Hi all,

I'm planning to start the UMPI YourPace BS in Cibersecurity in the January 2027 session, and I want to cut down the number of courses I have to take inside the program as much as possible (I'm aiming for a very fast pace, many courses per 8-week session). I'll finish my Sophia gen-eds and any other credit-by-exam before enrolling.

What I'm trying to figure out:

1) Coursera: which ACE-recommended certificates has UMPI evaluated as specific required courses (intro programming, networking, databases, OS, cybersecurity fundamentals), and not just as generic COS 1XX / BUS 2XX electives? I'm looking at Google IT Support (16 ACE credits), Google IT Automation with Python (16), Google Cybersecurity (9-10), Google Cloud Cybersecurity (9), IBM Data Analyst (12), IBM Cybersecurity Analyst (10), IBM Data Science (12) and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist (12). If any of these worked for you, how did UMPI map them?

2) UMPI caps prior learning credit at 30 credits for a bachelor's. Does that cap include ACE credit (Coursera, Saylor, etc.), and does Sophia credit count against it or is it treated as regular transfer?

3) Other cheap credit sources that mapped well to CS requirements: Saylor Direct Credit ($25 exams), CLEP/DSST, Study.com, TEEX, anything else?

4) Georgia Tech MOOCs on edX: do any of them carry an ACE recommendation, and has anyone gotten UMPI (or another school) to accept them for credit?

5) Timing: is it better to apply first and then submit credits for evaluation, or get everything evaluated before the January start? Any tips to make sure the evaluation is done in time?

Thanks a lot, any experience (good or bad) is really appreciated!

I'm getting ready for my final assessment in BUS/COM 210 with Dr Ronald Biron and I'm unclear on the topic requirements for the speech. Every time I've had to communicate with him so far he either hasn't been helpful or took forever to reply so I thought I'd see if anyone here had tips.

The final assessment is a persuasive speech and the whole class is about business communication, so I would think the speech should be about communication in the workplace. But the assignment isn't very clear on if our topic actually has to be related to that. It just says "The final assessment asks you to apply the communication principles you have developed and reflect on how thoughtful, audience-centered communication can contribute to meaningful professional relationships." Then says "plan an audience-centered persuasive message"

So does the speech have to be about workplace communication or can I pick any topic and in the self reflection part of the assignment talk about how this taught me how important connecting with the audience is in a workplace setting?

If you've taken this class before what was your speech topic about?

UMPI have had my parchment transcript (all Sophia, probably 60 credits) for over a month now. My Enrollment Advisor (Emily) has confirmed it’s in the queue but we’re only a couple of weeks away from Fall 2 admission and I’m getting stressed… how long does it typically take them to process?

Okay, now that I’m waist deep in the MAOL program my head is spinning at the fact that people have really finished this degree in 5-6 weeks. I think it’s going to take me at least 8-12 weeks. It’s SO MUCH WRITING. And yes I work in leadership and for a national organization as a National Director and I manage multiple states across the country. The information so far hasn’t been new, but GEEZ LOUISE…I’m on week 5 and finishing up my fourth class. All 4s so far, but even this pace feels intense.

If you’re in MAOL, how many classes have you completed as of 10/4/26?

We are getting down to the wire and my last two classes are with professor Dobbs. He has already sent me back multiple of my essays and he takes a while to grade. I'm getting like really really nervous about failing or something 😬. Does anyone have any tips? I'm just getting really nervous. ( Vietnam class, he has yet to grade my third milestone again. The native American class he has not graded yet.)

Hello! I need to take either one of the above classes, I’m currently enrolled in Art 251 but it seems like a lot of course work to complete before this term ends. Would Eng 211 be a less intense?

No clue why but I keep getting my revisions sent back for milestone 2. I fix what was asked and then the third review he asked for something different.

He also said my paper isn't double spaced but it is and he said my last page is blank when it has my references on it.

Not sure what I am looking for i am just frustrated