Is there a way to avoid math courses at the big three (or elsewhere) and still graduate? Anyone know of any online schools that provide ways (perhaps through taking computer science or something else) to not take any college-level math? Tom Nixon
The Fort Hays State U's BGS degree requires no math course. http://www.fhsu.edu/bgs/requirements/index.shtml
I guess this ia pet peeve of mine, but I can't imagine the idea of earning a bachelor's degree with no math (or no science, or no English or no ...). It is absolutely beyond my understanding how a university could pemit this. Sure, lots of students don't like math. But math is a powerful tool in understanding the world. Part of the point of educaiton is to broaden one's understanding of the world. I know the U.S. model is somewhat different than the European approach in our insistence on "general education". But given the generally poor prep that high schools do, it is necessary. I see students at the MBA level who tell me that they haven't had any math since Algebra in high school and I shutter. For a person to "master" the business discipline - and have no ability to use math? This is unbelievable. Regards - Andy
I'm sorry, but this thread worries me I’m afraid I have to agree with Andy on this issue. I personally view any baccalaureate-level degree program lacking a math requirement as inadequate preparation for “the real world”. Innumeracy is rampant in our society. The only way Americans will be able to prosper in an increasingly global market-place is by demanding of our education system that every student: (a) be provided the resources to acquire, and (b) be expected to gain, and (c) demonstrate a minimum standard level of essential knowledge and skills. While many general education skill-sets an not necessarily required for entry or job-performance in certain professions or trades, it is better to have developed a degree of comprehension and competency in them, than be placed in a situation where they are needed and an individual is found lacking them. Frankly, I’m amazed that anyone can “get-by” in life without those skills. I have met people in finance that can’t use a calculator proficiently, people in marketing, PR, and communications related jobs who appear inept at simple business correspondence, and both high-school and college graduates that seem reluctant to read (and possibly unable to adequately comprehend) any text that should not be daunting for the average twelve year old child.
I don't know about the "big three", but it is possible at Bellevue University. Since they will accept any regionally accredited associates’ degree as fulfillment of the general education requirements, you just need a technical-type associates degree. To get a technical associates (in the case of my state's requirements), you need to take one or two quantitative skills courses (I don't remember how many). They do not have to be math. They can be computer science, intro to logic, or any other number of QS coded courses. To get into these courses, you need to test as high at Math 098, which is essentially high school algebra. If one then went to Northcentral University or University of Denver (or others, but I am most familiar with these two schools) to get a masters degree in certain fields, they could get a masters of science with absolutely no college level math courses. Sean
Re: Re: Avoid math? I don't disagree with you. However, what do you do in a situation where someone has completed all of the requirements for a college degree with the exception of one college level math course? It's a difficult situation for me and is less black & white. I don't have a good answer for that. I like holding people up to a set standard, in this case, the completion of all the requirements. My hope was that there are alternative courses that would meet the requirement, but which still entail the necessary critical thinking skills learned within a math course. Tom Nixon
It really depends on what you mean by "avoiding math" and what your definition of a math class is. In Business Administration, I didn't have to take math per se, but I did have to complete an Accounting, Finance, and Ops Management course (all which required advanced math skills). Have you thought of a divinity or liberal arts degree? I suspect the amount and level of math required for these degrees is much lower than what is required of most other Bachelor level degrees.
This is what I was looking for. A way to prove that you have learned quantitative skills, but in a different format. Thanks! Tom Nixon
Again, this is just mincing words - (or in this case definitions). Technical Associate degrees, such as an AAET, require vector analysis, programming, and circuit analysis (which is essentially trigonometry) --- all of these while not carrying the dreeded "math" name, are essentially math classes.
mat 100 One course, MAT 100, www.ptc.edu. 5 credits! It says "No degree credits" but they probably shouldn't have put it in the 100 category. Two of us have had all FIVE of our regionally Accredited semester Math credits transfer to three different institutions. Beware, Eastern Oregon will not take them, but ABtech and COSC will and have. Good luck.
Well, at least he's honest. It never crossed my mind that one could find a bachelors degree that has no math requirement, but lo and behold, this thread has opened my eyes. Such creatures do exist!!! I am pretty crappy at the higher math levels, so I figured I would try to take College Algebra via distance learning. It was my first DL class ever and boy was I in for a rude awakening!!! I enrolled in Columbia Union College's DL College Algebra class and the syllabus said that I had a full 365 days to complete the course, so I thought "no sweat." That course is the only course that has ever made me sweat -- literally (not figuratively). I would have to concentrate so hard that my body would become extremely warm and I would begin to sweat -- each and every time I studied. And as soon as I quit studying, I instantly stopped sweating. I'll never forget that as long as I live. I finished the course in 364 days with one day to spare. (got a B+ if you must know) I tried to circumvent the system and ended up with far more than I ever bargained for. LOL
Re: Re: Avoid math? The Introduction to Algebra and Trigonometry course (MA110) offered through APUS (www.apus.edu) would be better suited to your abilities with mathematics. There are six (6) assignments - one per chapter - and a final proctored exam. If you took algebra in high this course will seem like a review. Unfortunately, APUS is DETC so this may limit the transferability to another institution. Alternatively, you can use MA110 as preparation to test-out of the math requirement at your institution.
RE: The APUS course suggestion I'd like to add a minor correction to what otherwise seems an excellent suggestion. I believe that APUS is a candidate for accreditation with NCA (RA). Additionally, APUS has many of their courses evaluated by ACE. While they do indeed have DETC accreditation, I think their additional candidacy status combined with an ACE evaluated course (if, in fact it is...) might ease any potential problems with credit transfer to many institutions.
Tom, I was assuming that you are asking for a friend who might feel more comfortable taking quantitative courses with an applied focus within the bounds of a concentration, in substitution for strictly "math". However I just realized that I may be misunderstanding. Was your inquiry leaning more to a course with a theoretical focus that would be acceptable? I'm not sure that I have too many suggestions on additional schools that allow this, nor courses. I do know that WGU used to have an online catalogue that allowed students to enroll in courses individually without being in a degree program. I don't know that they still have this option, but it might be worth a look. Back in 2003 (when degree-seeking candidates could peruse their partner course offerings independent of a faculty mentor) I remember looking through their online catalogue. It offered thousands of courses with partner institutions, and displayed information relating to course focus, content, and offered a keying system that separated courses down by area(s) and whether they have been evaluated as aligning with WGU offered domains and majors. If a non-degree seeking student may still enroll for courses, you may find a viable course option.
