Help choosing degree plan

[MichaelDoesMarketing]

Hey everyone - I start UMPI at the end of the month and I'm transferring in 117 credits. I have worked in marketing for over 12 years (I have lots of certs, experience, a marketing nanodegree from Udacity, and an associates but no bachelors) but @ss20ts mentioned that BABA Marketing is extremely long. Since I already have marketing experience, would it be more advantageous to get one of the faster degrees like the BLS management and double minor, or even the BABA management and leadership? Or should I just go for the BABA marketing? For reference, I have a senior-level marketing role but hope to become a director at some point (or something higher than my current role). I know BABA looks better than BLS but I'm just torn on what to do and wanted to get some additional opinions. I want to finish in under 2 terms if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance!

[rachel83az]

I would go for either the BABA Marketing or the BABA Management/Leadership. If you hope to become a manager, the lack of a business degree could hinder future promotions.

If you have a small budget, I'd go with the faster BABA. If you are okay with it taking a session or two longer, the Marketing degree might be more relevant to your wants. It might also be easier for you, even if it takes longer, if you know what I mean?

You can always start by taking just a single Marketing class, along with a class relevant to both; if you don't like it, not a big loss. Switch to Management/Leadership and continue.

[MichaelDoesMarketing]

I would go for either the BABA Marketing or the BABA Management/Leadership. If you hope to become a manager, the lack of a business degree could hinder future promotions.

If you have a small budget, I'd go with the faster BABA. If you are okay with it taking a session or two longer, the Marketing degree might be more relevant to your wants. It might also be easier for you, even if it takes longer, if you know what I mean?

You can always start by taking just a single Marketing class, along with a class relevant to both; if you don't like it, not a big loss. Switch to Management/Leadership and continue.

Thank you for the insightful response. I feel like I'm leaning towards the BABA M&L. I think that might be a strong addition to couple with my current marketing experience.

[allvia]

I recommend the faster option of the BABA Management and Leadership based on your experience. The extra time and money spent you'd spend on the Marketing minor doesn't add any ROI for your resume/CV.

[dfrecore]

Have you considered WGU? Their Marketing degree has a lot more courses in Marketing, and you could "test-out" of those in a way that you can't at UMPI?

Or, are you considering getting a master's or MBA? WGU has a MS in Marketing, with either a Digital Marketing or Marketing Analytics emphasis, and that would be a good add-on to a plain old Bachelor's in whatever...meaning you could get a BLS as a check-the-box and then do the master's right away...or do a more general Business degree now, and then do the MS in Marketing to emphasize your marketing chops.

I personally would want either a Bachelor's in marketing and then an MBA (specialized then generalized) OR a bachelor's in business and then a master's in marketing (generalized and then specialized).

If you only want to get one degree, then I'd suggest the one that gets you the most bang for your buck - the BABA in Marketing at UMPI, or the BSBA/Markeing from TESU.

[ss20ts]

Have you considered WGU? Their Marketing degree has a lot more courses in Marketing, and you could "test-out" of those in a way that you can't at UMPI?

Definitely check to see how many classes have exams at WGU. Many classes don't have an exam so you can't test out of them.

[bjcheung77]

@MichaelDoesMarketing, 'ageism exists' and you're going to get various answers that swing in multiple directions... With the brief info you have provided, I would not have a real concrete answer for you as many pieces of information in the addendum/template is missing. I would highly recommend you complete them before deciding which options you have are better, as you'll review your own scenario and see which learning medium fits you more. Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

[MichaelDoesMarketing]

Name: Michael 
Location: Dallas, Texas
Age: 38

Degrees considering: BABA Marketing, BABA Management & Leadership, or BLS with at least double minor

Transferring in 117.50 credits to UMPI:

Where are the credits from: 

- community college + some additional from another school: 81.5 credits
- Sophia Credits: 36

Total Credits: 117.50

I also have an AAS degree with Marketing concentration. 

Other Certifications: Google Professional Certificates in Digital Marketing and UX Design, Udacity Digital Marketing nanodegree and Front-End Web Developer nanodegree, various other certs from Hubspot etc. 

Budget: trying to finish for as little as possible, as fast as possible (paying out of pocket). Would love to be able to finish in under two terms or even one if possible.

Constraints: I have a 3yo (he goes to school so daytime I'm kid free) but I WFH and my job is very flexible/project-based so I have plenty of time to focus on school. 

Dilemma: I have an established career of almost 15 years in marketing. I am a Senior Digital Strategist and I am paid well, but I want to finish my degree (mostly for personal reasons, but also to have something to fall back on). I am trying to decided between the 3 degree programs (BABA Marketing seems slow and outdated after speaking with SS20TS so I'm thinking not that one) and am unsure how to proceed. 

Thought process: I spoke with Jessica at UMPI and I basically have the BLS degree finished and could essentially focus on the double minor aspect. I was thinking this degree would give me a well-rounded education to match my marketing experience, certs, and portfolio. I do like the aspect of the BABA MGMT & Leadership, but it would take me longer to graduate and get that degree as I don't meet nearly as many requirements for it (mostly because of all the electives I'm transferring in). If I get the BLS degree, I was thinking of going to ASU (or another school) and getting the MS in Digital Strategy or something similar (or getting some sort of MS or MBA). I love learning for the sake of learning, so the BLS gets me hype because I can take a deeper dive into many different areas, not just business (I wish UMPI had a minor in Philosophy because I'd absolutely go for that). 

I have not had to use a degree to open any doors thus far (only because my marketing wheelhouse is multi-faceted, including SEO and web design and I have a strong portfolio with metrics to back it), but I would like to have a degree to be able to check the box in the future in case I apply for a job that requires one. And of course, for personal satisfaction and to be able to say I finished college *pats back*. 

All that being said, I'm just looking for additional perspectives, insights, experiences, affirmations, vibes, etc. haha....this forum is an amazing community of people and you all rock! Thank you all so much for your help.

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Have you considered WGU? Their Marketing degree has a lot more courses in Marketing, and you could "test-out" of those in a way that you can't at UMPI?

Or, are you considering getting a master's or MBA?  WGU has a MS in Marketing, with either a Digital Marketing or Marketing Analytics emphasis, and that would be a good add-on to a plain old Bachelor's in whatever...meaning you could get a BLS as a check-the-box and then do the master's right away...or do a more general Business degree now, and then do the MS in Marketing to emphasize your marketing chops.

I personally would want either a Bachelor's in marketing and then an MBA (specialized then generalized) OR a bachelor's in business and then a master's in marketing (generalized and then specialized).

If you only want to get one degree, then I'd suggest the one that gets you the most bang for your buck - the BABA in Marketing at UMPI, or the BSBA/Markeing from TESU.

I was considering this as well. Get the BLS, then do the WGU MS in Digital Marketing. That is a viable option and one I'm heavily considering.

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I recommend the faster option of the BABA Management and Leadership based on your experience. The extra time and money spent you'd spend on the Marketing minor doesn't add any ROI for your resume/CV.

This is a super valid point. Thank you.

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I should also mention (I told this to SS20TS), that one of the main reasons I want to graduate for as little as possible as fast as possible...is so that I can use the rest of the money I have saved up for school to go towards my graduate degree. I want to keep the momentum going and follow this degree up immediately with a grad degree. Of course I'll totally be picking everyone's brain on that one too and looking for insight.

[bjcheung77]

@MichaelDoesMarketing, To recap: You've been researching for the last couple of months and pm'ing ss20ts to get a handle on UMPI and their gen ed/other requirements.  You have the gen ed/electives, and some of the degree requirements filled, maybe even up to 90 max for transfer into the degree of choice using Sophia.org and previous RA CC credits... Armed with most of the details in the addendum and/or template, you're now looking for confirmation on the degree of choice at UMPI.

Hmm, if you reached out to ss20ts and also had this as a thread when you first started your research, my suggestion would be a tie between TAMUC BAAS OL and UMPI BAS double/triple minor (depending on the AAS you have and if you have enough technical credits using your Google/TADA - ACE certs).  Even if you don't have enough technical credits currently, you can get these FREE using Coursera/TADA.  I am torn right now as both are good institutions... I am split in the middle still!

Generally, I always recommend the trifecta of certs, degree, experience, a balanced mix/match combo of them... Here are my recommendations for you, see options below for more details, you can mix the undergrad with the grad to your liking if you wanted to, these are just my point of view again to get the ROI/Value: 

1) UMPI BAS (Applied Science, not Liberal Studies) double/triple minor of your choice, ladder up to UMPI MAOL
2) TAMUC BAAS Organizational Leadership, ladder to WGU MSML or MBA (Texas endorsed and also has ACBSP)
3) BABA Management/Leadership or BABA Marketing, ladder that to HAU MBA for the cost of $3K (non-CBE)

[MichaelDoesMarketing]

@MichaelDoesMarketing, To recap: You've been researching for the last couple of months and pm'ing ss20ts to get a handle on UMPI and their gen ed/other requirements.  You have the gen ed/electives, and some of the degree requirements filled, maybe even up to 90 max for transfer into the degree of choice using Sophia.org and previous RA CC credits... Armed with most of the details in the addendum and/or template, you're now looking for confirmation on the degree of choice at UMPI.

Hmm, if you reached out to ss20ts and also had this as a thread when you first started your research, my suggestion would be a tie between TAMUC BAAS OL and UMPI BAS double/triple minor (depending on the AAS you have and if you have enough technical credits using your Google/TADA - ACE certs).  Even if you don't have enough technical credits currently, you can get these FREE using Coursera/TADA.  I am torn right now as both are good institutions... I am split in the middle still!

Generally, I always recommend the trifecta of certs, degree, experience, a balanced mix/match combo of them... Here are my recommendations for you, see options below for more details, you can mix the undergrad with the grad to your liking if you wanted to, these are just my point of view again to get the ROI/Value: 

1) UMPI BAS (Applied Science, not Liberal Studies) double/triple minor of your choice, ladder up to UMPI MAOL
2) TAMUC BAAS Organizational Leadership, ladder to WGU MSML or MBA (Texas endorsed and also has ACBSP)
3) BABA Management/Leadership or BABA Marketing, ladder that to HAU MBA for the cost of $3K (non-CBE)

I did not even think to ask about UMPI BAS. I will inquire about that today with UMPI. I was looking at the UMPI MAOL as well. Do you think that's a worthwhile degree? It seems interesting to me. I haven't heard of HAU before...is that a pretty solid MBA?