New Member with a UMPI Question

[colonelcamp]

Hi Everyone,

I just joined and saw a post suggesting we all fill in the below questionnaire. Below is my story. I do have a preliminary question UMPI's BLS - Minor in Management. I found another post that contained some gret info on UMPI's BABA degree, specifically the UMPI classes you need to take and their ACE equivalents.

https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...quivalents

I was looking for the same for the BLS - Management degree, but couldn't find it. Can anyone direct me to that?


Thanks!

Chris

Your Location: NJ, United States.
Your Age: 48
What kind of degree do you want?:  Bachelor’s Liberal Studies – Management Minor.
Current Regional Accredited Credits: Hudson County Community College (currently enrolled and taking 7 credits - Spring 2024 Semester)
 
DegreeForum University Total Credits: 0
Google University Total Credits: 0
 
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: These are things like Study, Sophia, InstantCert InstantCredit, CLEP, Straighterline, Davar etc
 
Sophia Credits: 9 (as of 4-17-24)
Spanish I, 3, 98%
US Gov, 3, 92% or A
Intro to Sociology, 3, 92% or A
 
Any certifications or military experience? I have expired Cisco certifications: CCNA, CCNP, CCIE
 
Budget: I don’t really have a set budget for this. I can pay as I go. However, I would like the cheapest route possible and the two schools I’m considering are UMPI and WGU, but heavily leaning towards UMPI because of the degree programs offered. 
Commitments: I have 2 adult children (out of the house) plus a HS junior. I work full time from home mostly and have tons of time to commit to this endeavor. I have two dogs too, but they don’t present any challenges. If anything they makes things better ?.
Dedicated time to study: Plenty of time to study. I work from home and pretty much make my own schedule.
Timeline: I’ve been on Sophia for about 3 weeks and completed 3 courses for 9 credits, taking about 1 week completely off to devote to traditional college classes and the work for that. Once my college semester is over, I will be able to devote more time to Sophia and really get going with that, but my plan is to do as many of those ACE credits as possible before enrolling in UMPI (or maybe WGU). Possibly 6 months on Sophia and then perhaps 6-months to year at UMPI. As I understand it, UMPI accepts most ACE credits.
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: No.
 
Please provide any relevant details you may have that may help us determine a option or path for you to investigate, such as your preference towards either test-out (you're a great test taker) or competency based education (because you like assessments, assignments and have test anxiety).  What other details you provide us can help determine your course of action suited for your educational journey...
I’m a 48-year-old IT Manager with a pretty great career going. After graduating high school (94), I tried community college for 1 semester after the summer and didn’t complete it. It just wasn’t for me at that particular time in my life. I worked full time for about 3 years after that when a friend told me about this school he enrolled in where he was learning all sorts of networking technologies. He explained a bit what he was learning and having had an interest in technology, I sat in on a couple of classes and found that I really wanted to learn this stuff, plus the potential pay would be amazing compared to what I was earning. I enrolled, completed it after about 2 years, got my CCNA, then 2 years later my CCNP and then 3 years after that, my CCIE. I’ve worked as a network architect, solutions consultant, IT ops manager and as a pre-sales engineer over what’s been about a 25-year career.  It’s been a pretty good one with great earnings along the way.
The one thing I have always regretted is not having gotten my degree. With my youngest embarking on his college search (junior in HS), I’ve been inspired to finally do it. Will it help me career-wise? Maybe, but this is something I want to do for me. For the sake of the pursuit. I’m the kind of person that when I decided to do something, I get COMPLETELY locked in. I’ve committed to this, and I want it!

---

I just found it. Thanks!

https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...s-Question

[bjcheung77]

@colonelcamp, Welcome to the board, have you investigated and researched TESU since you're in NJ? You get NJ tuition plus, you get a 'local' institution vs out of state... My suggestion is, if you have the energy, money, and time... You can get a double associates, double bachelors, and be hitting 15 credits at TESU for residency purposes if you wanted.

Essentially, TESU/UMPI are very good choices for undergrad, you can do the UMPI MAOL if you're going the UMPI route, or WGU Masters if you're going the TESU route afterwards. You can't go wrong with either, TESU allows max 114 credits for transfer, UMPI allows 90 credits, TESU has a 15 credit residency if you want to skip the residency waiver fee.

Here's the WIKI for TESU: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...University
Degree Plans: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:TESU

[colonelcamp]

@colonelcamp, Welcome to the board, have you investigated and researched TESU since you're in NJ?  You get NJ tuition plus, you get a 'local' institution vs out of state... My suggestion is, if you have the energy, money, and time... You can get a double associates, double bachelors, and be hitting 15 credits at TESU for residency purposes if you wanted.

Essentially, TESU/UMPI are very good choices for undergrad, you can do the UMPI MAOL if you're going the UMPI route, or WGU Masters if you're going the TESU route afterwards.  You can't go wrong with either, TESU allows max 114 credits for transfer, UMPI allows 90 credits, TESU has a 15 credit residency if you want to skip the residency waiver fee.

Here's the WIKI for TESU: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...University
Degree Plans: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:TESU

Thanks for that @bjcheung77. I actually contacted TESU first and as I understand it, they only let you do a max of 15 credits per semester. I felt like this would take much longer than WGU or UMPI. This is before I realized how many credits I could do with Sophia first. I have learned a bit more about this process and will check out the link you provided and make sure I understand what they do and how.

I don't think I'm going to want to double up on anything, but maybe that will change!

Thx!

[bjcheung77]

Hmm, I just thought of a balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, to go with your experience, with your education/training in IT, maybe better to do the Pierpont BOG AAS Info Sys, ladder to the UMPI BAS Management & MIS minors and take the 3-4 classes that can go towards the MAOL if you decide to do that later. This thread has all the info you need/want: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...one-it-yet

[rachel83az]

Thanks for that @bjcheung77. I actually contacted TESU first and as I understand it, they only let you do a max of 15 credits per semester. I felt like this would take much longer than WGU or UMPI. This is before I realized how many credits I could do with Sophia first. I have learned a bit more about this process and will check out the link you provided and make sure I understand what they do and how.

I don't think I'm going to want to double up on anything, but maybe that will change!

Thx!

15 TESU credits per semester, yes. However, depending on what degree you're wanting to get, you can transfer in up to 117 or 114 credits. You would need a total of 30 RA credits, too. You can get 15 RA credits (relatively) easily and cheaply with a few LL TECEP exams or ASU Universal Learner courses. Because you want a business degree, you could do 105 credits at Sophia/Study.com/TECEPs/ASU/etc., then a flat-rate term at TESU with the cornerstone, capstone, and 3 easy classes to bring you up to 120 credits.

Depending on how quickly you can finish the non-TESU credits, the time to completion would be not too dissimilar from UMPI/WGU. Indeed, I believe most students wind up needing at least two WGU terms and I'm pretty sure TESU would have been faster for those students.

[allvia]

Hmm, I just thought of a balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, to go with your experience, with your education/training in IT, maybe better to do the Pierpont BOG AAS Info Sys, ladder to the UMPI BAS Management & MIS minors and take the 3-4 classes that can go towards the MAOL if you decide to do that later.  This thread has all the info you need/want: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...one-it-yet

@colonelcamp - in your situation 'the Pierpont BOG AAS Info Sys, ladder to the UMPI BAS Management & MIS minors' is an ideal match for you as bjcheung77 suggests. As far as the MAOL recommendation, sure it's an option, but there are plenty good graduate options should you choose to continue on to graduate school. You're at an age, and professional experience level, where it is more about checking 'the bachelor box' so the BLS works as well, but the BAS does sound better imo for your technical role. 

As an alumni of TESU, I think they're a great school and best option for many. However, even though TESU is the local school to you, I don't see how you'd gain value with the extra cost over UMPI.

[colonelcamp]

Hmm, I just thought of a balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, to go with your experience, with your education/training in IT, maybe better to do the Pierpont BOG AAS Info Sys, ladder to the UMPI BAS Management & MIS minors and take the 3-4 classes that can go towards the MAOL if you decide to do that later.  This thread has all the info you need/want: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...one-it-yet

@colonelcamp - in your situation 'the Pierpont BOG AAS Info Sys, ladder to the UMPI BAS Management & MIS minors' is an ideal match for you as bjcheung77 suggests. As far as the MAOL recommendation, sure it's an option, but there are plenty good graduate options should you choose to continue on to graduate school. You're at an age, and professional experience level, where it is more about checking 'the bachelor box' so the BLS works as well, but the BAS does sound better imo for your technical role. 

As an alumni of TESU, I think they're a great school and best option for many. However, even though TESU is the local school to you, I don't see how you'd gain value with the extra cost over UMPI.

I was thinking the same thing as far as cost. And also, as far as getting the degree itself, I really don't want it to be related to anything technical. For example, I'm a big history buff, so maybe something related to that. I'm doing this because I want to and want it to be a fun process. Maybe I'm taking the wrong approach???

[allvia]

Hmm, I just thought of a balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, to go with your experience, with your education/training in IT, maybe better to do the Pierpont BOG AAS Info Sys, ladder to the UMPI BAS Management & MIS minors and take the 3-4 classes that can go towards the MAOL if you decide to do that later.  This thread has all the info you need/want: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...one-it-yet

@colonelcamp - in your situation 'the Pierpont BOG AAS Info Sys, ladder to the UMPI BAS Management & MIS minors' is an ideal match for you as bjcheung77 suggests. As far as the MAOL recommendation, sure it's an option, but there are plenty good graduate options should you choose to continue on to graduate school. You're at an age, and professional experience level, where it is more about checking 'the bachelor box' so the BLS works as well, but the BAS does sound better imo for your technical role. 

As an alumni of TESU, I think they're a great school and best option for many. However, even though TESU is the local school to you, I don't see how you'd gain value with the extra cost over UMPI.

I was thinking the same thing as far as cost. And also, as far as getting the degree itself, I really don't want it to be related to anything technical. For example, I'm a big history buff, so maybe something related to that. I'm doing this because I want to and want it to be a fun process. Maybe I'm taking the wrong approach???

@colonelcamp - You're not taking the wrong approach at all. You have the luxury, that comes with age , to study and earn a bachelor in any subject that interests you. You have the professional certifications, and the work experience, already so the degree just gives you the one thing you can't do now - check 'the bachelor box'.

[colonelcamp]

Hmm, I just thought of a balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, to go with your experience, with your education/training in IT, maybe better to do the Pierpont BOG AAS Info Sys, ladder to the UMPI BAS Management & MIS minors and take the 3-4 classes that can go towards the MAOL if you decide to do that later.  This thread has all the info you need/want: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...one-it-yet

@colonelcamp - in your situation 'the Pierpont BOG AAS Info Sys, ladder to the UMPI BAS Management & MIS minors' is an ideal match for you as bjcheung77 suggests. As far as the MAOL recommendation, sure it's an option, but there are plenty good graduate options should you choose to continue on to graduate school. You're at an age, and professional experience level, where it is more about checking 'the bachelor box' so the BLS works as well, but the BAS does sound better imo for your technical role. 

As an alumni of TESU, I think they're a great school and best option for many. However, even though TESU is the local school to you, I don't see how you'd gain value with the extra cost over UMPI.

I was thinking the same thing as far as cost. And also, as far as getting the degree itself, I really don't want it to be related to anything technical. For example, I'm a big history buff, so maybe something related to that. I'm doing this because I want to and want it to be a fun process. Maybe I'm taking the wrong approach???

@colonelcamp - You're not taking the wrong approach at all. You have the luxury, that comes with age , to study and earn a bachelor in any subject that interests you. You have the professional certifications, and the work experience, already so the degree just gives you the one thing you can't do now - check 'the bachelor box'.

Yes!

[bjcheung77]

@colonelcamp, That's right, you can do the UMPI BAS with History & MIS minors, it won't really matter as you're doing this for the 'check the box' plus the option to take the classes you want, such as classes that interest you, or classes towards a subject you want to study more. The BAS/BLS both have 60 electives you can select from...