Assistance Requested to Craft Solid Path: UMPI/Charter Oak State College

[ARG]

Hoping for help from those who so kindly provide evaluation advice.

I've applied to Charter Oak State College and UMPI. I'm coming in with over 100 credits via community college, Straighterline, Sophia and I was just approved for the AAS at Pierpont.

I have the following classes completed:

Completed via Sophia Learning (SL), Straighterline (S), Community College (CC):
(SL) Art History I
(SL) Art History II
(SL) Business Communication
(SL) Business Ethics
(SL) Business Law
(SL) College Readiness
(SL) Career Readiness
(SL) College Algebra 
(S) Precalculus 
(SL) Critical Thinking
(CC) Comp I
(CC) Literature I
(SL) English Comp II
(CC & SL) Environmental Science
(SL) Financial Accounting
(SL) Foundations of Statistics 
(S) Intro to Biology
(SL) Human Biology Lab
(SL) Intro to Business
(SL) Intro to Ethics
(SL) Intro to Information Technology 
(SL) Intro to Psychology 
(SL) Intro to Python Programing 
(SL) Intro to Sociology
(SL) Intro to Statistics 
(SL) Intro to Web Development 
(SL) Macroeconomics 
(SL) Microeconomics 
(SL) Personal Finance
(SL) Principals of Finance
(SL) Principals of Management
(SL) Project Management
(SL) US Government
(SL) US History 
(CC) World Geography 
(CC) Directed Study
(SL) Visual Communications
(SL) Workplace Communication
(SL) Spanish I
(CC) Current Issues in Health
(CC) Life Science

I also have Credit for Prior Learning through my active Real Estate License of 18 years. Pierpont gave me 6 credits for this, Charter Oak said 9.
I have several certifications and experience that I can put together in a portfolio for prior learning, but I don't know if I'll go this route or need to yet.

All this to say I'm not sure if Charter Oak will give me the max 114 credits to transfer in, and take the two required classes. This seems like the quickest path. However the 30 credits/10 classes at UMPI with the ability to accelerate and not have to deal with proctored exam anxiety is also very attractive. 

I'd like to craft a solid plan. If I go the UMPI route, what degree am I best suited for the smoothest pathway based on what I have to work with? I like the idea of the BLS, but read that the BABA in Management and Leadership is best suited should I want to go into a masters program. I'm also trying to grasp how to best map out the UL's required - that won't overload me. I'd like to use my credits properly and to acquire whatever minors I can based on what I have to work with, or how I structure the 30 credits I have to take. 

I hope I'm asking this correctly. Thanks for any advice and/or opinions if you were in my shoes.

Pending evaluations at Charter Oak and UMPI. The waiting game is hard.

Sincerely,

ARG

[allvia]

With UMPI the science and lab need to come from the same place, so you would need the Human Biology and Human Biology Lab from Sophia. You list reads as if you only have the Lab (1) credit. Since you're pretty much starting from scratch the BABA will likely offer a better ROI for you over the BLS if you're looking for a business focused degree. The BLS offers the most electives (using more of what you already have). However, without knowing what master program you're interested in it is hard to say one would be better than the other - there are plenty master programs (at various schools) that either would be equal. What type of master degree are you interested in? Do you have a school in mind for your master? For example WGU and HAU both offer affordable MBAs that either the BABA or BLS work for equally.

With no existing UL Charter Oak is likely out for you (most people) - their current rules and limits on who they accept credits from is very limiting.

[bjcheung77]

@ARG, Welcome to the board, congrats on getting the Pierpont BOG AAS, what was the emphasis in?  Cool, that's a very good first introduction post with some helpful info, but it's missing most of the required details in the addendum and template located here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

At first glance, you've done 30+ StraighterLine (I did the same thing, slightly different courses, how long did it take you for these ACE credits?). You don't have much in regards to upper level credit, you'll need to have at least some for transfer to COSC, UMPI, you should also add Excelsior and TESU to the list since you need the Upper Level credits.

There's not much to tell as you have no evaluation from any of those institutions, I would apply to Excelsior/UMPI since they're free and also apply to TESU too, they require the least amount of upper level credits and you can do a double degree for the same cost if you have the energy and time to get it done...

[rachel83az]

If you don't have at least 24 UL credits already, Charter Oak is probably out. UMPI is going to be the fastest/easiest at this point, IMO. Probably the cheapest, too, because getting sufficient UL credit is not easy.

[ARG]

With UMPI the science and lab need to come from the same place, so you would need the Human Biology and Human Biology Lab from Sophia. You list reads as if you only have the Lab (1) credit. Since you're pretty much starting from scratch the BABA will likely offer a better ROI for you over the BLS if you're looking for a business focused degree. The BLS offers the most electives (using more of what you already have). However, without knowing what master program you're interested in it is hard to say one would be better than the other - there are plenty master programs (at various schools) that either would be equal. What type of master degree are you interested in? Do you have a school in mind for your master? For example WGU and HAU both offer affordable MBAs that either the BABA or BLS work for equally.

With no existing UL Charter Oak is likely out for you (most people) - their current rules and limits on who they accept credits from is very limiting.

Thank you for the reply. I can take the comparable one at Sophia. I didn't because I was initially going to go to WGU and they accepted this. I had too many credits to let go by the wayside, and they were only accepting 44 of them into the Elementary Ed program, so I'm refocusing on what I have, how to move faster towards a BA and then I'll likely do the masters at WGU for elementary ed with licensure. When I called Charter Oak they didn't sound worried about lack of UL, but I may be finding this was just bad advice on their part here real soon.

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@ARG, Welcome to the board, congrats on getting the Pierpont BOG AAS, what was the emphasis in?  Cool, that's a very good first introduction post with some helpful info, but it's missing most of the required details in the addendum and template located here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

At first glance, you've done 30+ StraighterLine (I did the same thing, slightly different courses, how long did it take you for these ACE credits?). You don't have much in regards to upper level credit, you'll need to have at least some for transfer to COSC, UMPI, you should also add Excelsior and TESU to the list since you need the Upper Level credits.

There's not much to tell as you have no evaluation from any of those institutions, I would apply to Excelsior/UMPI since they're free and also apply to TESU too, they require the least amount of upper level credits and you can do a double degree for the same cost if you have the energy and time to get it done...

Thank you for the reply. Thank you, Nancy Parks has been wonderful to work with. It was a great program, I'm so glad they offer it! I'm still waiting for her to tell me what the emphasis is in but I'm hoping it will be business and marketing. I actually did those on Sophia Learning, that's the (SL) and Straighterline is the (S). I think just the business law and one or two other are possibly UL? Maybe my real estate licensure too. I was considering TESU, I applied, but the've been very unorganized and won't take parchment or credly for my Sophia, they are sending me through rabbit holes and I have several emails that don't make sense from them. I haven't applied to Excelsior. I really like the staff at UMPI so far, they've been very helpful.

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If you don't have at least 24 UL credits already, Charter Oak is probably out. UMPI is going to be the fastest/easiest at this point, IMO. Probably the cheapest, too, because getting sufficient UL credit is not easy.

Thank you for the honesty. When you say getting UL credit is not easy, are you referencing they are difficult at UMPI? Do you have suggestions on some that are considered shorter classes that you enjoyed? I've read that the Political Science classes at UMPI are recommended for accelerators?

[bjcheung77]

That's right, you don't have much in terms of upper level, so you're on pretty much equal footing on all the institutions we recommend, that basically means, you have got up to 90 credits for the gen eds and electives completed, the 'major' is remaining...

[allvia]

With UMPI the science and lab need to come from the same place, so you would need the Human Biology and Human Biology Lab from Sophia. You list reads as if you only have the Lab (1) credit. Since you're pretty much starting from scratch the BABA will likely offer a better ROI for you over the BLS if you're looking for a business focused degree. The BLS offers the most electives (using more of what you already have). However, without knowing what master program you're interested in it is hard to say one would be better than the other - there are plenty master programs (at various schools) that either would be equal. What type of master degree are you interested in? Do you have a school in mind for your master? For example WGU and HAU both offer affordable MBAs that either the BABA or BLS work for equally.

With no existing UL Charter Oak is likely out for you (most people) - their current rules and limits on who they accept credits from is very limiting.

Thank you for the reply. I can take the comparable one at Sophia. I didn't because I was initially going to go to WGU and they accepted this. I had too many credits to let go by the wayside, and they were only accepting 44 of them into the Elementary Ed program, so I'm refocusing on what I have, how to move faster towards a BA and then I'll likely do the masters at WGU for elementary ed with licensure. When I called Charter Oak they didn't sound worried about lack of UL, but I may be finding this was just bad advice on their part here real soon.

 
@ARG - based on your goal of a Master in Education there is no reason to pursue a BABA (a business degree) over the BLS.  Stick with the BLS and maximize your current credits.  I'll add that I'm certain rachel83az was referencing the difficultly to get the ULs for Charter Oak (the statement had nothing do do with UMPI); as I mentioned they (Charter Oak, aka COSC) is not as UL transfer in friendly as they once were. The reason COSC wasn't concerned with your lack of UL is because they offer plenty of UL courses you can take with them (at a much slower, and more costly rate).

[rachel83az]

Charter Oak is definitely more than happy to take your money and charge you (by this board's standards) an arm and a leg to finish off your degree.

Meanwhile, you can finish off a UMPI degree for about the same cost as just 3 COSC classes. If cost/time is a concern, absolutely go with UMPI over Charter Oak.

[ARG]

With UMPI the science and lab need to come from the same place, so you would need the Human Biology and Human Biology Lab from Sophia. You list reads as if you only have the Lab (1) credit. Since you're pretty much starting from scratch the BABA will likely offer a better ROI for you over the BLS if you're looking for a business focused degree. The BLS offers the most electives (using more of what you already have). However, without knowing what master program you're interested in it is hard to say one would be better than the other - there are plenty master programs (at various schools) that either would be equal. What type of master degree are you interested in? Do you have a school in mind for your master? For example WGU and HAU both offer affordable MBAs that either the BABA or BLS work for equally.

With no existing UL Charter Oak is likely out for you (most people) - their current rules and limits on who they accept credits from is very limiting.

Thank you for the reply and questions. I am still in queue with Charter Oak, however I'm getting a lot of emails the last couple days from UMPI and moving forward. I feel very much this is the place for me. When you say the BABA might be a good way for me, and that I'm starting from scratch - what do you mean starting from scratch? I only really want to talk 10 classes. With what I have, can I do the BABA and just do 10 classes? I don't want to go down a long path to complete a "recipe" for a degree like my local college require. In addition to the list of classes I have disclosed in my post, I've added Microbiology, Science 1 and Science 2 from Sophia too.

If I get a Masters, It will likely be from WGU or something similar where I can get my Teaching Certificate with Licensure in Elementary Education. I have both an interest in teaching k-3rd, or possibly business and marketing at the local High School (based on my extensive background in the workplace for 30 years). I'm in my late 40's and wanting to switch gears and give back my time in education.

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That's right, you don't have much in terms of upper level, so you're on pretty much equal footing on all the institutions we recommend, that basically means, you have got up to 90 credits for the gen eds and electives completed, the 'major' is remaining...

Thank you, that makes sense. I think I have a few Upper Level? I read in some threads that Biology on Straighterline or Microbiology on Sophia were both UL. In the event that was true, I took them. I also took Business Ethics and Law on Sophia, both were mentioned as UL also. In addition I have a Real Estate license that Charter Oak emailed me about, saying they were giving me 9 credits for. I have over 500 hours in Real Estate classroom education alone, doing it for over 18 years. I'm hoping this will count for some UL with UMPI too.

I'm open to BLA/BAS, BA Management & Leadership or BABA because based on my experience and credits here, I think this is the clearest path for me.

[bjcheung77]

UMPI BABA Management & Leadership is a very good choice, I'd stick with that... Skip the BLS for now and you don't have technical credits for entry into the BAS. Transfer all your credits and wait for an evaluation, you want to make sure you've got the max 90 credits transferred over and then start working on the UMPI classes remaining, you should only need 10 courses if everything transfers into the proper slots...