Excelsior Concentrations to Become Majors

Excelsiro News from October 2, 2002:

Baccauleaureate "concentrations" to become "majors" as of Janurary 1, 2003. Details,
http://www.excelsior.edu/pdf/add_catl.pdf

 

What a delightful new policy; this would have left me with a B.A. in Psychology and Literature, which looks slightly cooler than a B.A. in Liberal Arts.

Thanks for bringing this to my/our attention, dude.


Cheers,

 

As they state in the first paragraph, this is just a change in terminology. I belive this supports my assertion than in most contexts a "concentration" is not different than a "major." I don't know if they've changed since then, but when I was at Purdue their majors were transcribed as "conentrations." I dare anyone to argue that Purdue does not offer "real majors." This is all just silly semantics, IMO, and I think that it's probably only being changed because people don't understand this. It should be telling when a school officials and literatuire already uses terms such "major" and "concentration" interchangeably. This change by Excelsior is a good thing though, since everyone using the same terminology eliminates the potential argument that different terminology necessarily implies a different type of program.

 

Got to disagree, Gary--I would have much preferred listing my degree as a B.A. with a double major in psychology and literature (and colloquially, I can and do say that I "majored" in those fields), but officially--on my transcript, on the resume, and in any context where it matters--it was a single major in liberal arts with concentrations in psychology and literature.


Cheers,

 

Interesting, Gary--my pleasure, Tom...

The only substantive difference in this semantic war that I'm aware of is that "majors" have had certain temporal progressions enforced--e.g., "Art History 100 Into To Western Art History" must be taken before credit will be granted for "Art History 301 Ancient and Medieval Art History."

The desirablilty of this becomes obvious in the sciences where taking Microbiology without Intro Biology and General Chemistry makes no sense. Thus, the "major" enforced prerequisites; Excelsior's practice of calling them "concentrations" explicitly does not.

Twenty years ago, such prerequisites were the norm. Perhaps the enormous growth of adult higher education and "drop in" enrollment since then has erased the meaningfullness of the distinction--hence the change. My only certainty is that these changes have imposed more challenges upon college and university teachers where the notion of the "preparedness" of students is no longer anywhere taken for granted!

--Orson

 

Wow, I don't think I've ever submitted a post with that many typos, sorry about that.

I still maintain that when school literature and officials refer to it as a major, then it is appropriate to list it as a major on a resume. For instance, a TESC "concentration," which is also referred to as a "major area of study" on the requirements sheet, may be a weak major in some cases, but I still consider it a major.

 

I understand your position guys, and why it is important to you, but I think Tom delineated the issue with economy and fine clarity.

In the past we have had to agree to disagree on this, and I doubt anyone is going to be swayed by the advocacy of another, this time either.

To get back to what matters here, that is great news. Gary, do you know if there is any chance that this could be effected retroactively? Grandfathered in? I'm fed up with the long-winded titling and caveats. I want, "BS Political Science". A fine thing. One I am sure I deserve. Absolutely.

In fact, I can think of few undeserving of this long overdue righting of a great wrong. It may be that a co-ordinated effort would bring relief to the brethren: the deserving alumni.


Lawrie Miller
author: BA in 4 Weeks and Accelerated Master's Degrees by Distance Learning
http://geocities.com/ba_in_4_weeks/

 

This is true, and there's no sense in debating anew an issue that we agreed to drop. I couldn't restrain myself from commenting when I saw that Excelsior is changing their terminology, but I'll leave it as is.

The wording seems to indicate that they do not intend to retroactively adjust transcripts, and in fact they intend to continue using the old wording for degrees completed before the end of this year. It seems silly to me, but I'm betting that anyone inquiring would be told that the "concentration" on your transcript is in fact a "major," so I wouldn't have any concerns about presenting it as such.

It might be worth an attempt, though I'm not sure that I'd put too much time into it, especially if the registrar's office verifies that anyone calling would be told that the transcribed "concentration" is equivalent to what is now termed a "major." It may be the case that they would need to gain additional approval in order to retroactively transcribe these changes. They may not consider it a good idea anyway, since some unsuspecting people might then have to explain why their (newly sent) transcripts don't match up with what is listed on their resumes (in case they have it listed according to the old method).

 

AND now for something completely different!

THIS oddity from Canada: can anyone straighten out this?

Why does Athabaca University--Canada's virtual university--offer both a "concentration" and a "major?"

" a three-year Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in History"

"a four-year Bachelor of Arts with a Major in History"

--Orson

 

Just when you thought this post was dead...

Hi guys,

Does anyone know if COSC or TESC will be pursuing a similar change in the near future, from "concentrations" to "majors?"

After wrangling with the difficulty of finding an MA in Lit., I'm going to be finishing a second BA, probably, at Excelsior. My credit review will be back in a week.

Thanks for the news, this is going to be a great thing !!!

Chris

 

Re: AND now for something completely different!

I would guess that it means that you would spend your entire fourth year taking history courses. Perhaps it is similar to the British Honors degree?
Jack