lisag8070

Hi Guys..

Can anyone settle a discussion (OK argument) for me please....

Now we know the good ol US of A really likes people with a degree, but what if you just had the 12 yrs or more experience/skills in a specialised field?. Would a person in fact be able to get a degree just by proving their experience/skills alone or would they have to go back to college/University? or could they just sit the exams...?

Sorry I've tried searching for an answer but can't find anything....and now its really bugging me as to whether you can actually do this...

( I say no and OH says why not) and we're just going round in circles now..

Kaffy Mintcake

Oftentimes a job requirement will be a degree + X years of experience, or without a degree, a larger number of years of experience. It all depends on the industry. In my job for instance, I was supposed to have a masters degree. I originally didn't, only had a bachelor's degree, but argued my work experience and was hired. I've since gotten my masters.

So I guess the answer is - it depends! Sometimes what is studied is less important than a degree itself.

Sally Redux

I have not heard of a university awarding a degree for work experience, if that's what you mean.

lisag8070

Thanks for answering..I understand that when you go for an interview you could argue this point and IMHO the skills and experience are just as important as the degree, but can you actually get that "physical piece of paper" that says degree or do you have to start from scratch?..

P.S. good for you in getting the job..

Kaffy Mintcake

Definitely not. I took Lisa's question to mean ... do you have to have a degree to be hired, or would someone accept work experience in lieu of a degree.

lisag8070

Thanks Sally...woohoo...I've won the argument!...

Kaffy Mintcake

Ah - Sally understood your question correctly. You cannot literally trade work experience for a degree. You would have to earn the degree regardless of your experience. You can, however, sometimes be hired without a degree if you have the relevant experience.

Sally Redux

Yes, the value of the degree is in large part associated with the institution awarding it.

Sally Redux

Kaffy Mintcake

Absolutely true. Or whether it's online or a traditional degree can enter into it as well.

lisag8070

Thanks Ladies.... your a godsend

Now I'm off to gloat...and do the whole Na na na na boo boo..to darling OH..

and I can go to sleep now the argument has been settled..

Nite nite..

And thanks again

Sally Redux

Don't tell Rev MightBe

penguinsix

There are some colleges and universities that will take a look at your work experience and offer credits based on some of the things you've done, but it will not be enough to just 'get a degree' at basically any school. If you have 12 years in computer programming schools will look at it, allow you credit for some of the introductory course (i.e. computer 101) and make require you to 'test for credit' on some midlevel classes (basically getting the credit if you can pass the final), but you still would like need some other requirements (English 101, Arts 101, etc) before you would get a degree.

For immigration purposes re: the H1-B visa, you can substitute 12 years of experience in a field for the college degree in that field, but that only applies to what the USCIS cares about. An employer would still want an actual degree.

Rete

You might not get a degree with your work experience but some colleges will allow you to write a paper on how your life and work experience can be considered as partial credits toward such a degree.

Also there are organizations that will take your work experience and translate it into a document that shows your experience is the equivalent of a certain degree.

Ray

You can get fake degrees with life experience

http://www.degreeadvice.com/