With 15 years of work experience, how can I obtain a college degree
form will recognized college or university in a short period of time
(less than 4 months)? |
Request for Question Clarification by
umiat-ga
on
01 Aug 2003 07:21 PDT
I have found a few colleges that provide degrees for life experience.
Do they have a good reputation? That is for you or an employee to
judge. Anyone who is seeking a college degree based solely on work
experience has a different criteria than students who physically
attend college classes for four+ years. In no way am I negating "work
experience". However, you need to understand that obtaining a college
degree based solely on knowledge based through work is not a widely
accepted or recognized concept. With that in mind, it is certainly
valid in the eyes of others.
The colleges I have found are online colleges, and they will evaluate
your work experience for consideration of a degree. Are you seeking a
degree to advance your career or for your own satisfaction? What type
of work experience do you have?
Are you actually seeking to spend four months "on campus" or complete
whatever work is required "online"?
umiat
|
Clarification of Question by
alee12-ga
on
01 Aug 2003 09:20 PDT
Hello umiat,
I spent plenty of time searching and corresponding with different
colleges and universities, unfortunately I failed to find a college
with good reputation to provide the college degree. Therefore I
referred to your experience.
Are you seeking a degree to advance your career or for your own
satisfaction?
""I need to advance my carrier""
What type of work experience do you have?
""I am a chemical process engineer (by experience)""
Are you actually seeking to spend four months "on campus" or complete
Whatever work is required "online"?
""online""
|
Request for Question Clarification by
umiat-ga
on
01 Aug 2003 09:37 PDT
alee,
What type of degree are you seeking? 2-yearAssociates, 4-year
Bachelors, a Certificate of some kind? And in what field? I doubt you
will be able to get a chemical engineering degree without attending
classes.
Can you tell me what types of schools you have already considered?
Would you consider a school such as the following reputable (in your
eyes?):
Trinity College and University
http://www.trinity-college.edu/
From 7-step Resume Sampler:
http://www.7step-resumesampler.com/degree1.html
It is certainly not mainstream! However, they do at least make
mention of a possible thesis or dissertation, which is a bit more
demanding than a college "dipolma" mill. An employer might accept
such a degree with supplementary online classes from another
University. I have found some colleges that offer college credit for
work experience to satisfy 200-level courses, but you must still take
courses online. And, I have not yet determined whether you could
finish in 4 months.
I need more information....specifically, type of degree sought, and
whether you would consider online classes longer than 4 months? If you
are really hoping to advance your career, it is a small price to pay
if you can accomplish it online.
Have you had ANY prior college experience? What level position are
you in with your career now? While I may be able to give you
suggestions on potential programs, I cannot guarantee how much of your
prior work experience they will accept to replace coursework.
Therefore, it is essential to me to know what types of colleges and
programs you have ruled out.
Thanks for your speedy clarification so far. All possible information
you can provide will be helpful. For instance....how do you hope to
advance your career. What specific courses might you require?
umiat
|
Clarification of Question by
alee12-ga
on
01 Aug 2003 10:51 PDT
What type of degree are you seeking? type of degree sought?
4-year Bachelors
And in what field?
Bsc Instrumentation and control or Bsc Electronics Eng.
Can you tell me what types of schools you have already considered?
Accreted schools.
Would you consider a school such as the following reputable (in your
eyes?)
No, please refer to Bears Guide to earning college degree.
Whether you would consider online classes longer than 4 months?
I can consider online classes for 1 year.
Have you had ANY prior college experience?
Most of the courses I hae attened are provided in house “within the
company I work for” and some college (less than 2years)
What level position are you in with your career now?
I am a chemical process engineer.
how do you hope to advance your career.
I need the degree to become a senior eng.
What specific courses might you require?
I don’t care, I need the college degree.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
umiat-ga
on
01 Aug 2003 12:24 PDT
One more question....where are you from? I need to know this for some
school's requirements.
|
Hello allee12-ga!
Since you did not tell me what colleges you have considered and I
cannot read the Bears Guide on the internet, I will go with the one
college I have found that offers a Bachelor of Science degree in
Electrical Engineering online with credit for work experience.
Four months is a very short time to consider earning a degree, even
with credit for work experience. However, it is entirely possible that
fifteen years of experience plus "in-house" training may shorten your
time considerably. The following college requires five years of work
experience, whereas you have fifteen. Therefore, you may be able to
complete the online coursework in less than 1-year. (You have stated
that 1-year is your limit)
Since you have picked a very specialized degree and have some very
strict requirements, the following University is the only one I have
found that meets your criteria. There is no doubt that there are
excellent teachers and the coursework is comparible to other
universities. The curriculum is apparently "widely accepted across
business and industry." Since you don't want to spend any time on
campus, I think this is your best bet.
If I come across any others I will post them in a clarification but
so far this University seems to be the only legitimate college to
grant credit for work experience without being a "diploma mill".
Kennedy Western University
==========================
http://www.kennedy-western-university.com/web/kwu/index.jsp
"Credit for work and education experience"
"Flexibility to complete your degree online at your own pace in as
little as 12-18 months"
"Degree recognition - over 50% of Kennedy-Western's students have
received partial or full tuition reimbursement from their employers."
Programs:
http://www.kw.edu/programs.asp?active=degree
"The development of the courses in each degree program is a methodical
process, drafted by a group of professors who teach at regionally
accredited universities. As a result of this process, Kennedy-Western
students enjoy curriculum that is comprised of the most popular
courses currently being taught. A stringent agenda is adhered to when
preparing the curriculum. Namely, only those courses that allow the
student the opportunity to learn sequentially and expand their
knowledge in the expectation of progressing toward a degree are
selected."
Electrical Engineering"
http://www.kennedy-western-university.com/web/kwu/programs.jsp#tech2
"Bachelor of Science - The Bachelor of Science program in Electrical
Engineering at Kennedy-Western University is divided into two options:
Option A: Digital Communications/Signal Processing, and Option B:
Controls Systems/Computer Systems Performance. Option A: Digital
Communications/Signal Processing is designed to prepare the students
with the necessary background to work or continue with graduate study
in the areas of video and signal/image processing and digital
communications. It is also directed toward individuals who desire
further specialization in telecommunications, communication networks,
multimedia communications and wireless communications. Option B:
Control Systems/Computer Systems Performance is designed to prepare
students with the necessary background to work or continue with
graduate study in the areas of robotics, artificial neutral networks,
multivariable feedback control, computer-aided control system design,
adaptive control and large scale system control of large, flexible
structures. Kennedy-Western University is a licensed post secondary
institution pursuant to the State of Wyoming Private Schools Licensing
Act W.S. 21-2-401 through 21-2-407. Therefore, Kennedy-Western's
degree programs are recognized within business and industry."
http://www.kw.edu/curriculum.asp?active=curriculum#
You can use the little "KWU Express Evaluator" on the left hand side
of this page to see how close you are to obtaining your degree. I put
in a trial evaluation based on the criteria you had provided, and was
"told" I was at least 45% toward completeing "my degree" and could
easily finish in 2003-2004." The evaluation takes into consideration
work-related symposiums and training as well, so you may actually fare
better than I did in my "pretend" analysis!
Admissions:
http://www.kw.edu/admission_Proccess.asp?active=admission
or
http://www.kennedy-western-university.com/web/kwu/admissions.jsp
"The University provides an applicant with the opportunity to
determine his/her exact status prior to enrollment. This procedure is
conducted without the applicant incurring any type of financial
obligations or academic commitment. This no-cost eligibility
assessment will provide the applicant with all the necessary
information that will allow him/her, if accepted, to make an
enrollment decision."
"To enter a program, you must have a high school diploma or
equivalent, at least five years of full-time work experience and be at
least 23 years of age."
Frequently Asked Questions:
http://www.kennedy-western-university.com/web/kwu/faq.jsp#compare
Who is Kennedy-Western University?
"Established in 1984, Kennedy-Western University offers self-paced,
guided independent-study degree programs designed specifically for the
mid-career professional. This unique, self-paced distance-learning
format enables students to earn their degree on their own time.
Students are allotted up to 18 months to complete their studies, and
since there is no formal classroom attendance required, they could
complete their coursework as their personal and professional
commitments allow."
Will I be able to receive credit for my work experience?
"Recognizing that professional students already possess a wealth of
knowledge in their chosen field, Kennedy-Western University's
evaluation process grants credit for previous experience by taking the
student's educational and professional experience into account. Thus,
the qualified student does not have to repeat basic courses that have
already been mastered. Because of this unique approach, five years of
full-time work experience are required to be considered for admission
into the University."
How does an online degree from Kennedy-Western University compare to a
traditional degree?
"Committed to providing the adult learner with a quality post
secondary education, Kennedy-Western University offers a rigorous
academic curriculum comparable to that of traditional universities.
The selection of excellent and challenging curriculum is central to
this philosophy. Kennedy-Western University staff regularly reviews
the curricula of major universities within the United States. Course
offerings are frequently updated to remain current with the theories
and academic trends advanced in traditional academia. To foster
personal relevancy, students are encouraged to select courses that are
compatible with their occupational and professional objectives. Thus,
areas of study are directly applicable to the student's professional
environment and serve to augment and enhance previous knowledge and
skills."
Will I be able to receive tuition reimbursement from my employer?
"Licensed by the State of Wyoming, Kennedy-Western University's
distance-learning degree programs are widely accepted and recognized
within business and industry. Over fifty percent of the students
enrolled at Kennedy-Western have received partial or full tuition
reimbursement by their employer."
Is the faculty at Kennedy-Western University experienced?
"Kennedy-Western faculty have earned their degrees from universities
such as BYU, Harvard, Stanford, and Texas A&M and affiliate themselves
with organizations that focus on new technologies and theories,
organizations like American Society for Quality, Institute of
Electrical & Electronic Engineers and American Marketing Association.
Kennedy-Western University's esteemed adjunct faculty are actively
involved in creating each and every course that the University offers.
A majority of the University's adjunct faculty holds doctorate degrees
from regionally accredited universities and currently teach at
colleges throughout the United States and possess ample experience in
the private sector. This combination of academic and real-world
experience enables the faculty to provide useable, relevant course
content that students will put to work in their chosen field."
==
I surely hope this University meets your criteria and that you can
obtain a degree in the shortest time possible to accomodate your
needs. I would certainly go through the admissions process to talk to
a counselor as well as speak to your boss about the degree and whether
it is considered "repectable" from Kennedy-Western.
umiat-ga
Google Search Strategy
"online" BAchelors Electronics engineer
+reputation +"kennedy western university"
Bears Online guide |
Clarification of Answer by
umiat-ga
on
01 Aug 2003 18:02 PDT
allee12,
In regard to the comment stated below, I would stress that you are in
a very different position than the normal, first-year student seeking
a degree from a college like Kennedy-Western. You have 15 years of
actual work experience behind you and you are taking courses that
advance your knowledge from that point.
I guess I would consider a "diploma mill" as being a school which
requires no classes at all but issues a diploma nevertheless. I
certainly found plenty of those in my research. Kennedy-Western does
require online classes while accepting a certain amount of work
experience as a replacement for lower level coursework.
Attending a certain amount of online classes certainly gives more
credibility than doing nothing at all. However, with the restrictions
surrounding your circumstances, and the desire not to attend school
and start from the "ground up", there is little option. Kennedy
Western seems to be the best provider and was the *only one I could
find that offered electrical engineering* while giving credit for work
experience. Other colleges will give you a certain amount of credit,
but they are often residence courses, or online classes of several
years duration.
I recommend, allee, that you find out what the online courses consist
of and judge for yourself. As I stated in my answer, you should
certainly ask your employer for an opinion as well if you are hoping
to seek a higher position within the same company.
The only other alternative, if you actually want a conventional
Bachelor's Degree, is to take *several* years of online coursework.
You may be able to test out of a few of the initial core classes, but
that would be a matter to take up with each individual school. Is that
something you would consider to advance in your career?
(Also keep in mind that the referenced post was from 1999) Online
learning is more accepted now. However, if you are seeking a specific
accreditation, you may not find anything applicable to your spefic
requirements.
Let me know if I can be of further help, or if there are other
options you might consider. Must you have the actual Bachelor's
Degree, or could you take supplementary online course to simply "add"
to your career experience?
umiat
|
Clarification of Answer by
umiat-ga
on
01 Aug 2003 21:44 PDT
allee12,
I have done some more investigating on Bear's website as well as
Degree.com. I looked through all the 100 accredited distance education
colleges offering Bachelor's degrees, and could find only one that
offered anything close to electrical engineering. However, it required
a lot of coursework and gave a very small amount of consideration to
work experience.
One final clarification:
You might want to read "Accreditation FAQs" from degree.net at
http://www.degree.net/guides/accreditation_faqs.html
"Will an unaccredited degree be accepted as legitimate?
"Acceptance is very low in the academic world and the government
world, ****somewhat higher in the business world.**** One large and
decent unaccredited school, in operation for a quarter century, can
only point to a dozen instances in which their degrees were accepted
by other schools, most of those on a case by case basis. Some
companies have no clear policy with regard to accreditation, and
indeed may not even understand the concept, as was the case with the
head of human resources for one of the ten largest companies on the
planet, who got a copy of this book and then told us of her
astonishment at learning that there were unaccredited schools and fake
accrediting agencies."
Can anyone benefit from an unaccredited degree?
"The unaccredited option may work for people who really don't need a
degree, but rather want one, either for self satisfaction ("validating
my life's work" is a phrase we hear often), or to give themselves a
marketing edge. One large subset of satisfied unaccredited
degree-users, for instance, are therapists, who typically need only a
Master's degree for their state license. But they feel that if they
have a Ph.D., and use that title in their advertising, they will have
an edge over competitors without the doctorate. The same is the case
with owners or executives of small businesses. A real estate agent
with an MBA or a business planner with a doctorate in finance, may get
more clients because of the higher degree, and indeed may have
additional useful knowledge."
Read on....
===
Again, I want to stress that your approach is a very non-traditional.
It falls far outside the normal bounds provided for "prior learning
assessment" allowed by some schools to bypass certain courses. You
have asked for a college that will award you a Bachelor's degree in as
little as 4-months to 1-year at maximum. Yet, you want it to be
well-recognized or accredited. I have found no schools that are
accredited that offer a degree under those criteria. However,
ultimately, the judgement comes down to you, and an anlysis of your
own situation.
If your area of business expertise seems geared toward recognizing
and accepting a Bachelor's degree gained from a college like
Kennedy-Western as a means of advancement, then you should pursue it.
If not, I stress again, you are back to the traditional, online
approach of several years of distance learning.
Therefore, you have several considerations concerning how to approach
your career advancement! Let me know of any other ways I might help!
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
alee12-ga
on
02 Aug 2003 07:26 PDT
Umiat,
Too much of your research was concentrated on nontraditional degree
providers such as trinity-college and Kennedy-Western (it is regarded
as a "diploma mill"). It is easy to find these schools; if I had the
time to research I know I'll find a good accredited school that will
accept life experience as college credit such as College credit banks
or universities such as University of Colorado
(http://www.colorado.edu/CATECS/). Also please separate your questions
form your personal comments.
Regards,
Alee
|
Clarification of Answer by
umiat-ga
on
02 Aug 2003 10:43 PDT
alee12,
I am a bit confused regarding your clarification. The page you
referred me to at http://www.colorado.edu/CATECS/ is a "Graduate"
level program, not a Bachelor's degree program. Your initial question
asked for programs that award a Bachelor's degree.
Secondly, although the CATECS program does allow for distance
learning, there is no mention of allowing for work experience and no
indication that you can get a shortcut to your degree. Except for the
fact that it is a distance learning program, everything else about it
seems contradictory to what you have asked me to look for. Is there
some reason why you are now referring to that link as an acceptable
program for your needs?
"College credit banks" are related to a Korean policy instituted
under Kim Dae-jung and are not applicable to your original question,
either. While the program involves distance learning in Korea, it is
not a shortcut to a Bachelor's degree in the United States. See the
following reference:
"With the enactment of the Lifetime Education Act in August 1999, the
government embarked on an ambitious program of adult education and job
training. Cyber universities, corporate in-house colleges and the
"college credit banks" have been established, making it possible for
anyone to receive degrees without going through on-campus education at
traditional universities or colleges. Nine cyber universities and one
corporate in-house college opened in 2000."
http://www.korea.net/kwnews/pub_focus/content.asp?cate=01&serial_no=416
I can certainly supply you with accredited Distance Learning programs
for a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (as you have pointed
me to in the Colorado link). However, I have found nothing pointing to
an "accredited" accelerated Bachelor's degree you can obtain in 4
months to one year, even with PLA (Prior Learning Assessment) credit.
As stated previously, you will probably need to commit to a year or
two of online classes, taken at your leisure. If you want to consider
that option, I will be happy to provide those links for you.
You stated "Also please separate your questions form your personal
comments."
I am sorry if that was a distraction....it is often hard to give
feedback without including some questions in the clarification.
umiat-ga
|
Clarification of Answer by
umiat-ga
on
03 Aug 2003 20:16 PDT
alee12-ga!
I spent several hours today at the bookstore, looking through the
"Barrons Guide to Distance Learning" and the "Bears Guide to Earning
Degrees by Distance". Since you said you do not have the time to do
some thorough research, I believe I have narrowed down the playing
field for you in a way that may be helpful.
First of all, I owe you a humble apology for my blunder about the
"credit banks" you referred to. My mistake was in researching the term
"college credit banks" when, in actuality, the "credit banks" to which
you referred is a term used by some colleges to evaluate and tally up
prior credits that "might" be applied to toward curriculum. Colleges
that have credit banks evaluate your past coursework, life experience
and non-traditional learning. (You know this already!!)
The following information is what I have synthesized from my research
in the Barrons and Bears Guides. I hope it will make the possibilities
for you a bit clearer. I have no idea if any of the colleges will be a
fit for you, or how long it will take to accomplish your degree. That
will depend on your individual interview and prior experience.
Prior Learning Experience
=========================
There are colleges that give credit for "Prior Learning Experience."
Those colleges that provide PLA credit have differing criteria.
However, a good overview of the common forms of PLA credit is provided
on the CAEL website at http://www.cael.org/Events/PLAWorkshops.asp.
The most common form of PLA consideration is in the form of an
extensive oral interview with consideration of a student portfolio.
Bears Guide provides an excellent overview of the process and tips for
preparing a portfolio to present to the college for PLA credit
consideration in the section, "Credit for Life Experience Learning"
Distance Learning Programs
==========================
There were a number of accredited colleges that offered Masters
degrees in Electrical Engineering in both Barrons and Bears, but very
few that offered a Bachelor's degree. Out of the schools that offered
a Bachelor's degree, only a few mentioned the possibility of PLA
credit. Several of the colleges mentioned in the books did not check
out online. Either the distance learning was only available through
remote classrooms, or did not exist as an option anymore.
The following are the few schools that seem to offer a viable option:
====================================================
California National University for Advanced Studies
====================================================
www.cnuas.edu
Degree Programs:
http://www.cnuas.edu/pages/AcademicPrograms/AcademicPrograms.shtm
Recognition for Prior Learning
http://www.cnuas.edu/pages/ApplicationAdmissions/Reasons.shtm
======================================
University of North Dakota Grand Forks
======================================
http://dce.und.edu/conted/index.php?mpage=http://www.conted.und.edu/extended/dist_deg.html
Distance Electrical Engineerging Program
http://www.conted.und.edu/dist_engr/
Classes you may be qualified to waive through prior work experience:
http://www.conted.und.edu/dist_engr/workexp/workexp.htm
=================================
Rochester Institute of Technology (no mention of ALP credit)
=================================
http://distancelearning.rit.edu
Bs Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Technology
http://distancelearning.rit.edu/inquire/programs_courses/undergrad_degree/electrical_mechanical.cfm
=====
To clear up the case of Kennedy Western University:
Bears Guide does have an extensive list of "colleges" listed in the
Chapter on "Degree Mills." Kennedy Western is NOT included in that
list.
Kennedy Western IS highlighted in Chapter 21 - "Other Schools with
Nonresidential Programs."
An excerpt:
"The schools in this chapter do not meet the standards of GAAP -
Generally Accepted Accreditation Principles. They are not necessarily
bad, illegal or fake, but they are unlikely to be accepted as
accredited."
A partial description of Kennedy Western from the Bears Guide follows:
"Students must have 5-7 years of work experience within their field.
...Students are paired with advisors and many online services are
available...chat, discussion boards, library, tutorial assistance,
etc.
====
I sincerely hope that these additional references will offer you a
place to start in your quest for a Bachelor's degree. I am sorry for
the confusion in the myriad clarifications involved in this answer,
but I do believe this final addition will provide you with some
colleges that you feel are more "credible".
Best wishes!
umiat-ga
|
