UMPI - Trying to Understand PL and ACE?

[jadkins77]

Hey all,

I've learned so much here over my research stage. Thank you! I hope to enroll at UMPI for the BA of English. I have 41 credits from college (25 years ago. Not sure credits expire?) and I'm starting to fill in as many as possible from Sophia. When inquiring about ACE credits, Shea from UMPI said this: 

"After completion of your degree audit the two of you will be able to accurately discuss your options for prior learning assessment. Prior learning can be granted for up to 10 courses and can be obtained through AP credits, Clep Exams, ACE credits (Sophia and Study.com fall under this), External Credit Review (certificates and trainings) and Portfolio Review."

From what I'm reading on here, either I'm understanding that wrong, or I should really be looking at what classes to take more strategically. Was this your experience? Also, is anyone in the BA of English at UMPI? 

[rachel83az]

If you read the various threads on UMPI, they are quite happy to accept "unlimited" transfer credits but you must complete at least 30 credits with UMPI itself. It sounds like Shea might be quoting either from old requirements or requirements for the regular (not YourPace) programs. Both ashkir and ss20ts had 80-90 ACE credits transferred to UMPI.

College credits can "expire" in that old ones might not be accepted for certain degrees at certain schools. I'm not sure what UMPI's policies are but you're probably safe.

[jadkins77]

If you read the various threads on UMPI, they are quite happy to accept "unlimited" transfer credits but you must complete at least 30 credits with UMPI itself. It sounds like Shea might be quoting either from old requirements or requirements for the regular (not YourPace) programs. Both ashkir and ss20ts had 80-90 ACE credits transferred to UMPI.

College credits can "expire" in that old ones might not be accepted for certain degrees at certain schools. I'm not sure what UMPI's policies are but you're probably safe.

Thank you! That's helpful. I'm going to assume the same experience as ashkir and ss20ts. Fingers crossed!

[ss20ts]

Hey all,

I've learned so much here over my research stage. Thank you! I hope to enroll at UMPI for the BA of English. I have 41 credits from college (25 years ago. Not sure credits expire?) and I'm starting to fill in as many as possible from Sophia. When inquiring about ACE credits, Shea from UMPI said this: 

"After completion of your degree audit the two of you will be able to accurately discuss your options for prior learning assessment. Prior learning can be granted for up to 10 courses and can be obtained through AP credits, Clep Exams, ACE credits (Sophia and Study.com fall under this), External Credit Review (certificates and trainings) and Portfolio Review."

From what I'm reading on here, either I'm understanding that wrong, or I should really be looking at what classes to take more strategically. Was this your experience? Also, is anyone in the BA of English at UMPI? 

I have credits from 1993 that UMPI accepted. That policy Shea spoke of is the old one. You really want all of your credits done before you apply so everything comes in. Once you're enrolled you need permission from your academic advisor to take courses outside of UMPI. Without their approval the courses are not transferable into your degree. 

What courses do you already have? I can tell you what I suggest you complete on Sophia prior to applying. 

---

If you read the various threads on UMPI, they are quite happy to accept "unlimited" transfer credits but you must complete at least 30 credits with UMPI itself. It sounds like Shea might be quoting either from old requirements or requirements for the regular (not YourPace) programs. Both ashkir and ss20ts had 80-90 ACE credits transferred to UMPI.

College credits can "expire" in that old ones might not be accepted for certain degrees at certain schools. I'm not sure what UMPI's policies are but you're probably safe.

I did not transfer in 80-90 ACE credits. I transferred in 12 ACE credits. Everything else is RA. I actually transferred in 186 credits total. 

[jadkins77]

rachel83az, that's amazing! Thank you for sharing your experience. And an amazing, generous offer, too! If you don't mind, here's what I have for old credits.

• Fundamentals of Speech Comm (CMST 191)
  
• Contemporary Mathematics (Math 111)
  
• Introduction to Theatre (THDA 111)
  
• Accelerated College English (ENG 112)
  
• History of Jazz (MUS 110)
  
• Intro to Political Science (POLS 103)
  
• Keyboarding   (BEOA 201)
  
• Chemistry Appreciation (CHEM 100)
  
• Intro to Rhetorical Studies (CMST 283)
  
• General Psych (PSY 210)
  

I've taken/am currently taking from Sophia

• Visual Communications
  
• Communications at Work
  
• Introduction to Information Technology
  
• Developing Effective Teams
  

[ss20ts]

rachel83az, that's amazing! Thank you for sharing your experience. And an amazing, generous offer, too! If you don't mind, here's what I have for old credits.

• Fundamentals of Speech Comm (CMST 191)
  
• Contemporary Mathematics (Math 111)
  
• Introduction to Theatre (THDA 111)
  
• Accelerated College English (ENG 112)
  
• History of Jazz (MUS 110)
  
• Intro to Political Science (POLS 103)
  
• Keyboarding   (BEOA 201)
  
• Chemistry Appreciation (CHEM 100)
  
• Intro to Rhetorical Studies (CMST 283)
  
• General Psych (PSY 210)
  

I've taken/am currently taking from Sophia

• Visual Communications
  
• Communications at Work
  
• Introduction to Information Technology
  
• Developing Effective Teams
  

Based on my experience and ashkir's experience, this is what I recommend you take from Sophia then apply to UMPI. I would NOT take any English or public speaking classes. They are MUCH shorter and faster at UMPI. You will need to complete not only your major, but the GEC (UMPI's gen eds), and general electives. UMPI offers every course you need to complete the degree so don't panic over needing to take American Government or French or Spanish (you'll need to take one of them). The GEC courses are NOT difficult at all. 

Ancient Greek Philosophers
Approaches to Studying Religions
College Algebra
Communication at Work
Conflict Resolution
Environmental Science
Introduction to Ethics (Take Ancient Greek Philosophers first)
Introduction to Information Technology
Information to Sociology
Introduction to Statistics
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
US History I & II
Visual Communications

Those are the only courses I would take as an English major at Sophia. I would complete them, then apply to UMPI. Feel free to send me a pm with any questions you have about UMPI.

[jadkins77]

rachel83az, that's amazing! Thank you for sharing your experience. And an amazing, generous offer, too! If you don't mind, here's what I have for old credits.

• Fundamentals of Speech Comm (CMST 191)
  
• Contemporary Mathematics (Math 111)
  
• Introduction to Theatre (THDA 111)
  
• Accelerated College English (ENG 112)
  
• History of Jazz (MUS 110)
  
• Intro to Political Science (POLS 103)
  
• Keyboarding   (BEOA 201)
  
• Chemistry Appreciation (CHEM 100)
  
• Intro to Rhetorical Studies (CMST 283)
  
• General Psych (PSY 210)
  

I've taken/am currently taking from Sophia

• Visual Communications
  
• Communications at Work
  
• Introduction to Information Technology
  
• Developing Effective Teams
  

Based on my experience and ashkir's experience, this is what I recommend you take from Sophia then apply to UMPI. I would NOT take any English or public speaking classes. They are MUCH shorter and faster at UMPI. You will need to complete not only your major, but the GEC (UMPI's gen eds), and general electives. UMPI offers every course you need to complete the degree so don't panic over needing to take American Government or French or Spanish (you'll need to take one of them). The GEC courses are NOT difficult at all. 

Ancient Greek Philosophers
Approaches to Studying Religions
College Algebra
Communication at Work
Conflict Resolution
Environmental Science
Introduction to Ethics (Take Ancient Greek Philosophers first)
Introduction to Information Technology
Information to Sociology
Introduction to Statistics
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
US History I & II
Visual Communications

Those are the only courses I would take as an English major at Sophia. I would complete them, then apply to UMPI. Feel free to send me a pm with any questions you have about UMPI.

THANK YOU!   Do you think Intro to Rhetorical Studies would cover Sociology? I'm dying over College Algebra and Statistics. Do you think I'd need both? My Contemporary Math would be too low, correct?

[rachel83az]

I did not transfer in 80-90 ACE credits. I transferred in 12 ACE credits. Everything else is RA. I actually transferred in 186 credits total. 

Ah, okay, I misremembered. I thought you had mostly ACE credits. I knew you had a huge number of credits that you transferred in (compared to what most schools allow).

---

THANK YOU!   Do you think Intro to Rhetorical Studies would cover Sociology? I'm dying over College Algebra and Statistics. Do you think I'd need both? My Contemporary Math would be too low, correct?

Sophia Algebra and Stats are super easy for what they are. They're probably the easiest math courses out there with the exception of CSMLearn. Stats is much easier if you watch the videos, though.

[bjcheung77]

<gasp> Another 77 is in the house!  Hey, just popping in to say um, Hi?  Is this the UMPI YourPace program you're looking at?  I just read the info on UMPI's website, it's really an interesting program. There may be a few courses that can't be transferred into the program. 30 credits minimum at UMPI but some program courses may not be available elsewhere, you may need to take more than the 30 credits. Link: https://online.umpi.edu/programs/ba-prof...alism.aspx  

This is what I would recommend you do for competency based degree programs, first and foremost is to pace yourself and not rush it:  Work on the cheap/easy/fast courses first - Complete all the General Education Requirements & Electives with alternative credit.  For the major or program requirements, complete what can be transferred into the program with alternative credits.  For courses that may take more time or are more expensive or harder to complete, take them at the university instead.

---

Update: Oh forgot, they accept ACE, so you don't really need to just take Sophia.org, you can take Study.com courses as well for example.

[jadkins77]

<gasp> Another 77 is in the house!  Hey, just popping in to say um, Hi?  Is this the UMPI YourPace program you're looking at?  I just read the info on UMPI's website, it's really an interesting program. There may be a few courses that can't be transferred into the program. 30 credits minimum at UMPI but some program courses may not be available elsewhere, you may need to take more than the 30 credits. Link: https://online.umpi.edu/programs/ba-prof...alism.aspx  

This is what I would recommend you do for competency based degree programs, first and foremost is to pace yourself and not rush it:  Work on the cheap/easy/fast courses first - Complete all the General Education Requirements & Electives with alternative credit.  For the major or program requirements, complete what can be transferred into the program with alternative credits.  For courses that may take more time or are more expensive or harder to complete, take them at the university instead.

---

Update: Oh forgot, they accept ACE, so you don't really need to just take Sophia.org, you can take Study.com courses as well for example.

YES BJCHEUNG77!! Class of '95 back at it! Crazy talk, but what the heck? I missed out on the free Sophia, but leaving school is something I always regretted, so why not see if I still have it in me? I wish I would have had this enlightenment a year ago during the beginning of Covid, but today is as good of day as any, right? Yes, the BA in Professional Communications. I've been in the industry for many years, so I feel like it would be a pretty smooth ride, minus math and science. I am considering portfolio review as well, but it almost feels like that is more work than maybe taking some of the classes. Do you have any experience in that?

Thanks for your advice on not rushing it. I feel like my personality type is one to rush, rush, rush, but that might get overwhelming.