I wanted to provide some information on what it's been like as a student in the inaugural session of KU Jayhawk Flex HOPE program (Human and Organizational Performance Effectiveness).  I was very excited to begin my masters here at this respected R1 school, and with tuition at $4,165 a semester, I figured maybe 2 full sessions and a summer session (half price), around $10,000 total doesn't seem bad.  I enjoyed the program when I first started it in August.  There are 30 competencies - "short classes" you work at your own pace - worth 1 credit each.  One of my earlier competencies the final project was to plan a trip to Disney World for a family of 4.  A lot of the reading materials and videos were interesting and could be applicable anywhere - if you go work at Dick's Sporting Goods, or a non-profit.  It seemed surely this was a good degree to invest in for someone who wants to be able to work in a variety of fields in their lifetime.  I liked the first instructor, she gave thoughtful feedback, and this program is a pass/fail basis, so if you don't do something right they kick it back to you to fix until it is right according to their standards.  I had to do that more times than getting a "complete" on the first try, which is fine.
After doing work in 2-3 of the competencies, I wondered if it was actually a good fit for me because the program seemed very pro-organization and not so much emphasis was placed on listening to the actual employees of an organization, so I reached out to the school and told them I want to withdraw without penalty before the 9/7 deadline.  They said wait!  We have other classes you might like better!  So instead of dropping I enrolled in different competencies.  (This I regret now).  The next set was with a different instructor.  Projects required you to interview people at an organization to do research on their culture.  But you can't do the one you work in, and you can't do one if you're unable to speak to people on all different levels, and apparently you can't do a company where you know people.  This has proven to be quite a challenge being able to find an organization to use.  In addition, it feels like the lines are redrawn and the goalposts moved.  I know this is a new program and they need to iron out the kinks but for that project I mentioned, the instructor decided to add an extra caveat that wasn't there in the original module, that they need to approve of the interview questions too, and on another class assignment they decided it should be done a certain way (subject headings on paper) even though the other assignments were all done another way.  
If you are able to work on this without having other obligations/ jobs, it could be useful, but I have found it to be frustrating.  When I requested to withdraw shortly after the full refund date - since they convinced me to switch classes instead of drop - they wouldn't allow it even though there was nowhere for this first cohort to get any information from other people about what the program is like so it would have been nice to have some flexibility in their policy.

Although not listed on the main YourPace Programs page, the option to select it is available upon choosing and submitting an application.

Academic map for the program.

The Quality Science Education (QSE) program—developed in collaboration with Pathway for Patient Health—is a 100% tuition-scholarship micro-credential program for college students seeking careers in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. While valued at $3,600, tuition is fully covered by a scholarship, requiring only a $10 enrollment fee per semester.

Key Program Features

• Certification: Graduates earn the Certified Quality Science Professional (CQSP) designation upon completion.
  
• Format & Commitment: On-demand, self-paced learning requiring 3–5 hours per week, featuring weekly live instructor sessions and 1-on-1 industry mentorship.
  
• Career Support: Direct access to the exclusive Quality Champions Hiring Platform, connecting students with major recruiting partners (e.g., Merck, Medtronic, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Edwards Lifesciences, Bristol Myers Squibb).
  
• Eligibility: Open to degree-seeking college students from any major or country (no science prerequisite required).
  

1. Course 01: Foundations of Quality Science – Covers global regulations, the product lifecycle, complaints, recalls, and enforcement actions.
   
2. Course 02: Product Development & Validation – Focuses on pharma product validation, medical device design controls, and emerging technologies.
   
3. Course 03: Risk and Failure Analysis – Teaches proactive product design, failure investigations, and industry tools (5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA, traceability matrices).
   

• Complementary Requirements: Completion of Business Acumen and a non-major science/microbiology course (taken through the student's home institution or waived for relevant industry experience).
  

1. Application: Complete a brief online application form before the December 7 deadline.
   
2. Approval: Receive confirmation of the 100% tuition scholarship (typically within two business days).
   
3. Onboarding: Join the cohort, meet your professor, and connect with your mentor.
   

Just rambling on with how many high schoolers and/or home schoolers are getting their associates degree(s) while they are wrapping up their secondary education.  I am setting my kids up to do the same thing using CLEP/Modern States and the cheapies or freebies, I remember there being several posts either on this board or the sister board...

I want my kids to be like this kid from a few years ago (article from 3 years ago), I'm going to get them started with CLEP/AP and dual enrollment to get college credits cheap, hopefully get an associates degree before they graduate high school. https://fchornetmedia.com/24604/news/mee...-graduate/

There are many smart people who fail elementary grades, like this person who at 15 finished with 4-5 associate degrees: https://abc7.com/post/jack-rico-college-.../11316972/

That was as story from 5 years ago, many other kids are like that, the Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, UK/US, education systems are very similar. They fail kids as they don't follow protocol or system wide learning requirements. But these are smart kids who actually excel instead of fall behind.

Now (recently found this while viewing Tiktok)... Here's a gal who graduated with a whopping 10 associates degrees and showcased that feat on Tiktok, all through dual enrollment: https://www.tiktok.com/@loisyww

I mean, they got 110+ college credits for either free or really cheap, plus the college exams for credit. I can get people from 0-90 in one month and for less than $100 if not free. I'm going to get a year membership for my kids to learning platforms that also generate alternative college credits, all through their high school years.

What I tell people to do is work on 3 things, a trifecta of certs, degree, experience. While at that, work on a second trifecta using cheap, easy, fast alternative credit options. Coursera, EdX, and other cheap MOOC options provide professional certificates that also generate alternative credits through ACE/NCCRS. 3000+ US institutions already take these for college credits.

Quote:It’s almost like sex ed

Hedge fund CEO Ken Griffin is donating $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University, marking the largest gift in American higher education history.

Ken Griffin Gives Carnegie Mellon University A Record $3 Billion
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnie...3-billion/

If you ever think things are getting crazy in the U.S., take a look at what’s happening in other parts of the world. It can make you appreciate just how many freedoms Americans still have.

UK lawmakers approve lifetime smoking ban for today’s under-18s
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthc...026-04-22/

I wonder whether a law like this will actually hold up long-term. After all, governments often claim these kinds of restrictions are about “your safety,” but it’s worth asking where protecting people ends and controlling their personal choices begins.

And smoking isn’t the only thing being targeted. The UK is also moving toward additional restrictions affecting young people in 2027.

Energy drinks to be banned for under-16s in England from April
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czrjg0jxkpno

There has also been debate over restricting social media access for children under 16:

UK: Social media ban for under 16s ‘right diagnosis, wrong prescription’
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2...scription/

Regardless of how you feel about smoking, energy drinks, or social media, I think the bigger question is where the line should be drawn.

The irony is that people sometimes complain about religious restrictions, especially from various forms of Christianity, but at this rate, the government may end up being more restrictive than Jesus Christ.

Israel this Iran that
https://www.tiktok.com/@bettyloubrenneck...6784337166

I’ve been thinking about starting a side hustle selling text-based T-shirts like these. Someone in my AI group said they make pretty good money selling them, so I’m curious whether there’s actually much demand.

Do you or anyone you know wear or buy shirts like these?

Me:
https://www.tiktok.com/@robertsaiz0/vide...4415542541

"Fasten your seatbelt, Dorothy, 'cause Kansas is going bye-bye."

We don't see too many DA programs these days. Kentucky Christian University has what might be a new Doctor of Arts in Theological Leadership. 

Tuition: $325 per semester hour
Length: 48 semester hours

I don't think this program has much substance, but that's how I feel about most leadership programs. Regardless, a lot of people seem to love leadership programs (probably because they lack substance). 

https://www.kcu.edu/doctorate-of-arts-in...ship-datl/