Helping daughter with degree plan. Is my line of thinking correct?

[rachel83az]

Looking more closely, I do see that she has 2 Biology courses (General Biology and Biology of the Environment), both with labs. You might be able to get UMPI to accept Biology of the Environment as Environmental Science, but they might also bring it in as a Biology. You'd need to check the transfer database at https://peportal.maine.edu/ to see if anyone has brought that specific course from that specific school to UMPI yet.

If Biology of the Environment doesn't count as a physical science, or if you just want to make sure that GEC requirement is covered, she can definitely take Environmental Science or Intro to Chemistry (no lab needed) from Sophia.org. Sophia.org also offers Spanish I or she can take an ACTFL exam if she's at least somewhat fluent in French or some other language.

There are degree plans and more on the wiki to help make sense of UMPI's requirements: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

[Dooj]

The path of least resistance (quick and easy to plan out) and cost (lowest) for your daughter would be the business administration (BABS) at UMPI. Even if she takes 3 sessions (many reported here complete in 2) it will be a lower cost than TESU. I would not recommend the BLS at her young age; her professional experience doesn't have enough years on the resume/VS to settle for a liberal studies (check the box) degree, and you already stated she wants a business degree (not 'any degree').

Thank you allvia, we will certainly be looking at the UMPI plan. Seems this is a god way to go but she will have to make the decision. 

Did you have a good experience at TESU?

I appreciate the feedback.

Dooj

[allvia]

The path of least resistance (quick and easy to plan out) and cost (lowest) for your daughter would be the business administration (BABS) at UMPI. Even if she takes 3 sessions (many reported here complete in 2) it will be a lower cost than TESU. I would not recommend the BLS at her young age; her professional experience doesn't have enough years on the resume/VS to settle for a liberal studies (check the box) degree, and you already stated she wants a business degree (not 'any degree').

Thank you allvia, we will certainly be looking at the UMPI plan. Seems this is a god way to go but she will have to make the decision. 

Did you have a good experience at TESU?

I appreciate the feedback.

DoojPhysiology

I'm a very proud TESU alumni. It is still an excellent option for many students; especially certain degrees - such as Computer Science, Psychology, and other degree area of studies (AOS) not available through the other schools we discuss here. However, when I started this journey UMPI was not an option (and I'm certainly closer to your age than your daughter's). If it was I would be a (business admin) UMPI graduate today. For that matter, back then Sophia courses were very limited and $300 each(!). As you can see things change pretty quick in the alt credits/'Big3' affordable options talked about here - after all, I only graduated from TESU 5 years ago (and it was TESC, for College, just shortly before that). One of the best things the UMPI has going for it that TESU has also is that it is a state school. In the US state schools are never questioned as being 'legit' or not (although all the schools we recommend here are legitimate, whether private or public) - the public state school factor was important to me because of that. I did not want there to be any question. There is nothing wrong with SNHU, it may have a name that sounds like a state school - but it is not (it is a non-profit private university). The bachelor programs currently offered through UMPI's YourPace program are an amazing value right now (5 years from now, who knows what they'll offer, what credits they'll accept - these bargains are not guaranteed indefinitely, some of us long term forum members could write a book on the history of all the 'once upon a time you could...'but overall things are better, easier, and offer many more options now)

At 24, I'd suspect she would also like to just get this done, have it over with, and move on with her life - UMPI offers that as well as the bargain price.

Hey, if she really hustled and got it done with UMPI in a term or two - she'd still have money left over for the $3k HAU MBA. Again, wasn't around when I started my master. I do have a family member who was able to take advantage of it; another amazing deal we don't know how long it will last, but it's an option today.

Amberton University
- MS Human Relations and Business - 2022
Thomas Edison State University (TESU)
- BSBA General Management - 2018
- ASNSM Computer Science -2018

[Dooj]

Looking more closely, I do see that she has 2 Biology courses (General Biology and Biology of the Environment), both with labs. You might be able to get UMPI to accept Biology of the Environment as Environmental Science, but they might also bring it in as a Biology. You'd need to check the transfer database at https://peportal.maine.edu/ to see if anyone has brought that specific course from that specific school to UMPI yet.

If Biology of the Environment doesn't count as a physical science, or if you just want to make sure that GEC requirement is covered, she can definitely take Environmental Science or Intro to Chemistry (no lab needed) from Sophia.org. Sophia.org also offers Spanish I or she can take an ACTFL exam if she's at least somewhat fluent in French or some other language.

There are degree plans and more on the wiki to help make sense of UMPI's requirements: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

Will definitely look into the UMPI plan this weekend. If she does the UMPI plan will definitely have to take SpanishI from Sophia.com. I checked the website and no one has transferred that science to UMPI as of yet. So if they don’t accept Biology of the Environment as EnvScience I will have her take it on Sophia.com. 

Thanks for the reply!

[davewill]

My TESU experience was great. They still have the most variety of degrees out of our list of DIY degree schools. They are also a good choice if someone isn't able to take on sprinting through courses to maximize a pay by the term approach.

[Dooj]

The path of least resistance (quick and easy to plan out) and cost (lowest) for your daughter would be the business administration (BABS) at UMPI. Even if she takes 3 sessions (many reported here complete in 2) it will be a lower cost than TESU. I would not recommend the BLS at her young age; her professional experience doesn't have enough years on the resume/VS to settle for a liberal studies (check the box) degree, and you already stated she wants a business degree (not 'any degree').

Thank you allvia, we will certainly be looking at the UMPI plan. Seems this is a god way to go but she will have to make the decision. 

Did you have a good experience at TESU?

I appreciate the feedback.

DoojPhysiology

I'm a very proud TESU alumni. It is still an excellent option for many students; especially certain degrees - such as Computer Science, Psychology, and other degree area of studies (AOS) not available through the other schools we discuss here. However, when I started this journey UMPI was not an option (and I'm certainly closer to your age than your daughter's). If it was I would be a (business admin) UMPI graduate today. For that matter, back then Sophia courses were very limited and $300 each(!). As you can see things change pretty quick in the alt credits/'Big3' affordable options talked about here - after all, I only graduated from TESU 5 years ago (and it was TESC, for College, just shortly before that). One of the best things the UMPI has going for it that TESU has also is that it is a state school. In the US state schools are never questioned as being 'legit' or not (although all the schools we recommend here are legitimate, whether private or public) - the public state school factor was important to me because of that. I did not want there to be any question. There is nothing wrong with SNHU, it may have a name that sounds like a state school - but it is not (it is a non-profit private university). The bachelor programs currently offered through UMPI's YourPace program are an amazing value right now (5 years from now, who knows what they'll offer, what credits they'll accept - these bargains are not guaranteed indefinitely, some of us long term forum members could write a book on the history of all the 'once upon a time you could...'but overall things are better, easier, and offer many more options now)

At 24, I'd suspect she would also like to just get this done, have it over with, and move on with her life - UMPI offers that as well as the bargain price.

Hey, if she really hustled and got it done with UMPI in a term or two - she'd still have money left over for the $3k HAU MBA. Again, wasn't around when I started my master. I do have a family member who was able to take advantage of it; another amazing deal we don't know how long it will last, but it's an option today.

Amberton University
- MS Human Relations and Business - 2022
Thomas Edison State University (TESU)
- BSBA General Management - 2018
- ASNSM Computer Science -2018

What a wealth of information! You are correct she does want to get this done and over with and move on. Yes how times have changed whenI graduated with my MBA in 1999 I don’t think any once options were available in my region.

We have a lot of information to look at this weekend. Do you happen to know if you can take courses on Study.com or Sophia while concurrently enrolled at UMPI?

Thanks again allvia!

[rachel83az]

Technically, yes, it's possible to transfer in SDC/Sophia credits after enrollment. However, both we and UMPI discourage this heavily. UMPI requires that students obtain permission before transferring in additional credits after enrollment. We discourage it because it's simply a waste of money to do so. The more time you have to focus on UMPI classes, the faster you can complete them and the cheaper your degree will be.

If you spend 2 months at Sophia + 2 terms at UMPI, the cost works out to be almost exactly $3000 for the degree.

If you spend 1 month at Sophia + 2 more months (due to lack of available time/attention), that's already an extra $100 that you didn't have to spend. But you could wind up needing an extra session at UMPI because of the split attention and that would cost another $1400. Why spend an unnecessary $1500+ when you don't have to?

Sometimes, there are good reasons for after-enrollment transfers (a few students have only found this forum after starting, and thus were not aware of how terrible UMPI's YourPace foreign language and science classes are). But why risk spending an extra 50% for your degree on purpose? Do things in one go, if at all possible.

If you are concerned about not transferring in enough credits the first time, it is possible to apply and then (after you get your evaluation) ask to have your enrollment deferred while you finish up a few classes that you "started while waiting". That way, you're not paying for both UMPI and Sophia/SDC at the same time.

[Dooj]

My TESU experience was great. They still have the most variety of degrees out of our list of DIY degree schools. They are also a good choice if someone isn't able to take on sprinting through courses to maximize a pay by the term approach.

Thanks for the information davewill. That is great to hear.  It is nice to have options!

[Charles Fout]

Hello all, this is my first post and I want to first thank everyone who has contributed to this site. There is a wealth of information to absorb here.

I am trying to assist my daughter find a degree completion program for a BSBA in Business Administration.I saw the degree completion program for the SNHU business degree and wanted to see if my line of thinking is correct and I am on the right track.

Daughter is 24 years old, working full time and has the evenings and weekends for coursework. There will be no financial aid available so she will be paying out of pocket.
She currently has 62 transfer credits from a Virginia Community College completed Associate’s degree. All courses listed below are 3 credits with the exception of the science courses which were 4 cr.

English Composition 1
English Composition 2
Introduction to Public Speaking
Pre-Calculus
Applied Calculus1
Statistics
Introduction to Computers
Spreadsheet Applications-Excel
History of Western Civilization 1
History of Western Civilization 2
Survey of American Literature 1
Survey of American Literature 2
General Biology 1 w/lab
Biology of the Environment w/lab
Introduction to Business
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Accounting 1-Financial
Accounting 2-Managerial
Business Law

So I guess to maximize transfer credit to SNHU if she decides on this program we should look for 28 more transferable courses from sites such as Sophia and study.com to reach 90 transfer cr.

We will also look at other degree plans as well. Also Once a program is decided on we have to obviously apply and see how the credits transfer and take it from there. I just wanted to see if my line of thinking is correct.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any input!

Best,

Dooj

Have you and/or your daughter asked these questions of SNHU? Have you discussed establishing a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Agreement with your daughter and the educational institution? Such an agreement may be helpful to the two of you if she does want your assistance.

[Dooj]

Technically, yes, it's possible to transfer in SDC/Sophia credits after enrollment. However, both we and UMPI discourage this heavily. UMPI requires that students obtain permission before transferring in additional credits after enrollment. We discourage it because it's simply a waste of money to do so. The more time you have to focus on UMPI classes, the faster you can complete them and the cheaper your degree will be.

If you spend 2 months at Sophia + 2 terms at UMPI, the cost works out to be almost exactly $3000 for the degree.

If you spend 1 month at Sophia + 2 more months (due to lack of available time/attention), that's already an extra $100 that you didn't have to spend. But you could wind up needing an extra session at UMPI because of the split attention and that would cost another $1400. Why spend an unnecessary $1500+ when you don't have to?

Sometimes, there are good reasons for after-enrollment transfers (a few students have only found this forum after starting, and thus were not aware of how terrible UMPI's YourPace foreign language and science classes are). But why risk spending an extra 50% for your degree on purpose? Do things in one go, if at all possible.

If you are concerned about not transferring in enough credits the first time, it is possible to apply and then (after you get your evaluation) ask to have your enrollment deferred while you finish up a few classes that you "started while waiting". That way, you're not paying for both UMPI and Sophia/SDC at the same time.

More great feedback. You all are well versed and this information is extremely helpful. What a great source this board is . I hope to pay it forward one day.  I’m going to make a spreadsheet shortly of my plan. She will need a language so she will start with Spanish 1 on Sophia in the vey near future along with a couple more gen Ed’s. Thank you very much rachel83az!

---

Hello all, this is my first post and I want to first thank everyone who has contributed to this site. There is a wealth of information to absorb here.

I am trying to assist my daughter find a degree completion program for a BSBA in Business Administration.I saw the degree completion program for the SNHU business degree and wanted to see if my line of thinking is correct and I am on the right track.

Daughter is 24 years old, working full time and has the evenings and weekends for coursework. There will be no financial aid available so she will be paying out of pocket.
She currently has 62 transfer credits from a Virginia Community College completed Associate’s degree. All courses listed below are 3 credits with the exception of the science courses which were 4 cr.

English Composition 1
English Composition 2
Introduction to Public Speaking
Pre-Calculus
Applied Calculus1
Statistics
Introduction to Computers
Spreadsheet Applications-Excel
History of Western Civilization 1
History of Western Civilization 2
Survey of American Literature 1
Survey of American Literature 2
General Biology 1 w/lab
Biology of the Environment w/lab
Introduction to Business
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Accounting 1-Financial
Accounting 2-Managerial
Business Law

So I guess to maximize transfer credit to SNHU if she decides on this program we should look for 28 more transferable courses from sites such as Sophia and study.com to reach 90 transfer cr.

We will also look at other degree plans as well. Also Once a program is decided on we have to obviously apply and see how the credits transfer and take it from there. I just wanted to see if my line of thinking is correct.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any input!

Best,

Dooj

Have you and/or your daughter asked these questions of SNHU? Have you discussed establishing a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Agreement with your daughter and the educational institution? Such an agreement may be helpful to the two of you if she does want your assistance.

Thank you for reminding me about this Charles. This is important. I had one at her previous institution and will be sure to make sure one is in place going forward. Appreciate the tip!