External Degree

External degrees are educational programs tailored to adult working professionals where classes are interdisciplinary in nature and can be taken in the evenings, weekends, online or at an off campus site location. Some external degree programs award degrees solely based on life and job experience. A growing number of colleges are providing these or self directed programs. A self directed program allows the student to design their own career path. In order to achieve this there must be an efficient amount of self direction, planning, strategy, independent study and a strong writing capability. This offers flexibility for the adult student who must manage work, family and education together.

Some programs revolve around experiential learning or learning by doing. This type of learning is becoming more and more popular among adults who have taken a mixture of college courses, worked in numerous employment positions, and have years of life experience under their belt. The students' life or experience on the job translates and contributes to college credit for external degrees. The most common external degree programs are usually awarded by means of a bachelor or masters degree, although there are some institutions that award lesser certifications and degrees beyond a Masters.

Life experience is measured by prior job experience, military training, previous educational achievements, personal hobbies and travel experiences, participation in volunteer activities and community service, and many other activities. Basically any type of life experience should be included in the application portfolio if transformation to college credit is the desired result. External degrees vary in nature depending on the university or college granting the certification or diploma. Receiving an external degree is relatively easy to achieve, but the process can be time-consuming and arduous when attempting to receive credits for certain past activities. Relying on God in this time of anxiety is important. "The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him." (Lamentations 3:25)

Those desiring this degree in order to continue their education or to attend a professional school will have to be sure that the prospective college is accredited. Accreditation is the process through which a university maintains and improves its standards and practices. Accrediting organizations or agencies develop a criteria by which a university or college can be measured. Currently most distance colleges awarding external degrees are accredited by the DETC or Distance Education and Training Council. The DETC is a nationally recognized accrediting agency. This means a student can be assured that their transcripts and degrees are transferable to participating agency approved schools.



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