Quick shoutout to DegreeForum and all of the helpful users...

[gregoryjosef]

First post! Little background on me: graduated high school about 15 years ago, college wasn't for me, gave up on school and focused on my career. I've made it very far in my career and can be considered "successful" but I had given up on getting my degree because of the time commitment and costs related to it. I've hit a bit of a road block because even though I'm in senior management, for me to jump to the C suite, I need a degree. I was content with just staying put forever. I was at peace with it.

Then I saw ashkir posting on Reddit about how he spent $2800~ to get his degree in under a year and I started doing research on everything. Stumbled on these forums, found out about UMPI, Sophia, Study.com, InstantCert, etc. Saw everyone posting here about how to efficiently and cheaply get a degree from a state school. I was blown away.

Long story short, after having given up on ever getting my degree, I just finished my bachelor's degree with UMPI in Business Admin with a concentration in leadership and management. Took me a total of four months, from April until August. Followed the BABA plan posted here, transferred in tons from Sophia, Study.com, and InstantCert. Finished my UMPI credits in one term after a ton of hard work and late nights. Now I have my degree and it has cost me about $2300. 

I'm shocked. I haven't even processed it yet, but I actually completed my degree in four months and for far, far, FAR less than I ever expected. I can't wait to receive my diploma in the mail and come to graduation next year. I can't thank you all enough for all of the posts, ideas, plans, and encouragement. Even though I haven't been posting alongside all of you for the last few months, I've been lurking, doing my research, making sure I'm doing things correctly, and focusing on school. 

I just want to say THANK YOU. To all of you. Ashkir, ss20ts, bjcheung77, and everyone who consistently posts trying to help everyone out. If she's reading this, shoutout to Jessica at UMPI too. She's been so amazing with everything. The whole UMPI team and YourPace program and the online system have all been a breeze. I can't believe we used to spend thousands of dollars on textbooks.

This forum has changed my life. Forever.

[Vle045]

That’s the best thing I could possibly read all day! Congratulations!!!!

[cerich67]

Awesome, feels good doesn't it, and not quite real. I was in same boat just over two years ago, now have a BSBA and MBA.

Congratulations!

[uncapentin]

WOW, that's so awesome and encouraging ! Bravo to you for buckling down and nailing it !!

[ss20ts]

Congratulations! Yeah I'm not enjoying buying textbooks in grad school. LOL I did enjoy not having to buy any books at UMPI. Good luck moving up to the C-suite!

[bjcheung77]

@gregoryjosef, congrats on getting the degree requirements completed in such a short time! Wow, what a record achievement! Hmm did you add the AALS freebie? Also, just curious what your plans are next... You're in the early part of your career, I guess you're going for a MAOL or MSML, maybe a MBA? There are a few competency based options that may be right for you, or if you want to take it slowly, the $3K MBA at HAU would do the trick and check the Masters box!

[gregoryjosef]

@gregoryjosef, congrats on getting the degree requirements completed in such a short time!  Wow, what a record achievement!  Hmm did you add the AALS freebie? Also, just curious what your plans are next...  You're in the early part of your career, I guess you're going for a MAOL or MSML, maybe a MBA?  There are a few competency based options that may be right for you, or if you want to take it slowly, the $3K MBA at HAU would do the trick and check the Masters box!

Not sure what's next! What's the AALS freebie? And what's this $3k MBA program?

[allvia]

@gregoryjosef, congrats on getting the degree requirements completed in such a short time!  Wow, what a record achievement!  Hmm did you add the AALS freebie? Also, just curious what your plans are next...  You're in the early part of your career, I guess you're going for a MAOL or MSML, maybe a MBA?  There are a few competency based options that may be right for you, or if you want to take it slowly, the $3K MBA at HAU would do the trick and check the Masters box!

Not sure what's next! What's the AALS freebie? And what's this $3k MBA program?

Yup, a legit RA MBA for $3k - https://mba.hauniv.edu  I have a family member halfway through it and they're getting a great deal out of it (and an amazing ROI). Not as fast as UMPI (it is slower more traditional, but quick 7 week courses) -however, you're probably not feeling the pressure to rush to complete that you might have before being a college graduate   - Main thread on the HAU MBA - https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...ersity-HAU

[cerich67]

@gregoryjosef, congrats on getting the degree requirements completed in such a short time!  Wow, what a record achievement!  Hmm did you add the AALS freebie? Also, just curious what your plans are next...  You're in the early part of your career, I guess you're going for a MAOL or MSML, maybe a MBA?  There are a few competency based options that may be right for you, or if you want to take it slowly, the $3K MBA at HAU would do the trick and check the Masters box!

Not sure what's next! What's the AALS freebie? And what's this $3k MBA program?

Hellenic American University has a scholarship going on where full MBA is only $3,000. Small school in NH, program online, RA

I did in 14 months, most will be around 18 it looks like.you can do multiple classes at once to go but faster, or one at a time and take a couple years without as much frantic like an accelerated undergrad.

I thought my BSBA at TESU was quick at 8 months and 3 days, you rocked it!

Awesome staff there's really nice people.

[bjcheung77]

@gregoryjosef, if you don't have an associates already, you can quickly email Jessica and have them add the program to your list as an additional/second program.  You don't have to do anything and it should be awarded the same time as the BABA.  UMPI AALS is just an AA Liberal Studies, get it free on route to the Bachelors: https://www.umpi.edu/academics/liberal-studies/

Review these two links for the Masters/MBA options that may interest you... 1: Best value MBA  2: Masters With What School?
Depending on how you want to do things, you may want a "one and done" solution, a MAOL at UMPI to finish off your education.
Another option is to do the WGU MSML and ladder to the HAU MBA or vice versa, if you would like an MBA added to your degrees.