Degree/Planning Advice: Retired LEO Seeking BA and MA after life-altering injury

[Han_Shot_First_IYKYK]

It's looking good!

2D might not be met by Intro to Art. In the current UMPI catalog, learning objective 2D is defined as

Students will be able to produce a tangible expression of creativity.

and courses that meet it are centrally about the student themselves creating work or making creative decisions. If you could show from your original institution's course description or syllabus – the institution's registrar's office should have something archived – that you did so as part of the course it might meet 2D.

Good news: Sophia Visual Communication is likely to meet 2D. Sophia Critical Thinking just might.

Okay. Thank you. I updated my degree plan. Sophia for: Intro to Stats, Human Bio+Lab, Spanish 1. Possibly/Probably: English Comp I, English Comp II, Visual Communications, or Critical Thinking. What order do you suggest I complete these Sophia classes in?

For additional context, right now my dominant hand is not very functional. I primarily use speech to text and then edit/format, and use the mouse with my non-dominant hand. The increased use of the non-dominant hand is increasing the deterioration/tears in the non-dominant arm.

[Jonathan Whatley]

Sophia for: Intro to Stats, Human Bio+Lab, Spanish 1. Possibly/Probably: English Comp I, English Comp II, Visual Communications, or Critical Thinking. What order do you suggest I complete these Sophia classes in?

Sophia will let you have two courses open (in progress) at any one time.

A popular tactic is to have one course open you can progress through quickly – especially, one that has no touchstones (assignments) which will have turnaround waits for grading – and the other that may move slower.

Visual Communication has no touchstones, isn’t hard, but is interesting and rewarding. It made me look at design more richly. And you probably need 2D. It would be good to start your series with a quick win.

English Composition I and II on Sophia get complaints at an unusual rate for Sophia courses about waiting times to have touchstones graded and about the content of grading or feedback. If I were in your position I’d start them head on, first I then II, at the start of my subscription. (If it isn't working out, you can have a Sophia customer service rep pause the course and open another one instead, and re-open the paused course later. If it isn't working out even later, there are alternatives for English Composition I and II everywhere, including UMPI.)

Introduction to Statistics has no touchstones. Human Biology has no touchstones, though Human Biology Lab has two touchstones. Spanish I has five touchstones.

For additional context, right now my dominant hand is not very functional. I primarily use speech to text and then edit/format, and use the mouse with my non-dominant hand. The increased use of the non-dominant hand is increasing the deterioration/tears in the non-dominant arm.

Although Sophia as a course provider doesn't have the same disability services as a college, they may and they should make accommodations. Sophia made their Public Speaking course accessible to the deaf in 2020 thanks to advocacy by degreeforum's own ashkir.

[Han_Shot_First_IYKYK]

Sophia for: Intro to Stats, Human Bio+Lab, Spanish 1. Possibly/Probably: English Comp I, English Comp II, Visual Communications, or Critical Thinking. What order do you suggest I complete these Sophia classes in?

Sophia will let you have two courses open (in progress) at any one time.

A popular tactic is to have one course open you can progress through quickly – especially, one that has no touchstones (assignments) which will have turnaround waits for grading – and the other that may move slower.

Visual Communication has no touchstones, isn’t hard, but is interesting and rewarding. It made me look at design more richly. And you probably need 2D. It would be good to start your series with a quick win.

English Composition I and II on Sophia get complaints at an unusual rate for Sophia courses about waiting times to have touchstones graded and about the content of grading or feedback. If I were in your position I’d start them head on, first I then II, at the start of my subscription. (If it isn't working out, you can have a Sophia customer service rep pause the course and open another one instead, and re-open the paused course later. If it isn't working out even later, there are alternatives for English Composition I and II everywhere, including UMPI.)

Introduction to Statistics has no touchstones. Human Biology has no touchstones, though Human Biology Lab has two touchstones. Spanish I has five touchstones.

For additional context, right now my dominant hand is not very functional. I primarily use speech to text and then edit/format, and use the mouse with my non-dominant hand. The increased use of the non-dominant hand is increasing the deterioration/tears in the non-dominant arm.

Although Sophia as a course provider doesn't have the same disability services as a college, they may and they should make accommodations. Sophia made their Public Speaking course accessible to the deaf in 2020 thanks to advocacy by degreeforum's own ashkir.

Thank you for this information. I'll get started with Sophia.

[FireMedic_Philosopher]

First off, as one first responder to another... hang in there.

Now, this is not a "fast" program, but it is an online program that would allow you to enter as a college jr with your training, experience, and AS degree...
You could finish your bachelor's in two years, and roll directly into a one year Masters.

Also... it is ranked number three in the entire nation for Law enforcement.

https://www.wiu.edu/coehs/leja/

based on your experience and injuries, you might be able to qualify for some scholarships too.

[Han_Shot_First_IYKYK]

First off, as one first responder to another... hang in there.

Now, this is not a "fast" program, but it is an online program that would allow you to enter as a college jr with your training, experience, and AS degree...
You could finish your bachelor's in two years, and roll directly into a one year Masters.

Also... it is ranked number three in the entire nation for Law enforcement.

https://www.wiu.edu/coehs/leja/

based on your experience and injuries, you might be able to qualify for some scholarships too.

I'll look into it. Thank you.

[Han_Shot_First_IYKYK]

Hi everyone. I’ve completed a total of 78 units on Sophia since my last post and now have a total of 182.5 units. I’m checking in with an update and to ask some follow-up questions before I apply to UMPI. My goal is the fastest/easiest path to the MAOL.

I read about the BLS Pre-Law Minor and it appears like it may be faster for me compared to the previously discussed BLS Management Minor. I would need to complete 4 classes for the Management Minor, whereas I only need to complete 1 class for the Pre-Law Minor. Is that correct? My Google Doc Degree Plan is current. The first tab is for Pre-Law, the second tab is for Management, and the third tab is a list of all of my completed classes.

My Degree Plan
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...d=16190656

Questions:
1. Re: 30 unit residency requirement. It appears that I only need a total of 18 units for the BLS Pre-Law (1 class for the minor and 5 classes of UL Electives). I already plan on taking BUS 335, 440, 469 as UL electives for the BLS to also apply towards 25% of the MAOL. After completing all the classed for the BLS, can I begin taking the MAOL classes (OLS: 500, 510, 530, and 540) to apply towards meeting the 30 unit residency requirement? In other words, can I combine my BLS and MAOL towards the completion of the 30 unit residency requirement?
2. What 2 classes are currently the most recommended as the easiest/fastest UL electives?
3. Is it true that some BLS to MAOL students have been able to successfully replace both BUS 353 and OLS 520 with BUSI1020 Sophia Business Ethics?
4. In reviewing my degree plan for the BLS Pre-Law to MAOL, is there anything I missed or misunderstood? Advice or suggestions are highly appreciated.
5. The ability to "pause" taking classes at UMPI was mentioned re: disruptions/unavailability due to my international trips throughout the year. What is the process and terms for pausing a session? Can I pause and resume mid-session as needed for travel?

[Jonathan Whatley]

You're killing it!

A student taking a BLS or BAS through YourPace is required to take at least one primary minor offered through YourPace, and to take a minimum number of semester hours in that minor, 9 I think, in residency, meaning through UMPI coursework specifically, albeit online.

Pre-Law Studies is not such a minor, because the philosophy course is not currently available through YourPace. Many people here take a minor in Pre-Law Studies. But if they're a BLS or BAS student they're taking it as a secondary minor. (Or if they're a BA student, it's secondary to their YourPace major.)

Although while you're enrolled at the undergraduate level, you could take all 4 courses each of which can technically transfer to the MAOL, the MAOL will accept no more than 3.

[Han_Shot_First_IYKYK]

Thank you! I'm doing my best. You and everyone else here have been very helpful and supportive. I can't thank you enough. The culture on this forum is tremendous.

Re: the Pre-Law minor, I've already taken intro to Philosophy and all the other Pre-Law Minor core classes except for one class. The only class I need to complete the Pre-Law Minor Core is POS 332 Constitutional Law, which appears to be offered through YourPace. It's a YourPace Criminal Justice Elective. I had read in one or more of the threads on this forum that the BLS Pre-Law could be done upon request as a stand alone degree through YourPace with prior approval from UMPI if all the core courses for the minor not offered though YourPace were transferred in from another school.

I think this was one of the threads:
https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...or-Inquiry

I guess I misunderstood regarding the Pre-Law Minor. So does that mean I will need to revert back to the BLS Management degree?

I know what you mean about 3 of these 4 courses satisfying both Undergrad requirements and 25% towards the MAOL. This is very cool! I plan to do this.
BUS 335 Organizational Behavior replaces OLS 550
BUS 353 Legal & Ethical Issues in Business replaces OLS 520
BUS 440 Business Analytics replaces OLS 610
BUS 469 Strategic Professional Communication replaces OLS 620

I also read that one or more BLS to MAOL students has been able to replace both BUS 353 and OLS 520 with BUSI1020 Sophia Business Ethics. Meaning Sophia Business Ethics replaced the OLS 520 and it was also used to replace BUS 353 in the BLS. I'd like to confirm or rule out that possibility. This sounds too good to be true.

[Jonathan Whatley]

I had read in one or more of the threads on this forum that the BLS Pre-Law could be done upon request as a stand alone degree through YourPace with prior approval from UMPI if all the core courses for the minor not offered though YourPace were transferred in from another school.

I think this was one of the threads:
https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...or-Inquiry

I guess I misunderstood regarding the Pre-Law Minor. So does that mean I will need to revert back to the BLS Management degree?

IIRC, every course needed for the Pre-Law minor used to be available through YourPace courses (even though the minor wasn't on the public-facing list of YourPace minors), but then they stopped offering that philosophy course. It's possible the 2022 poster was permitted to take Pre-Law as the only minor in their BAS because of that set of conditions that no longer exists.

I'll let someone more sure speak to the other questions!

[CharisandJon]

Thank you! I'm doing my best. You and everyone else here have been very helpful and supportive. I can't thank you enough. The culture on this forum is tremendous.

Re: the Pre-Law minor, I've already taken intro to Philosophy and all the other Pre-Law Minor core classes except for one class. The only class I need to complete the Pre-Law Minor Core is POS 332 Constitutional Law, which appears to be offered through YourPace. It's a YourPace Criminal Justice Elective. I had read in one or more of the threads on this forum that the BLS Pre-Law could be done upon request as a stand alone degree through YourPace with prior approval from UMPI if all the core courses for the minor not offered though YourPace were transferred in from another school.

I think this was one of the threads:
https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...or-Inquiry

I guess I misunderstood regarding the Pre-Law Minor. So does that mean I will need to revert back to the BLS Management degree?

I know what you mean about 3 of these 4 courses satisfying both Undergrad requirements and 25% towards the MAOL. This is very cool! I plan to do this.
BUS 335 Organizational Behavior replaces OLS 550
BUS 353 Legal & Ethical Issues in Business replaces OLS 520
BUS 440 Business Analytics replaces OLS 610
BUS 469 Strategic Professional Communication replaces OLS 620

I also read that one or more BLS to MAOL students has been able to replace both BUS 353 and OLS 520 with BUSI1020 Sophia Business Ethics. Meaning Sophia Business Ethics replaced the OLS 520 and it was also used to replace BUS 353 in the  BLS. I'd like to confirm or rule out that possibility. This sounds too good to be true.

Unfortunately, the Sophia courses do not count toward or replace any MAOL courses. Sophia courses can be transferred in for the bachelor’s, but if you want those bachelor’s courses to “count towards” the MAOL, then you would need to take those courses at UMPI. They would need to be taken at UMPI while you are enrolled for your bachelor’s, and they can be retaken at UMPI even if you’ve already transferred in the Sophia equivalent for them. Since the bachelor’s courses have final drafts and the master’s courses do not, it is recommended to take or retake the 3 courses at UMPI, like BUS 353, that will count toward the MAOL. The official terminology is that 3 MAOL courses are waived if you’ve taken the UMPI bachelor’s courses (BUS 353, etc.), so I’m just saying “count towards” for ease. 

It is not possible to combine the residency requirements for the bachelor’s and master’s. The bachelor’s degree with its 30 credit residency requirement needs to be completed and conferred before the MAOL is started. Due to conferral wait times, there will be a session waiting period before you can start the MAOL. So for example, if you finished the bachelor’s in Spring 1, then you wouldn’t be able to start the MAOL until Summer 1. 

You are allowed to take a session (or more with success coach approval) off. However, you cannot pause the session once you have started. For example, if you complete Fall 1, then you can take Fall 2 off, and then start back again in Spring 1. However, you can’t pause Fall 1 and resume later. Your breaks would have to “follow their calendar” if that makes sense. You can take a week or so off during the session you have started, but you would still be paying for that time, and the break would be taking away from that and the time you have to finish the courses you started. You would also need to complete the courses you have already started during that term before the term ends. If not, then you would have to withdraw from the courses by the withdraw date.