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Hoping to finally get degree
#1
Hello, 

As the subject states, I am hoping to finally get/finish a degree, any help is greatly appreciated as I am a bit overwhelmed with the options out there.   Thank you!

Location: Colorado
Age: 33
Desired Degree: Criminal Justice, Open to others though. 
Goal: Fraud Analytics/Investigation

Completed Credits(All are 3 credits each except as listed): 
AJ 14 Criminal Law, Grade: A
AJ 19 Intro into investigation, Grade: A
AJ 101 Admin of Justice System, Grade: A
AJ 102 Criminal Procedures, Grade: A
PHIL 2 Intro into Logic, Grade: A
ANTH 101 Intro to Physical Anthropology, Grade: A
HED 100 Health and Wellness, Grade: A
PSY 101 General Psychology, Grade: B
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology, Grade: B
FSN 109 Basic Nutrition for health, Grade: A
HIST 119 History of CA, Grade: B
HUM 102 World Civ. since 1500, Grade: C
CHEM 110 Chemistry and Society 4 credits Grade: B
ENGL 101 Freshman Comp 4 credits, Grade: B
FILM 102 Hollywood and the American Film, Grade: C

I am currently working on the Google Analytics certificate as well.

Commitments: I work full time and have a family, so study time would be nights and weekends. 

I would like to of course spend as least as possible for finishing, given the time constraints.
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#2
This is an easy vote for UMPI, since none of the Big 3 has a CJ degree that can be done via alt-credit. UMPI also happens to the be the cheapest/easiest/fastest for most people.

You need to finish the GEC:
American Government (ICC)
Spanish (ICC)
Ethics (Sophia)
College Algebra or Stats (Sophia)
Human Biology (Sophia)

Then, if you want to do additional courses for the major, you can do that:
CJ 104: Introduction to Criminology (SDC)
PSY 104: Social Psychology (SDC)
COM 120: Presentation Skills in the Workplace (SDC)
CJ 306: Research Methods in Criminal Justice (SDC)
CJ 305: The Juvenile Justice System (SDC)

And finally, you need some electives. I would use ICC if they work for you, or Sophia.

You will take Comp 2 and a creative class at UMPI, in addition to the major coursework, for a total of 10 courses.
TESU BSBA/HR 2018 - WVNCC BOG AAS 2017 - GGU Cert in Mgmt 2000
EXAMS: TECEP Tech Wrtg, Comp II, LA Math, PR, Computers  DSST Computers, Pers Fin  CLEP Mgmt, Mktg
COURSES: TESU Capstone  Study.com Pers Fin, Microecon, Stats  Ed4Credit Acct 2  PF Fin Mgmt  ALEKS Int & Coll Alg  Sophia Proj Mgmt The Institutes - Ins Ethics  Kaplan PLA
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#3
Agreed; UMPI is going to be the easiest & cheapest way to get a CJ degree. For a full suggested plan, you can check out the wiki here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan
In progress:
TESU - BA Computer Science; BSBA CIS; ASNSM Math & CS; ASBA

Completed:
Pierpont - AAS BOG
Sophia (so many), The Institutes (old), Study.com (5 courses)
ASU: Human Origins, Astronomy, Intro Health & Wellness, Western Civilization, Computer Appls & Info Technology, Intro Programming
Strayer: CIS175, CIS111, WRK100, MAT210
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#4
Thank you so much for the replies, I really appreciate it!

I wanted to confirm, ICC= InstantCert.com and SDC=Study.com correct? (Sorry if that is a dumb question)

Also, do you have an opinion of how quickly an 'average' person can get through this amount of of schooling that I have left?
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#5
Another similar option would be from Texas A&M-Commerce. The price is similar and they are also competency based. Are you already working in Law Enforcement? https://www.tamuc.edu/programs/criminal-...eadership/
Possible Next up: MS Analytics

MBA ‘26
BS Sociology 
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#6
Thanks for that info! I'm not currently in LE though unfortunately
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#7
@outofcomfortzone,  I have good news and I have bad news...  Good news is that I'm 50/50 on board with everyone, the UMPI might be your ticket if you can finish in the 2 terms, or even in 3 terms because of your commitments and time.  The Bad news, with the info you provided, it's still too vague to determine "how fast" YOU can complete the degree.  An average person will be able to complete this in 3 terms... have that as your goal!  

Now it's great you're working on the Google Analytics certificate, I usually recommend 3 things, certs - degree - experience, if you would like to provide more detailed information instead of the shortened info on the template, you want to be more clear on the number of hours you have per week, how much you can spend, whatever else you can think of: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

From what I read above, full time, family, time constraints are the exact three I look for and recommend against UMPI or any competency based program, that's where my 50/50 is, you see.  Your best bet right now is to complete all the general education courses that can go towards UMPI's program and "gauge" how fast you're going, if you can complete it in a certain timeframe, reply back when those are complete, example: I finished 10 Sophia.org courses in a month.
Study.com Offer https://bit.ly/3RTJ3I9
UPI Study https://www.upistudy.com/?ref=f6bc41

Pre-Med Online, MSc Biomedical Sciences (Starting Jan 2026)
In Progress: UoPeople BS Health Science

Completed: UMPI BAS & MAOL (2025)
TESU ASNSM Biology, BSBA (ACBSP Accredited 2017)

[Image: e7P9EJ4.jpeg]
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#8
Hello! Thank you for all the awesome information!
I understand what you are saying with the hesitancy of this path with other commitments. Once I have a solid game plan that I fully understand, I feel that I can put my head down and get through it. I will be spending approximately 3-4 hours a day on course work once started. I am also able to take time off work in order to allow for more time as needed as well.
I think if the average person can get through the course work load in 3 terms, I can as well, so thank you for providing that timeline!

I wanted to thank everyone again for the information and encouragement.
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