UMPI - Trying to Understand PL and ACE?

[innen_oda]

The cost of a monthly membership at Study.com or Straighterline (and a class) is roughly the same of just going to UMPI and paying the monthly fee.

True. I don't really understand the love for SDC on this forum: it seems highly priced considering you don't get RA credit out of it, and you are limited in number of courses you can take each month.
Sophia is reasonably priced for ACE credit with heaps of scope for expediting, so I'd suggest this as a good approach: exhaust all of the very cheap and free ACE credits (Sophia, TEEX, Google IT cert, etc), then cover the cheap RA Gen Eds (TEL + Olivet). After that, it's a little easier to see what is left over and make a decision about whether SDC + TESU/COSC is a good option, or if UMPI might be better.

That said, you do seem to have a fairly unique situation, and I don't think your experience is necessarily applicable to most people.

[rachel83az]

SDC is good because of the variety. And it is still the only way to cheaply finish degrees at the big 3. Until last year, after the loss of Shmoop a few years ago, SDC was the absolute cheapest way to get many applicable credits. Fo RA credits, Olivet, TEL, and the cheap pandemic-inspired ASU credits did not exist.

Also, not everyone qualifies for financial aid. Without aid, UMPI is $700/mo. $410 for a month of 5 classes at SDC < $700. You'd need to be able to complete something like 10+ courses in a month at UMPI for it to "cost less" than SDC. From a purely financial standpoint, it can make sense to try to bring in as many outside credits as possible to UMPI.

That said, with or without SDC, a UMPI degree is still going to be cheaper than TESU as long as you are able to bring in everything relevant from Sophia and you are able to finish your degree in a year or less.

[Zardoz]

That said, with or without SDC, a UMPI degree is still going to be cheaper than TESU as long as you are able to bring in everything relevant from Sophia and you are able to finish your degree in a year or less.

That is definitely the case, however, TESU offers a wider range of degree options.

If it's just about completing a degree, UMPI certainly looks like the better choice.

[rachel83az]

That said, with or without SDC, a UMPI degree is still going to be cheaper than TESU as long as you are able to bring in everything relevant from Sophia and you are able to finish your degree in a year or less.

That is definitely the case, however, TESU offers a wider range of degree options.

If it's just about completing a degree, UMPI certainly looks like the better choice.

TESU does offer degrees that UMPI does not, computer science being one of them. Yes. But UMPI does offer some of the most popular options on this forum: BSBA, History, English, and BALS. If UMPI did have a computer science degree, I'd switch to them over TESU so fast.

[Zardoz]

Yep, total no-brainer. 


If UMPI adds a CS degree option, TESU's business model is in some serious hot water IMHO.

[ashkir]

Yep, total no-brainer. 


If UMPI adds a CS degree option, TESU's business model is in some serious hot water IMHO.

Agreed. UMPI has a lot of potentials to take the competency model by storm. TESU's residency waiver is hurting them so badly, now with other much more affordable options coming up.

[ss20ts]

The cost of a monthly membership at Study.com or Straighterline (and a class) is roughly the same of just going to UMPI and paying the monthly fee.

True. I don't really understand the love for SDC on this forum: it seems highly priced considering you don't get RA credit out of it, and you are limited in number of courses you can take each month.
Sophia is reasonably priced for ACE credit with heaps of scope for expediting, so I'd suggest this as a good approach: exhaust all of the very cheap and free ACE credits (Sophia, TEEX, Google IT cert, etc), then cover the cheap RA Gen Eds (TEL + Olivet). After that, it's a little easier to see what is left over and make a decision about whether SDC + TESU/COSC is a good option, or if UMPI might be better.

That said, you do seem to have a fairly unique situation, and I don't think your experience is necessarily applicable to most people.

Here's the thing though. If you can easily complete 2 or 5 courses on SDC in a month, you'll be able to complete that or more at UMPI. Why? Each course is FAR less work! Lot less reading. FAR fewer quizzes. There's 1 assignment. That's it. You're also getting RA credit at UMPI not ACE which is a HUGE difference.

My first term I completed 4 courses and didn't put much effort into my classes at UMPI. My second term I completed 8 courses. I stepped up my game and still had a whole week left with nothing to do. I'm on my third and final term with 4 courses. I've been able to slack off big time. 

[innen_oda]

If you can easily complete 2 or 5 courses on SDC in a month, you'll be able to complete that or more at UMPI.

And those UMPI credits are transferrable, whereas SDC locks you in to wholly less transferable ACE credits. I'm not worried about 'more work' (especially if it's a subject I enjoy); I just want maximum utility with the credits I'm paying for. ACE credits have less value than RA credits for me.

I see SDC as the last ditch option to fill credit reqs, when all other reasonably inexpensive options have been exhausted.

[TINASAM]

Does the CSMLearn transfer into UMPI and if so, what does it come in as?

[ss20ts]

Does the CSMLearn transfer into UMPI and if so, what does it come in as?

Not that I'm aware of. You've applied there so wait and see.