Degree Plan Advice

[dm.hans32]

Greetings to you all, and thanks in advance for helping me out!

Your Location: North Dakota
Your Age: 33
What kind of degree do you want?: Open to suggestions, been looking at Liberal/General Studies

Current Regional Accredited Credits:

Minnesota State University, Mankato (2009, 2014): 13 credits
Intro to LE- 3, A
Crim Law & Proc- 3, A
Our Natural World (BIO 100 w/ lab)- 4, A

South Central College (2009): 10 credits
EMT-B, 6 credits, A
World History III, 3 credits, A-
Eng Comp, 3 credits, C-

Rasmussen College (2010-2011): 31 quarter credits (12 are Ds)
Success Strategies, 4 credits, C
Into to CJ, 4 credits, A
Eng Comp I, 4 credits, A
Domestic Violence, 4 credits, C-
Juvenile Justice, 4 credits, D+
Intro to Soc, 4 credits, D-
Criminology, 4 credits, D
Into to Corr, 4 credits, C-
Computer Apps and Bus Sys, 4 credits, A-

American Public University (2017-2018): evaluated for 55 transfer credits
Withdrew without passing classes (Fs)

Williston State College/Bottineau College (2017): evaluated for 84.36 transfer credits and completed one 1-credit course.
College Transition, 1 credit, pass/fail
Withdrew without  passing classes (Fs)

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:
Environmental Science, Sophia, 3 credits, 88%
Visual Comms, Sophia, 3 credits, 88%

Any certifications or military experience?
Army 68W Healthcare Specialist (Has previously been evaluated between 30 credits at Minnesota State and 39 credits at APU based on JST)
ND Peace Officer License (APU evaluated it at 12 credits)
ND POST Board Instructor
NREMT EMT-Basic (Initial course listed on my SCC transcript)

Budget: Flexible. I have approximately 19 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill (50%) left. I also can pay out of pocket and am eligible for federal student aid. Obviously saving money is ideal, but I have the means to pay more if it makes sense.
  

Commitments: I work full-time in Law Enforcement, rotating days/nights of 10 hour shifts. Per month, I end up working between 10-20 hours of overtime and am subject to short-notice callouts. I definitely will struggle with courses requiring a set attendance time. 
I also dedicate approximately 1.5-2 hours 3-4 days a week to fitness, and maintain 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Over the last year I have made strides to live a healthier lifestyle. Fitness and rest have become non-negotiables and are a big reason why I'm in the position I am being able to look at completing school.

Dedicated time to study: I can study approximately 1-2 hours on days I work. I can do several hours on days off.

Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as quickly as possible. Ideally within the next year or so.

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: GI Bill

My motivation for earning my degree is so that I can be competitive in the job market in the future. I also want the accomplishment of completing a degree. I would like to spend another 10+ years in the criminal justice/public safety field before considering leaving the field. I do not have a set focus on a major, as most step-up jobs for me won't require a specific degree.

I have applied to Pierpont for their BOG AAS and they are currently reviewing my transcripts. I like the idea of having a piece of paper to show the work I've put in and use it as a stepping stone to the next level (even if it's just mentally). Nancy informally advised me that I was possibly 1 science course and 1 general course short of the requirements which lead to me trying out the Sophia courses.

I can be very succesful at times but also have struggled at times with focus, motivation and time commitment. I tend to lose focus when courses drag out over a semester. I have enjoyed the format of the Sophia courses I took. I like test-taking and tend to retain a lot of information when it's a topic that is relevant and interesting to me. I write a lot for my work, and don't find papers too daunting, but I definitely prefer tests versus long drawn out projects and essays. I like the self-paced competency principle and I like to focus on one or two topics at a time, work through them and then move on.

I have looked at the UMPI BLS program quite heavily. I have lurked on this forum for a while before finally creating an account and posting here. I am open to any and all advice on degree plans, majors, etc. I have an interest in history, technology, CJ (obviously), and I do not like mathematics when it's not applied or relevant to something I have use for.

Thanks again!

[bjcheung77]

@dm.hans32, Welcome to the board, that's an awesome write up with the addendum and template details!  Great job, getting the Pierpont BOG AAS is a good stepping stone towards the Bachelors especially since it's just $130 + cost of transcripts!  My recommendation actually is the same as the one I wrote a few minutes ago, here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid411196

Basically, get the Pierpont BOG AAS, apply to UMPI for BLS, change that to a BAS with a minor of your choice and 3-4 classes that go towards the MAOL if you wanted to go that route, also UMPI AALS (add as second program to degree plan list and forget it).  As I mentioned in that thread, you want to get a mix/match of the trifecta, certs, degree, experience...

[Duneranger]

@dm.hans32, Welcome to the board, that's an awesome write up with the addendum and template details!  Great job, getting the Pierpont BOG AAS is a good stepping stone towards the Bachelors especially since it's just $130 + cost of transcripts!  My recommendation actually is the same as the one I wrote a few minutes ago, here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid411196

Basically, get the Pierpont BOG AAS, apply to UMPI for BLS, change that to a BAS with a minor of your choice and 3-4 classes that go towards the MAOL if you wanted to go that route, also UMPI AALS (add as second program to degree plan list and forget it).  As I mentioned in that thread, you want to get a mix/match of the trifecta, certs, degree, experience...

He did mention he prefers tests...UMPI is A LOT of writing in a short period for most majors. I did 55000 words for my 10 classes.  I think this is something to consider based on his withdrawal and grade history.

I did history and would NOT recommend it if wants to avoid writing. Its literally a writing major. BLS is usually writing heavy since most people fill it with Poli sci classes.

WGU seems like an option since he has the GI bill.

[LevelUP]

@dm.hans32, Welcome to the board, that's an awesome write up with the addendum and template details!  Great job, getting the Pierpont BOG AAS is a good stepping stone towards the Bachelors especially since it's just $130 + cost of transcripts!  My recommendation actually is the same as the one I wrote a few minutes ago, here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid411196

Basically, get the Pierpont BOG AAS, apply to UMPI for BLS, change that to a BAS with a minor of your choice and 3-4 classes that go towards the MAOL if you wanted to go that route, also UMPI AALS (add as second program to degree plan list and forget it).  As I mentioned in that thread, you want to get a mix/match of the trifecta, certs, degree, experience...

He did mention he prefers tests...UMPI is A LOT of writing in a short period for most majors. I did 55000 words for my 10 classes.  I think this is something to consider based on his withdrawal and grade history.

I did history and would NOT recommend it if wants to avoid writing. Its literally a writing major. BLS is usually writing heavy since most people fill it with Poli sci classes.

WGU seems like an option since he has the GI bill.

The problem with WGU is they don't take credits older than 5yrs. WGU isn't exactly quick if you don't put the time into it. 

Despite the writing, UMPI is probably the best fit for OP.

OP could do a BLS with a concentration or do a Business Administration degree with minors in criminal justice and/or History. 
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

[bjcheung77]

UMPI BLS is an option OP mentioned, instead of that, I would shoot for the BAS as it's practically the same thing... OP also mentioned they're open to writing even though they prefer tests instead. I'm still thinking the trifecta of certs, degree, experience is the way to get the credits and complete things on route to finishing the degree requirements...

[dm.hans32]

UMPI BLS is an option OP mentioned, instead of that, I would shoot for the BAS as it's practically the same thing... OP also mentioned they're open to writing even though they prefer tests instead.  I'm still thinking the trifecta of certs, degree, experience is the way to get the credits and complete things on route to finishing the degree requirements...

Will UMPI accept the BOG AAS without a concentration in IT? I've read some of the wiki articles and forums that say that's the best way and that other AAS degrees have been denied entry to the BAS program. Also do you know if the BAS and all minors are open to the YourPace program?


I am definitely open to writing but prefer test-out options. I will work on putting a spreadsheet together with a plan.

[ss20ts]

All minors are not open to YourPace students. They're open to on campus students. You're limited in what minors can be completed in YourPace. You must complete at least 9 credits in your first minor at UMPI. The YourPace website lists out the minors officially available to YourPace students. There's a few others that can be completed with permission. Some require you to transfer in a few courses. Every course at UMPI has writing. There are no exams.

[dm.hans32]

Attached is a draft of my degree plan.

I think this makes the most sense, sets me up with BLS with Management, History and Project Management Minors. It also gives me the option to accelerate in the MAOL if that is my decision in the future.

Anyone see any issues with this?

[bjcheung77]

Hmm, at a quick glance, looks like a workable plan... It's pretty awesome you're going for 3 minors and adding the classes towards the MAOL.

[dm.hans32]

Hmm, at a quick glance, looks like a workable plan... It's pretty awesome you're going for 3 minors and adding the classes towards the MAOL.

Even if the PM minor doesn't work out, it still seems to be pretty efficient. That's my hope anyways.