UMUC Bachelor's Degree for $10,000 - the 3D scholar program?

[Anonymous]

What do you think of this program offered by PGCPS/PGCC/UMUC?



https://www.umuc.edu/transfers-and-credits/3d-scholars-program.cfm

Program Description
Students who are accepted into the program begin taking courses at PGCC while still in high school, earning credits toward an associate's degree. Upon graduation from high school, students immediately transition to PGCC to complete the associate's degree. Finally, they are awarded a scholarship to UMUC to earn their bachelor's degree for a total cost of less than $10,000.

At UMUC, they can select one of three bachelor's degrees:

Business Administration
Computer Networks and Cybersecurity
Criminal Justice
Students will work with an advisor when enrolled at each institution to provide individual guidance through the program to ensure a seamless transition from high school to PGCC, and from PGCC to UMUC.

I just learned about it. Seems like an inexpensive way to earn a bachelors degree, but you have no choice of major -- you are stuck with what you select Junior Year of High school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of this program offered by PGCPS/PGCC/UMUC?



https://www.umuc.edu/transfers-and-credits/3d-scholars-program.cfm

Program Description
Students who are accepted into the program begin taking courses at PGCC while still in high school, earning credits toward an associate's degree. Upon graduation from high school, students immediately transition to PGCC to complete the associate's degree. Finally, they are awarded a scholarship to UMUC to earn their bachelor's degree for a total cost of less than $10,000.

At UMUC, they can select one of three bachelor's degrees:

Business Administration
Computer Networks and Cybersecurity
Criminal Justice
Students will work with an advisor when enrolled at each institution to provide individual guidance through the program to ensure a seamless transition from high school to PGCC, and from PGCC to UMUC.

I just learned about it. Seems like an inexpensive way to earn a bachelors degree, but you have no choice of major -- you are stuck with what you select Junior Year of High school.

This is not the way most of DCUM wants to send their kids to college. My guess is that there may be some ability to change majors and still keep your costs for college very low. MCPS has a program at Northwood HS that is a partnership with Montgomery College.

[Anonymous]

If owe majors are for you, great.

But I wonder if it is a way to push promising minority kids into second rate majors?

Business admin... isn't that what you pick when your gap precludes finance?

[Anonymous]

It would be a great program if it weren't for the limited choice of majors. I wonder why they chose those. If my child had ANY interest in those majors, I would seriously consider it.

[Anonymous]

That's fantastic. $2500 per year. Business , computer networking / cyber security and criminal justice is career focused. Can't see how you can go wrong with a business degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be a great program if it weren't for the limited choice of majors. I wonder why they chose those. If my child had ANY interest in those majors, I would seriously consider it.

They chose them because there are local entry-level jobs available the day you graduate in all of them. They are also easily transferable to military or federal gov't employment.

-- UMUC professor (social sciences)

[Anonymous]

Business Admin and Computer Networks/Cybersecurity are easy to find jobs. I don't think these are second rate majors.

The program has to be for a self motivated kid though. I teach finance for UMUC and it is HARD for these kids. The material is complex and it's all online. There's no ability for a kid to walk into office hours and "I just don't get it"

The amount of time and effort required for online classes exceeds what you would have to put in if all you had to do was get your butt into a seat.

[Anonymous]

I think if this is the only way you could finance a degree and you were interested in these topics, it may be a good alternative. But I would worry that you are locked in to certain degrees and what happens if you find you don’t like the subject? Does online learning suit his/her learning style? What happens if jobs in that field are outsourced or demand slows downs, how adaptable is this to having a career where you are moving up the ladder (aka having even higher earning potential) and adapting with changes in the job market? What internship/work experience is included in the degree? I know someone that is trying move from IT Help Desk to other positions (and this person has a masters degree in IT) but without work experience it’s hard to be qualified for those jobs but unless someone is willing to take a chance there is no way to get that work experience.

Personally, I would prefer the programs with Montgomery College and transfer to 4 year college and maybe living at home/working to help keep the cost down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Business Admin and Computer Networks/Cybersecurity are easy to find jobs. I don't think these are second rate majors.

The program has to be for a self motivated kid though. I teach finance for UMUC and it is HARD for these kids. The material is complex and it's all online. There's no ability for a kid to walk into office hours and "I just don't get it"

The amount of time and effort required for online classes exceeds what you would have to put in if all you had to do was get your butt into a seat.

That makes sense. It's an opportunity for kids who want to work. Let me tell you .. Those kids will be fine no matter what. A work ethic and a decent brain will lead to a successful life in this country. There is no way to get a cushy ton of service for low cost in this world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Business Admin and Computer Networks/Cybersecurity are easy to find jobs. I don't think these are second rate majors.

The program has to be for a self motivated kid though. I teach finance for UMUC and it is HARD for these kids. The material is complex and it's all online. There's no ability for a kid to walk into office hours and "I just don't get it"

The amount of time and effort required for online classes exceeds what you would have to put in if all you had to do was get your butt into a seat.

I also suspect there may be co-op opportunities or employers subsidizing these degrees, which may be why they only offer these majors right now. It's a great recruiting tool for employers in a tight job market, and they can even make demands of UMUC as to what skills the majors need to make sure they cover.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If owe majors are for you, great.

But I wonder if it is a way to push promising minority kids into second rate majors?

Business admin... isn't that what you pick when your gap precludes finance?

What?

None of these majors are "second rate". A college degree is a college degree. Getting one for $10K is a steal any way you cut it. The list of offerings will only increase. Their next step would be to hook up with other school systems in the area and offer the same deal spurring competition. Love it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Business Admin and Computer Networks/Cybersecurity are easy to find jobs. I don't think these are second rate majors.

The program has to be for a self motivated kid though. I teach finance for UMUC and it is HARD for these kids. The material is complex and it's all online. There's no ability for a kid to walk into office hours and "I just don't get it"

The amount of time and effort required for online classes exceeds what you would have to put in if all you had to do was get your butt into a seat.

I also suspect there may be co-op opportunities or employers subsidizing these degrees, which may be why they only offer these majors right now. It's a great recruiting tool for employers in a tight job market, and they can even make demands of UMUC as to what skills the majors need to make sure they cover.

UMUC Prof here. This is very true. There are often courses that are developed around what an employer wants. Outside of the private sector, the military is the biggest "sender" of students. What the military wants, the military gets in the courses.

[Anonymous]

As someone who does technical hiring for my group (software development) after numerous interviews w/ UMUC graduates that simply don't know anything, I've gotten into the habit of not even responding to resumes with degrees from there. Not sure if this is just an issue w/ CS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who does technical hiring for my group (software development) after numerous interviews w/ UMUC graduates that simply don't know anything, I've gotten into the habit of not even responding to resumes with degrees from there. Not sure if this is just an issue w/ CS.

I think this is what 10:42 is speaking about. The education is fine but it's the real world experience that you actually need. For CS, there are the textbook answers and then there is the way it is actually done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who does technical hiring for my group (software development) after numerous interviews w/ UMUC graduates that simply don't know anything, I've gotten into the habit of not even responding to resumes with degrees from there. Not sure if this is just an issue w/ CS.

I think this is what 10:42 is speaking about. The education is fine but it's the real world experience that you actually need. For CS, there are the textbook answers and then there is the way it is actually done.

UMUC Social Science professor here again. Our program just created a full time internship coordinator position. I suspect that may be happening throughout the university. Career Services has always done this, but with 50K students around the world, it make sense to have coordinators working in the various specialties. It's also possible we're only doing this because some of our majors require clinical time, but I don't know that for sure.