Completed ETAMU - BAAS: Organizational Leadership

[SpartacusPM]

Like most of us on this forum I had an "unconventional" journey to getting a bachelor's degree! I went to community college 20+ years ago and racked up a few credits, but never graduated even with an Associates Degree. Higher Education, while not frowned upon was never really supported by my family. I never thought I would get a college degree.

Then early 2024 I stumbled upon a youtube channel discussing hacking college and then that started my search done the rabbit hole. I looked at WGU, UMPI, TESU, PUG, etc. I originally settled on WGU, then quickly transitioned to UMPI. I really wanted the BABA in PM/IS.  Once I knew where I wanted to go I began knocking out Sophia credits and Study credits. Then I applied for UMPI and started to get all my transcripts transferred. Only to learn they wanted a transcript from an old technical college from 12+ years ago and of course this school doesn't do anything electronically, so I had to request a paper copy and it took nearly two months, which delayed an already slow process with UMPI. It delayed me starting in the fall of 2024 and also the Spring 1 of 2025.

At this point I was ready to just have my degree already. I had remembered stumbling across a post on here about TAMUC at the time, now ETAMU and I had mentioned it to my wife as she was considering a degree in Healthcare. So I decided to take a look at it myself and the only degree that appealed to me was the Organizational Leadership. So I decided to apply since the Spring 1 term was approaching fast and I wanted to have a back up plan. Well my backup plan become option #1 and since I live in Texas it actually works out great. Makes it easier to get to graduation. 

The program and the professors were amazing and provided great feedback. The application process while a bit slow is not as slow as UMPI and the staff is great, at least for the Organizational Leadership program. The advisor's provide a quick response. While you can't have as many classes open at a time as UMPI and the terms are only for 7 weeks. At $1000 per term for Texas residents it is a great deal. 

I was able to transfer almost the max of credits in. I transferred in 87 credits towards the degree. Could have been 90, but I decided to go ahead and take Texas Government at ETAMU. While the class was a lot of work, it wasn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be. 

I took a total of 11 classes, 33 credits. All with A's, So not only did I go back to school, but I will be walking in a couple of weeks and graduation with distinction. 

Anyone still on the fence about hacking college. GO FOR IT!

[bjcheung77]

Awesome job! Congrats on getting this completed! +1, Yes, I agree, UMPI is a very good choice, but because you're in Texas, I would have recommended ETAMU as the first choice and having UMPI as your backup (just like you've done).

[mohelena02]

Congrats!!!!

[SpartacusPM]

Congrats!!!!

Thank You!

---

Awesome job! Congrats on getting this completed!  +1, Yes, I agree, UMPI is a very good choice, but because you're in Texas, I would have recommended ETAMU as the first choice and having UMPI as your backup (just like you've done).

Thank you. Next stop my PMP and then after that time for a Masters. Most likely an MSB with concentration in Business Intelligence from UMPI once it launches. Unless one of the three rumored CBE Master's degrees from ETAMU launch and have a different focus than what I expect. I have had two people in an ETAMU group mention they heard ETAMU was working on a CBE MBA, and they claim they were not getting it confused with the 3 pending MA's. So if that ends up happening, that might be in play too.

[raycathode]

Felicidades. I’m very happy for you and I’m glad you’ll get to experience the in person graduation. It’s a huge accomplishment and you should be very proud of yourself.

[ltw900rr]

Congratulations!!!

[SpartacusPM]

Felicidades. I’m very happy for you and I’m glad you’ll get to experience the in person graduation. It’s a huge accomplishment and you should be very proud of yourself.

Thank you. I am so proud. My wife took me out to celebrate the other night.

---

Congratulations!!!

Thank You. You went to ETAMU/TAMUC also, correct?

---

Awesome job! Congrats on getting this completed!  +1, Yes, I agree, UMPI is a very good choice, but because you're in Texas, I would have recommended ETAMU as the first choice and having UMPI as your backup (just like you've done).

I know your are a huge advocate for UMPI and the MAOL program and you often encourage members of the forum to take the 4 classes that can roll up into the MAOL while they are working on their Bachelors. 

I know the MSB programs haven't launched yet, but do you happen to know if in theory while working on the Core classes for the MS programs if taking some of those MAOL courses is possible, especially for those of us who didn't attend UMPI for their bachelors.

Basically, since my bachelors is in Organizational Leadership, I don't feel the need to go just for the MAOL, however if I can knock out a few classes while working on my MSB, it might be worth it. 

My preliminary plan for now:

Enroll for one of the first 3 MSB Concentrations so I can knock out the Core Classes. > Once the Business Intelligence Concentration launches then move over to that program. But since that will be 6 courses per term. Just kind of thinking out loud maybe its possible to knock out some MAOL courses too.

[bjcheung77]

Focus on the PMP for now, if ETAMU is coming out with a program and will be done soon (such as a month or two after you do the PMP), then shoot for ETAMU and their CBE offerings. Having said that, if you get your PMP and it'll take them another two years to complete the offerings, I would shift that focus on UMPI and their MSB concentrations of your choice. You can take the 3-4 classes towards the MAOL if you ever wanted (time permitting as you still want to focus on the MSB).

At this juncture in time, I think it'll be redundant to do the MAOL though, the MSB is an alternative to the general MBA in my eyes, the MAOL is a subfield or subset of Business Admin, you may not need the MAOL as you have a good mix of degree/experience. Now, if you were 20 years younger and have tuition assistance or reimbursement, but, without much experience, I would go for it... Again, for now, go the route you initial planned, PMP > MSB.