BLS with a minor in Information Systems or BBA PM & IS

[ZO10]

Hello everyone.
I work in IT as a Service Desk Specialist. I want to join UMPI but saw that they don't have a Major in IT / CS. 

However, they do have a Bachelor of Liberal Studies – Management Information Systems Minor. 

My question is how would this look on my actual Diploma? Will it show both the Major and Minor? Like this 
--> "Bachelor of Liberal Studies – Management Information Systems Minor" Or 
will it only show the Major? Like this --> "Bachelor of Liberal Studies"

Do you have other course suggestions based on my criteria?

Thanks in advance.

Location: Paris, France
Age:40
What kind of degree do you want?: IT degree/ Computer Science. I am also open for suggestions.
Current Regional Accredited Credits: Zero

School Name Total Credits #  N/A
Class Name, Credits, Grade   n/a

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: Zero

Provider Total Credits: #
Class Name, Credits, Grade

Any certifications or military experience? CompTia A+, CompTia Security+, Google Cybersecurity, Google IT Support Professional Certificate

[b]Budget: I have a max of $2K saved up.  I'd like to go the cheapest route possible.[/b]


Commitments: Honestly, just me, no kids/spouse. I am currently unemployed so I can work on my studies full time and on the weekends.



Dedicated time to study: I can study as much as is needed during the night or weekends as my schedule is free. I estimate at least 10 to  14 hours every day of the week and on the weekends.



Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible would be ideal.  I would like to finish within (3 months).



Tuition assistance/reimbursement: I get no assistance whatsoever.


I prefer competency based education (because I like assessments, assignments and have test anxiety).  

I am from France so I get no fianancial aid, not grants or scholarships. 

[bjcheung77]

@ZO10, Welcome to the board, great intro post with the addendum and template, for the last few months I've been recommending the balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience. You have some certs (expired ones too), experience, you're just missing the degree, my suggestion actually is the BLS to get this done faster and to max the alternative 'ACE' credits for transfer.

You can get more Coursera certs completed that have ACE credit recommendations and transfer that into the BLS as there are 60 electives that can be used in the electives area, for the BABA, you can only transfer 20 credits into the electives. I would go the BLS with MIS and 3-4 classes that can go towards the MAOL later if you ever wanted to go for a Masters through UMPI.

[ZO10]

@ZO10, Welcome to the board, great intro post with the addendum and template, for the last few months I've been recommending the balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience.  You have some certs (expired ones too), experience, you're just missing the degree, my suggestion actually is the BLS to get this done faster and to max the alternative 'ACE' credits for transfer.  

You can get more Coursera certs completed that have ACE credit recommendations and transfer that into the BLS as there are 60 electives that can be used in the electives area, for the BABA, you can only transfer 20 credits into the electives.  I would go the BLS with MIS and 3-4 classes that can go towards the MAOL later if you ever wanted to go for a Masters through UMPI.

@bjcheung77

Thank you for the compliment and for the very informative answer. Also the template really help us too!

I have a few questions concerning the BLS degree. 

1- How will it show on the Diploma? Will it show both the Major and Minor or just the Major example:
    --> ( Bachelor of Liberal Studies – Management Information Systems Minor or just Bachelor of Liberal Studies?

2- Do you think the recruiters in IT , (HR, Hiring manangers etc...) will fround upon the BLS title? 
    I am asking because in job postings, they usually ask for a BS degree or IT degree etc...

3- You mentioned Coursera's ACE credits but can I do the same but with Sophia?

4- Is Coursera free unlike Sophia? 

Thanks again for taking the time to guide me in this endeavour.

[bjcheung77]

1.  It'll show with the degree and beneath will show your minor
Bachelor of Liberal Studies
– Management Information Systems

2.  Depends on the company, most US companies just require a 'check the box' degree.  International companies may want specific degrees, you need to research and check.

3. Coursera and Sophia.org are both ACE recommended for credit, I mentioned it as they're both inexpensive and subscription based.

4. No, but some people were able to complete an entire certificate in the 7 day trial.  It can be free that way, but most purchase a month subscription to get as much as possible done.

Coursera: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Coursera
Sophia.org: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/So...rning,_LLC
Sophia Equivalency: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/So...lency_List

[Tomas]

As you are EU citizen, consider Metropolia for 579 EUR/3 years, however it is not a degree - then you will have to try to get admitted for the final year to get bachelor 4 year degree, https://www.metropolia.fi/en/academics/o...technology
Both fully online. Some tests but online without proctor. Final year includes thesis writing.
However, on re-reading, it is probably not an option for you since you wish to finish within 3 months. I would say it shall be possible to finish those 3 years within couple of months full time study, but then you will have to go for the final year of the actual degree study and that does not seem to be that flexible.

[ZO10]

1.  It'll show with the degree and beneath will show your minor
Bachelor of Liberal Studies
– Management Information Systems

2.  Depends on the company, most US companies just require a 'check the box' degree.  International companies may want specific degrees, you need to research and check.

3. Coursera and Sophia.org are both ACE recommended for credit, I mentioned it as they're both inexpensive and subscription based.

4. No, but some people were able to complete an entire certificate in the 7 day trial.  It can be free that way, but most purchase a month subscription to get as much as possible done.

Coursera: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Coursera
Sophia.org: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/So...rning,_LLC
Sophia Equivalency: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/So...lency_List

Thank you for the list, it will help me much.

Is there an equivilency list for coursera?

Also, is there like a done for you list/ to do list of all the course needed too acquire the necesary credit for UMPI?

i have searched but can't find one.

---

As you are EU citizen, consider Metropolia for 579 EUR/3 years, however it is not a degree - then you will have to try to get admitted for the final year to get bachelor 4 year degree, https://www.metropolia.fi/en/academics/o...technology
Both fully online. Some tests but online without proctor. Final year includes thesis writing.
However, on re-reading, it is probably not an option for you since you wish to finish within 3 months. I would say it shall be possible to finish those 3 years within couple of months full time study, but then you will have to go for the final year of the actual degree study and that does not seem to be that flexible.

@Toma
Thanks for that information
I am an EU citizen indeed, but 3 years is long... I checked metropolia and it won't work for me unfortunately.

I wish Europe had universities that are geared to help adults like in the US.

[bjcheung77]

Thank you for the list, it will help me much.

Is there an equivilency list for coursera?

Also, is there like a done for you list/ to do list of all the course needed too acquire the necesary credit for UMPI?

i have searched but can't find one.

The Coursera link already has the equivalency to a few institutions, if you review the link, you'll see some are worth credit. You can find them through searching the board for links to the WIKI, we have a WIKI for each institution, here's the one for UMPI where it has all the degree plans and requirements already mapped for you. Link: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

[ZO10]

Thank you for the list, it will help me much.

Is there an equivilency list for coursera?

Also, is there like a done for you list/ to do list of all the course needed too acquire the necesary credit for UMPI?

i have searched but can't find one.

The Coursera link already has the equivalency to a few institutions, if you review the link, you'll see some are worth credit.  You can find them through searching the board for links to the WIKI, we have a WIKI for each institution, here's the one for UMPI where it has all the degree plans and requirements already mapped for you. Link: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:UMPI

Thank you so much for the links....
This gives me a sense of direction.
I will take a look at the links.

[bjcheung77]

UMPI BABA with a concentration of PM & IS may be better for you if you're starting from scratch and have very little credits for electives, if you have many credits you want to place towards the electives, up to 60, then a switch to the BLS with double minor in MIS & PM may work better. I would create a spreadsheet with the two and then take all the Sophia.org classes that will go towards both, then if you still can't decide, flip a coin. Another option though, since you're in the UK, is to do the $579 3 year program from Metropolia, or a level 4/5/6 UK diploma, top up to a Bachelors, if you want to go further academically, then get a level 7 UK diploma and top-up to a Masters.

[ZO10]

UMPI BABA with a concentration of PM & IS may be better for you if you're starting from scratch and have very little credits for electives, if you have many credits you want to place towards the electives, up to 60, then a switch to the BLS with double minor in MIS & PM may work better.  I would create a spreadsheet with the two and then take all the Sophia.org classes that will go towards both, then if you still can't decide, flip a coin.  Another option though, since you're in the UK, is to do the $579 3 year program from Metropolia, or a level 4/5/6 UK diploma, top up to a Bachelors, if you want to go further academically, then get a level 7 UK diploma and top-up to a Masters.

Thank you for your response @bjcheung77.

I am starting from scratch, I have no credit whatsoever. But I also don't have much funds neither, but I have all the time in the world right now. I can literally study 24/7.

With that being said, The cheapest and quickest option would be my choice.

1- I think I will go for the  BLS with double minor in MIS & PM at UMPI. As you stated her BLS MIS- add second minor? (degreeforum.net) : "You can email the academic advisor and ask to add the PM minor, you just need to make sure you've got 30 credits left with UMPI to complete and verify which classes those are. If it's not to much extra energy, time to get this second minor, do so..."

2- I checked the Metropolia website and I couldn't find clear explanations about their tuition. But I did some research and found out that Their IT          program isn't a degree. 

3- Is Metropolia a Competency Based Education? Like UMPI, is it an At your own pace, complete it the course whe you want/ can? And do they accept credits from Sophia, Study.com etc...?