Jan 2022 Start: Any BABA PM graduates or current students? Grad student w/ questions.

[vanglorious]

I'm currently a part-time graduate student (MSCS) planning to train/pass my PMP exam before the end of this summer. While researching PMP training programs I noticed that UMPI had a BABA in PM that I could complete in 2 months (1 Term) only IF all 9 courses I would need, (I know there is a ten-course minimum) would be offered in the SAME term. 

I have a BSGS in Information System Studies from COSC. I went that route because I already had a ton of RA credits, an AA degree, and completed many of the major requirements. It was the fastest way for me to meet my goal of applying to Grad school in the Winter/Spring of 2021 and then entering in the Fall.

So, even though I accomplished my goal, my MSCS won't be conferred until 5/2023, and because the program is PT I have enough time to work on the BABA degree at UMPI.

BTW, I applied for UMPI in December but now I need:

#1. To find out what courses will be offered in the major and minor for the January and alternatively, March 2022 sessions.
#2. To know if ALL my official transcripts must be in by today (the deadline for the January session) or if they could arrive later. My transcript from COSC has ALL the credits they accepted from various institutions listed and labeled. This was sent electronically last week in addition to my Credly/Acclaim/ACE transcript. 

Additionally, I'd have to ask for permission to transfer in courses after enrollment, because I wanted to take 5 courses at Sophia.org to reduce the amount of time I'd need at UMPI. I'd complete them at the suggested 1 per every 3 days and would be done on/around the Jan 18th start date.

Note: I already have my Project+ (CompTIA) certification and have taken upper-level coursework in Project Management. So, I'm hopeful that a couple of the prerequisites can be waived allowing me to double up on the courses that are supposed to be completed in succession. 

Again, I see this as $1400 for PMP training plus an additional applicable degree thrown in. I'm not sure if I view the additional degree as WORTH an extra $1400 for a second term.

My plan:
- all GEC waived with Bachelor's degree

- these major/minor courses waived via previous coursework

BUS 353: Legal & Ethical Environment of Business (computer ethics)
PCJ 215: Business Communication (cornerstone or Sophia Conflict Resolution)
BUS 469: Strategic Professional Communication (capstone)
MAT 140: Mathematics for Business (calculus and/or statistics)
BUS 415: Operations Management (waived study.com)
BUS 345: Database Management Systems (waived study.com )
BUS 245: Programming for Managers (java or c)

Take at Sophia:
intro to business
micro
macro
financial accounting
conflict resolution (states replaces BUS 210 Organ. Communication but needs to replace PCJ 215: Business Communication)

If the Instacart course is easier; faster than the UMPI take:
Managerial Accounting

Take at UMPI:

Business Admin

BUS 200: Intermediate Business Computing
BUS 325: Financial Management
BUS 440: Business Analytics

PM

BUS 141: Introduction to Project Management with Microsoft Projects
BUS 240: Change Management
BUS 343: Project Risk & Cost Management
BUS 359: IT Project Management
BUS 400: Project Management Applications
BUS 401: Advanced Project Management Applications II

[rachel83az]

Have you seen this thread about the PMP? https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...a-be-a-PMP

[vanglorious]

Have you seen this thread about the PMP? https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...a-be-a-PMP

No. I just quickly skimmed through the post as I'm familiar with the various ways to meet the requirements for the PMP exam. My question is about dedicating the same amount of training time with an additional degree at UMPI as a bonus to certification.

[ashkir]

Honestly, if you can sit for the PMP, I would recommend just getting the PMP as it is more recognized over another degree specializing in PM. The BABA diploma will not list your concentration (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-Diploma-Arrived). I'd recommend following my guide that Rachel linked and move on and get your exam done.

The exam is changing soon, so any PM training you do in the next few months may be for an exam that gets changed again. Focus on the simulator and Andrew's course.

UMPI will not give you a 35 hour certificate for PMI needed for the exam anyways.

[vanglorious]

Honestly, if you can sit for the PMP, I would recommend just getting the PMP as it is more recognized over another degree specializing in PM. The BABA diploma will not list your concentration (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-Diploma-Arrived). I'd recommend following my guide that Rachel linked and move on and get your exam done.

The exam is changing soon, so any PM training you do in the next few months may be for an exam that gets changed again. Focus on the simulator and Andrew's course.

UMPI will not give you a 35 hour certificate for PMI needed for the exam anyways.

I AM getting the PMP. I'm just questioning whether or not to get another degree in addition to the PMP. I saw your post and ordered the book you suggested. When it arrives I'll start the video training as well. Additionally, I thought you didn't necessarily need a certificate but to prove you have 35 hours of training in PM coursework. I already have over 35+ hrs training via my CompTIA Projects+ CERTIFICATE. I also have over 35hrs via Project Management coursework.

I thought my post was clear but, it seems that the point is being lost:

If I can get both the PMP and the BABA in PM by studying the same amount of time, why not?

[ss20ts]

I wouldn't worry about getting a BABA with the PM concentration. It will bring you no value once you have your PMP. You'll also have a master's degree which will trump any bachelor's degrees.

And no you can't complete the PM concentration in 1 term as each course is not offered in every session. They are offered every semester. You also would have to complete a minimum of 30 credits at UMPI along with the majority of the UL courses. You already have a ton of UL courses completed. I wouldn't bother with this degree. Spend your time studying for the PMP exam instead.

[vanglorious]

I wouldn't worry about getting a BABA with the PM concentration. It will bring you no value once you have your PMP. You'll also have a master's degree which will trump any bachelor's degrees.

And no you can't complete the PM concentration in 1 term as each course is not offered in every session. They are offered every semester. You also would have to complete a minimum of 30 credits at UMPI along with the majority of the UL courses. You already have a ton of UL courses completed. I wouldn't bother with this degree. Spend your time studying for the PMP exam instead.

You know I was slightly irritated that my Bachelor's degree is from a school with the word "College" in the title so I was just using this as a way to earn one from an institution with "University" in the name. I know it's not necessary. I do like to hit certain milestones every 6-12 months and since I can't speed up my grad degree I was thinking about another Bachelor's degree. I'll just focus on getting my PMP and a few more certifications within the next 6 months instead.

[ss20ts]

You know I was slightly irritated that my Bachelor's degree is from a school with the word "College" in the title so I was just using this as a way to earn one from an institution with "University" in the name. I know it's not necessary. I do like to hit certain milestones every 6-12 months and since I can't speed up my grad degree I was thinking about another Bachelor's degree. I'll just focus on getting my PMP and a few more certifications within the next 6 months instead.

Your bachelor's degree will take a backseat to your master's. Don't worry about your bachelor's degree. Your PMP certification will pretty much trump every degree if you're a PM.

[ashkir]

If you would like to do a BABA from UMPI, it is a great choice. I think your CompTIA training might play in well for the PMI training requirement.

Before you take anything from Sophia/Study.com I think you may just want to get a full transcript sent from your MS and BS over to UMPI so you can get an evaluation. At that point don't agree to enroll once you get evaluated and you can then grab sophia credits/etc and ask to transfer them before you "enroll" fully.

[bjcheung77]

Let me get this correctly, you have a COSC BSGS ISS, you're going for a MSCS/PMP and you're thinking of getting a BABA in Project Management at UMPI for the time being? If you can get the BABA PM and PMP at the same time, yes, sure... go for it! I think you're studying some overlapping materials anyways. If you have the energy, money, time to spend on both, then do so... if you don't for any reason or another, stick with going the PMP route as your main focus.