No job, need degree, where to go?

[davisfam]

My husband, who has 20 years experience in the military - tons and tons of training and experience - is having a rough time finding a job. We looked at one "life experience degree" at Almeda College and decided it was bunk. What schools offer a life experience degree that has some credibility? Or offer degrees including a majority of your past training and experience? I remember my first associates was at the University Of Maryland and they accepted credits and test-outs from other places as long as you took 15 credits with them. It was an agreement with the school and the military to allow us to move somewhere that U of M wasn't and still complete a degree. Any help would be appreciated. Most of his training is tactics and operations, whereas his experience was managing people, training, and facilities.

[ncavac]

There are not any that I would recommend that has "life experience" But I will suggest the big three. These three schools are discussed in depth on this forum do a Search on the Big Three . They take military credit and can test out of most any course. I hope this helps or at least a start.

[Bruce]

Legitimate college degrees aren't awarded for "life experience". It is possible, however, to earn significant academic credit for prior learning. Simply put, you have to demonstrate that you already have the knowledge that you would have gained by taking a college course.

For an excellent explanation of this whole idea, check out The Unofficial Thomas Edison State College Portfolio Guide on this site.

After that, check out the TESC website.

[drwetsch]

Yes, the Big 3 mentioned award credit for military experience, can allow credit to earned earned through text taking. On of the Big 3, about 1/3 of its 100,000+ alumni at are from the military. Various military ratings are worth certain amounts of credit. Check out: http://www.excelsior.edu/military/military.htm

The Excelsior home page is http://www.excelsior.edu

To get credit for life experience one must demonstrate college level learning. This can be done through exams and some schools offer portfolio reviews and will grant credit. Excelsior does not do a portfolio will will generaly accept portfolio credit granted by other institutions.

In your search for a good degree program make sure they are regionally accredited. The Big 3 three school all have this designation.

What type of degree is your husband interested in seeking? The quickest route is probably the liberal studies option. Lawrie Miller's site of a BA in 4 weeks is also worthwhile looking into and discusses the Excelsior program (formerly Regents College/USNY) and other programs: http://bain4weeks.com/index.html

John

[jerryclick]

Also note that the DANTES military exams are generally accepted at many colleges for credits.

[decimon]

Originally posted by davisfam
My husband, who has 20 years experience in the military - tons and tons of training and experience - is having a rough time finding a job. We looked at one "life experience degree" at Almeda College and decided it was bunk. What schools offer a life experience degree that has some credibility? Or offer degrees including a majority of your past training and experience? I remember my first associates was at the University Of Maryland and they accepted credits and test-outs from other places as long as you took 15 credits with them. It was an agreement with the school and the military to allow us to move somewhere that U of M wasn't and still complete a degree. Any help would be appreciated. Most of his training is tactics and operations, whereas his experience was managing people, training, and facilities.

What sort of work he is looking for would be a better starting point than what credit he might receive for an unspecified degree. Some other sort of training, as an end point or interim measure, could be more expedient.