UMPI BA PM & IS Degree Plan

[AG101]

Hello everybody,

Thank you for all of your contributions with assisting members to get their degree. After the recent changes at UMPI regarding Sophia, I just want to verify my plan before proceeding. Attached is my degree plan and a simple alternative credit sheet after checking the UMPI DB and the forum. My plan is to transfer in the Gen ED and do most of my major with UMPI. Some uncertain transfer is 2D, 3A, and BUS 150. Please advise if any changes are needed. Is the Coursera course worth doing compared to UMPI? What is the speed timeline difference if using Sophia versus doing UMPI? 

Very Respectfully,
AG101

[Hotdogman1]

3A is fine.
The only Sophia course that works for 2D is Critical Thinking.
BUS 150 does not have a Sophia equivalent anymore. Sophia Financial Accounting comes in as BUS 1XX Business Elective.
BUS 353 does not have a Sophia Equivalent anymore. Sophia Business Ethics comes in as BUS 3XX Business Elective.
https://mainestreetcs.maine.edu/psp/CSPR..._GUEST.GBL?

I do recommend the Coursera certs. Most of the IBM foundation cert are part of the IBM Data analyst cert so it's basically one cert worth 18 credits.
Sophia is quicker for courses without Touchstones (written assignments). With Touchstones, it depends but they are usually about the same speedwise.

[AG101]

3A is fine.
The only Sophia course that works for 2D is Critical Thinking.
BUS 150 does not have a Sophia equivalent anymore. Sophia Financial Accounting comes in as BUS 1XX Business Elective.
BUS 353 does not have a Sophia Equivalent anymore. Sophia Business Ethics comes in as BUS 3XX Business Elective.
https://mainestreetcs.maine.edu/psp/CSPR..._GUEST.GBL?

I do recommend the Coursera certs. Most of the IBM foundation cert are part of the IBM Data analyst cert so it's basically one cert worth 18 credits.
Sophia is quicker for courses without Touchstones (written assignments). With Touchstones, it depends but they are usually about the same speedwise.

Is it reasonable to complete the degree all on UMPI in three to four terms? How necessary is Sophia if cost is not the primary concern? I'm debating on whether to do Sophia because I heard that some Masters programs don't accept Sophia credit.

[Hotdogman1]

1. From scratch? 120 total credits / 3-4 terms = 40/30 credits a session. It is possible but unlikely. The norm here is 2-3 sessions to complete 30 credits.
2. Probably need more info for a better answer. Sophia is the most cost/time efficient source of ACE credits.
3. Most grad schools require prerequisite courses (optional depending on program), GRE (usually optional depending on online/in person), Bachelor's degree (in any major), recommendation letters and a couple essays. In my experience, grad schools will decline to evaluate ACE courses on a Credly transcript and would request to see them on a undergrad transcript. I personally don't know of a program that would reject a bachelor's degree due to ACE credits being transcribed on an Official undergrad transcript. However, you also have to look into whether your career/masters needs state licensing to practice. For example, I know some CPA state boards don't accept ACE credits.

[bjcheung77]

Welcome to the board, great initial post to get the ball rolling and asking questions, but we don't really know your scenario. It's also a good idea to provide info asked for on the addendum and template, as we don't know your age, budget, commitments, location/state, study habits, etc: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

For UMPI, even with the changes to transfers from Sophia.org and Study.com, you have other ACE providers such as Coursera, StraighterLine, etc. Like most institutions, you're going to transfer mainly all the general education and electives, the major is the component completed for residency purposes at the institution of choice, be it online or butt-in-seat.