Question:
I have been working in a professional business environment for a number of years. I am interested in changing careers. I find so many employment ads that require college degrees these days, regardless of any previous business experience or work experience. I took several semesters of college "core" courses and a business course, but never obtained any kind of degree. I don't have any time to sit in a classroom, let alone take any distance learning courses. I would just as soon go to diploma mill, rather sit in a classroom, or even take a distance college course of any kind. Does anyone here know of any institutions that award college degrees based on work experience alone, or an institution that awards college degrees on previous college course work. How quickly would I be able to obtain a college degree?
Answer:
You could try a degree completion program. I was in a similar boat ten years ago: lots of credits, nowhere near a degree. I enrolled in an adult degree completion program at Nyack College. I transferred in 60 credits from my previous colleges, did some CLEP exams and life experience credits, then spent one year going to class with a cohort group one night a week to earn the final thirty two credits.
Trust me, you don't want to go the "diploma mill" route; it will do no good, and possibly a lot of harm down the road.
