Degree Planning - Longtime listener, first time caller

[Wiser Indigenous]

I have been reviewing posts for the past year, and this is my first post. Initially, I was going to enroll at UMPI, but I have been second-guessing my decision since my writing skills may not be up to par. I started taking English Comp. II, but any tips would be greatly appreciated!
I have seen an increase in activity around TAMUC and am interested since their exams are not proctored. However, there is only one degree plan posted.
I am seeking a CBE that will allow me to accelerate, preferably without a proctored exam, which is why WGU was not my original pick.

Your Location: California, United States.
Your Age: 48
What kind of degree do you want?: Bachelor's in Liberal Studies to just check the box. Other interests are Health Care Administration and Psychology, with a minor in Addiction or Substance Abuse.
Current Regional Accredited Credits:

University of the Pacific (all of these are considered as electives): 18
Intro to addiction overview, 3, A
Counseling theory, 3, A
Individual, group, family counseling, 3, A
Physiology, pharmacology, mental health, 3, A
Assessment for treatment plan, 3, A

Current ACE Credits:

Sophia Credits: 75
Art History I, 3, 95=A
Business Communication, 3, 97=A
Business Ethics, 3, 95=A
Business Law, 3, 95=A
College Algebra, 3, 93=A
College Readiness, 3, 99=A
Conflict Resolution, 3, 90=A
Developing Effective Teams, 1, 96=A
English Composition I, 3, 92=A
Environmental Science, 3, 93=A
Essentials of Managing Conflict, 1, 97=A
Found of English Composition, 3, 96=A
Human Biology, 3, 94=A
Human Biology Lab, 1, 96=A
Intro Psych: Smarter Decisions, 3, 93=A
Intro Soc: Embrac Diver/Collab, 3, 98=A
Intro to Info Technology, 3, 95=A
Introduction to Business, 3, 96=A
Introduction to Ethics, 3, 92=A
Introduction to Nutrition, 3, 97=A
Microbiology, 3, 91=A
Project Management, 3, 98=A
Spanish I, 3, 94=A
U.S. Government, 3, 92=A
U.S. History I, 3, 97=A
U.S. History II, 3, 90=A
Visual Communications, 3, 91=A

Study.com Credits: n/a (currently taking)
Advanced Operations Management, n/a

Any certifications or military experience? Yes, through AAPC for coding: CPC, CDEO, CFPC, CPB, CPCO, CPMA, CRC, CPC-I.

Budget: I have a max of $8K saved up.  I'd like to go the cheapest route possible, but will consider spending more for easy and fast.
Commitments: I will be able to study full-time.
Dedicated time to study: 8 hours on weekdays and 3-7 hours on weekends (depending on outside commitments, but these will be minimal)
Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible would be ideal.  I would like to finish within 6 months to 1 year (12 months).
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: None. I do not qualify for FASFA (only a loan; I don't want to pay the interest) and I am not working.

[bjcheung77]

@Wiser Indigenous, Welcome to the board, that's a good initial post and template, but you missed the extra details in the addendum! Basically, apply, send all transcripts, wait for evaluation and decide on your minor if you choose UMPI. I would also apply to TAMUC and do the same thing, they have other BAAS options, it's just that we only have the OL option in the degree plans... If you didn't know already, it's the same exact plan, as the major requires all the classes to be completed at TAMUC, thus, there really isn't a need to follow anything different than what's on the TAMUC BAAS OL.

[Wiser Indigenous]

@Wiser Indigenous, Welcome to the board, that's a good initial post and template, but you missed the extra details in the addendum! Basically, apply, send all transcripts, wait for evaluation and decide on your minor if you choose UMPI.  I would also apply to TAMUC and do the same thing, they have other BAAS options, it's just that we only have the OL option in the degree plans... If you didn't know already, it's the same exact plan, as the major requires all the classes to be completed at TAMUC, thus, there really isn't a need to follow anything different than what's on the TAMUC BAAS OL.

Thank you for reviewing my post. I have edited it to include the addendum information.

Also, I have applied to UMPI, sent my transcripts and waiting for their evaluation. While waiting, I started taking English Composition II through Sophia and Advanced Operations Management through Study.com. This is when I realized that my writing may not be up to par for UMPI. Do you have any suggestions, YouTube videos, or tips?

[bjcheung77]

No, you're good to go with taking one provider at a time, I usually don't recommend having both Sophia.org and Study.com at the same time... One subscription and then move onto the next, if you get through the both of these, it'll prepare you well enough for the UMPI or TAMUC classes. You'll get up to 90 or 84 credits transferred into each degree respectively, I think UMPI would be easier for you, having said that, if you want to give TAMUC a try, you can apply there as well, otherwise, skip them...

[LevelUP]

Usually, people who go to TAMUC live in Texas since this is when you get the discounted tuition rate.

Per class, TAMUC takes longer than UMPI.  UMPI has more majors.

[Wiser Indigenous]

Usually, people who go to TAMUC live in Texas since this is when you get the discounted tuition rate.

Per class, TAMUC takes longer than UMPI.  UMPI has more majors.

Thanks. I did not realize TAMUC takes longer than UMPI!

[mohelena02]

From someone who went to TAMUC, I would recommend UMPI. I only went to TAMUC because I live in TX and the deal was too good to pass up. My brother is now going to UMPI and it seems a tad easier as far as their infrastructure being more well developed than TAMUC's. I love my TAMUC degree and they are doing their best, but the systems to move between classes is a bit slow, UMPI is more sophisticated. As far as writing, if you can get through Sophia's writing courses you should be fine. Use Grammarly to make sure your writing is in good shape. I am in a Ph.D. program now were my instructors actually suggest we invest in the premium Grammarly service if we can afford it.

[Wiser Indigenous]

Thank you for your input! I appreciate knowing that I am on the right track, especially from a TAMUC alumni.
Yes, I have purchased premium Grammerly. I am struggling with data-driven, peer reviewed references even though I am using Google Scholar. Many of the Google Scholar search results require you to pay for access to the articles or journals.

[Jonathan Whatley]

I am struggling with data-driven, peer reviewed references even though I am using Google Scholar. Many of the Google Scholar search results require you to pay for access to the articles or journals.

Check out doaj.org, and for most searches you will want to select the radio button to search for "Articles" rather than the default searching for "Journals." Every journal indexed there is open-access and free.

[Wiser Indigenous]

I am struggling with data-driven, peer reviewed references even though I am using Google Scholar. Many of the Google Scholar search results require you to pay for access to the articles or journals.

Check out doaj.org, and for most searches you will want to select the radio button to search for "Articles" rather than the default searching for "Journals." Every journal indexed there is open-access and free.

THANK YOU! This is very helpful, and I just saved the website to my favorites.