Article:

The moral and practical discussion about “instant” or “experience” degrees:

Since the internet explosion, this topic has become very hot among job seekers, employers, and education professionals. There are some very heated and emotional discussions on both sides of the moral equation.

Where employers maintain that this type of dergree gives a fraudulent and unfair advantage to a job seeker, many job seekers feel that arbitrary degree requirements exclude them from consideration for positions they are otherwise well qualified for.

Most education professionals, and indeed most degree holders, believe that only through completion of a traditional curriculum, in a classroom setting, does a person earn the right to hold a degree. More and more; however, traditional schools are offering non-traditional options for earning degrees, including online courses, proficiency credit, and project credit.

But, what about the practicality of an instant degree? This type of a degree certainly has limitations and although legal, may lead to embarassment or other issues with prospective employers. The colleges and universities that grant these types of degrees are usually little known places, and many times are not in the country you reside in. Explaining this type of degree can prove challenging for a jobseeker.

Using an instant degree to get a job that one is unqualified for is clearly an act of fraud. But, what about someone with a wealth of experience and knowledge who may not have had the opportunity to attend college? This is where the moral question becomes less clear cut. Take someone, for example, that had worked in say, marketing, for 20 years, has numerous accomplishments, may have published articles, etc. Would it present the same moral issue if this person granted themself an “honorary” degree based on cumulative experience? Perhaps, just to move past the resume screening by a human resources department, and described as an honorary or experience degree during any interviews, this would create less of a moral issue.

Each person has to weigh the practical and moral implications and make a decision. It is unlikely that this type of degree will really stand up under close scrutiny, so buyer beware.