Does UMPI feel rewarding? Does it feed the soul.

[PrettyFlyforaChiGuy]

What's the difference in ranking between Ohio State University and Ohio University? Nobody knows. Few people care, even in academia.

I'll just slowly put my arm back down...but seriously, comments like yours are very grounding. The families I work with orient toward prestige, and rank comes up both in near-daily conversations and as indicators of the school's broader success. Education for education's sake is refreshing.

For OP, UMPI is part of a state university system. It is fully legitimate, and degree acceleration is totally possible not just there, but even at more traditional universities. You might not want to pursue the English and Professional Communication & Journalism degree through UMPI's YourPace program, since other users have posted that some of its classes are slow, they really throw you to the wolves, and professors offer either limited guidance or extremely meticulous expectations. The History & Political Science degree has been reported to have more supportive professors.

[rachel83az]

If you know a little French, you especially do not want to take the UMPI classes. You will "get in trouble" for knowing too much and using "outside knowledge". Your grade will actually drop. It's stupid.

French has two options: try to take an ACTFL exam and see what you get. For History, you'll need at least 6 credits worth. You could also try to take the French CLEP exam. This would be free through ModernStates.

If neither of those options appeals/works, you must do Spanish. Spanish I and II at Sophia are reported to be straightforward and relatively easy to complete, especially if you have prior experience with a Romance language.

[ss20ts]

I'd jut take Spanish on Sophia and be done with the language requirement. Unless I knew I would score well on the CLEP exam, I wouldn't waste my time. UMPI also doesn't accept all CLEP exams so you'd have to find out if they accept the one for French. Sophia has US History 1 & 2 so that will fill history requirements for the GEC. I never recommend anyone ever take the foreign language courses at UMPI. The professor is a total nightmare who has accused many students of cheating. I speak from experience - take the foreign language course elsewhere. Not worth the headache at UMPI.

[loops77]

To directly answer OPs question, UMPI is probably not the place to go if you want to go to primarily learn. Its for working adults that want to get their degrees fast. The classes are busy work as I see it...sure you can pick something up from writing papers....but we live in a time where we can learn anything we actually want with a few keystrokes. You no longer have to go to school to learn. If you have your heart set on a particular degree program, look for a top school and apply. But for the most part, you get what you put into your degree program.

UMPI is probably a step up from WGU in terms of prestige because its a long-established state school. Its a valid degree and no one will look down on you for having it. Thats how it is for most state schools. If you are dedicated to completing the busy work, you can indeed finish up your UMPI degree fast.

[allvia]

To directly answer OPs question, UMPI is probably not the place to go if you want to go to primarily learn. Its for working adults that want to get their degrees fast. The classes are busy work as I see it...sure you can pick something up from writing papers....but we live in a time where we can learn anything we actually want with a few keystrokes. You no longer have to go to school to learn. If you have your heart set on a particular degree program, look for a top school and apply. But for the most part, you get what you put into your degree program.

UMPI is probably a step up from WGU in terms of prestige because its a long-established state school. Its a valid degree and no one will look down on you for having it. Thats how it is for most state schools. If you are dedicated to completing the busy work, you can indeed finish up your UMPI degree fast.

I would clarify that this only appies the UMPI YourPace offerings, as UMPI does offer traditional degree paths fully on-campus as well.

[PrettyFlyforaChiGuy]

UMPI accepts the French Language Level 1 CLEP for 6 credits, and you only need a 50 to pass: https://mycampus.maine.edu/c/document_li...pId=223854

Alternatively, the ACTFL would work too.

[bjcheung77]

@trentburke14, that's a great introduction post and it shows you're really interested in learning (English/History) and finishing that elusive Bachelors.  What Masters program were you looking at for UGA or Penn State?  Your concerns are valid, but really nothing to worry about... You're getting a recognized degree using alternative transfer credit as many institutions take CLEP/ACE.

Basically... As others have mentioned, UMPI just like Penn State, UGA (and the other institutions we recommend) are regionally accredited, you're getting an accredited degree using competency based education within an online medium. PUG/WGU are also competency based, Excelsior/TESU are not, but they have a greater number of transfer credits you can bring in...

Which UMPI degree are you looking at?  My recommendation is to complete the template and last post addendum here, this will give us a greater picture of your scenario and an overview of your budget, commitments, schedule, study habits, and so on.  With more details, we will be able to help you further, link:  https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

[trentburke14]

@trentburke14, that's a great introduction post and it shows you're really interested in learning (English/History) and finishing that elusive Bachelors.  What Masters program were you looking at for UGA or Penn State?  Your concerns are valid, but really nothing to worry about... You're getting a recognized degree using alternative transfer credit as many institutions take CLEP/ACE.

Basically... As others have mentioned, UMPI just like Penn State, UGA (and the other institutions we recommend) are regionally accredited, you're getting an accredited degree using competency based education within an online medium. PUG/WGU are also competency based, Excelsior/TESU are not, but they have a greater number of transfer credits you can bring in...

Which UMPI degree are you looking at?  My recommendation is to complete the template and last post addendum here, this will give us a greater picture of your scenario and an overview of your budget, commitments, schedule, study habits, and so on.  With more details, we will be able to help you further, link:  https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

Thanks for the info!

[Ericf]

Hey, 

     I am a full-time 30-year-old Youtuber and after 10 years of youtube, I want to return to school. Not for necessity or a promotion at work, but for the pure love of learning. I went to a UNI. right after high school for a few years and earned 42 credits, but dropped out for some personal reasons and my youtube took off so I decided not to return. I have been spending many months looking up schools and trying to balance quality with price. I also would prefer to earn an online degree because I just don't have the time to commute and spend a lot of time at school. So Long story short I found UMPI, but I have some concerns.


     I have read stories about people taking 30+ credits in one session (8 weeks) and finishing their degrees in less than a year. To me, that sounds very hard to believe, not that it is not impossible, but rather do you learn anything? When you complete a class in UMPI do you feel that you gained skills and knowledge? Is there a sense of accomplishment and you're not just doing busy work to get a degree? Personally, I want to go to school for History or English, because I LOVE both subjects, but writing is not my strong suit. I look forward to the struggle and practice of writing in school, but I fear at UMPI I will not improve as much as I would in a more traditional school. Do any current students here have some insight on these matters? Do you feel rewarded and enriched when you finish a course?

     My other concern is about the degree itself. Do people respect the degree when applying for jobs? Also, I plan to get my Master's degree from a different school (Like Penn State World Campaus) could getting a degree from UMPI be a hindrance to my chances of getting accepted in? When I hear about people getting their Bachelor's in 6months and their Master's in 4 months it sounds kinda cheap to me. Like you check off some boxes, did some busy work, and got a piece of paper that says degree on it. I am not trying to sound rude, just that I have some concerns about the retainment of these courses and the fulfillment of achieving a degree from here. (Again im not saying this is true, I hope that its not true, because I do want to go to UMPI.)


     I am highly interested in UMPI because it's cheap, especially if you take a lot of classes. I like the idea that I can finish my degree in less than a year and get started on my Master's. And by saving money, by getting a bachelor's at UMPI, I can spend a little more on my Master's at a school with more of a reputation.

Thanks for your Time.

So I am exactly the person your talking about and some of my information was received here. Next month I graduate with a Bachelors from UMPI and a Masters in Organizational Leadership and I started in October. I finished all my residency classes in the eight week session along with five more classes in which three of them were transferred to the masters program. I slowed down in the masters and instead of eight weeks I took ten weeks to complete because on the last class I thought it would be harder than it was and now I'm enrolled for an MBA program at Hellenic American college. Now here is the answer to your question. Everything I just said above had nothing to do with boosting about what I accomplished because that doesn't matter to me right here right now. What matters is helping someone else feel at ease in the position I was under a year ago and being able to "hack" the system financially and get a real degree with real classes and be able to use things I am and have learnt immediately in my career. And at 48 years old being told I am not the student type and also have challenges such as ADD and Narcolepsy I can tell you being a Ambassador for Sophia Learning in which for $99 I was able to get about 30 credits of core classes to start. If I can do it anyone can. And the best thing is your getting a quality brick and mortar state school education for a fraction of the cost. After speaking with the dean today as I end my career at UMPI I was reminded that the YourPace program was built for people like us. Now I am not telling anyone to do what some of us have and bulldozed through but it's called your pace for a reason and I will tell you this you get your moneys worth and it's what you make of it. There are some truly great teachers and the platform is better than some of used out there. Now I using blackboard and I hate it and miss UMPI. Now I need to figure out a good competency based Doctoral without a crazy dissertation. Just remember everyone has an opinion. Just take all the information provided and make the best decision for you. There are great people here that have helped so many.

[trentburke14]

Hey, 

     I am a full-time 30-year-old Youtuber and after 10 years of youtube, I want to return to school. Not for necessity or a promotion at work, but for the pure love of learning. I went to a UNI. right after high school for a few years and earned 42 credits, but dropped out for some personal reasons and my youtube took off so I decided not to return. I have been spending many months looking up schools and trying to balance quality with price. I also would prefer to earn an online degree because I just don't have the time to commute and spend a lot of time at school. So Long story short I found UMPI, but I have some concerns.


     I have read stories about people taking 30+ credits in one session (8 weeks) and finishing their degrees in less than a year. To me, that sounds very hard to believe, not that it is not impossible, but rather do you learn anything? When you complete a class in UMPI do you feel that you gained skills and knowledge? Is there a sense of accomplishment and you're not just doing busy work to get a degree? Personally, I want to go to school for History or English, because I LOVE both subjects, but writing is not my strong suit. I look forward to the struggle and practice of writing in school, but I fear at UMPI I will not improve as much as I would in a more traditional school. Do any current students here have some insight on these matters? Do you feel rewarded and enriched when you finish a course?

     My other concern is about the degree itself. Do people respect the degree when applying for jobs? Also, I plan to get my Master's degree from a different school (Like Penn State World Campaus) could getting a degree from UMPI be a hindrance to my chances of getting accepted in? When I hear about people getting their Bachelor's in 6months and their Master's in 4 months it sounds kinda cheap to me. Like you check off some boxes, did some busy work, and got a piece of paper that says degree on it. I am not trying to sound rude, just that I have some concerns about the retainment of these courses and the fulfillment of achieving a degree from here. (Again im not saying this is true, I hope that its not true, because I do want to go to UMPI.)


     I am highly interested in UMPI because it's cheap, especially if you take a lot of classes. I like the idea that I can finish my degree in less than a year and get started on my Master's. And by saving money, by getting a bachelor's at UMPI, I can spend a little more on my Master's at a school with more of a reputation.

Thanks for your Time.

So I am exactly the person your talking about and some of my information was received here. Next month I graduate with a Bachelors from UMPI and a Masters in Organizational Leadership and I started in October. I finished all my residency classes in the eight week session along with five more classes in which three of them were transferred to the masters program. I slowed down in the masters and instead of eight weeks I took ten weeks to complete because on the last class I thought it would be harder than it was and now I'm enrolled for an MBA program at Hellenic American college. Now here is the answer to your question. Everything I just said above had nothing to do with boosting about what I accomplished because that doesn't matter to me right here right now. What matters is helping someone else feel at ease in the position I was under a year ago and being able to "hack" the system financially and get a real degree with real classes and be able to use things I am and have learnt immediately in my career. And at 48 years old being told I am not the student type and also have challenges such as ADD and Narcolepsy I can tell you being a Ambassador for Sophia Learning in which for $99 I was able to get about 30 credits of core classes to start. If I can do it anyone can. And the best thing is your getting a quality brick and mortar state school education for a fraction of the cost. After speaking with the dean today as I end my career at UMPI I was reminded that the YourPace program was built for people like us. Now I am not telling anyone to do what some of us have and bulldozed through but it's called your pace for a reason and I will tell you this you get your moneys worth and it's what you make of it. There are some truly great teachers and the platform is better than some of used out there. Now I using blackboard and I hate it and miss UMPI. Now I need to figure out a good competency based Doctoral without a crazy dissertation. Just remember everyone has an opinion. Just take all the information provided and make the best decision for you. There are great people here that have helped so many.

Thanks for the insight. Thanks for sharing your experience with UMPI.