Is UMPI my most affordable option?

[tastyoat]

So glad to have found this forum, as I've been researching online and am ready to earn my degree! 

Background
My last experience with competency based education was with WGU back in 2010. At that time grading took quite awhile and it was hard to progress - I only stayed one term and it left some anxiety. I currently work in tech, but would like to transition into consulting in the next 7-10 years. My goal is to earn a Masters degree, and I would like to be able to gain admission to an online program similar to UT Permian Basin.

I currently have 77.36 regionally accredited credits, and I'm thinking that a quick Liberal Arts degree at UMPI might be the ideal fit for me, with a focus area - still researching this. I was really excited about this path forward, but after seeing comments on slow grading / delayed enrollments I'm a little nervous and researching a few other programs. I plan to pay out of pocket, and feel like I can't afford admin delays.

My question
I've read quite a few posts and it looks like grading at UMPI is pretty consistent at 3 days. Is that current? Any current student concerns?

Apologies if this is not the right place to ask, and thanks in advance!

[Duneranger]

I mean 3-5 days is average.

My BS degree took 4.5 years. People complaining about week-long grade times when a degree will, at most, take 6 months are beyond out of touch with how much worse it can be.

This should not be a deciding factor at all....

[tastyoat]

Thanks so much for clarifying. From the tone I understood it was much longer and impacted progression.

[bjcheung77]

@tastyoat, Welcome to the board, that's a good intro post, I highly suggest you complete the addendum and template as it would provide us a better overall picture of your scenario. UMPI has made changes, moved to a different learning management system, added many students and is short-staffed, etc, they're also trying to add more programs and staff, plus maybe some other updates in the near future. Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

[tastyoat]

Thank you for the link, I'll get my post together soon

[tastyoat]

Hi! I've always felt embarrassed about my scattered education, grateful to everyone who has shared their path to a degree. I'd appreciate help confirming the most affordable Bachelors option that will leverage my completed coursework below.

I love the idea of YourPace and THINK a UMPI Liberal Studies degree with an MIS minor is my best fit, but I'm also eyeing the BBA Project Management & Information Systems. Quite a few of the minors for the Liberal Studies path look interesting, would appreciate your suggestions. I'm planning to use Sophia to reach 90 transferable credits. I'm open to other schools, but eliminated the below: 

• Excelsior - no longer accepting credits of any age
  
• TESC (prior student 2011, can return) - more expensive / tougher to progress without TCEPS
  
• WGU (prior student 2010, can return) - limited transferability, no longer worried about tech degree 
  

Your Location: CA 

Your Age: almost 40 

What kind of degree do you want?: Bachelor’s, but my longer term goal is to get into an online Masters program. Something like UT Permian Basin.

Current Regional Accredited Credits: 86.36

Colorado Tech University Online - Quarter system:
Total Credits: 21.36 

• Business Software Applications  2.67 A
  
• Introduction to Business  2.67 A
  
• Intermediate Composition / English Composition 2.67 A
  
• Introduction to Sociology  2.67 A
  
• Latin American Culture  2.67 A
  
• Professional Communication  2.67 B
  
• Business Presentations  2.67 A
  
• Business Math  2.67 A
  

Fort Hays State University
Total Credits: 27

• Intro to US National Politics  3 A
  
• Survey of Western Civ to 1600  3 C
  
• Survey Western Civ Since 1600  3 A
  
• General Psychology  3 B
  
• Principles of Culture  3 B
  
• Succeeding in College  3 A
  
• Survey of Art History  3 B
  
• Personal Wellness  3 A
  
• Social Problems  3 B
  

Regis University
Total Credits: 30

• Ethics for IT Professional  3 A-
  
• Principles of Microeconomics 3 A-
  
• Acctg Princ & Mgmt Concepts  4 A-
  
• Calculus I B
  
• Control Structures 3 B
  
• Computer Science Fundamentals  3 A-
  
• World Religious Traditions II  3 B
  

WGU
Total Credits: 7 

• Research Writing  3 Pass
  
• Found of Language & Communicat  3 Pass
  
• Education Without Boundaries  1 Pass
  

Thomas Edison State College
Total Credits: 9 

• CIS 311 System Analysis and Design 3 B-
  
• CIS 320 Database Management 3 B-
  
• COS 213 C++ Programming 3 B
  

Any certifications or military experience?  PG UX Cert / UT Austin McCombs. I also have a few Google (Ads, Marketing) and Meta certs if I need them for credit. Was married to the military in a past life, so tried degree programs marketed to the military. 

Budget: Most of the schools on this site seem workable if I have a solid plan to finish within a year. I definitely don't want to spend more than 7-10k, but would prefer to spend less. I finally paid off my prior loans, and don't plan to take any on this time.  
 
Commitments: I've set a soft goal of getting this done within a year, but have family, work, and community commitments. I work in tech (CX/UX), and our teams a bit lean. Also have a few health needs and prioritize life/work balance.

Dedicated time to study: 7-10 hours per week ideal 

Timeline: 1 year or less

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: Nope!

[bjcheung77]

Merged your threads together for more detailed info, I have questions before I go into answers...
TESU is my choice, you have 9 residency credits, 2 more classes will meet residency requirements
To elaborate, Business Capstone, plus Lib Arts Capstone can get you the BSBA plus BACS degrees

1) Do you still have active duty status tuition discounts? If so, add TESU back onto the list!
2) You mentioned loans, did you not try going for fin aid and get Pell Grant or anything similar?
3) Do you already have an associates degree from any of the institutions you have attended?

[tastyoat]

1) Do you still have active duty status tuition discounts? If so, add TESU back onto the list!

No, no longer have military affiliation

2) You mentioned loans, did you not try going for fin aid and get Pell Grant or anything similar?

I wont qualify for grants, but may for subsidized loans - I'll have to refile a FAFSA

3) Do you already have an associates degree from any of the institutions you have attended?

I do not, but did think about the option in the past at TESC, had thought about confirming both. It think I remember it was a lower fee to do both, but I might be making that up.

---

And thanks for merging! I wasn't 100% sure where to post after reading through the instructions.

[LevelUP]

I would lean towards TESU as well, as you only need to take 2 more courses to meet the residency requirement. Your total cost would be $3565.

https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...egree_Plan

[tastyoat]

Appreciate the guidance. I’ll take a closer look at my options at TESC.