0 credits when you can do Sophia, Study.com, and Coursera to maximize credit transfers to 90/120?