LS Degree based on experience, Ted Madson?

why not get an actual degree?

Thomas Edison College In NJ Had One In The Past

Various forms of life experience counted towards credits. As I recall passing the NJ PLS exam accounted for 6 credits. I saw no way that one could get all the required credits via experience. TE also allowed on to accumulate credits from various colleges as well as military training programs.

The Thomas Edison ASAT an BSAT surveying programs ceased to exist a few years ago.

Paul in PA

$'s, and location rambleon.....

I have 4 years of college, no degree, and 30 years experience as a PLS in four states.

You are definitely preaching to the choir; however anyone can get a 4 year degree working full-time. I am 5 classes from finishing an online surveying degree from Great Basin College in Nevada. While they haven’t received ABET accreditation, the degree is likely to be accepted by most states. I live in NC. If I can do it, so can you. Any degree based solely on experience will be lacking the rigorous work necessary to likely be accepted by a state as a quality degree program. I would look at those options first. Cost was reasonable.

Thanks for the advice rambleon, but I'm just trying to find out some information...

Any degree based solely on experience will be lacking the rigorous work necessary

LMAO

If you've been licensed for 30 years, you likely predate most degree requirements. In Florida, if your first out of state license predates the Florida degree requirement, which was 1990 I think, you can apply for a Florida license without a degree. I know from Greg Shoult's past comments that New Mexico has a similar clause ... I'd look into that as an option before shelling out money for a "degree mill" scam.

> If you've been licensed for 30 years, you likely predate most degree requirements. In Florida, if your first out of state license predates the Florida degree requirement, which was 1990 I think, you can apply for a Florida license without a degree. I know from Greg Shoult's past comments that New Mexico has a similar clause ... I'd look into that as an option before shelling out money for a "degree mill" scam.

A former employer of mine and myself are the reason for New Mexico's current policy, with a big assist from the NM Attorney General. This was back in 1996.
B-)

> You are definitely preaching to the choir; however anyone can get a 4 year degree working full-time. I am 5 classes from finishing an online surveying degree from Great Basin College in Nevada. While they haven’t received ABET accreditation, the degree is likely to be accepted by most states. I live in NC. If I can do it, so can you. Any degree based solely on experience will be lacking the rigorous work necessary to likely be accepted by a state as a quality degree program. I would look at those options first. Cost was reasonable.

Not to hijack the thread, but how do you like the classes at GBC? I am looking at starting classes there.

don't really see a joke in that. feel free to fill us in.

Honestly, the college has been great but they seem to be having some funding issues. I would look into NC A & T instead.

Get a degree hippie... I drove to Boston 3 times a week for a year to obtain the Wentworth PLS Certificate in order to sit for my PLS. That was awful and expensive.

You have options and you are in the fortunate circumstance: it's deductible!

I have to agree.

In 30 some years as a licensed surveyor I have seen many with 20 years of experience, but in some cases it turned out to be one year of experience repeated twenty times.

anyone can get a 4 year degree working full-time. I am 5 classes from finishing an online surveying degree from Great Basin College in Nevada. While you are in N.C. Do they offer a doctorate?

You REALLY think this is better than 20 --even 10 years experience? Not in my humble opinion. But I do congratulate you on "almost" obtaining a BS. I know I was proud of my degree but came to realize I didn't know crap. After 40 years of surveying my degree is worthless and if surveying changes even half as much in the next 40 years yours will be also.
The degree nor the experience guarantees any better surveyor, that is only guaranteed by the integrity of the individual.

I have seen many with 20 years of experience, but in some cases it turned out to be one year of experience repeated twenty times.
I have also but have seen many more with multiple degrees that thought they knew it all and actually didn't know crap.

I have not heard about it before. Seems a lot of hurdles for it to be worth anything. Accredited schools would never accept it or credit from it. Each state would have to accept it individually, and some may not even look at it to consider it. Who would judge the experience? Would it have to be someone with some sort of degree as well as experience?

Accredited schools do accept life experience for a certain amount and one can test out of courses, but there remains a certain number of credits required from each individual institution to obtain a degree (which is a real pain).

Some schools and institutions/regulatory bodies do not accept online schooling yet, let alone experience.

And yet, it's supposed to be all about assessment. One is tested over and over in a college curriculum but there is no comprehensive test required to graduate. I assume the experience degree would be bolstered by a test of some sort, which makes it the same thing as just taking the LS exam.

I guess I really don't see the idea going anywhere.

People can get degrees or experience without gaining much, so I don't think that argument is worth much time. The question is only what value there would be in trying to quantify experience into a degree of some kind. First, I think the two are incompatible and can't be equated one to the other. I think both are important and valuable in their own right and should not be eliminated one for the other. Second, I doubt it would have enough value versus the investment it would take to ensure it had some sort of value.

I would rather see an effort to get accredited public schools more accepting of credits from other accredited schools, rather than requiring 30-60 credits at their own institution just because they can. I think this would help more people that have a bunch of credits from here and there, and in differing topics. I know it's a business and not talking about private colleges. But public schools should also be there to serve the public and not just to make money.

I'd be interested to hear more if you find out more.

Thanks Everyone, BUT>

I appreciate everyone's comments (except that loudmouth yuppie from Chatham , splediuuuus LOL)

I was just curious about this newfangled idea of Madson's. I am not about to drop a wad of cash in his lap. I'd rather drop it towards a Marshall Catboat Sanderling! (if anyone knows of one for sale, reasonable, or to trade my 18' Concordia Sloop Boat, let me know).

If I pursue a degree, it will be through rigorous study, instead of hard work 🙂 Having already persevered through the CFeDS course I believe that I can handle class work. Combined with my previous studies, it probably won't be that difficult to complete a degree through Great Basin or elsewhere. Now that I've matured and can deal with school that is 🙂

Bottom Line: Y'all haven't heard anything from Ted Madson regarding this program and can offer NO INFORMATION, right?

Don

Profession vs. Trade

We are attempting to revise our image. Professionals should be educated. Period.

I have forgotten more mathematics (undergraduate degree) than most people learn in their lives. I knew that I had to learn when I started my career; those who feel omnipotent solely with education will never truly understand the world.

>> And yet, it's supposed to be all about assessment. One is tested over and over in a college curriculum but there is no comprehensive test required to graduate. I assume the experience degree would be bolstered by a test of some sort, which makes it the same thing as just taking the LS exam.

A comprehensive oral and written graduation exam was required when I got my BA in Chemistry, in addition to the preparation of a thesis. 28 freshmen declared, 6 of us were still standing on graduation day.

I am surprized that Ted has not chimed in.

Last word from him that I remember was a question that he ask on the site months ago.

:-S