Work experience

[diaosteve]

On the 2019-2020, the catalog states that for a student to be admitted in the YourPace programme requires the student to have at least 2 years work experience. However, on the 2021-2022 catalog, it simply states "Prior college and/or work experience is required for admission into the YourPace programs". I currently have 1 year and 8 months of post high-school work experience, does anyone have any idea of how strongly the "post high-school work experience" is enforced and would I be admitted. (I have met all the academic requirements)

[rachel83az]

As long as your age is at least 20, I don't think they care about your actual work experience.

[bjcheung77]

Application is free, you can apply and see what they say. I don't think it would be too much of an issue, as long as you have the bulk of the application requirements, you should be fine.

[ss20ts]

You need to be 20 years old. Work experience isn't really an issue. The age of the applicant is more of the issue. They do not accept students who aren't at least 20 years old.

[caledonia]

On the 2019-2020, the catalog states that for a student to be admitted in the YourPace programme requires the student to have at least 2 years work experience. However, on the 2021-2022 catalog, it simply states "Prior college and/or work experience is required for admission into the YourPace programs". I currently have 1 year and 8 months of post high-school work experience, does anyone have any idea of how strongly the "post high-school work experience" is enforced and would I be admitted. (I have met all the academic requirements)

The work requirement in the most recent catalog (2021-2022) doesn't include a minimum amount of time but uses the word "some." To me, 1 year and 8 months certainly qualifies as "some." So, you should be fine. The final decision will, of course, be up to UMPI admissions.

It should also be noted the minimum age appears to be 24 years old for YourPace rather than 20. 

http://catalog.umpi.edu/preview_program....4&poid=350

Not sure if the age requirement will affect you, but I wanted to mention it just in case.

[ss20ts]

The work requirement in the most recent catalog (2021-2022) doesn't include a minimum amount of time but uses the word "some." To me, 1 year and 8 months certainly qualifies as "some." So, you should be fine. The final decision will, of course, be up to UMPI admissions.

It should also be noted the minimum age appears to be 24 years old for YourPace rather than 20. 

http://catalog.umpi.edu/preview_program....4&poid=350

Not sure if the age requirement will affect you, but I wanted to mention it just in case.

It says:

Participants should be 24 or older, have the equivalent of a high school diploma, and some prior college credit and/or work experience.

Should is the key word. In the past they have not accepted students under 20. You definitely need a high school diploma or GED.

[bjcheung77]

I haven't verified, but I recall it's just 20 years of age for admissions to YourPace. But a previous post I had replied to shows my answers at 20 and was confirmed by another moderator. Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...t-20-or-24

[caledonia]

I haven't verified, but I recall it's just 20 years of age for admissions to YourPace.  But a previous post I had replied to shows my answers at 20 and was confirmed by another moderator.  Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...t-20-or-24

With all due respect, none of us here are the final arbiters of UMPI admission policies. I quoted the most recent UMPI catalog where it specifically referenced the YourPace program. I actually graduated from YourPace, but the age or work experience requirements weren't potential issues for me.

Have people younger than 24 attended and graduated from YourPace in the past? Absolutely. Will they make exceptions in the future? Perhaps. But there are no guarantees. As we've all seen on this board, universities change policies, or choose to enforce policies they previously hadn't seemed to care about, without warning. I prefer to err on the side of caution rather than relying on anecdotal evidence about exceptions to official university policies stated in the current course catalog.

OP should contact UMPI directly and inquire about their current admissions policies re: work experience and, if applicable, age.

[ss20ts]

With all due respect, none of us here are the final arbiters of UMPI admission policies. I quoted the most recent UMPI catalog where it specifically referenced the YourPace program. I actually graduated from YourPace, but the age or work experience requirements weren't potential issues for me.

Have people younger than 24 attended and graduated from YourPace in the past? Absolutely. Will they make exceptions in the future? Perhaps. But there are no guarantees. As we've all seen on this board, universities change policies, or choose to enforce policies they previously hadn't seemed to care about, without warning. I prefer to err on the side of caution rather than relying on anecdotal evidence about exceptions to official university policies stated in the current course catalog.

OP should contact UMPI directly and inquire about their current admissions policies re: work experience and, if applicable, age.

There have been people on here who were under 20 who contacted UMPI and were denied admission. I was never asked about my work experience at all for admission to UMPI.

[bjcheung77]

Application is free, you can apply and see what they say. I don't think it would be too much of an issue, as long as you have the bulk of the application requirements, you should be fine.

Yes, and to add, when you apply and see something that you may or may not have requirements for, ask their admissions or advising team at the institution, an easy email or quick call would work wonders.