For-profit degrees are worthless.

Im not describing it broadly. Im using my experience and what I've seen and heard from both online as well as the many people I know who do/did go to for profits. No, not all of them are necessarily bad (although after what Ive seen and learned on this forum I can see they are WAY WAY to expensive) but a good chunk of them crank out graduates without meeting the needs that a lot of them will need for their chosen fields.

 

I just want to note if there was not this extreme employer pressure to have a degree at all, people might not be going to these schools to earn a degree at all. Just saying maybe its not so much the students here as the system in this the employers pressure to get the sheepskin.

 

1. For-Profit degrees are not useless if they are properly accredited.

2. On a forum where no one has a tenured research position, you're not going to see positive arguments for research faculty that teach. Of course, people are going to be pro-practitioner, because that's what we all are.

3. Research faculty don't get compensated to teach. They get compensated to do research and bring in grant funding while increasing the prestige of their faculty and school. Nothing they do is geared to teaching.

So if it's any surprise to anyone that practitioners are better teachers for the vast majority of students... really?

Then again, there's this whole secondary cash stream in academia from students who will never be academics..(called tuition) that muddies the whole equation.

 

The pressure from employers is to hire people who know how to write and speak intelligently that have proven some level of exposure to some discipline. I've found that if you have an Associates or Bachelors and stop there; you're ok in the job market for most jobs. The minute you get to grad level you close doors on as many job opportunities as you open because the people hiring don't necessarily have degrees themselves.

That will change as the old guard retires/phases out. Then we'll have a lot of people with "crappy" degrees judging the majority.

 

FOR PROFIT DEGREES ARE WORTHLESS! All my for profit master's degree did for me was land me the best job I've had in my entire life and open up opportunities for advancement. Isn't that just TERRIBLE?

 

@Outside the Box:

Link:Metaphysics Certificate | Universal Life Church Monastery

Hilarious! Well played.

 

LOL!!! To funny Hey, I think I want one. Looks neat *rolls eyes*

 

Perfect example of why such broad, sweeping generalizations are absurd.

 

I have taught at few for profit schools and must say that many of the students taking these programs are very good and highly motivated.
I believe that if an individual shows contribution and is competent, few would care where his or her degree came from.

I also noticed that for profit programs tend to be up to date and courses close to the job market needs.

Yes, for profit programs tend to be leniant because their survival depends on enrollments but also they are not by any means a walk in the park. Students still need to work and expected to complete some minimum requirements.

Also, there are differences among for profit schools. Devry's courses for example are of high quality, they use online labs and require the completion of online exams and assignments. Technical courses at Devry are in general well designed. I would consider many of the Devry programs superior to many of the programs that I have taught in Canada at government schools.

I wouldn't recommend a for profit degree for those considering an academic career but I don't see why they would be a problem for those considering professional careers, in particular those they require very specialized training that only might be offered by some of the for profits.

At the end of the day, I don't believe the regular employers would be looking so closely at your education if you have a solid career.

 

Yeah, the Master's situation is tough. On the one hand, getting that education is great for your personal growth. But on the other hand, it's amazing how intimidating it can be to potential employers. People often advise you to hide your degree(s) in order to get a specific job (usually lower-paying or entry-level); I tried to hide a degree once years ago, but it didn't work because they did a check and it was mentioned to me later. I didn't get the job, and they told me I was overqualified. Apparently, they wanted someone still in the career/education growth stage. I've had a few buddies get that treatment, too.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.