Dan723

Hello,

As others have said, in general you will not receive the equivalant of a degree
for work experience in the US. However, if you did want to get a degree,
US universities will look very favorably upon work experience.

For example, some MBA programs will prefer a minimum of 5 years experience before they will admit a student. Also, you should know that many Universities will offer financial assistance to mature students who have work experience, as well as students who are originally from other countries.

Also, as someone who recently went back to academia, I can say in response to some of the previous post that the value attached to a degree is increasingly less dependent on the institution that awarded it. I did signinficant research on this when looking for a masters program.

If you went to one of the top schools in the country that obviously has some significance. But, on the whole, firms are much more interested in seeing that you have the committment required to pursue a degree and that you made the most of your time at Uni.

Hope this helps!

lisag8070

Well thanks for the replies..let me tell you what the argument was about and how it started...

we started talking about Immigration and how hard it is to get into the US nowadays and how we were lucky getting a Visa many moons ago etc..and we got to talking about degrees verses work experience, now we know USCIS will accept 12 yrs + of experience/skill in lieu of a degree but OH's argument was that if the USCIS accept this, why can't they accept it when you apply for a GC..to get a EB2 you need a degree and 5 yrs + experience, if not you have to apply for a EB3 (skilled workers) which makes a big difference in waiting time.

His argument:
if USCIS accept the 12 yrs experience for a Non Immigrant Visa, why don't they accept it when applying for a GC. The person obviously has to prove his experience with maybe letters from previous employment or such but why not?.

My argument:
Don't be bloody daft...the government are not going to make it easy for foreigners..if anything they're going to make it harder..People and their companies could easily lie and forge documentation/letters just to get their employee into the USA and then they could just send them off to a University and get a degree and bobs your Uncle your employee now has a degree without spending any money or doing their time at school..

so thanks again ..

Elvira

Why does the University of Phoenix advert pop up with your post...

Ray

the word degree is in it ....

Archibald_Leach

Didnt Churchill get an Honorary Degree from Harvard?

Celebs get doctorate degrees just for being famous when they return to their home town, so I think the answer is yes, you can get a legitimate degree based on experience, and if you really do something notable like Mandella you'd probably get a Masters for good measure.

RoadWarriorFromLP

For the most part, no. Universities largely award their degrees based upon completion of coursework. That generally includes a requirement for completing specific courses (the curriculum), completing a minimum number of course units (should be about four years' worth for a bachelors degree), completing a minimum number of those units at the school in question (the residency requirement), and earning a minimum grade level in taking those courses.

It is possible to test out of some courses, such as using Advanced Placement exam results as a substitute for some lower level courses. But for the most part, you need to complete the classes, and you need to complete a lot of them at the school awarding the degree and to earn a passing grade in each of them.

ugacrew

Yeah. How are universities going to earn money? They can't hand out a document that on average costs a person 50K to get. They might award a certain amount of credits for work experience but they won't satisfy the degree qualifications fully because you have a gazillion amount of years of experience. Universities will require you to complete a certain percentage of course work with a passing grade in order to receive a degree. Besides, a university will think that since you've had THIS much experience then it should be easy for you to pass the courses and get your degree like everyone else.

Bob

In the UK, many uni's will let you use years of experience to make up credits towards a degree, enough experience, and then you could just do the final year of uni and pass the exams...

Ray

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diploma_mill

lisag8070

thats where he probably got the idea from..but of course different land different way..

lisag8070

Trust me I know where your both coming from but this was the argument basis as follows:

His argument:
if USCIS accept the 12 yrs experience for a Non Immigrant Visa, why don't they accept it when applying for a GC. The person obviously has to prove his experience with maybe letters from previous employment or such but why not?.

My argument:
Don't be bloody daft...the government are not going to make it easy for foreigners..if anything they're going to make it harder..People and their companies could easily lie and forge documentation/letters just to get their employee into the USA and then they could just send them off to a University and get a degree and bobs your Uncle your employee now has a degree without spending any money or doing their time at school..

skydivingisfun

What is the US views on this has anyone ever got one of these and managed to use it?

Ray

You get fired when your Boss finds out ...it happens very often

http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/411795.html

ugacrew

Oh come on Ray. I've been using my masters in physics from Swathmore Hills Institute of Technology for some time now. Having a SHIT degree has allowed me to get jobs I never thought I could without a SHIT degree. Now it seems they've started a new program called Association for Bachelors or Undergraduate National Certificate Holders of America. Otherwise known as A BUNCH A SHIT. I hope to enroll in A BUNCH A SHIT since that will allow me to pursue the other degree I've been wanting. Just remember at SHIT they care.

Ray

Here is another masters for you ....