Many people make a good living without degrees but they may be looking to change careers and explore opportunities that present more of a challenge. If you have been working since graduating high school, chances are you probably do not have time to attend college. Maybe you cannot attend classes because you have to support your family who rely on your income. No matter what the reason is, you do not have to make it without a degree. More and more distance learning programs and educational institutes are offering a life experience degree for those who cannot take classes but have lived very fulfilled and experienced lives.
Earn Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees
With a life experience degree, you earn credits based on your experiences, not on your book smarts. You would be surprised at how much knowledge you can acquire while working your full-time job. You have the opportunity to earn an associate’s, bachelor’s, or even a master’s degree based on your knowledge of your field or industry. Though you cannot earn medical, law, and other professional degrees, you can acquire the necessary undergraduate and graduate degree requirements for professional education.
Various Types of Life Experience Qualify
Your field of work is a great place to find qualifying experience and knowledge. The skills you obtain at your place of employment are a great starting point. However, you are not limited to just your work experience. Various aspects of your life and education can be used toward your life experience degree.
Previous Experience
Several types of educational classes may count toward your degree. Previous college courses can usually be transferred to your distance learning school of choice. Have you taken any non-credit classes or participated in employer-sponsored training? They all qualify as “life experience” and can bring you one step closer to a degree.
Military Training
You should be rewarded for serving your country and many online institutes do respect this service. Military training will be considered as experience when trying to earn that life experience degree. Your service will especially be helpful if you had specialized training in a certain field. Such training can be the foundation for your undergraduate or graduate degree.
Hobbies and Travel
Your love for reading, music, or writing can be beneficial to your higher education. Hobbies and other leisurely activities can contribute to your degree, especially if those hobbies are a reflection of the type of degree you want. Reading American or British literature can provide a few of the general education pre-requisites for most degrees. Maybe you learned about European history by watching educational programs. Recall any of your educational activities that could count as a college-level class. Even your leisurely or business travels can help you obtain a degree.
Volunteer and Community Service
Helping others can also help you earn a degree. Many volunteer activities that you have participated in have exposed you to skills and knowledge equivalent to classroom education. Marketing, finance, management, and other business skills can be learned by conducting certain community service activities.
Most schools will test your knowledge in many ways. Expect to have to take assessment tests, competency tests, and other written tests. You may also be evaluated in nontraditional methods such as science experiments, oral presentations, and research papers. If you claim an experience, be prepared to prove you have the necessary skills or knowledge to show that you have learned something.
By Tamara C. Jude