What are the classes like?

[pluggingalong]

For a degree like BLS-MIS, what are the classes like if you take them at UMPI?   Is this school an essay-based one like NAU-PL, or a cert-based one like WGU?  I was trying to imagine what taking the YourPace classes would be like.

Also, is this BLS-MIS degree their version of an Information Technology degree?  https://online.umpi.edu/programs/bls-man...minor.aspx

[mrd385]

I went to NAU before I heard about UMPI, and while UMPI is mostly essay/project based, it's nothing compared to the bullsh-- that was required at NAU.

I didn't like the idea of taking a test while being watched, so WGU was out for me, but my sister got her bachelor's from there and enjoyed her classes. She got her degree in her field of work, so she easily tested out of classes quickly.

I've found that the essays at UMPI are graded very generously as long as you meet the minimum word count and your essay makes sense lol. They just want to be sure you're understanding the content.

[pluggingalong]

I went to NAU before I heard about UMPI, and while UMPI is mostly essay/project based, it's nothing compared to the bullsh-- that was required at NAU.

I didn't like the idea of taking a test while being watched, so WGU was out for me, but my sister got her bachelor's from there and enjoyed her classes. She got her degree in her field of work, so she easily tested out of classes quickly.

I've found that the essays at UMPI are graded very generously as long as you meet the minimum word count and your essay makes sense lol. They just want to be sure you're understanding the content.

So it is essay based, but more easy going than NAU?

[mrd385]

I went to NAU before I heard about UMPI, and while UMPI is mostly essay/project based, it's nothing compared to the bullsh-- that was required at NAU.

I didn't like the idea of taking a test while being watched, so WGU was out for me, but my sister got her bachelor's from there and enjoyed her classes. She got her degree in her field of work, so she easily tested out of classes quickly.

I've found that the essays at UMPI are graded very generously as long as you meet the minimum word count and your essay makes sense lol. They just want to be sure you're understanding the content.

So it is essay based, but more easy going than NAU?

Yep. At UMPI, we have milestones to complete (typically 4-5 milestones at 300-700 words each) then a final essay/project (the longest essay I've had so far was 2000 words). 

At NAU, each class was divided into sections (3-4 sections for each class) then each section had an assignment or discussion board post (500-750 words), an essay (typically 1500 words minimum), and a test that was mostly short answer with maybe 3 multiple choice questions. So for one class, you'd be writing at least 4500 words just for the essays. That's not including the tests, which require each short answer (3-5 sentences) to be cited in APA format. I haven't even mentioned the number of times that I couldn't find a test answer because they removed the content from the course without changing the test. Oh and don't even try Googling the answer because it has to come from cited course materials. You know, one of the 15+ textbooks they assign chapters from. It was a headache.

[pluggingalong]

I went to NAU before I heard about UMPI, and while UMPI is mostly essay/project based, it's nothing compared to the bullsh-- that was required at NAU.

I didn't like the idea of taking a test while being watched, so WGU was out for me, but my sister got her bachelor's from there and enjoyed her classes. She got her degree in her field of work, so she easily tested out of classes quickly.

I've found that the essays at UMPI are graded very generously as long as you meet the minimum word count and your essay makes sense lol. They just want to be sure you're understanding the content.

So it is essay based, but more easy going than NAU?

Yep. At UMPI, we have milestones to complete (typically 4-5 milestones at 300-700 words each) then a final essay/project (the longest essay I've had so far was 2000 words). 

At NAU, each class was divided into sections (3-4 sections for each class) then each section had an assignment or discussion board post (500-750 words), an essay (typically 1500 words minimum), and a test that was mostly short answer with maybe 3 multiple choice questions. So for one class, you'd be writing at least 4500 words just for the essays. That's not including the tests, which require each short answer (3-5 sentences) to be cited in APA format. I haven't even mentioned the number of times that I couldn't find a test answer because they removed the content from the course without changing the test. Oh and don't even try Googling the answer because it has to come from cited course materials. You know, one of the 15+ textbooks they assign chapters from. It was a headache.

Is UMPI in APA format, or no citations?

[mrd385]

Is UMPI in APA format, or no citations?
Most of my essays so far have had to be APA format with like 3 references. One class was Chicago style on the final project. I've used APA discussion board format for the milestones, but usually there's not a requirement listed for those. I haven't had a class with a final test, but I think those are multiple choice.

[ss20ts]

For a degree like BLS-MIS, what are the classes like if you take them at UMPI?   Is this school an essay-based one like NAU-PL, or a cert-based one like WGU?  I was trying to imagine what taking the YourPace classes would be like.

Also, is this BLS-MIS degree their version of an Information Technology degree?  https://online.umpi.edu/programs/bls-man...minor.aspx

Every class has a Final Assessment which is what your grade is based on. The Final Assessment is either a paper, project, or exam. Every class is different. WGU isn't cert based. You still have OAs and PAs at WGU. 

The BLS MIS is NOT an IT degree. Not even close. You are NOT prepared for a career in IT with the BLS MIS minor. Not at all. If you have previous experience in IT that's one thing, but if you have none then the MIS minor won't prepare you for an IT career.

---

This has not been my experience at all and I'm on my second degree at UMPI. Few business classes have Milestones and they're not 300-700 words. My longest Milestone was 3 paragraphs. There aren't word counts for the business Final Assessments. There are page counts and a rubric to follow. Everything in the Business courses has been APA. English Comp uses MLA.

[mrd385]

For a degree like BLS-MIS, what are the classes like if you take them at UMPI?   Is this school an essay-based one like NAU-PL, or a cert-based one like WGU?  I was trying to imagine what taking the YourPace classes would be like.

Also, is this BLS-MIS degree their version of an Information Technology degree?  https://online.umpi.edu/programs/bls-man...minor.aspx

Every class has a Final Assessment which is what your grade is based on. The Final Assessment is either a paper, project, or exam. Every class is different. WGU isn't cert based. You still have OAs and PAs at WGU. 

The BLS MIS is NOT an IT degree. Not even close. You are NOT prepared for a career in IT with the BLS MIS minor. Not at all. If you have previous experience in IT that's one thing, but if you have none then the MIS minor won't prepare you for an IT career.

---

This has not been my experience at all and I'm on my second degree at UMPI. Few business classes have Milestones and they're not 300-700 words. My longest Milestone was 3 paragraphs. There aren't word counts for the business Final Assessments. There are page counts and a rubric to follow. Everything in the Business courses has been APA. English Comp uses MLA.

I'm doing the History degree, so yeah I guess there's a lot of difference between mine and the business classes.

[NoStudentNoCry]

Also, is this BLS-MIS degree their version of an Information Technology degree? 

No, not really.

[pluggingalong]

For a degree like BLS-MIS, what are the classes like if you take them at UMPI?   Is this school an essay-based one like NAU-PL, or a cert-based one like WGU?  I was trying to imagine what taking the YourPace classes would be like.

Also, is this BLS-MIS degree their version of an Information Technology degree?  https://online.umpi.edu/programs/bls-man...minor.aspx

Every class has a Final Assessment which is what your grade is based on. The Final Assessment is either a paper, project, or exam. Every class is different. WGU isn't cert based. You still have OAs and PAs at WGU. 

The BLS MIS is NOT an IT degree. Not even close. You are NOT prepared for a career in IT with the BLS MIS minor. Not at all. If you have previous experience in IT that's one thing, but if you have none then the MIS minor won't prepare you for an IT career.

---

This has not been my experience at all and I'm on my second degree at UMPI. Few business classes have Milestones and they're not 300-700 words. My longest Milestone was 3 paragraphs. There aren't word counts for the business Final Assessments. There are page counts and a rubric to follow. Everything in the Business courses has been APA. English Comp uses MLA.

Oh yeah, I see now it doesn't have many IT classes, just a few Manager classes. I have worked as a programmer for a number of years, I mostly just need a degree, but I was hoping it had more IT classes.  

Is there a "unique selling point" to UPMI?  Being "easier" is a USP, but not one they would probably brag about.