Guidance Requested: Is this right for me?

[topsecretowl]

Hello!

I've rewritten this post a few times already because I don't really know what to say but basically I'm lost.

For background, I am a mass communication specialist in the Navy. I work in public relations and visual communication. I've done a number of different things while in the service and outside of it including photography, videography, print production, journalism, graphic design and animation (3D and 2D), and more. I am definitely an artsy nerd and I was very fortunate to continue my passion whilst also serving my country. 

I'm not too sure where I'd like to be when I leave the service but something in communications seems like the obvious choice. I would love to pursue some form of art degree but I haven't been able to find one that would allow me to transfer a large number of credits. While researching the different programs UMPI offers, I figured the two that suited me best were the BA in English and BABA in Marketing. I talked to an enrollment specialist and they think the English one would help me. I'm inclined to agree because every industry needs clear communication. I have the experience but I know I need the degree too. 

I have a plan in place that I based on the previous threads. I will knock out as much as I can on Sophia and then pivot to the other platforms. I know that the English one is the most writing heavy and hopefully I can still knock it out in three sessions. I will definitely be coming back to this forum often too so I apologize in advance. 

But back to being lost... Am I missing something? Am I being too ambitious or not enough? I feel like I'm doing something wrong. I'm a parent so I desperately don't want to fail my family. Is there something else I should be doing instead? Any words of wisdom or even hard pills to swallow would be most helpful.

[FastTrackDegree]

UMPI sounds like a good plan. Otherwise, for an art degree you could look at University of Montana or The Open University/The Open College of the Arts. Georgetowns (Coursera) BALS in Professional Media and Communication might be an option too. Depending on how fast you need the degree.

[allvia]

My opinion would be the Marketing Major, as it gives you an 'Art and Communication' based Business Degree (which works for most all career paths).  UMPI, as you know, does offer the BABA - Marketing, but since you're active military you may want to consider TESU's BSBA-Marketing as well (https://www.tesu.edu/business/undergradu.../marketing).  Active military can use TECEPS towards residency, and the Marketing concentration can be completed through alt credits, and they have a low tuition rate for the two courses you must take with them.  Either are good choices (UMPI or TESU), for you I would say the major difference would be TESU is go completely at your own pace (one 'course' at a time, no rush). Where UMPI is competency, so it is all about getting as much done in the shortest amount of time for the dollar value (the more time it takes to complete the more it costs).  Can't go wrong with either choice.

[rachel83az]

TESU would be a good choice for military. It's fairly cheap. You can see all of the cheap/alt-credit friendly degrees here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...ts_Roadmap They do technically have an Art degree, but good luck finding an inexpensive source for the required credits: https://www.tesu.edu/heavin/ba/art

UMPI is also a good choice, but be warned that their Marketing degree is reputed to be a bit "hefty". That is, it will take longer than most of the other degrees. Instead of being able to finish in 2 or 3 8-week sessions, it might take you 4 or 5. Still an inexpensive degree, though. The English degree is another one that's a bit longer, but it's completely doable for many people in 2 or 3 sessions.

[topsecretowl]

UMPI sounds like a good plan. Otherwise, for an art degree you could look at University of Montana or The Open University/The Open College of the Arts. Georgetowns (Coursera) BALS in Professional Media and Communication might be an option too. Depending on how fast you need the degree.

I would like to knock out the degree before I leave the service in 9 months. Right now everything would be out of pocket since the Navy will not support Sailors academically in the last year. I could use my GI Bill but I would rather save that for a graduate degree. How expensive are those other programs compared to the big 3 and UMPI?

[ss20ts]

Few things....
UMPI is on a set schedule and does not work around military schedules. This could be an issue for anyone in the military.

The Marketing Concentration is not graphic design oriented at all. Not a single graphic design course in the program. There are several LONG papers. By long, I mean 15+ pages is the minimum. One of the professors is notorious for being a PITA.

Word of advice....Don't talk to the enrollment specialists. They're not UMPI employees. They are used car salespeople from the 70's basically. They know little about YourPace and quite often give out false information.

What are you looking to do after the military? That might be worth considering when trying to figure out a degree. Getting a degree that helps in the military and post-military life should be the end goal.

[topsecretowl]

My opinion would be the Marketing Major, as it gives you an 'Art and Communication' based Business Degree (which works for most all career paths).  UMPI, as you know, does offer the BABA - Marketing, but since you're active military you may want to consider TESU's BSBA-Marketing as well (https://www.tesu.edu/business/undergradu.../marketing).  Active military can use TECEPS towards residency, and the Marketing concentration can be completed through alt credits, and they have a low tuition rate for the two courses you must take with them.  Either are good choices (UMPI or TESU), for you I would say the major difference would be TESU is go completely at your own pace (one 'course' at a time, no rush). Where UMPI is competency, so it is all about getting as much done in the shortest amount of time for the dollar value (the more time it takes to complete the more it costs).  Can't go wrong with either choice.

I only need to take 2 courses with them? That might actually be better then. Unfortunately, the Navy does not academically support Sailors who are in their last year of service so all the expenses would be out of pocket. I’ll try to find some scholarships or grants as I’d like to save my GI Bill for a graduate degree. I honestly thought UMPI would be my best bet but guess I’ll have to research TESU

---

Few things....
UMPI is on a set schedule and does not work around military schedules. This could be an issue for anyone in the military.

The Marketing Concentration is not graphic design oriented at all. Not a single graphic design course in the program. There are several LONG papers. By long, I mean 15+ pages is the minimum. One of the professors is notorious for being a PITA.

Word of advice....Don't talk to the enrollment specialists. They're not UMPI employees. They are used car salespeople from the 70's basically. They know little about YourPace and quite often give out false information.

What are you looking to do after the military? That might be worth considering when trying to figure out a degree. Getting a degree that helps in the military and post-military life should be the end goal.

Ideally I’d like to stay in the creative space. Visual communications, UX/UI, and other artsy things. I like creating and telling stories. I do know that most of the jobs would require a degree in that specific field so I’d probably have an easier time getting into some generic government communications job. I don’t really want to do that but I know it would be easy for me to leverage my military experience there. At the end of the day I just care about putting food on the table. I feel like the way things are going, it might be best to put my little dreams on hold for a bit just to make sure we’re okay. 

This is kind of why I wanted someone to knock me around a bit because there is a good chance I don’t know what I’m talking about. My plan was basically get a degree and then use the GI Bill for a graduate degree later in the road. Maybe even pivot to the arts again but I don’t know. 

I am in my last year of the Navy at a shore command and they are thankfully very accommodating when it comes to education and other forms of self improvement. If things go my way, I’ll actually have a lot of free time this year. I have a Skillbridge application pending and I also have a lot of leave days that I would use for school if needed. 

The only problem I’m facing currently is making sure this doesn’t completely empty my wallet. Unless one is retiring from 20 years or more of service, the Navy will not help finance your schooling in the last year. Everything I do now would be out of pocket. 

The goal is to be more marketable and to keep a roof over my babies’ heads.

---

TESU would be a good choice for military. It's fairly cheap. You can see all of the cheap/alt-credit friendly degrees here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...ts_Roadmap They do technically have an Art degree, but good luck finding an inexpensive source for the required credits: https://www.tesu.edu/heavin/ba/art

UMPI is also a good choice, but be warned that their Marketing degree is reputed to be a bit "hefty". That is, it will take longer than most of the other degrees. Instead of being able to finish in 2 or 3 8-week sessions, it might take you 4 or 5. Still an inexpensive degree, though. The English degree is another one that's a bit longer, but it's completely doable for many people in 2 or 3 sessions.

Currently I am mostly set on getting an English degree. Would you say it’s easier to complete it at TESU instead of UMPI? I’m trying to compare costs and speed

[indigoshuffle]

When you say "art," do you mean fine art like a contemporary artist who paints, sculpts, and use non-traditional media and conceptual art? Or do you mean graphic design? 

Both?

Many famous American artists who helped build the American art scene used the GI bill to attend art school.

SNHU has a graphic design program, and some marketing classes for artists are built into the program. They would be willing to take quite a few of your credits, but you'd have to check with them. Someone on this forum did a low-cost graphic design degree with SNHU, and he is--to my knowledge--working as a graphic artist. If I can find the thread, I'll edit this post and link it.

Many state schools hire practicing artists who make a living making art, and they will be your best source of information on how to "market" yourself and get your work out there so you can build a brand. 

I would avoid getting into debt for art school. The classes are long, so your credit hours will be more expensive. Some of my studio painting classes were 6 hours long, that's six credits... and it was mandatory to graduate. Not to mention, it takes an hour to set up and another hour to break down and properly clean your workspace. So it's like a full day of work.

I would be able to help you if you gave me more information about how you see your career unfolding.

[topsecretowl]

When you say "art," do you mean fine art like a contemporary artist who paints, sculpts, and use non-traditional media and conceptual art? Or do you mean graphic design? 

Both?

Many famous American artists who helped build the American art scene used the GI bill to attend art school.

SNHU has a graphic design program, and some marketing classes for artists are built into the program. They would be willing to take quite a few of your credits, but you'd have to check with them. Someone on this forum did a low-cost graphic design degree with SNHU, and he is--to my knowledge--working as a graphic artist. If I can find the thread, I'll edit this post and link it.

Many state schools hire practicing artists who make a living making art, and they will be your best source of information on how to "market" yourself and get your work out there so you can build a brand. 

I would avoid getting into debt for art school. The classes are long, so your credit hours will be more expensive. Some of my studio painting classes were 6 hours long, that's six credits... and it was mandatory to graduate. Not to mention, it takes an hour to set up and another hour to break down and properly clean your workspace. So it's like a full day of work.

I would be able to help you if you gave me more information about how you see your career unfolding.

I would very much enjoy not going into debt lol I did want to go to art school for animation before joining the military but the price tag made it out of reach. 

I suppose I am looking for both conceptual art stuff and graphic design. I’m out of practice for the more traditional stuff unfortunately so maybe I should just stick with what I’ve been doing now. 

I’d love to do it but based on my research transferring credits to an online school for a specialist field is pretty difficult especially for something like graphic design. Right now I want to keep my spending low as I prepare to leave the Navy. I’d like to get a degree that isn’t going to hurt my wallet. 

I’m interested in communication specialist roles, post production editing roles, multimedia design roles, UX/UI, web development.. I like creating. My top choices are the ones I already market myself as on LinkedIn. Communication specialist/strategic communicator and multimedia designer. I live to tell stories. Also to learn and teach but I can do that without a degree

[rachel83az]

Cost comparison for UMPI vs. TESU are the following:

UMPI: Most students are able to finish in 2-3 sessions, but they also aren't active military. UMPI will work with you, but costs could be higher if you windup going on a training exercise or something. However, assuming 3 sessions, it'd be $4200 for UMPI and $299 for a 4-month subscription to Sophia.org. (Sophia will probably only take 2-3 months, but 4 months is the same cost as 3 when you pay for them all at once.)

TESU: You would need to apply ASAP in order to get the active military rate. https://www.tesu.edu/military/tuition-fees You would then want to take 24 credits of TECEPs ($1248-$1848) plus the 6 credits of the capstone & cornerstone ($1500). For the English degree specifically, you would need some CLEP exams, which I understand you can take for free as an active service member. You'd also need about the same amount of Sophia as UMPI, plus some classes from Study.com. For the English degree, you might need one or two extra classes from TESU itself, in which case you'd need fewer TECEPs but pay more for actual tuition.

From start to finish, time-wise, you may spend roughly the same amount of time with both schools. But TESU may be slightly easier/cheaper when you cannot guarantee that you'll always have internet access. As long as you're not in a TESU class (I would leave these until last, after you've been discharged.), all you'd need to do to go on a training exercise would be to cancel/pause your Sophia and/or study.com memberships, as necessary, and go. With UMPI, you'd need to coordinate with your advisor to ensure no penalties go on your transcript.

For learning purposes, TESU's degree is more of a pure English degree while UMPI's is more of a journalism degree.

If you have a GI bill, I would avoid using it for undergrad. Undergrad is cheap, grad school is more expensive. Especially for non-MBA programs. Look for a Master's program that interests you and that takes GI bills. Then figure out how you're going to get there. Depending on the program, it might be that TESU works better. Or it might be that UMPI works better.