Path Review: Accounting

[Jonathan Whatley]

So if I took an extra 30 credits at Sophia, transferred everything to UMPI - they'd display 150 credits (30 beyond the need 120 for my BA in Accounting) is that correct?

Yes. Exclude from the total any Sophia course not accepted for credit at all at UMPI; e.g., I think, Foundations of English Composition and Foundations of Statistics because they're developmental-level, and I'm not sure about College Readiness. Additionally, exclude from the total any repeat of largely the same course; e.g., if you took Art History I at Sophia and History of Western Art I at another college, only one will likely count towards the 150.

[tesu-acct-student]

That really helps, thank you!

I'm actually based in Texas, which I know is very strict, but will be going to UMPI, so will get CPA certified there and transfer to TX after.

So if I took an extra 30 credits at Sophia, transferred everything to UMPI - they'd display 150 credits (30 beyond the need 120 for my BA in Accounting) is that correct?

Thanks again

I recommend reading everything you can find about transferring the license to Texas, and Texas' policies on license reciprocity. From what I can gather, it is a little easier than it used to be for CPAs to work in a different jurisdiction from the one where their license was obtained. 

Personally, I would NOT assume that it is an easy process. I'd want to make sure I understood EXACTLY what was required in the state where I intended to work (Texas, in your case) before obtaining a license from a different state (Maine, in your case). 

The reason: it may just be easier to obtain the license from Texas. But you won't know until you do more digging. 

Regarding the Sophia credits: I'm pretty sure the answer is YES but they will likely show as transfer credits, not as credits originating from UMPI (I say this based on how they appear on TESU's transcripts). I'm not familiar with how UMPI's transcripts appear so maybe someone who is can chime in.

[turbotortuga]

Hello, I wanted to see if anyone had a similar path or advice. I don't have a degree so I am working through courses on Sophia to get as much credit as possible to transfer into the BA Accounting at UMPI. Upon successful completion then do the Masters of Accounting at WGU, then get the CPA, I am in TX and have read mixed reports about them accepting sophia courses, though it appears I can do the CPA exam in a more friendly state and transfer in to Texas. How does this plan sound, anyone done it before? Any advice? Thanks!

Hello. I actually did the exact path that you are attempting. I did the BA Accounting at UMPI, then went to WGU for the MAcc. I finished the MAcc this past April and am now in the DBA Accounting at South College. Since I did both, then I can save you some time and frustration. Skip UMPI for the Accounting portion. They gutted the Accounting transfer courses this past May, so none of the UL Accounting courses from SDC transfer any longer, therefore you will have to do a min of 15-16 courses at UMPI, which is the same number that you'd have to do at WGU. So I reccomend that you just do both the BSAcc and the MAcc at WGU instead over 2 terms versus doing 2 terms at UMPI and then going to WGU. Additionally, the accouting program at UMPI is so lackluster and tedious, you will be much better served at WGU anyway. Hope this helps.

Hello, thanks for reaching out, I really appreciate the info.

I actually got it down to 14 courses needed at UMPI which I think is doable over 2 terms? which would work out much cheaper than WGU, right?

The reason I ask is, I already applied for UMPI for fall 2. I guess, I can pull out and try change to WGU - but I've researched and really like UMPI.

Can you tell me more about the Accounting program, I know you say its lackluster - can you tell me more?

Honestly, I learn best with a combination of watching video, reading and just problem solving - so even if the material isn't great - I am very good at going out and learning things on my own!

Congrats on doing the DBA!

Btw - did you ever look into getting a CPA? were there implications from Sophia credits? I think as long as its recognized by a college, it should be ok, right? and worst case I can do my CPA in a friendlier state and trasfer, right?

Thanks again!

Oh you are in Texas and want to obtain Texas CPA Licensure? I'll save you some time and tell you to stop with the Sophia/SDC/ACE Courses right now. The Texas State Board of Public Accountacy (TSBPA) is one of the pickiest and most anal in the union. Just look up the education requirements and you will see that they carveout all of the ACE courses as not acceptable regardless of who/where accepted them. WGU actually worked with the TSBPA to revamp their BSAcc and MAcc curriculum to reflect and better meet the TSBPA CPA education requirements, so if you want CBE Accounting, then WGU is where you should go. Full stop. I could go into why UMPI's Accounting program is not as robust, but if you search my post history, I've discussed it ad nausem. In short, I'll give you one example: Fed Taxation I and II are the worst examples in the major and have you doing returns from 2018 with no support and feedback... I mean it's 2025 and UMPI's accounting offerings are still doing 2018 returns...bruh.

Regardless, I finished the MAcc at WGU this past April and it was such a great experience. Wish I could do it again. The experience was night and day from UMPI, but you do you bruh. If you wanna go to UMPI even tho the education is like leagues better at WGU, have fun.

[dennycrane]

Hello, I wanted to see if anyone had a similar path or advice. I don't have a degree so I am working through courses on Sophia to get as much credit as possible to transfer into the BA Accounting at UMPI. Upon successful completion then do the Masters of Accounting at WGU, then get the CPA, I am in TX and have read mixed reports about them accepting sophia courses, though it appears I can do the CPA exam in a more friendly state and transfer in to Texas. How does this plan sound, anyone done it before? Any advice? Thanks!

Hello. I actually did the exact path that you are attempting. I did the BA Accounting at UMPI, then went to WGU for the MAcc. I finished the MAcc this past April and am now in the DBA Accounting at South College. Since I did both, then I can save you some time and frustration. Skip UMPI for the Accounting portion. They gutted the Accounting transfer courses this past May, so none of the UL Accounting courses from SDC transfer any longer, therefore you will have to do a min of 15-16 courses at UMPI, which is the same number that you'd have to do at WGU. So I reccomend that you just do both the BSAcc and the MAcc at WGU instead over 2 terms versus doing 2 terms at UMPI and then going to WGU. Additionally, the accouting program at UMPI is so lackluster and tedious, you will be much better served at WGU anyway. Hope this helps.

Hello, thanks for reaching out, I really appreciate the info.

I actually got it down to 14 courses needed at UMPI which I think is doable over 2 terms? which would work out much cheaper than WGU, right?

The reason I ask is, I already applied for UMPI for fall 2. I guess, I can pull out and try change to WGU - but I've researched and really like UMPI.

Can you tell me more about the Accounting program, I know you say its lackluster - can you tell me more?

Honestly, I learn best with a combination of watching video, reading and just problem solving - so even if the material isn't great - I am very good at going out and learning things on my own!

Congrats on doing the DBA!

Btw - did you ever look into getting a CPA? were there implications from Sophia credits? I think as long as its recognized by a college, it should be ok, right? and worst case I can do my CPA in a friendlier state and trasfer, right?

Thanks again!

Oh you are in Texas and want to obtain Texas CPA Licensure? I'll save you some time and tell you to stop with the Sophia/SDC/ACE Courses right now. The Texas State Board of Public Accountacy (TSBPA) is one of the pickiest and most anal in the union. Just look up the education requirements and you will see that they carveout all of the ACE courses as not acceptable regardless of who/where accepted them. WGU actually worked with the TSBPA to revamp their BSAcc and MAcc curriculum to reflect and better meet the TSBPA CPA education requirements, so if you want CBE Accounting, then WGU is where you should go. Full stop. I could go into why UMPI's Accounting program is not as robust, but if you search my post history, I've discussed it ad nausem. In short, I'll give you one example: Fed Taxation I and II are the worst examples in the major and have you doing returns from 2018 with no support and feedback... I mean it's 2025 and UMPI's accounting offerings are still doing 2018 returns...bruh.

Regardless, I finished the MAcc at WGU this past April and it was such a great experience. Wish I could do it again. The experience was night and day from UMPI, but you do you bruh. If you wanna go to UMPI even tho the education is like leagues better at WGU, have fun.

OK, this is concerning but good to know, thanks!

Cost and time is a huge factor for me - which is why I am (was) bullish on UMPI.

I figure having to do all my credits through WGU and not Sophia, Straigherline etc - will take me 2 years as I am working full time - which is 16k right there, and thats just for the Bachelors.

--

I understand TX is a pain in the ass for licensure, but I've checked pretty thoroughly and if I were to get my licensure through somewhere like Maine the UMPI accounting course (as long as I have 150 credits) is sufficient. Then I can transfer to TX (after passing exams and 2 years of experience under a CPA)

I will look into WGU more and I think it would be my preference, by the money and time invest just seems to be a non starter for me, sadly.

Thank you for the feedback.

It is hard to know what to do, but at the end of the day if I can get a degree at a fraction of the price, even if the education is subpar, I think that is worth it.

[bjcheung77]

Yes, decide the UMPI BA Accounting then WGU MAcc would be for you, or the one and done solution with WGU BS Accounting & MAcc.

[turbotortuga]

OK, this is concerning but good to know, thanks!

Cost and time is a huge factor for me - which is why I am (was) bullish on UMPI.

I figure having to do all my credits through WGU and not Sophia, Straigherline etc - will take me 2 years as I am working full time - which is 16k right there, and thats just for the Bachelors.

--

I understand TX is a pain in the ass for licensure, but I've checked pretty thoroughly and if I were to get my licensure through somewhere like Maine the UMPI accounting course (as long as I have 150 credits) is sufficient. Then I can transfer to TX (after passing exams and 2 years of experience under a CPA)

I will look into WGU more and I think it would be my preference, by the money and time invest just seems to be a non starter for me, sadly.

Thank you for the feedback.

It is hard to know what to do, but at the end of the day if I can get a degree at a fraction of the price, even if the education is subpar, I think that is worth it.

Bruh, there are two states in the enitre union with the strictest and most anal CPA statutes, New York and Texas! Yea, you need to do more reading on Texas. The TSBPA requires that any CPA requesting reciprocity in Texas still have to meet Texas CPA education and licensure requirements, even if already licensed in another state! Again, WGU may take more time but it'll save you on the back end. The Texas BPA isn't dumb and knows what people try to do to get around their rules. Anyway, I also work more than full time (Active duty military) and I was able to finish UMPI in two sessions and the WGU MAcc in one term, so if you are motivated, I can see you finishing WGU in two terms at the most for the BSAcc and one term for the MAcc. UMPI also raised the YourPace tuition to $1,800 per term now, so two sessions at UMPI (16 weeks) cost $3,600 versus one term at WGU (26 weeks) at $4,000. WGU can potentially be faster because you still have exams for quite a few courses, which can take a day or two, if you are familiar with the material. But you do you.

[ss20ts]

Regarding the Sophia credits: I'm pretty sure the answer is YES but they will likely show as transfer credits, not as credits originating from UMPI (I say this based on how they appear on TESU's transcripts). I'm not familiar with how UMPI's transcripts appear so maybe someone who is can chime in.

I can 100% say that any and all courses transferred to UMPI will be designated as transfer credit on all transcripts. I've graduated twice from UMPI and this is exactly how mine and everyone who transfers credits into UMPI's transcripts appear. Only courses completed at UMPI will be institutional credits.

---

I understand TX is a pain in the ass for licensure, but I've checked pretty thoroughly and if I were to get my licensure through somewhere like Maine the UMPI accounting course (as long as I have 150 credits) is sufficient. Then I can transfer to TX (after passing exams and 2 years of experience under a CPA)

I will look into WGU more and I think it would be my preference, by the money and time invest just seems to be a non starter for me, sadly.

Thank you for the feedback.

It is hard to know what to do, but at the end of the day if I can get a degree at a fraction of the price, even if the education is subpar, I think that is worth it.

How would you work for a CPA in Maine? Moving to Maine? You have to work under a CPA for at least 2 years before becoming licensed in Maine. 

https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionalli...accountant


Chapter 5 is here:

https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionalli...cyRule.pdf

[dennycrane]

OK, this is concerning but good to know, thanks!

Cost and time is a huge factor for me - which is why I am (was) bullish on UMPI.

I figure having to do all my credits through WGU and not Sophia, Straigherline etc - will take me 2 years as I am working full time - which is 16k right there, and thats just for the Bachelors.

--

I understand TX is a pain in the ass for licensure, but I've checked pretty thoroughly and if I were to get my licensure through somewhere like Maine the UMPI accounting course (as long as I have 150 credits) is sufficient. Then I can transfer to TX (after passing exams and 2 years of experience under a CPA)

I will look into WGU more and I think it would be my preference, by the money and time invest just seems to be a non starter for me, sadly.

Thank you for the feedback.

It is hard to know what to do, but at the end of the day if I can get a degree at a fraction of the price, even if the education is subpar, I think that is worth it.

Bruh, there are two states in the enitre union with the strictest and most anal CPA statutes, New York and Texas! Yea, you need to do more reading on Texas. The TSBPA requires that any CPA requesting reciprocity in Texas still have to meet Texas CPA education and licensure requirements, even if already licensed in another state! Again, WGU may take more time but it'll save you on the back end. The Texas BPA isn't dumb and knows what people try to do to get around their rules. Anyway, I also work more than full time (Active duty military) and I was able to finish UMPI in two sessions and the WGU MAcc in one term, so if you are motivated, I can see you finishing WGU in two terms at the most for the BSAcc and one term for the MAcc. UMPI also raised the YourPace tuition to $1,800 per term now, so two sessions at UMPI (16 weeks) cost $3,600 versus one term at WGU (26 weeks) at $4,000. WGU can potentially be faster because you still have exams for quite a few courses, which can take a day or two, if you are familiar with the material. But you do you.

Thanks Man. Do you know if I can transfer credits in from Sophia etc into WGU? and will that have implications for Texas licensure? because if not, then I'd have to do a whole degrees worth of material (in order to meeting the credit requirements) and that will definitely take more than a couple of terms, right? I'd definitely consider the WGU BS and MAcc. if I could transfer in some credits.

Honestly, idk where I'll be in two years time, quite possibly no longer in Texas, so I really don't want to make too solid plans based on that.

---

Regarding the Sophia credits: I'm pretty sure the answer is YES but they will likely show as transfer credits, not as credits originating from UMPI (I say this based on how they appear on TESU's transcripts). I'm not familiar with how UMPI's transcripts appear so maybe someone who is can chime in.

I can 100% say that any and all courses transferred to UMPI will be designated as transfer credit on all transcripts. I've graduated twice from UMPI and this is exactly how mine and everyone who transfers credits into UMPI's transcripts appear. Only courses completed at UMPI will be institutional credits.

---

I understand TX is a pain in the ass for licensure, but I've checked pretty thoroughly and if I were to get my licensure through somewhere like Maine the UMPI accounting course (as long as I have 150 credits) is sufficient. Then I can transfer to TX (after passing exams and 2 years of experience under a CPA)

I will look into WGU more and I think it would be my preference, by the money and time invest just seems to be a non starter for me, sadly.

Thank you for the feedback.

It is hard to know what to do, but at the end of the day if I can get a degree at a fraction of the price, even if the education is subpar, I think that is worth it.

How would you work for a CPA in Maine? Moving to Maine? You have to work under a CPA for at least 2 years before becoming licensed in Maine. 

https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionalli...accountant


Chapter 5 is here:

https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionalli...cyRule.pdf

You don't have to be working in Maine, just under the supervision of a CPA in any state! so I could work from Texas (or any of the state)

[tesu-acct-student]

Texas is not going to accept Sophia.

[ss20ts]

OK, this is concerning but good to know, thanks!

Cost and time is a huge factor for me - which is why I am (was) bullish on UMPI.

I figure having to do all my credits through WGU and not Sophia, Straigherline etc - will take me 2 years as I am working full time - which is 16k right there, and thats just for the Bachelors.

--

I understand TX is a pain in the ass for licensure, but I've checked pretty thoroughly and if I were to get my licensure through somewhere like Maine the UMPI accounting course (as long as I have 150 credits) is sufficient. Then I can transfer to TX (after passing exams and 2 years of experience under a CPA)

I will look into WGU more and I think it would be my preference, by the money and time invest just seems to be a non starter for me, sadly.

Thank you for the feedback.

It is hard to know what to do, but at the end of the day if I can get a degree at a fraction of the price, even if the education is subpar, I think that is worth it.

Bruh, there are two states in the enitre union with the strictest and most anal CPA statutes, New York and Texas! Yea, you need to do more reading on Texas. The TSBPA requires that any CPA requesting reciprocity in Texas still have to meet Texas CPA education and licensure requirements, even if already licensed in another state! Again, WGU may take more time but it'll save you on the back end. The Texas BPA isn't dumb and knows what people try to do to get around their rules. Anyway, I also work more than full time (Active duty military) and I was able to finish UMPI in two sessions and the WGU MAcc in one term, so if you are motivated, I can see you finishing WGU in two terms at the most for the BSAcc and one term for the MAcc. UMPI also raised the YourPace tuition to $1,800 per term now, so two sessions at UMPI (16 weeks) cost $3,600 versus one term at WGU (26 weeks) at $4,000. WGU can potentially be faster because you still have exams for quite a few courses, which can take a day or two, if you are familiar with the material. But you do you.

Thanks Man. Do you know if I can transfer credits in from Sophia etc into WGU? and will that have implications for Texas licensure? because if not, then I'd have to do a whole degrees worth of material (in order to meeting the credit requirements) and that will definitely take more than a couple of terms, right? I'd definitely consider the WGU BS and MAcc. if I could transfer in some credits.

Honestly, idk where I'll be in two years time, quite possibly no longer in Texas, so I really don't want to make too solid plans based on that.

---

Regarding the Sophia credits: I'm pretty sure the answer is YES but they will likely show as transfer credits, not as credits originating from UMPI (I say this based on how they appear on TESU's transcripts). I'm not familiar with how UMPI's transcripts appear so maybe someone who is can chime in.

I can 100% say that any and all courses transferred to UMPI will be designated as transfer credit on all transcripts. I've graduated twice from UMPI and this is exactly how mine and everyone who transfers credits into UMPI's transcripts appear. Only courses completed at UMPI will be institutional credits.

---

I understand TX is a pain in the ass for licensure, but I've checked pretty thoroughly and if I were to get my licensure through somewhere like Maine the UMPI accounting course (as long as I have 150 credits) is sufficient. Then I can transfer to TX (after passing exams and 2 years of experience under a CPA)

I will look into WGU more and I think it would be my preference, by the money and time invest just seems to be a non starter for me, sadly.

Thank you for the feedback.

It is hard to know what to do, but at the end of the day if I can get a degree at a fraction of the price, even if the education is subpar, I think that is worth it.

How would you work for a CPA in Maine? Moving to Maine? You have to work under a CPA for at least 2 years before becoming licensed in Maine. 

https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionalli...accountant


Chapter 5 is here:

https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionalli...cyRule.pdf

You don't have to be working in Maine, just under the supervision of a CPA in any state! so I could work from Texas (or any of the state)

I don't think that is going to work. Otherwise anyone could become licensed in Maine.