Unsure of Which Institution to Choose and How I Can Use Work Experience to My Benefit

[rachel83az]

I agree with the others that UMPI is going to be the cheapest, possibly fastest, way for you to get a degree. However, since you mention that you have been diagnosed with dyslexia, I do want to warn you that most/all UMPI courses you'll have to take will require a paper. I know that some people with dyslexia are okay with writing papers, but not reading them, while others would prefer to take exams and stay as far away from writing as possible.

If you do choose to go with UMPI, I would highly recommend downloading and using either ProWritingAid or Grammarly to double-check your papers for any obvious grammar/spelling mistakes. I prefer ProWritingAid, but many UMPI students here will recommend Grammarly. Whichever one you go with, I also suggest opting for the paid version because the free ones don't have as many features. The free ones will at least catch the worst errors, though.

[skite]

If you look at this page https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Un...esque_Isle  on the forum’s wiki, under Degree Plans is a degree plan for the BLS with management minor.  You will have met a few of the requirements with the courses you posted in your revision to your original post. The general education curriculum is the same for the BLS and the different BA degrees (Bus Adm, history/poli sci), so that should give you a place to start working from. UMPI has been popular and well discussed on the forum, particularly for the business-related degrees. Lots of good information, but it might require some wading through the muck to find.

I have this sinking suspicion that the specific degree you select—let’s imagine it is a UMPI degree—will not matter all that much. It will allay some concerns (clearly yours and potentially your boards), but it will never be their preferred credential. It sounds like you have made peace with that, at least I hope you have. Assuming you continue to be effective in your role, I don’t think you will be terminated or demoted because you selected the “wrong” major/minors for your degree.  Seems to me you should pick a degree you will enjoy, that is justifiable in its relevancy, and that would help you with any future career/educational goals.

Do you think you want to pursue a master’s degree?  I ask this, because that may help to guide your thinking about a bachelor’s degree. With a master’s you can build on your strengths or use it to add a skill set. For amounts of money that hopefully wouldn’t be prohibitive (under $15,000, say, and depending on the program as little as perhaps $5,000), you could earn a master’s degree in history, public history, nonprofit administration, management, leadership, education, public administration, or even a field like hospitality and tourism management.  If you are drawn to a particular field, make sure you take sufficient courses at the undergraduate level to meet admissions requirements.

In regards to me—I would perhaps describe myself as a recovering history nerd. I actually spent 10 years in graduate school working toward a PhD in history and came very close to finishing (my dissertation draft with notes and statistical annex was 500 pages long when I left my program). For me, studying history in that way sapped the joy out of it.  Between undergrad and grad school, I probably read 1,000 history books (monographs). Other than books that I had to read for museums that I worked at (to help write tours and so forth), I don’t think I have read a history monograph in its entirety since I left grad school. It still seems too much like work. Sorry, don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer.

You really are right and this is why I have ended up going this route. I have looked at UF since they are the gold standard for history degree's here in Florida and most of our local scholars have their doctorates from them as well, but even the online program is 4 solid years. I looked at the Harvard Extension and although studying under some of the greats and the Harvard name on my degree, its expensive and can take a while as the classes are given to 'normal' students first then the Extension students. For the group I am working with its more about the college experience than the actual degree attained. I'm not about to move into the dorms anytime soon!

As for the masters degree, yes, I do think that would be the ultimate goal. I would likely go all in on a history track at that point, possibly archival/library studies. 

Totally get you on the reading! I think I currently have 5 half finished texts going right now. We were doing a program back at the beginning of the year on urban slavery and I had so many books to go through I called a staff meeting and handed everyone a book and gave them a week to give me a C grade verbal book review! Never an end to the reading in the history world.

---

I see some folks have mentioned the Marketing Concentration. I completed it and I advise those who want to complete their degree quickly to choose the Management & Leadership Concentration instead. The Marketing Concentration has several loooong papers that take quite awhile to be graded. The grading can be pretty harsh as well. The management courses have shorter papers and more exams. The grading isn't nearly as harsh. I've spoken with several others who were in the Marketing Concentration earlier this year and we all struggled with the professors in this concentration. They want things in the papers that aren't mentioned in the instructions or rubrics. I completed the courses before the people I spoke with and nothing had changed.

Thanks for the heads up. I just reviewed the BABA Management and Leadership course overview and I do like it as it seems quite comprehensive of the topics I am interested in. Leaning toward this with a history minor to get started.

---

If you look at this page https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Un...esque_Isle  on the forum’s wiki, under Degree Plans is a degree plan for the BLS with management minor.  You will have met a few of the requirements with the courses you posted in your revision to your original post. The general education curriculum is the same for the BLS and the different BA degrees (Bus Adm, history/poli sci), so that should give you a place to start working from. UMPI has been popular and well discussed on the forum, particularly for the business-related degrees. Lots of good information, but it might require some wading through the muck to find.

I have this sinking suspicion that the specific degree you select—let’s imagine it is a UMPI degree—will not matter all that much. It will allay some concerns (clearly yours and potentially your boards), but it will never be their preferred credential. It sounds like you have made peace with that, at least I hope you have. Assuming you continue to be effective in your role, I don’t think you will be terminated or demoted because you selected the “wrong” major/minors for your degree.  Seems to me you should pick a degree you will enjoy, that is justifiable in its relevancy, and that would help you with any future career/educational goals.

Do you think you want to pursue a master’s degree?  I ask this, because that may help to guide your thinking about a bachelor’s degree. With a master’s you can build on your strengths or use it to add a skill set. For amounts of money that hopefully wouldn’t be prohibitive (under $15,000, say, and depending on the program as little as perhaps $5,000), you could earn a master’s degree in history, public history, nonprofit administration, management, leadership, education, public administration, or even a field like hospitality and tourism management.  If you are drawn to a particular field, make sure you take sufficient courses at the undergraduate level to meet admissions requirements.

In regards to me—I would perhaps describe myself as a recovering history nerd. I actually spent 10 years in graduate school working toward a PhD in history and came very close to finishing (my dissertation draft with notes and statistical annex was 500 pages long when I left my program). For me, studying history in that way sapped the joy out of it.  Between undergrad and grad school, I probably read 1,000 history books (monographs). Other than books that I had to read for museums that I worked at (to help write tours and so forth), I don’t think I have read a history monograph in its entirety since I left grad school. It still seems too much like work. Sorry, don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer.

I just looked at the link you provided and its the same as one I read last night so thats great, we're on the same page. Thoughts on the BABA Management and Leadership? This the one I am leaning toward as it just 'feels' right according to my past experience and future career goals. It also seems to be very comprehensive covering many of the functions I am already doing in my current role at the museum. The BLS seems a litle more... regimented? Not sure, but not quite the same vibe as the other. Sorry if I'm not being clear, lots going on this morning! Thanks for putting up with me!

[Jonathan Whatley]

UMPI operates a small natural history museum on campus, the Northern Maine Museum of Science! UMPI also has a relatively large on campus studio art and graphic design program, which also intersects of course with museum studies. Perhaps faculty from one of these would be available to supervise a museum-related individualized senior project course that could be 3 or 6 UL credits toward your degree.

[ss20ts]

Most programs with "newer" concentrations will come out with road bumps, since ss20ts was able to complete it in 3 sessions, I would estimate the same for you.  Don't let it stop you from getting all the other courses completed before you complete the concentration, I know the BABA Marketing with History minor is the degree for you!  I mean, for the cost of about $4200 from a public/state university, OMG!

Yes I completed the BABA with Marketing Concentration but I already had experience at UMPI and only had the marketing courses left to complete. I've spoken with several people who also completed the degree and shared the same feelings as me. They took even longer because of the delays from the professors and the length of the papers. If time is of the essence then really go with the Management & Leadership Concentration. Much faster and easier. Heck of a lot less stressful. These aren't road bumps. These are issues with the professors in that concentration. These professors aren't new to UMPI at all.

---

I agree with the others that UMPI is going to be the cheapest, possibly fastest, way for you to get a degree. However, since you mention that you have been diagnosed with dyslexia, I do want to warn you that most/all UMPI courses you'll have to take will require a paper. I know that some people with dyslexia are okay with writing papers, but not reading them, while others would prefer to take exams and stay as far away from writing as possible.

If you do choose to go with UMPI, I would highly recommend downloading and using either ProWritingAid or Grammarly to double-check your papers for any obvious grammar/spelling mistakes. I prefer ProWritingAid, but many UMPI students here will recommend Grammarly. Whichever one you go with, I also suggest opting for the paid version because the free ones don't have as many features. The free ones will at least catch the worst errors, though.

I would notify UMPI about this disability and request services to be provided. They will make accommodations for ADA students. They also have a writing lab which can be utilized.

[skite]

Most programs with "newer" concentrations will come out with road bumps, since ss20ts was able to complete it in 3 sessions, I would estimate the same for you.  Don't let it stop you from getting all the other courses completed before you complete the concentration, I know the BABA Marketing with History minor is the degree for you!  I mean, for the cost of about $4200 from a public/state university, OMG!

Yes I completed the BABA with Marketing Concentration but I already had experience at UMPI and only had the marketing courses left to complete. I've spoken with several people who also completed the degree and shared the same feelings as me. They took even longer because of the delays from the professors and the length of the papers. If time is of the essence then really go with the Management & Leadership Concentration. Much faster and easier. Heck of a lot less stressful. These aren't road bumps. These are issues with the professors in that concentration. These professors aren't new to UMPI at all.

---

I agree with the others that UMPI is going to be the cheapest, possibly fastest, way for you to get a degree. However, since you mention that you have been diagnosed with dyslexia, I do want to warn you that most/all UMPI courses you'll have to take will require a paper. I know that some people with dyslexia are okay with writing papers, but not reading them, while others would prefer to take exams and stay as far away from writing as possible.

If you do choose to go with UMPI, I would highly recommend downloading and using either ProWritingAid or Grammarly to double-check your papers for any obvious grammar/spelling mistakes. I prefer ProWritingAid, but many UMPI students here will recommend Grammarly. Whichever one you go with, I also suggest opting for the paid version because the free ones don't have as many features. The free ones will at least catch the worst errors, though.

I would notify UMPI about this disability and request services to be provided. They will make accommodations for ADA students. They also have a writing lab which can be utilized.

Thank you for the heads up. I don't have a hard preference on writing papers vs. exams, my issue is more reading long texts. The words tend to swim and I have a difficult time concentrating on the subject matter because I'm skipping all over the place. I have used a font specifically for dyslexia for digital book reading and it has helped immensly. I will likely use this and other techniques for support. I so appreciate all the tips and advice everyone is giving here. Supportive communities seem to be far and few in between these days!

---

I agree with the others that UMPI is going to be the cheapest, possibly fastest, way for you to get a degree. However, since you mention that you have been diagnosed with dyslexia, I do want to warn you that most/all UMPI courses you'll have to take will require a paper. I know that some people with dyslexia are okay with writing papers, but not reading them, while others would prefer to take exams and stay as far away from writing as possible.

If you do choose to go with UMPI, I would highly recommend downloading and using either ProWritingAid or Grammarly to double-check your papers for any obvious grammar/spelling mistakes. I prefer ProWritingAid, but many UMPI students here will recommend Grammarly. Whichever one you go with, I also suggest opting for the paid version because the free ones don't have as many features. The free ones will at least catch the worst errors, though.

Thank you for the advice, this is really helpful!

[LevelUP]

I just looked at the link you provided and its the same as one I read last night so thats great, we're on the same page. Thoughts on the BABA Management and Leadership? This the one I am leaning toward as it just 'feels' right according to my past experience and future career goals. It also seems to be very comprehensive covering many of the functions I am already doing in my current role at the museum. The BLS seems a litle more... regimented? Not sure, but not quite the same vibe as the other. Sorry if I'm not being clear, lots going on this morning! Thanks for putting up with me!

I agree that Management and Leadership sound like a good fit given your experience and interests.

UMPI Management and Leadership degree plan
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan

A history minor only requires 12UL history courses, so you could add that to your degree plan. 
http://catalog.umpi.edu/preview_program....turnto=155

UMPI will likely take your fashion courses or whatever else you have as electives.

Rant
People that say you don't need a college degree are kind of like people that say you don't need a car. Sure, you can use Uber, take the bus, ride a bike, walk, etc., but all that will take more time than if you had a car.

The United States of America is one of the wealthiest and still one of the freest countries on earth. By not having a college degree, you put yourself in a position to be treated like a 2nd class citizen. It's far easier to go through life walking downhill and uphill.

[skite]

I just looked at the link you provided and its the same as one I read last night so thats great, we're on the same page. Thoughts on the BABA Management and Leadership? This the one I am leaning toward as it just 'feels' right according to my past experience and future career goals. It also seems to be very comprehensive covering many of the functions I am already doing in my current role at the museum. The BLS seems a litle more... regimented? Not sure, but not quite the same vibe as the other. Sorry if I'm not being clear, lots going on this morning! Thanks for putting up with me!

I agree that Management and Leadership sound like a good fit given your experience and interests.

UMPI Management and Leadership degree plan
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan

A history minor only requires 12UL history courses, so you could add that to your degree plan. 
http://catalog.umpi.edu/preview_program....turnto=155

UMPI will likely take your fashion courses or whatever else you have as electives.

Rant
People that say you don't need a college degree are kind of like people that say you don't need a car. Sure, you can use Uber, take the bus, ride a bike, walk, etc., but all that will take more time than if you had a car.

The United States of America is one of the wealthiest and still one of the freest countries on earth. By not having a college degree, you put yourself in a position to be treated like a 2nd class citizen. It's far easier to go through life walking downhill and uphill.

Thank you again for the advice and for the info on the 12 UL credits for the minor. I wasn’t exactly sure how that worked. 

No worries on your rant! I’ve spent the last 22 years saying the same things to myself and anyone who will listen. I feel so incomplete as an intelligent and highly motivated person and worker. My fathers career plan for my brother and I was to be the fourth generation of GM factory line workers in our family. Which, don’t get me wrong, provided great incentives and incomes for millions of families over the past 100+ years, but that dreamworld is dead. My brother struggles with a dead end job as a hotel kitchen worker. He is not ambitious, however, and will probably work that same job for the rest of his life. I’ve been the black sheep of the family from day one!

[ss20ts]

You mentioned that reading long text is an issue for you and you change the font. At UMPI you don't have textbooks. All of the course content is self contained in their learning platform so it's kind of like Sophia. Every class has quizzes which aren't included in your final grade but are required to continue to progress through the course. You won't be able to change the font in the learning platform but the text is a fairly large font. The reading material isn't like reading a chapter in a textbook. The content is broken down into numerous webpages so you're not spending half an hour reading about 1 topic. Most topics in the business program are a few pages at the most. There are also pages with links to external articles for additional reading and videos to watch. The external articles and videos aren't included in the quizzes.

I would definitely let your academic advisor know that you have a disability and request those services. They may give you more time on the exams. They may even have a way to change the font on the learning platform that students can't access.

[bjcheung77]

Thank you again for the advice and for the info on the 12 UL credits for the minor. I wasn’t exactly sure how that worked. 

No worries on your rant! I’ve spent the last 22 years saying the same things to myself and anyone who will listen. I feel so incomplete as an intelligent and highly motivated person and worker. My fathers career plan for my brother and I was to be the fourth generation of GM factory line workers in our family. Which, don’t get me wrong, provided great incentives and incomes for millions of families over the past 100+ years, but that dreamworld is dead. My brother struggles with a dead end job as a hotel kitchen worker. He is not ambitious, however, and will probably work that same job for the rest of his life. I’ve been the black sheep of the family from day one!

Education is just the beginning of change, you're in a perfect start to getting things rolling and helping that change. Once you get your degree completed, you can play that forward with your brother, he may be interested once you show him your diploma! I would recommend going through this in steps... get a plan up and stick to it!