UMPI Admissions Questions - BA Psychology

[rachel83az]

Hello everyone, 

I am so grateful to have found this community and for all the information I have already learned on different threads about alternative credit and competency-based programs. I just graduated this summer with an A.S. degree from my local community college. Almost half of that degree was composed of CLEP credits so even though I have 60 credits from that degree, I will list the CLEP courses under that section of the template. 

I had originally planned on attending TESU and taking advantage of the in-state tuition. However, after doing some more research I believe that I can finish my degree faster and cheaper at UMPI. I would love to hear feedback about whether UMPI seems like a good fit for my goals. Also, I have not yet completed the application process as I'm not sure if I should check the box asking if I have college equivalent credit transcripts to submit or not. Since the CLEP credits are included in my A.S. degree transcript do I still have to select this option and send in an additional transcript from the college board?

Yes, I think you do need to check that box. The CLEP credits will need to be sent separately. UMPI will not (properly) process your application if you send the AS and not the CLEP credits.

I am hoping to complete the minimum number of credits (30) at UMPI. Since the next term only begins on January 16th, I am planning on completing as many Sophia courses as possible to meet this goal as well as taking some of the required UL psych courses on Study.com that are included in the UMPI BA Psychology Degree Plan Wiki. Should I wait to apply until I have these additional credits? I've read that they are taking longer to process transcripts and I don't want to miss the December 12th deadline for the next term but I heard that you need permission to transfer credits after enrolling and I don't want to complicate things. 

I would at least take Human Biology or Intro to Nutrition (you already have Env. Science + Lab) and Spanish I before applying. Those are the main classes that, if you don't get permission, will trip you up when taken at UMPI. That said, they're generally pretty easy-going regarding the transfer of additional credits. Apply now, as soon as you've got those credits, and keep going at Sophia/SDC.

Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible would be ideal. I would like to finish within a year. Completing the program in 1-2 sessions at UMPI would be perfect. 

Because this is a new degree program and this program seems to be more in-depth than most of their other degrees, I would plan on spending at least 2-3 sessions at UMPI. I'm guessing it'll actually take about 4 sessions. This seems to be about right for their BABA Marketing degree; BABA Marketing may or may not be work than the BA Psych. That said, I could certainly be wrong and maybe you'll be able to finish in just 1-2 sessions!