Life Experience Degree
What exactly is it?
Good question. But apparently over 11,000 people search for the term “life experience degree” on Google every single day. I’m guessing that this is a popular interest. I was looking at some stats on verious keywords the other day and this one really stuck out.
Amazing the things that Google can teach you about what’s going on out in the “real world.”
Here are a couple snippets for web sites that come up when your search for “life experience degree” on Google. Kind of funny…
Earn degree based on life experience Accepted Worldwide by an Authorized recognized major United States University. Professional, affordable, fast and confidential.
It is a well-known fact that people who possess a Online bachelor degree are given greater opportunities. A college Degree demands respect and guarantees leverage in the work place.
and
What is a Life Experience Degree? There is no substitute for experience. Individuals who have an expertise or substantial knowledge in a given field of study earn Life Experience Degrees. Almeda University can convert your experience into an Associate, Bachelor, or Master degree.
How does this program work? Almeda University has developed university degree programs, approved by the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX.net) that can equate life experiences into credits needed to obtain a university degree.
I would love to convert my experience into a confidential master’s degree, on the condition of course that AOAEX.net finds everything kosher.
Today I was online looking for a job for this guy I’m dating (so he can join me in the “workforce” and also get paid for surfing the internet for 6 hours a day). Anyway, the following was under “job requirements” for a position at The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).
“Bachelor’s degree in Communications (Master’s preferred). 2+ years of experience running a blogging Web site considered in lieu of educational credentials”
So Doug, it looks like you practically do have that Master’s degree (and you didn’t even need AOAEX.net!).
P.S. The starting salary for this job was 80K to 100K, depending on experience. Not bad…not bad at all.
stacey,
would you mind passing that job listing on?
i have looked into the cost of these life experience degrees. i think i might be eligible for a marketing masters degree, or perhaps a theology masters at glendale university (i think that’s where i saw them).
but for me, it seems odd to pay $600 and up for a life experience degree that i would also want to keep confidential. are they going to send the degree to me in an unmarked, plain paper envelope, like some nudie mag?
will it read, “congratulations on your degree! now, don’t tell anyone. ps: thanks for the $600 bucks.”
converting life experience into degrees, exhibit a:
i visited one of the life experience degree ads in our sidebar and read that quotation. i don’t know if the graduate, himself, (a man with 30 years of life experience as a government employee) mistyped the words, or if someone at suffield university did, and their crack team of english teachers just missed it…
i would like to know if i could teach school with a life experince degree?
Peter – Sadly, you probably could.
[...] given this new resource, and the high and rising cost of post-high school education, i suggest the following for new high school grads: complete your studies via open course ware at MIT for free, then get a relatively cheap life experience degree. [...]
I looked into a Life Experience degree from www . customdegrees . com. They are lower cost than Alamede University or Belford University, and they say that they are acredited. All of these places seem the same to me. They say that they are accredited, but they are not transferable. Degrees that actually are acredited are listed in the US Department of Education website. After reading about the recent government crackdown on degrees like this, I decided to stay away from them.
I have taken some CLEP equivelancy exams. These are a good way to get credit for stuff that you already know. I took enough exams to get 24 semester hours that are transferrable. My community college readily accepted these. I think these exams cost $40, but people in the military can take them for free. I studied for about 2 weeks before taking each exam. The exams are multiple choice. If you read the exam objectives ahead of time, it gives you a clear idea of what to study for.
Dear Prof.
We are a registered office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We would like to be your agent in Saudi Arabia. Is that possible? Please let me know.
Dr. Aljuhani
I am a supporter of degrees earned based upon life and work experience, provided that the recipient of such degree can produce ample and sufficient and authentic documentation to show that he or she has indeed worked and received actual experience in the particular field of work, such as, accountancy, architecture,town planning & urban design,property management,real estate appraisal,labor relations & management,real estate & urban studies, public administration and any branch of engineering.There are millions of people in this world who have made and are still making yeoman and remarkable contributions to the abovenamed professions but who did not have the fortunate and glorious opportunity to attend a brick and mortar college or university,but based upon relevant studies from correspondence schools in the particular line of work,learning trades in local workshops and trade schools, and wholehearted dedication to the actual practice of such work, made superior contribution to the particular profession, and even discovered better ways for the improvement of that profession, and with all due respect to those brick and mortar school graduates, such persons have performed in many instances far more effectively than the brick and mortar gradutes — for my over forty (40) years I personally experienced such reality.Hence, all sensible and sincere governments should tap in to this particular resource so as NOT to allow it to be wasted, because many countries have been developed with the contribution of such persons. Are we to kick them to the curb and leave them there to be always underemployed and underutilised? Instead, some tangible recognition must be given to such persons so as to motivate them to do more for their country and for humanity as a whole.I have experienced where graduates of brick and mortar universities were not able to locate and solve many technical problems, but the ordinary employee because of his years of experience immediately located and solved the problem within one(1) day. In conclusion, I support life and work experience universities based upon my opening comment, and also, I will further insist that as long as a person has a degree, certificate or diploma from a recognised educational institution in the abovenamed professions from either correspondence, part-time, ful-time or online schools, that degree,certificate or diploma must be sufficient as the only requirement to apply for and obtain a license to practise such a profession.Man is not the source of knowledge.Only ALMIGHTY GOD is the SOLE SOURCE of all knowledge.
I will be very happy to hear response to my comments without prejudice,because I know that there are many of us who will support my views.Edgar M.Leonard Sr.PhD (Suffield University)
hello there, so would you recommend suffield university?
John,
I’m not sure.
It seems that some online/distance universities, like Phoenix, have good reputations.
As for Suffield, I’m not sure. Your best friend is probably Google…
Thanks Doug. It’s 50/50.
I tend to fully give support to ALMEDA UNIVERSITY for demanding that one must write a thesis or dissertation on a particular subject based upon the paricular degree one needs. Truth is justice, and hence one must satisfy those who will peruse the thesis or dissertation, that it was written without plagiarism or falsehood,and that one must be able to defend it without fear or guilt. I do sincerely believe that other “life experience universities” should adopt the same pattern as ALMEDA UNIVERSITY. Only ALMIGHTY GOD is the SOURCE of all knowledge.HE is the best of all teachers.Peace.
i have a degree from Alameda which has afforded me the opprtunity to broaden my scop in the workplace. Why is it if you are given an honary doctorate you are praised for your life accomplishments? But if you opt to test and purchase a life learning degree you are criticized and ridiculed regarding your decision. Many people have situations that prevent them from obtaining their degrees under normal circumstances but that does not mean they are any more or less due the recognition associated with having a degree. And Suffield has a stringent esamination with math,english and humanities on their test at the college level to even be approved. So my suggestion is that all of the people who blog these website with their derrogatory and defamatory satements do a little more intense resaearch before the “throw stones”. Just be proud they people have taken some intiative to make bigger steps in thier lives for progress
I agree with those that support giving life experience degrees to people that can demonstrate experience in a respected field. I myself do not have a degree but I have attended college and Seminary. I have 30 College Credits and 96 Master Degree credits with a grade point average that would have earned me Cum Laude status. But because I didn’t finish my college I do not have a degree but a graduation certificate. I went to Seminary, passed all the test, was an A Student and graduated. But I do not have a degree. I have tons of life experience in many fields. Military 7 years, Computers my whole life, plumbing and electrical master license, I can fix just about anything, I teach Astronomy, hold an FAA Ground instructors certificate, I have authored a 408 page book, called Signs In The Heavens, Biblical Prophecy and Ancient Astronomy in 1995, I have worked as a professional musician, play guitar quite well and I have spent my whole life studying and following the space program, and I can teach on orbital mechanics, aviation science and aerospace science and build very realistic flight simulators but I don’t have a degree. Is that right? I know what I know and no one can take that away from me. I have taken IQ test and have received 140 and 144 IQ marks. But I do not have a degree. I have spent my whole life learning and working to understand many different fields of science. I believe I have more than earned a degree but I still do not have one because I am afraid I might loose what little respect I have my getting a BS life experience degree. And if I did, the seminary that I graduated from probably would not grant my earned M-Div degree as well. So why bother. Yet there are many people out there that have been given honorary degrees and no one says anything.
My varied life experienced for the past 17 years more or so in the fields of Science, Business and Public Relations backed up with my Professional Degree from a very prestigious school in the field of Science and Technology (Clinical Pathology); accredited and certified both by private and government entitity to my opinion entitled me for an accreditation on Doctorate Degree which Belford University awarded me with such distinguished honors.
I have also a Master’s Degree in Education and Psychology awarded to me by two of the prestigious Universities in the Philippines.
I need to know about business bachelor degree and online distances learning, the fees and if this certificate is accepted by Saudi Arabia.
Hebah,
I’m not sure. You would need to check with the Saudi Arabian government office that handles educational credentials.
I honestly believe that it is high time that the U.S. government grant recognition to certain life-experience universities such as SUFFIELD UNIVERSITY, ALMEDA UNIVERSITY, LACROSSE UNIVERSITY(a very good life-experience university, because you have to really produce designs and proper documentation of work actually done by yourself before LACROSSE UNIVERSITY would even consider granting you your degree),GLENDALE UNIVERSITY and ASHWOOD UNIVERSITY. I make this suggestion without prejudice and with all due respect to the recognised on-line and brick-and-mortar universities.
please i been un teaching field for past ten years., teaching fashion design and its associates. but i am 48 years old . and i think these life experence programes will be good for me , instead of going to school at this age., please help me to acquire a good online university offering life experince degree programmes
maney thanks JOHNSON AIDOO.
Iam holding hight secondary school 1993- From 1996 till date iam warking as lab. tech. for testing construcation materials- iam looking for diploma or degree in this field please more information
This is all rubbish. There is no concept of Life experience degrees and even such kind of degrees are not accepted anywhere. It’s just a good way to make money. Dont buy.
Let us hope by GOD’S will that the USA Department of Education will give recognition to life- experience degrees based upon certain conditions, such as,recipients must not be less than forty(40)years old, and they must submit authentic and tangible doumented evidence to show that in truth and fact that they earned twenty(20)or more years experience and practice in a particular profession or trade, backed up in many instances by thesis or dissertation.However, this must NOT be applicable to the legal and medical professions which will obviously need full-time, part-time or online studies from duly accredited educational institutions.My humble and sincere suggestion is for those of us in the accounting, architecture(all branches),real estate(all branches),engineering(all branches),management(all branches),and theology professions. Peace.(Please remember that only ALMIGHTY GOD is the Source of all knowledge, and NOT man.)
It’s time for US Department of Education to recognize online work/life experience universities. These universities are really deserving of recognition just as individuals receiving honorary degrees. Applicants would need to provide documents and other pertinent background information on their education and work experience or thesis, etc depending on the degree sought to prove their worthiness. There should be no question to this process and why should persons with 20 or more years of experience in a specific field of study not be offered life/work experience degree. Isn’t this still considered an earned degree?
If I want to further my study in Master level.Can I use the Bachelor degree from life experience university?
Dear Bro. Muhammad Naim,PEACE! The answer to your question is that certain universities, such as, Columbia Southern University, will not accept degrees from universities in U.S.A. which are not accredited by DETC or CHEA. However, there are DETC accredited unversities in Canada and England which will accept you directly to a master’s program based upon life experience and maturity. The fee might be more than what it will cost you in the U.S.A., but it is worth the while. Surf the internet and you may find them.
In reply to Peter Parry. I am teaching in Thailand with a degree obtained from worry free degrees. It is traceable to a real university that has since closed down. Got me a teaching licence and visa. Let me know if I can help you write me johnsiminton@gmail.com, cheers.
The PhD conferred to me by Belford University has been accepted and recognized by a National Licensing Organization in the field of Science & Clinical Technology. This is of course after I passed their Board Examination, I presented to them my PhD Diploma.
I have been using my Diploma and incorporating this credential with my employment and other prestigious professional organizations in every possible way.
I believed, I have the right to my Doctorate Diploma
due to my University Degree, 2 Masters and life experienced combined altogether.
I understand the challenges that others who have spent many years and dollars acquiring a conventional degree feel. It’s simply a fact of life that some of us who passed the opportunity by have sought an alternative route. The problem is that our world is becoming fiercely competitive. With life experience degrees there an ever increasing chance that an employer will google you and find out the deception. Embarrassment There is an alternative called ‘worry free degrees’. They will only you can’t google there degrees, but the only will deal with you if you have a promo-code. You can use mine if you like, SE1044. worryfreedegrees.webs.com. Cheers and happy job hunting.
There are alot of people in the world who don’t have a college degree. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but in some cases, it can hold a person back. Well I was one of those people.
Looking back, it may have been more psychological than a real problem, but I was looking at teaching English in S.E Asia and I thought that a degree would be helpful. I was sorta wrong and sorta right. Herein lies the reason for my blog. Perhaps it will save you from experiencing some of the challenges I had.
First of all a little about me, I am 37 years old and an accomplished professional musician. Well, perhaps not as accomplished as I could be. Money in my home state of Arkansas was getting harder and harder to come by. The thought of teaching English in Asia has always appealed to me. So it was time to branch out. That was early in 2007.
My problem was I never completed college and thus had no degree. I Googled ‘life experience degrees’ and decided on one. It was not a problem, quick and efficient. So far, so good.
I’m not going to tell you the country in S.E. Asia that I went to because I don’t want to burn any bridges, but my degree helped me get a job in a government owned school. I got my visa and all the required documentation. Everything went swimmingly for six weeks.
Then my boss reviewed my file and Googled the life experience degree school. That was the end of my career, at least at that school. He was polite enought, but there was no wiggle room, I was out.
I had a good friend who was working in Russia who said she thought she could help me. She was using a degree that had worked effectively for three years. It had worked with government and two schools. She gave me a code because she would make a commission if I purchased one, and she said it was the only way I could get one. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, so I looked it up.
It was a bit of a twist on the old life experience degree. They were using the names of closed institutions. I used my friends code and got a bachelors degree from them. It has turned out very useful. No problem with my new job. If my current director of studies looks it up, he will find it is closed. No way he can trace it and I am working away. Pay isn’t fantastic but it’s cheap to live here and lotsa sunshine.
For many years, I have had the opportunity to work alongside those with brick and mortar degrees and those without. I have found those without a degree and with exceptional experience to be as bright as or brighter than those with the degree. In fact, it is that type of skill-set that I feel more comfortable working alongside.
There is only so much one can gain from reading a book or studying. It takes practical on-the-job experience, real world theory. Life is an every changing cycle. It does not reflect lab or classroom environments.
It is true; experience is a valuable commodity to have. I have two degrees, but I personally have friends that do not and they have such great knowledge on subjects, I can turn to them for assistance. I truly respect them.
At the same time, I have also witnessed people from all walks of life holding a degree and have hardly a high school education comprehension! I am not saying this is true in all cases, but just what I have witnessed.
Personally, I have studied at a brick and mortar college. Later in life, went to online schools. As many will agree, the temptation of studding online is tempting due to family and work constraints.
In my own experience, and obviously my own opinion, those with great amounts of experience in their respective field deserve life experience degrees.
I would rather have an experienced mechanic working on my car than one who just possesses a paper that state such…
I got a degree from an organization called *****. They have a very clever way of getting a real degree from a university or college. It will stand up to scrutiny by an employer and it’s not counterfeit. It helped me get a teachers licence and a job in Asia. Great people. Best wishes.
Why worry. Despite all the brick and mortar universities’ degree holders for whom I do have the greatest and sincere respect from the depth of my heart, we are still witnessing job lay-offs. For example, New York State is planning to lay off about one hundred thousand government employees, most of whom I suppose have highly accredited degrees.
My humble and sincere suggestion, in order to significantly reduce unemployment, is that as long as a person has a certificate, diploma or degree, that certificate, diploma or degree alone must be the only requirement for the person to apply and obtain a license to practise his or her profession or trade, providing the credential was obtained from an accredited and recognised educational institution, whether it be a correpondence school, internet, full-time or part-time educational institution.
That license is all what you need, and in some cases, you can join with similar licensees and hang up your shingle and do business, or if you wish, you can do it alone, and by so doing, you do not have to entirely depend on government or a big corporation for a job.
However, please be advised that this suggestion does not apply to the legal and medical professions, which will have to be dealt with quite differently.
I insist that we must give recognition to our accredited correspondence schools and other schools.
Which ever State in the U.S.A. can implement this suggestion, I can assure you that such State will become the most prosperous and progressive State, and eventually, many other States may follow the same example.Then the small man can become a real man without blood in his eyes. He will stop aimlessly wandering and pursue his studies, because he has seen a light at the end of the tunnel. My humble suggestion.