Seeking help on degree plan

[jaymison]

Your Location: massachusetts, usa
Your Age: 20
What kind of degree do you want?: I’m looking for a four-year degree in any field; the specific major and minor aren’t important to me—I just want to "check the box." I’ve noticed that some classes at UMPI take longer than others, so I’m curious if there’s a degree plan that allows me to complete my studies in one session by focusing on classes that can be finished quickly. I’m open to any major as long as I can finish fast. Also, I understand that you guys tend to maximize minors, but if having no minor helps me finish quickly, that’s what I want—something fast to complete in one session.
Any certifications or military experience?: I'm set to graduate with a Pierpont BOG associate degree this December, and I have no military experience or other certifications
Budget: 10k
Commitments: full time job
Dedicated time to study: Every day, for as long as necessary
Timeline: asap
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: n/a

 
Current Regional Accredited Credits:
ASU credits
Business Tech Fundamental

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:

Coursera credits
Google IT

Sophia Credits
Principles of Accounting I     
Managerial Accounting     
Introduction to Business     
Economic Principles & Probs I     
Economic Prin & Problems II     
Intro to Financial Management     
Nutrition     
Developing Effective Teams     
Essentials Managing Conflict
Foundations of Statistics         
Anatomy & Physiology I     
Anatomy & Physiology II     
Art History II
Conflict Resolution
Environmental Science         
Human Biology     
Intro Information Technology     
Intro to Relational Databases
Introduction to Chemistry         
Introduction to Ethics     
Lifespan Development     
Microbiology         
Project Management     
Visual Communications     
Introduction to Statistics
College Algebra         
Applied Calculus I

[allvia]

If you're looking for a good all around bachelor with positive ROI I'd recommend the UMPI BBA, choose the minor that interests you the most. The M&L has been known to be the quickest, but since your work experience would be limited due to your age, the one that you have the most interest in could actually be more enjoyable (without taking any extra time). You're too young to go the BLS route, and it certainly wouldn't be any quicker. I recommend the BBA because no matter what field you end up working in the BBA applies; it's all some sort of 'business' at the end of the work day.

[origamishuttle]

It's a bit unusual for a 20-year-old student to want a purely check-the-box degree. Usually there's at least a minimum level of discretion, considering that your entire career is ahead of you. Given that, I would also recommend the business degree. However, the BLS (and the BAS if you can quickly get more Coursera certs and Sophia tech courses) should have more flexibility, so they would probably be faster and easier to complete:

BLS Management
BLS MIS
BLS PM
BAS

[ss20ts]

It's a bit unusual for a 20-year-old student to want a purely check-the-box degree. Usually there's at least a minimum level of discretion, considering that your entire career is ahead of you. Given that, I would also recommend the business degree. However, the BLS (and the BAS if you can quickly get more Coursera certs and Sophia tech courses) should have more flexibility, so they would probably be faster and easier to complete:

BLS Management
BLS MIS
BLS PM
BAS

I would never recommend a BLS or BAS for someone who is 20. I would recommend them for someone with 20 years of work history and experience because they really need to check a box. Their experience is why they're hired. 

One issue I ran into with the BLS is no one has ever heard of it so they either thought it was a bogus degree or they wanted to sit and chat about the degree not the job I was trying to land. No one has heard of a BAS either. Once I had my BA and I removed the BLS from my resume interviewing became entirely different. Definitely easier to land an interview with a BA than a BLS and I have decades of experience but I was changing careers.

[jaymison]

[quote pid='429932' dateline='1730131994']

origamishuttleIt's a bit unusual for a 20-year-old student to want a purely check-the-box degree. Usually there's at least a minimum level of discretion, considering that your entire career is ahead of you. Given that, I would also recommend the business degree. However, the BLS (and the BAS if you can quickly get more Coursera certs and Sophia tech courses) should have more flexibility, so they would probably be faster and easier to complete:

BLS Management
BLS MIS
BLS PM
BAS
[/quote]

I’m looking to complete my degree quickly, and the "Check the Box" option I was referring to is for Army OCS or enlisting as an E4. The major doesn’t matter to me—whether it’s a Bachelor’s in Production of Beer, Knitting Lingerie, or even something like Painting with Crayola or History—I just want to finish something as soon as possible.

While researching on Reddit, I came across mixed opinions on which program is the fastest. Some people suggested a BLS in Management and Leadership, while others mentioned a BBA in Management and Leadership. My main question is: which option is truly the fastest to complete, regardless of career prospects or ROI? I just want to get it done ASAP.

---

It's a bit unusual for a 20-year-old student to want a purely check-the-box degree. Usually there's at least a minimum level of discretion, considering that your entire career is ahead of you. Given that, I would also recommend the business degree. However, the BLS (and the BAS if you can quickly get more Coursera certs and Sophia tech courses) should have more flexibility, so they would probably be faster and easier to complete:

BLS Management
BLS MIS
BLS PM
BAS

I would never recommend a BLS or BAS for someone who is 20. I would recommend them for someone with 20 years of work history and experience because they really need to check a box. Their experience is why they're hired. 

One issue I ran into with the BLS is no one has ever heard of it so they either thought it was a bogus degree or they wanted to sit and chat about the degree not the job I was trying to land. No one has heard of a BAS either. Once I had my BA and I removed the BLS from my resume interviewing became entirely different. Definitely easier to land an interview with a BA than a BLS and I have decades of experience but I was changing careers.

Actually, I plan to use this for my Army enlistment when I join. They don’t mind; credit is credit, and a four-year degree is a four-year degree.

---

If you're looking for a good all around bachelor with positive ROI I'd recommend the UMPI BBA, choose the minor that interests you the most. The M&L has been known to be the quickest, but since your work experience would be limited due to your age, the one that you have the most interest in could actually be more enjoyable (without taking any extra time). You're too young to go the BLS route, and it certainly wouldn't be any quicker. I recommend the BBA because no matter what field you end up working in the BBA applies; it's all some sort of 'business' at the end of the work day.

Why would you recommend a BBA in Management and Leadership over a BLS in Management and Leadership? I’ve heard some people say they switched from a BBA to a BLS because it was faster. I’m just curious, as I’m not sure which option is actually quicker.

[ss20ts]

Back when UMPI classes were on the Strut Learning Platform, the BLS was a smidge faster and even then it varied from person to person. Neither is faster than the other today. You take the same classes pretty much. I would recommend a BA in anything over a BLS for a 20 year old. In fact, I would recommend any BA over a BLS for almost everyone because you'll never need to explain a BA. A BA won't keep your from being interviewed where a BLS can. Think big picture. You're 20. You have decades of work ahead of you. Think of life post military. You never know how long you'll be able to be in the military. I know many who had grand plans, but life threw them a curveball.

[jaymison]

Back when UMPI classes were on the Strut Learning Platform, the BLS was a smidge faster and even then it varied from person to person. Neither is faster than the other today. You take the same classes pretty much. I would recommend a BA in anything over a BLS for a 20 year old. In fact, I would recommend any BA over a BLS for almost everyone because you'll never need to explain a BA. A BA won't keep your from being interviewed where a BLS can. Think big picture. You're 20. You have decades of work ahead of you. Think of life post military. You never know how long you'll be able to be in the military. I know many who had grand plans, but life threw them a curveball.

I appreciate your support, but right now, I just want to take quick action. Later, when I have military benefits, I plan to pursue something I truly enjoy, even if it means using some credits towards a degree that might not be ideal.

[ss20ts]

I'm telling you the BLS and the BA will take the same amount of time to complete. You'll be taking many of the same courses. I've completed both and neither one was easier or faster.

[allvia]

If you're looking for a good all around bachelor with positive ROI I'd recommend the UMPI BBA, choose the minor that interests you the most. The M&L has been known to be the quickest, but since your work experience would be limited due to your age, the one that you have the most interest in could actually be more enjoyable (without taking any extra time). You're too young to go the BLS route, and it certainly wouldn't be any quicker. I recommend the BBA because no matter what field you end up working in the BBA applies; it's all some sort of 'business' at the end of the work day.

Why would you recommend a BBA in Management and Leadership over a BLS in Management and Leadership? I’ve heard some people say they switched from a BBA to a BLS because it was faster. I’m just curious, as I’m not sure which option is actually quicker.

@jaymison - with the credits you already have completed the BLS won't be any faster than the BBA. You just need to plan out more selectivity what else you're going to transfer in from outside UMPI, as the BBA has less electives.

[jaymison]

I'm telling you the BLS and the BA will take the same amount of time to complete. You'll be taking many of the same courses. I've completed both and neither one was easier or faster.

You mentioned that any BA is better than a BLS. Where did you earn your BA? Which major do you recommend for finishing quickly, and do you think the Business Administration BA with a Management & Leadership concentration from UMPI is a good choice? I’ve heard that accounting courses can be quite time-consuming, so I’m curious about that. What do you think of the History BA from UMPI and other BAs in terms of class structure? I know some classes can be completed in just one session, while others take a week.