UMPLI, EU, TESU, SNHU, Columbia, Syracuse?

[SmirkinCat]

I'm a bit overwhelmed and still need advice on which college to choose that will allow me to obtain my bachelors fastest. 
I am contemplating on UMPLI, Excelsior, TESU, SNHU, Columbia College, or Syracuse.
 
I have 44 credits from LaGuardia CUNY:
ENG 101 – Composition I
ENG 102 – Writing Thru Lit
HUC 106 – Public Speaking
SSS 100 – Intro To Sociology
SYF 101 – FYS for Psychology
MAT 106 – Mathematics of Medical Dosages
SCV 101 – Intro to Veterinary Technology
SCD 200 – Intro to Nutrition
SSN 187 – Urban Sociology
MAT 107 – Math in Modern World
SCH 150 – Drugs & Behavior
SSY 101 – General Psych
SSY 240 – Developmental Psych I
SSH 101 – Themes American History I
SSY 230 – Abnormal Psychology


Your Location: NYC, NY
Your Age: 27
What kind of degree do you want?: Bachelors in sociology/psych/human services or BSW
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 44 
credits from CUNY (Laguardia CC)


Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: none


Any certifications or military experience? No military experience. 
No real certifications worth mentioning. (CPR, CPI, Trained Overdose Responder & Trainer, CPI, Child Mandated Reporter, F-80)


Work Experience: Human Services professional, experienced working with vulnerable populations: chronically homeless and individuals with mental illness & substance abuse. I worked mainly as a residential aide, harm reduction specialist, and am currently an Operations Manager at homeless shelters. 


Goal: To obtain a Bachelors as quickly as possible so I can enroll in a Masters degree program. 
My ultimately goal is to become a LCSW. 

Time Constraints: I currently work full time during the day as an Operations Manager at a homeless shelters. However, I am willing to do whatever it takes and will make time. I want to know which of these will give me a chance to earn credits faster.




Thank you for the time in reading this and I appreciate any advice!!

[allvia]

From your original post there were quite a few unanswered questions, they were all based on your end goal to become a LCSW - So I'll ask the one key question directly "Do you know which MSW program you're hoping to attended?" - knowing your budget would help too, any PELL Grant or employer tuition assistance?

[SmirkinCat]

From your original post there were quite a few unanswered questions, they were all based on your end goal to become a LCSW - So I'll ask the one key question directly "Do you know which MSW program you're hoping to attended?" - knowing your budget would help too, any PELL Grant or employer tuition assistance?

No, I don't. My plan is to get the bachelors first and then figure that out once I've obtained it or closer. (That may not be the smartest plan, but I just don't have any particular program in mind right now)
I don't believe my employer has any tuition assistance, we only have a self improvement stipend ($250).

I don't necessarily have a budget. I'm willing to fork out whatever I need to in order to knock out these credits. 

I looked into UMPLI and I'm currently in the process of waiting for them to receive my GED transcript (via mail). I can potentially start in October if all the paperwork is done. I would like to start on earning credits now in some way if that's possible.

[rachel83az]

FWIW, UMPI does NOT allow you to continue to transfer in credits the way some other schools do. Once you apply and are enrolled, you need to get approval to transfer in any further courses. Because of this, it is best to get as many GEC requirements out of the way as possible before even beginning the process. The fastest, easiest, and cheapest way to do that is via Sophia. See https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...quivalents for transfer possibilities. You also need a science with a lab. Again, the cheapest, easiest, and fastest would be Biology 101L from Study.com

[louise]

Here's my advice as someone about to obtain their LCSW.

1. Some MSW programs are going to require a bachelor's from a regionally accredited school so keep that in mind.
   
2. All MSW programs are going to be interested in your GPA so shoot for at least a 3.0.
   
3. You are not going to be able to get a BSW quickly, so I would focus on psychology, sociology, human services, etc. instead.
   
4. Try to minimize the cost because I'm sure you are aware that social work does not pay that well so I would focus on schools that will allow you to transfer in a lot of alternative credits or has really cheap tuition or flat-rate tuition if you have the time/motivation to move through classes quickly. 
   

Having said all of that...

• UMPI's YourPace BA in Criminal Justice is worth considering I think since you are wanting fast. It's also pretty affordable. 
  
• TESU can let you transfer in a lot of alternative credits so it can save you money and you could move through them quickly. 
  
• I'm going to assume Columbia and Syracuse are pretty expensive and don't have a self-pace option.
  
• If I'm recalling correctly EU is pretty expensive and I have no idea if they let you do self-pace programs. 
  

So UMPI or TESU look like the better options to me.

[dfrecore]

Dumb question here - why are you posting again as if this is new, when you previously posted and we had all kinds of discussions about this? Not being snarky, just honestly wondering where this is going.

Sociology degree
TESU - not sure if it can be completed via alt-credit, even using a FT/FR term - but a strong maybe
EU - no
UMPI - no

Human Services degree
TESU - almost positive it cannot be completed via alt-credit, even using a FT/FR term
EU - no
UMPI - no

BSW degree
TESU - no
EU - no
UMPI - no

Psych degree
TESU - yes, and can be completed via alt-credit
EU - yes, and can be completed via alt-credit
UMPI - no

[allvia]

The best advice (overall) advice is in your original thread here (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid374463) as it is from some one who has been where you are and had the same goal. Based on everything I would suggest you read that post again. With all said, I would personally recommend UMPI for the 'BLS in Management' (see wiki page - https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan). Why, you ak? Because it gets your goal to complete a bachelor that can get you into a master's to become a LCSW in NY - and it does so quickly, low-cost, and aligns with your current work (as an operations manager).  I know you haven't looked into all your options for a master's yet but I would suggest you look at the one at WNMU (https://socialwork.wnmu.edu/msw-non-adva...nding-page); the New Mexico public school's tuition are well known here (mostly for CCs) as being very affordable for out-of-state residents and the program is NY qualified.

[bjcheung77]

@SmirkinCat, allvia's advice is exactly what I would recommend. Essentially, UMPI BLS in any minor if you wanted to deviate slightly, make sure to have all the requirements for WNMU Masters entry completed if any.  The main thing right now is "starting" and not "stalling" at deciding which school to finish at or how to begin taking classes towards your goal...  

Basically, for UMPI, Excelsior, TESU, SNHU, you can transfer in almost the exact first 90 credits, you're at 44 credits right now, you can continue working on Sophia.org as they currently have a special going on with BTS22 coupon, make a spreadsheet and plan out your degree from each and decide which is better for YOU, you decide as we can't decide for you.

Last but not least, since you missed the template addendum a second time, there's a couple of things I wanted to ask to see if competency based degrees are for you, or if it's better to stick with another option.  What commitments do you have?  How much time can you put into your studies? Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works