Suppose UMPI were to announce a BS Computer Science degree in the YourPace program. I should clarify that I made an assumption here today (another thread), and I believe I need to correct it. I recently emailed UMPI inquiring about the availability of a BS Computer Science degree in an online competency-based format. Regardless, perhaps this speculative thread could benefit both international and domestic students in planning their educational pathways.
My proposal outlines a strategy where students would complete their remaining credits at UMPI during a single term (8 weeks) at a cost of $1,800. The primary objective is to minimize overall educational expenses.
I am sure people here who made this course can give a better direction. It is not my case, yet.
My idea here is to think in public.
Status Update & Inquiry
Note on Timeline: While UMPI has not announced an official launch date for the BS Computer Science degree in the YourPace (competency-based) format, this post explores a strategic framework for students preparing NOW to potentially complete this degree in the fastest and most cost-effective manner possible.
My 2 cents to repair my mistake.
The Opportunity
For those following UMPI's program development, the BS Computer Science on YourPace has been "coming soon" for several years. However, recent community discussions (here and there) suggest possible developments could materialize in 2025-2026. Rather than waiting passively, this guide presents how strategic credit stacking via ACE providers (Sophia Learning, Study.com, Saylor) could enable completion in as little as 1 YourPace term (8 weeks) at $1,800.
Program Structure: What We Know
The traditional BS Computer Science (presential) requires 120 credits comprised of (please correct me if I am wrong, I could not find the complete class to presential BSCS at UMPI):
51 credit hours of CS core courses
40 credit hours of general electives (Math, Probability, English)
29 credit hours of upper-level electives and electives
2 credits University Experience (UNV101)
Critical Finding:
Approximately 65 credits are lower-level or general education courses that CAN transfer via ACE providers, while 54-55 credits are upper-level CS core courses that CANNOT transfer (must be completed at UMPI).
ACE Transfer Policy Changes (May 2025)
Question for the community: Has anyone confirmed whether UMPI's May 1, 2025 policy changes actually permit 90 credits (75%) of ACE transfers for the BS Computer Science program, or has the acceptance been more restrictive than initially reported?
The policy shift on that date reportedly restricted some upper-level course transfers, but clarification is needed on whether lower-level courses from Sophia Learning and Study.com continue to be accepted as of late 2025.
=======
Optimal Scenario: 1 YourPace Term Strategy
Phase 1: Stack ACE Credits (3 months pre-enrollment)
The plan is to complete 90 transferable credits before applying to UMPI, leaving only 30 credits to be completed during a single YourPace term.
Tier 1 – Sophia Learning (Lower Cost + Easier Testing)
Starting with Sophia offers a strategic advantage: all exams are open-book, making course completion more manageable while stacking credits rapidly.
Monthly cost: $99 base
With available $20 coupon discount: $79/month
Timeline: 1-2 months
Recommended credits: 48-50 credits
Courses to prioritize:
Introduction to Java Programming (4.5 cr),
Introduction to Networking (4.5 cr),
Introduction to Relational Databases (4.5 cr),
Introduction to Web Development (4.5 cr),
plus general education requirements (Psychology, History, Sociology, Ethics, etc.)
Important advantage: Sophia offers early access—you can begin studying immediately without payment, allowing you to accumulate completed courses before your paid subscription begins. It is exactly my case.
Tier 2 – Study.com College Saver Plan (CS-Specific Courses)
Study.com's College Saver plan provides access to specialized computer science courses that map directly to UMPI's BS CS requirements.
Base cost: $235/month
With 10% current discount (via promotional links): $211.50
Timeline: 1 month (after Sophia)
Recommended credits: 15-18 credits (maybe a bit more)
Courses to prioritize:
Intro to Programming (CS109, 3 cr),
Data Structures (CS201, 3 cr),
Discrete Math (3 cr),
Computer Architecture (CS306, 3 cr),
IT Fundamentals (3 cr).
Note: College Starter ($95/month) only provides access to ~70 general education courses. For CS-specific courses, the College Saver ($235/month) plan is required.
Tier 3 – Saylor.org ($5 per course)
A critical question: Is Saylor worthwhile?
Saylor offers 17 computer science courses: https://learn.saylor.org/course/index.php?categoryid=9 . However, detailed analysis shows only 6-7 of these courses directly transfer to UMPI's BS Computer Science as lower-level courses (those that transfer):
Introduction to Computer Science (Java),
Python Programming,
C++ Programming,
Data Structures/Algorithms,
Computer Architecture and Organization, and Computer Networks.
The remaining 10-11 courses are upper-level and will not transfer.
For general education requirements, Saylor courses at $5 each could supplement remaining needed credits—but comparison reveals that 2 months of Sophia at $79/month ($158) covers equivalent general education credits more efficiently than Saylor's per-course model.
Recommendation: Use Sophia for both CS fundamentals and general education. Reserve Saylor only if pursuing very specific advanced topics or if your study timeline requires maximum cost minimization. I like Saylor, but I like more to sleep and study fast and easy. If you have time, maybe you can use Saylor for a few more credits.
Financial Breakdown: ACE Phase
Sophia Learning (2 months with $20 coupon): $79 + $79 = $158
Study.com College Saver (1 month with 10% discount): $211.50
Sophia Learning (If necessary, 1 additional month for gen-ed overflow with $20 coupon): $79
Saylor: $__
Total ACE Phase: approximately $369.50-450
Total Credits: 90 (2 or 3 months)
Phase 2: UMPI YourPace Term (8 weeks)
Remaining 30 Credits (upper-level CS core):
The 54-55 (or 30) upper-level CS core courses that cannot transfer must be completed during one YourPace term. These include:
Introduction to Web Design (3 cr),
Databases and Database Security (3 cr),
Software Engineering (3 cr),
Operating Systems (3 cr),
Algorithm Theory and Development (3 cr),
Advanced Web Design (3 cr),
Software Engineering II (3 cr),
Computational Science (3 cr),
Parallel and Distributed Computing (3 cr),
Object-Oriented Programming (3 cr),
University Experience (1 cr)
Cost: $1,800 for one term
Feasibility:
With YourPace's self-paced, competency-based format, students capable of dedicating 30-60 hours weekly can realistically complete these 30 credits in 8 weeks.
Total Investment & Timeline (without transcript costs for international students):
ACE stacking phase: $369.50-450 (3 months)
UMPI YourPace term: $1,800 (8 weeks)
Total investment: approximately $2,169.50-2,300
Total timeline: approximately 4 months
Result: BS Computer Science degree
Comparison to Alternatives
WGU BS Computer Science: ~$3,500-4,000, 4-6 months
TESU BA Computer Science: ~$2,500-3,000, 3-4 months
UoPeople:...
Key Questions for the Community
Transfer policy confirmation:
Can anyone confirm current UMPI policy on accepting 90 ACE credits (approximately 75% of the 120-credit degree) for a future BS Computer Science YourPace program as of November 2025?
Course equivalencies:
Have students currently enrolled in the Information Systems YourPace program identified which courses have equivalent lower-level counterparts in the traditional BS Computer Science program?
Timeline expectations:
Has UMPI provided any updated timeline for the BS Computer Science YourPace launch? (I'll reply here when they reply my last e-mail)
Sophia/Study.com status:
Are Sophia Learning and Study.com courses still being accepted as transfer credit by UMPI for non-BLS programs post-May 2025? Any recent denials or issues?
Why This Matters
UMPI's YourPace competency-based format, combined with aggressive credit stacking from ACE providers, could offer one of the most affordable bachelor's degrees in computer science available today—potentially $1,000+ cheaper than WGU with faster completion.
However, the success of this strategy depends entirely on confirmation that UMPI's transfer policies remain accommodating to lower-level ACE credits.
Next Steps for Interested Students
Let's wait for Black Friday's promo codes. Maybe this can be a good time to start to study for the next degree.
Community Input Requested
Has anyone:
Recently transferred credits to UMPI from Sophia or Study.com?
Completed the Information Systems YourPace and identified transferable courses for a CS pathway?
Successfully stacked 90+ credits via ACE providers for another university's degree?
Your insights would help clarify feasibility and timeline expectations for this strategy.
Disclaimer:
This post is speculative and based on analysis of UMPI's current programs and historical timeline. No official announcement of BS Computer Science YourPace exists. Students should confirm all transfer policies directly with UMPI admissions before investing time or money in this pathway.
My intention here is to help who is thinking about a BS Computer Science Degree with a low cost option.
UMPI is NOT an option to international students, yet.
I'd like to create a spreadsheet to help when I had info about all classes needed to the actual presential BS Computer Science Degree at UMPI. If you have this info, please share.
My proposal outlines a strategy where students would complete their remaining credits at UMPI during a single term (8 weeks) at a cost of $1,800. The primary objective is to minimize overall educational expenses.
I am sure people here who made this course can give a better direction. It is not my case, yet.
My idea here is to think in public.
Status Update & Inquiry
Note on Timeline: While UMPI has not announced an official launch date for the BS Computer Science degree in the YourPace (competency-based) format, this post explores a strategic framework for students preparing NOW to potentially complete this degree in the fastest and most cost-effective manner possible.
My 2 cents to repair my mistake.
The Opportunity
For those following UMPI's program development, the BS Computer Science on YourPace has been "coming soon" for several years. However, recent community discussions (here and there) suggest possible developments could materialize in 2025-2026. Rather than waiting passively, this guide presents how strategic credit stacking via ACE providers (Sophia Learning, Study.com, Saylor) could enable completion in as little as 1 YourPace term (8 weeks) at $1,800.
Program Structure: What We Know
The traditional BS Computer Science (presential) requires 120 credits comprised of (please correct me if I am wrong, I could not find the complete class to presential BSCS at UMPI):
51 credit hours of CS core courses
40 credit hours of general electives (Math, Probability, English)
29 credit hours of upper-level electives and electives
2 credits University Experience (UNV101)
Critical Finding:
Approximately 65 credits are lower-level or general education courses that CAN transfer via ACE providers, while 54-55 credits are upper-level CS core courses that CANNOT transfer (must be completed at UMPI).
ACE Transfer Policy Changes (May 2025)
Question for the community: Has anyone confirmed whether UMPI's May 1, 2025 policy changes actually permit 90 credits (75%) of ACE transfers for the BS Computer Science program, or has the acceptance been more restrictive than initially reported?
The policy shift on that date reportedly restricted some upper-level course transfers, but clarification is needed on whether lower-level courses from Sophia Learning and Study.com continue to be accepted as of late 2025.
=======
Optimal Scenario: 1 YourPace Term Strategy
Phase 1: Stack ACE Credits (3 months pre-enrollment)
The plan is to complete 90 transferable credits before applying to UMPI, leaving only 30 credits to be completed during a single YourPace term.
Tier 1 – Sophia Learning (Lower Cost + Easier Testing)
Starting with Sophia offers a strategic advantage: all exams are open-book, making course completion more manageable while stacking credits rapidly.
Monthly cost: $99 base
With available $20 coupon discount: $79/month
Timeline: 1-2 months
Recommended credits: 48-50 credits
Courses to prioritize:
Introduction to Java Programming (4.5 cr),
Introduction to Networking (4.5 cr),
Introduction to Relational Databases (4.5 cr),
Introduction to Web Development (4.5 cr),
plus general education requirements (Psychology, History, Sociology, Ethics, etc.)
Important advantage: Sophia offers early access—you can begin studying immediately without payment, allowing you to accumulate completed courses before your paid subscription begins. It is exactly my case.
Tier 2 – Study.com College Saver Plan (CS-Specific Courses)
Study.com's College Saver plan provides access to specialized computer science courses that map directly to UMPI's BS CS requirements.
Base cost: $235/month
With 10% current discount (via promotional links): $211.50
Timeline: 1 month (after Sophia)
Recommended credits: 15-18 credits (maybe a bit more)
Courses to prioritize:
Intro to Programming (CS109, 3 cr),
Data Structures (CS201, 3 cr),
Discrete Math (3 cr),
Computer Architecture (CS306, 3 cr),
IT Fundamentals (3 cr).
Note: College Starter ($95/month) only provides access to ~70 general education courses. For CS-specific courses, the College Saver ($235/month) plan is required.
Tier 3 – Saylor.org ($5 per course)
A critical question: Is Saylor worthwhile?
Saylor offers 17 computer science courses: https://learn.saylor.org/course/index.php?categoryid=9 . However, detailed analysis shows only 6-7 of these courses directly transfer to UMPI's BS Computer Science as lower-level courses (those that transfer):
Introduction to Computer Science (Java),
Python Programming,
C++ Programming,
Data Structures/Algorithms,
Computer Architecture and Organization, and Computer Networks.
The remaining 10-11 courses are upper-level and will not transfer.
For general education requirements, Saylor courses at $5 each could supplement remaining needed credits—but comparison reveals that 2 months of Sophia at $79/month ($158) covers equivalent general education credits more efficiently than Saylor's per-course model.
Recommendation: Use Sophia for both CS fundamentals and general education. Reserve Saylor only if pursuing very specific advanced topics or if your study timeline requires maximum cost minimization. I like Saylor, but I like more to sleep and study fast and easy. If you have time, maybe you can use Saylor for a few more credits.
Financial Breakdown: ACE Phase
Sophia Learning (2 months with $20 coupon): $79 + $79 = $158
Study.com College Saver (1 month with 10% discount): $211.50
Sophia Learning (If necessary, 1 additional month for gen-ed overflow with $20 coupon): $79
Saylor: $__
Total ACE Phase: approximately $369.50-450
Total Credits: 90 (2 or 3 months)
Phase 2: UMPI YourPace Term (8 weeks)
Remaining 30 Credits (upper-level CS core):
The 54-55 (or 30) upper-level CS core courses that cannot transfer must be completed during one YourPace term. These include:
Introduction to Web Design (3 cr),
Databases and Database Security (3 cr),
Software Engineering (3 cr),
Operating Systems (3 cr),
Algorithm Theory and Development (3 cr),
Advanced Web Design (3 cr),
Software Engineering II (3 cr),
Computational Science (3 cr),
Parallel and Distributed Computing (3 cr),
Object-Oriented Programming (3 cr),
University Experience (1 cr)
Cost: $1,800 for one term
Feasibility:
With YourPace's self-paced, competency-based format, students capable of dedicating 30-60 hours weekly can realistically complete these 30 credits in 8 weeks.
Total Investment & Timeline (without transcript costs for international students):
ACE stacking phase: $369.50-450 (3 months)
UMPI YourPace term: $1,800 (8 weeks)
Total investment: approximately $2,169.50-2,300
Total timeline: approximately 4 months
Result: BS Computer Science degree
Comparison to Alternatives
WGU BS Computer Science: ~$3,500-4,000, 4-6 months
TESU BA Computer Science: ~$2,500-3,000, 3-4 months
UoPeople:...
Key Questions for the Community
Transfer policy confirmation:
Can anyone confirm current UMPI policy on accepting 90 ACE credits (approximately 75% of the 120-credit degree) for a future BS Computer Science YourPace program as of November 2025?
Course equivalencies:
Have students currently enrolled in the Information Systems YourPace program identified which courses have equivalent lower-level counterparts in the traditional BS Computer Science program?
Timeline expectations:
Has UMPI provided any updated timeline for the BS Computer Science YourPace launch? (I'll reply here when they reply my last e-mail)
Sophia/Study.com status:
Are Sophia Learning and Study.com courses still being accepted as transfer credit by UMPI for non-BLS programs post-May 2025? Any recent denials or issues?
Why This Matters
UMPI's YourPace competency-based format, combined with aggressive credit stacking from ACE providers, could offer one of the most affordable bachelor's degrees in computer science available today—potentially $1,000+ cheaper than WGU with faster completion.
However, the success of this strategy depends entirely on confirmation that UMPI's transfer policies remain accommodating to lower-level ACE credits.
Next Steps for Interested Students
Let's wait for Black Friday's promo codes. Maybe this can be a good time to start to study for the next degree.
Community Input Requested
Has anyone:
Recently transferred credits to UMPI from Sophia or Study.com?
Completed the Information Systems YourPace and identified transferable courses for a CS pathway?
Successfully stacked 90+ credits via ACE providers for another university's degree?
Your insights would help clarify feasibility and timeline expectations for this strategy.
Disclaimer:
This post is speculative and based on analysis of UMPI's current programs and historical timeline. No official announcement of BS Computer Science YourPace exists. Students should confirm all transfer policies directly with UMPI admissions before investing time or money in this pathway.
My intention here is to help who is thinking about a BS Computer Science Degree with a low cost option.
UMPI is NOT an option to international students, yet.
I'd like to create a spreadsheet to help when I had info about all classes needed to the actual presential BS Computer Science Degree at UMPI. If you have this info, please share.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16,33
-
1 Master's degree in Business Administration
6 post degrees: ...
1 Engineering degree
1 Law degree
1 Accounting degree
1 Business Administration degree
TI University Teacher
-
1 Master's degree in Business Administration
6 post degrees: ...
1 Engineering degree
1 Law degree
1 Accounting degree
1 Business Administration degree
TI University Teacher
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