Job Discussion Forums

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Over the years on here, I have read countless "Can I teach without a degree" and "Where can I teach without a degree" posts.

I completely understand that people have a number of valid reasons for not having taken a degree, but I would hazard a guess that money is the biggest one. With that in mind, I sought out the cheapest options for getting an accredited degree online--one never has to step inside a classroom for those interested.

In the American educational system (not sure about other countries), there are wonderful institutes of learning called community colleges. These CCs, as they're commonly called, will generally help a person get through the first two years of a four-year degree (with the option of attaining an Associate of Arts degree) at a lower price than simply starting at a four-year university (in retrospect, I really wish I'd gone this route, but I digress). Anyone from any country who speaks English and finished secondary school can study at these schools.

I found this gem to get people started*:

It's call Clovis Community College, and it's located in New Mexico. The prices for online courses there are unbelievably cheap. Get this: The price for 13-18 credit hours of studying is the SAME (meaning one pays the same for 13 credit hours as they would for 18: a ridiculously cheap $839 http://www.clovis.edu/downloads/Fall2009Schedule.pdf; at 18 credits, that's $46/credit; unheard of in the States).
Here's their web site: http://www.clovis.edu/ The school is accredited and all or most of its credits will transfer to another college where one can complete their Bachelor's.

So, now that one has taken as many courses as they can at the super affordable CC, it's time to look at finishing one's degree. The cheapest regionally accrediated colleges I could find that offers fully online study are Fort Hays State University (http://www.fhsu.edu/) and Chadron State College (http://www.csc.edu/extended/online/) where the price jumps to around $160 per credit hour; it's still not bad. If one takes, for instance, the online General Studies Major, then they will have to complete 124 hours for the degree. However, if one gets, say, 50% of their coursework out of the way at the aforementioned CC, then they will be left paying roughly $10,000 at Fort Hays State for the completion of a BA.

So, here's my math:

Clovis CC (all online): 62 credits = roughly $2700, then onto
Fort Hays or Chadron State (all online): 62 credits = roughly $10,000
Total = About $15,700 for an accredited Bachelor of Arts degree. ($12,700 for tuition at the schools, and perhaps another $3000 for books and other miscellaneous expenses.)
Just for comparison, a year at my alma mater currently costs about $25,000; at most state schools, one year for an non-resident will run about $10,000. Both of these prices don't include books and extra expenses.

Let's not forget that scholarships, grants, and loans are available for all who want to study. Plus, payment plans are the norm.

Hey--especially for those who come from countries where college is basically free, it ain't free. And, yes, it'll take a few years and some work. However, in the long run--in my opinion of course, this investment will pay itself back. Not to belabor the point, but over the course of a 15-year career that degree will have cost $1000 a year, $90-ish/month. Not so bad from that perspective, I think (especially considering that most careers--if they are indeed careers, last more than 15 years).

And all from the comfort of one's own computer.

Can anyone find a cheaper option for a BA (outside of online diploma printing services )? If so, please add it here! (For instance, I didn't really look too much outside of the US. I do know that UNISA, in South Africa, is quite a bit cheaper, but I'm not sure of its being accepted throughout the world. I also looked at the Open University in the UK, but that's only cheap for EU residents; international tuition is quite high. All-in-all, I devoted about half an hour to my search; perhaps someone can look a bit more exhaustively.)

Good luck, everyone!


*I'd like to state here that I have no association with Clovis CC, Chadron, or Fort Hays State; they haven't opened branches in Vladivostok...yet

[naturegirl321]

Hey, that's great info. What about Excelsior? I've heard good things about them

[Sansibar1]

I think the University of London external program is another excellent opportunity to obtain an accredited degree through distance learning.

The price for a BA can vary between $4500 and $8000. A fair price when you consider which universities are responsible for the programs.

The link is: http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Those are both great ideas.

I simply can't imagine a University of London BA in English for 3000 pounds (roughly $5000). Do my litttle math equation with that number! What a steal, from a famous institution.

I have to check out Excelsior next, but I'd heard rumblings about them before.

[MrMrLuckyKhan]

good info

[Chancellor]

[Justin Trullinger]

But don't forget that to some here, it's the US degree that is "foreign." (Not my case, I just turn into a pedant when I "foreign" used to mean "not US.")


Best,

Justin

[Chancellor]

[nickpellatt]

Someone has mentioned the UKs Open University ... I have just completed my BA with them, and the cost???

Well, for anyone who is based in the UK, and earns less than �16,000 per year ... the cost is a big fat ZERO. Grants pay for all the course fees, and they even allow you a �250 grant towards a computer.

Anyone based within the UK can qualify, as long as they dont already hold a degree. Cant get any cheaper than that!!