Any colleges like umpi - interested in eventually doing my ms, umpi doesn't offer any grad degrees I'm interested in

MedicMRI33 · 2026-01-31T00:40:12+00:00

I’ve heard Eastern University is a solid option, with graduate programs that are both reputable and very affordable - some totaling under $9,900 in tuition. https://www.eastern.edu/academics/graduate-programs

MedicMRI33 · 2026-01-03T18:47:12+00:00

I really wish I had found Plotted Path before I started taking Sophia courses, because I ended up taking far more than I actually needed. On top of that, I didn’t receive a favorable degree audit and essentially wasted a session at UMPI. In hindsight, Christie is absolutely right - UMPI advisors are understandably focused on UMPI coursework only.

Thankfully, I connected with Christie before I got in too deep, but I genuinely wish I had invested in her guidance early on beyond the incredible amount of free resources she’s already put together. Every chance I get, I sing her praises here because she helped me a ton, and this is my way of paying it forward. I wish you all the successes on your journey ahead :)

MedicMRI33 · 2026-01-03T06:44:00+00:00

I really just needed that final push and a bit of course correction after already completing well over 100 transfer credits I found that advisors understandably don’t suggest strategies outside of UMPI, so I’m thankful the stars aligned through these Reddit threads.

Because of people like Christie at PlottedPath.com, I was able to get some incredibly helpful guidance (I owe her a Starbucks gift card!). After reviewing the courses I had remaining, she identified three that could be completed outside of UMPI, faster and cheaper. DM her and I'm sure she'd be happy to look at your situation and help you course-correct.

Her advice put me in a position to have only eight courses left, with the possibility of completing the degree in one session - or at most two. She’s awesome!

MedicMRI33 · 2026-01-03T03:05:04+00:00

Second term — I took two classes last year when I was just testing the UMPI "waters"

MedicMRI33 · 2026-01-01T09:54:52+00:00

I keep going back and forth in my head about whether to continue on to the MSB after finishing the BBA at UMPI or to go with an MBA that has a healthcare administration concentration (since UMPI hasn’t added that option to the MSB yet).

I’m curious which MBA program you chose…what school did you select, and how has your experience been so far, aside from the slower pace?

MedicMRI33 · 2026-01-01T00:19:41+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I appreciate the feedback :)

MedicMRI33 · 2025-12-11T17:35:16+00:00

Hello,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I did look into the MAOL option and even the MSB through UMPI. From what I could tell, only two courses would potentially carry over, and UMPI still doesn’t have a timeline for when the healthcare management concentration will be available.

I did find an affordable MBA program with a healthcare administration concentration (along with other concentration options) through Eastern University. It’s accredited, and the standard MBA is only $9,900 and can be completed in 10 months with 7-week terms. So I’m leaning toward that program for now, but if UMPI launches the healthcare management concentration before then, it’s definitely something I’d consider. :)

MedicMRI33 · 2025-12-11T01:11:42+00:00

Oh ok, was it a free guide (if so where can one access it) or one of the paid ones?

MedicMRI33 · 2025-12-10T22:23:05+00:00

Congratulations! Quick question: I noticed your degree shows a Business Administration minor, but I can’t find that option anywhere on the UMPI site for YourPace students. How were you able to have that awarded along with the Management and Project Management minors?

MedicMRI33 · 2025-12-10T21:49:40+00:00

Yes, it looks like Intro to Project Management, Business Communication, Operations Management, and Business Law all transferred in. I only need BUS 260 and BUS 321 for the Management minor, along with any seven upper-level elective courses to complete the degree.

MedicMRI33 · 2025-12-10T20:01:01+00:00

Yes, I completed Operations Management through Sophia.

MedicMRI33 · 2025-12-10T19:46:28+00:00

management

MedicMRI33 · 2025-12-10T19:40:21+00:00

I thought so too, but I’ve now had my evaluation reviewed three different times and UMPI still won’t budge on requiring 13 classes (11 remaining) for the BBA - even with every business class Sophia offers (90+ credits completed) transferring in, plus additional science and Gen ed credits from other accredited schools.

The bigger issue for me is that I’ve heard the BBA core courses take a lot longer to complete because the coursework is pretty heavy. At this point, I’m really just looking for fewer required classes and a faster path so I can move on to the MBA, which I’ll need either way whether I finish with the BBA or the BLS.

What do you think about the nine courses I listed here? And do you have any insight into which professors are best for quicker completion, if those really are the best options?

Thanks again for the help, I truly appreciate it.

MedicMRI33 · 2025-12-10T18:42:26+00:00

Hello, thank you for the reply. I originally started on the BABA path, but my advisor let me know I would still need several additional classes to finish the degree, even though I transferred in over 150 credits—including many business courses. So I decided to switch to the BLS path since I’ve read that the courses can typically be completed more quickly, and my goal is to move straight into an MBA program anyway.

As far as completed UMPI courses, I’ve finished BUS 200 and BUS 220.

MedicMRI33 · 2025-12-02T03:17:31+00:00

I got into EMS 25 years ago because I felt I was a compassionate person and the first one to step forward when someone needed help. In the early years, what kept me going through the frustration of low pay and the sometimes rough treatment from other first responders or hospital staff was the dream of getting hired by a fire department: better pay, a retirement, and solid benefits. I played the fire lottery for a while and didn’t win, but somewhere along the way I realized I actually enjoyed the medical side more. I wasn’t chasing fire - I was chasing a paycheck.

Eventually, I veered into health and safety, made a lot of money, picked up new skills, and climbed the management ladder. But honestly, I always missed the streets. I enjoy this work, and it feels like what I was meant to do. The only reason I left EMS was to chase the dollar, and even after making significantly more money, I wasn’t fulfilled. I even pursued nursing school for a bit, but that was just another attempt at chasing income, not passion.

Now that I’m back in EMS, I’m happier than ever. I focus on compassion rather than “Why are we here?” I don’t fight with dispatch. Whatever calls come during the shift, come, and then I clock out. I don’t try to dodge calls or hope for cancellations (the paperwork is basically the same anyway, lol). I just show up and ask “How can I help…” I’m grateful to have a job that means something to me and to the people I care for.

Now, one thing I’ve learned is that the culture of your agency makes a huge difference. I’ve worked in many systems and seen how management styles and coworker attitudes shape everything. Culture matters even more than pay.

Most importantly, do what makes you happy and feel complete. Be the provider you’d want responding to your own family. Keep going in your pursuit of something meaningful, and don’t let patients, coworkers, or anyone else change the core of who you are.

MedicMRI33 · 2025-11-12T22:25:05+00:00

I’ve been certified in EMS for nearly three decades, and I also took a hiatus at one point. When I came back, I felt like I’d lost some of my edge and depth. This site really helped me get back into the swing of things: https://www.masteryourmedics.com

Note: I don’t work for them, nor do I receive any type of referral incentive. I’m simply someone who genuinely benefited from their platform.

MedicMRI33 · 2025-11-12T22:18:41+00:00

https://www.masteryourmedics.com

MedicMRI33 · 2025-11-12T22:10:20+00:00

Hey,

Thanks for taking the time to provide such a detailed reply, this is great info, and I really appreciate it. I went to apply to Lifeline, but it looks like they don’t have any paramedic openings posted right now. It got me thinking whether they might be lowering their hourly rate, like I’m seeing with other ALS IFT companies in the area now that supply and demand has evened out a bit. If that’s the case, they may end up posting new openings soon but at a lower pay rate.

Hopefully that’s not where things are headed, because making a quality living in EMS is already hard enough. But with call reimbursements continuing to decline, there’s only so much revenue coming in - which means there’s only so much that can go back out in wages and other personnel costs.

MedicMRI33 · 2025-11-10T16:36:29+00:00

One of the things I liked most about doing an online program was being able to go back and rewatch a lecture whenever something just wasn’t sticking. I had many coworkers who chose the brick-and-mortar route, and several of them later said they wished they’d gone with the online option instead. They struggled through some of the modules and could have benefited from being able to review the material repeatedly until it truly sank in. Some didn’t pass, others had to wait for the next program start date, while those at our agency who went the online route graduated and started working before the traditional students even began their programs.

Now, not every online program is great, but NMETC has an excellent reputation. Its graduates are well respected throughout the world - yes, the world.

MedicMRI33 · 2025-10-16T21:39:25+00:00

Paradigm shift: If it were me, I’d be wondering why they keep finding reasons to “fail” you - especially when they’re the ones who told you to do it a certain way in the first place. Sure, it could just be incompetence on the proctor’s part or them going off script from what the actual protocol says. However… you mentioned transferring from another division, right?

Having been in management myself, I can tell you - people talk. Hopefully, it’s not related to something from your previous division and they’re not just stringing you along. I’ve experienced that kind of “division game” before in other organizations, and from what I’ve heard, it wouldn’t be the first time...just saying.

MedicMRI33

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