Guidance Requested: Is this right for me?

[ss20ts]

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Since you already have professional experience through the military I do not think that going for the English over Marketing would hurt you. And since it is coming to light that you seem more interested in that path, that is likely the path you should choose. The degree that matter the most is the one you complete, and you're more likely to complete the one that interests you the most. I missed it but somewhere here it was mentioned that you may not always have access to internet for long periods of time - I'm reading that as you may not have long blocks of time (required for proctoring) vs regular access but only for short periods of time (enough time to upload written papers).  If that is the case then UMPI may be better than TESU, as TESU credit options are heavy on proctoring (not a scaring thing, just many give you an hour or two solid internet connection time) vs UMPI most courses are written papers (meaning a short internet to upload/download the papers you write offline works well).  Also Sophia is all you need outside of UMPI to complete, and they use bio metric vs camera proctoring - far more friendly to occasional internet connection at a low cost (although you must be connected while you work on any of these alt credits).  I would recommend you start off with Sophia working towards completing what you need to UMPI (skip comp I & II for now, they are recommended to take at UMPI), for the most part they are all Gen Eds - https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...quivalents

All of UMPI's course content is only available online. You can't download it. You must have internet access to access the content. You also need access to libraries for academic research journals for your papers.

[rachel83az]

Also, it's only at the end (capstone/cornerstone, and any other classes you're taking) that you need regular internet access for TESU. Sophia is $99/mo. and Study.com is $199/mo. Otherwise, they don't care how long it takes you to complete a course. If you go away for a month, you might wind up paying extra money but you don't have an F on your transcript as you might with UMPI.

[allvia]

Since you already have professional experience through the military I do not think that going for the English over Marketing would hurt you. And since it is coming to light that you seem more interested in that path, that is likely the path you should choose. The degree that matter the most is the one you complete, and you're more likely to complete the one that interests you the most. I missed it but somewhere here it was mentioned that you may not always have access to internet for long periods of time - I'm reading that as you may not have long blocks of time (required for proctoring) vs regular access but only for short periods of time (enough time to upload written papers).  If that is the case then UMPI may be better than TESU, as TESU credit options are heavy on proctoring (not a scaring thing, just many give you an hour or two solid internet connection time) vs UMPI most courses are written papers (meaning a short internet to upload/download the papers you write offline works well).  Also Sophia is all you need outside of UMPI to complete, and they use bio metric vs camera proctoring - far more friendly to occasional internet connection at a low cost (although you must be connected while you work on any of these alt credits).  I would recommend you start off with Sophia working towards completing what you need to UMPI (skip comp I & II for now, they are recommended to take at UMPI), for the most part they are all Gen Eds - https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...quivalents

All of UMPI's course content is only available online. You can't download it. You must have internet access to access the content. You also need access to libraries for academic research journals for your papers.

That is the pretty much the same for any remote course provider, you need it to take Sophia courses as well. My point was that remote proctoring requires a reliable internet connection, while in a private and uninterpreted area, for an extended period of time. Many of these proctored exams can run for 1 or 2 hours- this includes most alt providers (SDC, Davar, etc), TECEPs (and the like), and the TESU BSBA Capstone has a proctored exam as well. So, if that is the internet issue that the OP was concerned with, then something where the grade is based on project or paper may work better.

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Also, it's only at the end (capstone/cornerstone, and any other classes you're taking) that you need regular internet access for TESU. Sophia is $99/mo. and Study.com is $199/mo. Otherwise, they don't care how long it takes you to complete a course. If you go away for a month, you might wind up paying extra money but you don't have an F on your transcript as you might with UMPI.

I think that the OP should take as much as they can through Sophia because if the way they model their courses and award credit (bio-metric vs video proctoring), but for TESU residency would require TECEPs (as they are active military) and all the UL credit options require proctored exams (video).

With that said, I read the possible internet connection issues being extended rather than regular.  There is a big difference getting courses completed if you're talking about spotty internet (drops and reconnects) vs days on end without access. May be they are in a position where they would be best getting everything they can for UMPI through Sophia and then start at UMPI once they are not active duty and have the access for course work they will need (at UMPI, TESU or elsewhere) Or, as someone suggested SNHU as an option -  I'm not familiar with their course structure to say if that would be a better match while active duty.  The OP, topsecretowl, would have to clarify what was meant by having internet connection issues (if it was them that originally mentioned it at all).

[joshua27]

As someone who has worked in the business world for the past 2 decades I highly recommend the business degree. Personally I would suggest a generic business administration degree with a concentration in management. If your heart is set on marketing, graphic design, whatever then put together a portfolio of your accomplishments in the military and include that with your resume when you apply to jobs. The business degree is highly marketable and will basically gurantee you a 6 figure income within a few years.