Are Degree Based on Life Experience Legal?

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Degree.com

While you may learn more outside the classroom – is it equivalent to a legitimate college degree?

(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 07, 2010 ) Miami, FL Many people feel they learn more in life than at a university. But is that knowledge equivalent to an accredited degree? Is there a life experience degree?

In this month’s Truth About Series, http://www.Degree.com, the premier online Degree portal, looks at college degrees and asks the question “Can you really get a degree for life experience?”

Unlike most “Truth About” questions this one has a simple one word answer. NO. Anyone who tells you that you can get a degree because for life experience has a worthless piece of paper in his pocket that he is going to try to sell you.

However, you can get college credit and even a full degree based on what you have LEARNED at work, through independent study or readings, travel, life events, in your hobbies, volunteer works, etc. through exams such as CLEP and DANTES as well as through an assessment of prior learning (APL). Because adults are always learning college level knowledge outside the classroom, numerous accredited US Universities give credit when a student can show that what they have learned is equivalent to a course. Generally in the US the prior learning is assessed with what is called a “portfolio”. As a rule portfolios are expected to provide a college level course description from any college in the US. This presents the knowledge that is that is required to complete and pass that course and your knowledge is measured against that standard. This is followed by a narrative in which the student explains what was done in their life, what they learned including evidence to support what they learned, showing that they have learned what is normally taught in that class. A search for Portfolio assessment of prior learning and similar search terms should turn up many many fully accredited US programs. The portfolio process is time consuming and many students are looking for alternatives to prove their knowledge is equivalent to university level education.

Fully accredited Universities outside the US are also giving credit via APL with and without portfolio work for both undergraduate and graduate work. Often an administrator can make the assessment based on achievements, exams, certifications etc. without the portfolio work. While this saves the student a great deal of time the end result is essentially the same. The student receives credit for outside the classroom learning. One such university is the International University of Panama. Visit them on Facebook at
Espanol:http://www.facebook.com/upgradeaccount.php#/pages/Universidad-Internacional/238852256376
English: http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-University/213557426686
.

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Student Loan Application – DENIED!

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Degree.com

Lenders continue to put stringent measures for students to qualify for student loans. This makes student loans out of reach for many, therefore making it impossible for scores to get a college education.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 07, 2010 ) Washington DC
The cost of college tuition and room & board has grown by 121 percent since 1980. Median household income increased 18 percent during the same period. Much of the difference between these two percentages was met by student loans.
Acquiring a college degree will soon be likened to rocket science as it is becoming more and more difficult to enroll and remain in college until graduation; considering the ever soaring college costs in a time such as this of global recession and the difficulty in securing student loans.
The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act (or Credit CARD Act) of 2009 set to take effect on Feb 22nd, 2010, only ‘worsens’ the situation for college students. The Act bans credit cards for people under the age of 21 unless an adult accompanies them to the particular credit card company and co-signs the contract. Another route minors could use to acquire a credit card would be by showing proof that they will be able to repay the debts with minimal difficulty. It is evident that college students termed to be ‘the lowest earners BUT highest spenders’, will inadvertently have to cut costs on campus – and off for that matter.
According to Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com, http://www.degree.com, the premier internet portal for online study, student loans are difficult to secure for a number of reasons. She attributes the difficulty currently due to the upheaval in the financial markets caused by the recession making private lenders stingier when it comes to granting of such loans. Another discouraging factor might be the increased interest rates which greatly discourage students from applying for the loans since they don’t want to graduate with a BS in Information Technology for instance, and service the loan for the better part of their remaining lives.
At least ten years ago parents could count on easily securing student loans against the value of their houses but that isn’t a viable option anymore considering that home-equity value has dropped by over 25 percent in the past two years.
Research has it that, since 1980 the cost of college tuition and on-campus living expenses has grown by over 121 percent while household income has increased by only 18 percent in the same period of time. Over the years, student loans have been used to bridge the gap between the two percentages. The question in the minds of many remains, how can the gap be bridged once again with student loans being so difficult to obtain? Students have decided to give distance learning a try since it saves greatly on room and board as they can operate from home.
Securing a college loan is becoming more difficult and ironically tuition costs continue to rocket. This puts college out of reach for those who cannot afford but have the zeal for enrolling into various degree programs.

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Can you really get a degree for life experience?

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Degree.com

Many people feel they learn more in life than at a university. But is that knowledge equivalent to an accredited degree?

(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 04, 2010 ) New York, NY – In this month’s Truth About Series, Degree.com, the premier online Degree portal, looks at college degrees and asks the question “Can you really get a degree for life experience?”

Unlike most “Truth About” questions this one has a simple one word answer. NO. Anyone who tells you that you can get a degree because for life experience has a worthless piece of paper in his pocket that he is going to try to sell you.

However, you can get college credit and even a full degree based on what you have LEARNED at work, through independent study or readings, travel, life events, in your hobbies, volunteer works, etc. through exams such as CLEP and DANTES as well as through an assessment of prior learning (APL). Because adults are always learning college level knowledge outside the classroom, numerous accredited US Universities give credit when a student can show that what they have learned is equivalent to a course. Generally in the US the prior learning is assessed with what is called a “portfolio“. As a rule portfolios are expected to provide a college level course description from any college in the US. This presents the knowledge that is that is required to complete and pass that course and your knowledge is measured against that standard. This is followed by a narrative in which the student explains what was done in their life, what they learned including evidence to support what they learned, showing that they have learned what is normally taught in that class. A search for Portfolio assessment of prior learning and similar search terms should turn up many many fully accredited US programs. The portfolio process is time consuming and many students are looking for alternatives to prove their knowledge is equivalent to university level education.

Fully accredited Universities outside the US are also giving credit via APL with and without portfolio work for both undergraduate and graduate work. Often an administrator can make the assessment based on achievements, exams, certifications etc. without the portfolio work. While this saves the student a great deal of time the end result is essentially the same. The student receives credit for outside the classroom learning. One such university is the International University of Panama. Visit them on Facebook at
Espanol:
http://www.facebook.com/upgradeaccount.php#/pages/Universidad-Internacional/238852256376
English: http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-University/213557426686

Anyone interested getting more information from feel to contact centralamericaneducation@gmail.com or call 239-628-3472.

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The Highest Income Producing Professions to Chose Through an Online Education

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Degree.com

With so many people getting degrees in fields that are failing to provide semi-lucrative jobs, Degree.com offers degree programs in realistic and highly sought after specialties that will increase the students’ notoriety and marketability.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 19, 2009 ) Miami, FL Let’s face it, even with a Bachelor’s degree in biology you’re not guaranteed much of a sustainable career. Most certainly those students who find themselves strapped with an advanced degree in the Liberal Arts, there’s not much out there to ensure that you’ll be on the road to great success. In this day and age it’s important to set one’s self apart from the accredited rabble and produce credentials of a more marketable sort. Despite all the talking heads and so-called sophisticates of modern capitalist society that shout about getting an education, everyone fails to mention that some forms of education aren’t as lucrative as others.

For those who have yet to find their true calling or a niche in which to carve themselves a career, even for those who have already garnered their first Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, an online education can ensure that not only will you be getting accreditation from renowned university, you’ll also be on the fast track to starting a successful career in a highly sought after medium. The doors are wide open with opportunity in any number of professional fields. In fact, most, if not all, online schools offer higher level degrees in some of the most practical and financially successful careers in the world today.

In this digital age, there’s nothing more relevant than knowing your way around a computer. Programmers and technicians alike are continuously on call and incredibly successful in most every market. Most online universities offer information technology degree programs as part of their curriculum, opening the pathway for those computer savvy job seekers out there. With a degree in either computer programming, design, or engineering, you’ve created a future for yourself that not only includes your passion, but also encourages you to reach for some of the most lucrative careers in the worldwide market today.

As much as computer literacy is a necessity nowadays, what the world is looking for more than anything else is competent teachers. Getting an education degree online ensures that even in these economically unstable times, you’ll be offered a well paying, respectable job that will not only give you the pleasure of teaching, but also enrich the lives of so many children who are in dire need of someone who is dedicated to the craft. With an education degree you can be sure that you’ll stand out in the industry, as so many teachers are looking for both certification and credentials to get them that much sought after position.

Degree.com (http://www.degree.com/ the Premier Internet Portal for Online Study) has provided a way in which those who wish to make a name for themselves and establish financial security in these difficult times are able to do so with great ease. At the helm is Professor Sheila Danzig, the Director of Degree.com. She, along with the website, have helped propel students forward in their careers and given them the opportunity to become viable, marketable movers and shakers in the professional world market.

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College Drop Outs – Stop! Here is your answer.

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Degree.com

Students who have considered dropping out or have dropped out now have an option to complete their degree.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 17, 2009 ) Miami, FL There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to fulfill all the requirements necessary to get a full time degree at a traditional university or college. There’s so much pressure on students to finish in four years, to have at least a B+ average, and, most frighteningly, to become successful in the field in which they’ve studied that it’s no wonder that so many students fail to return for their sophomore year. What’s more, the fiscal responsibility of going to a four year university perennially drives the retention rate of many public universities lower and lower.

For those students who are considering an alternative to the college experience, there may be very little hope for what they can acquire in their future without at least a Bachelor’s degree to back it up. If you’re one of those students who just can’t fathom returning to college, perhaps you need an unconventional solution to your problem. Getting an online degree not only ensures that you get the education you need; it will also guarantee you accreditation from a reputable school in a field that’s in high demand in the business world. Whether you’ve always had dreams of being an active member of the medical industry or you’ve wanted to start a lucrative career in law, the options are virtually endless. What’s more enticing, you won’t have to spend countless hours in a library and weeks preparing for excruciating exams.

Your number one concern as regards education should always be education. Taking online courses eliminates the hassle of having to pay ghastly amounts of money for books and supplies, room and board, and the tuition is incredibly manageable. Even without the pressure of having to foot a hefty bill, you still have to worry about spending hours of the day you don’t have studying and writing essays, right? Wrong. In fact, most online colleges can guarantee you a degree in as little as one year, taking up only a few hours of your day at a time.

Degree.com (http://www.degree.com/ the Premier Internet Portal for Online Study) is a website dedicated to helping those students who find that they’ve got nothing left to give to this business that is the university system. Under the tutelage of Professor Sheila Danzig, the Director of Degree.com, the website has helped get students back on track to finding the right way to finish their university careers and begin fulfilling their professional dreams.

If you’ve considered dropping out school to avoid dealing with the travails of university life, stop and weigh your options. With the guidance of Degree.com and their unwavering dedication to get those wayward and non-traditional students back on the road to financial success and notoriety, there’s no reason why dropping out should ever be an option. Take a chance with an online education and get on the fast track to becoming something more than what you could have ever imagined.

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The Truth About Degree Mills and Fake Degree Programs. 1st in a 4 part series.

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Degree.com

Fake Accreditation Agencies. WARNING – do not reach for your credit card until you read this. That degree mill claims accreditation but that agency can be worthless.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 17, 2009 ) Washington DC, If you search the Internet you will find degrees for sale that claim accreditation. Can you really buy an accredited degree?

When a college or university claims accreditation what does that mean? Nothing if the accreditation is not recognized by the Department or Minister of Education in their own country.

Just as there are degree mills there are accreditation mills. These are so-called organizations (generally little more than a name and website) that are usually set up by a degree mill that “accredits” anyone and any school that pays the fee. Any program, college, or university that has accreditation by an accreditation mill is worthless. You might as well get a piece of paper and print a diploma.

In the US an accrediting agency needs to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In other countries the university is generally recognized directly by the office of the Minister of Education and/or by UNESCO. This is referred to as GAAP – the Generally Accepted Accrediting Practices. The university or college that you receive your degree from must meet GAAP.

The following are known agencies that do NOT meet GAAP. That means that any college or university claiming recognition or membership in these agencies is NOT legitimately accredited and getting and using a degree from a university like that will be like sitting on time bomb for you. For the most part these agencies have no physical offices and like the online college degree mills are just mailbox addresses and website. They offer fake accreditation just as the university members offer fake degrees. While not every member of a fake organization is a degree mill, they should no better and it should be a red flag for you.

New accrediting mills, like degree mills, pop up all the time so no list can be up to date. The simple rule is to check and see if the accrediting body has recognition from the Department or Minister of Education. In some cases they are legitimate attempts to create accrediting agencies working on getting government recognition. According to Sheila Danzig, founder of www.Degree.com, the Premier Online Degree portal, you are better to wait until a new accreditor gets the recognition they are seeking.

Accreditation Association of Ametrican College and Universities Unrecognized agency.
Accrediting Commission for Specialized Colleges Gas City, Indiana.
Accrediting Commission International for Schools, Colleges and Theological Seminaries Beebe, Arkansas.
Akademie fuer Internationale Kultur und Wissenschaftsfoerderung See Association for Promotion of International Cultural and Scientific Exchange, below.
Alternative Institution Accrediting Association Allegedly in Washington, DC, and the accreditee of several phony schools.
American Association of Accredited Colleges and Universities. Another unloadable agency, the claimed accreditee of Ben Franklin Academy.
American Association of Independent Collegiate Schools of Business unloadable accreditee mentioned by Rushmore University.
American Association of Nontraditional Collegiate Business Schools Another plausible-sounding but unloadable accreditee mentioned by Rushmore University.
American Education Association for the Accreditation of Schools, Colleges and Universities The accreditor claimed at one time by the University of America. Could not be located.
American Psycotherapy Association Board of Psycotherapy Examiners, Katy, Texas, originally chartered in Florida, they say, while apologizing for but not correcting the misspellings.
Arizona Commission of Non-Traditional Private Postsecondary Education.
Association for Promotion of International Cultural and Scientific Exchange (APICS).
Association of Accredited Private Schools.
Association of Career Training Schools.
Commission for the Accreditation of European Non-Traditional Universities The University de la Romande, in England.
Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges.
Council on Postsecondary Alternative Accreditation.
Council on Postsecondary Christian Education Established by the people who operated LaSalle University and Kent College in Louisiana.
Distance Education Council of America.
International Accreditation Commission for Post Secondary Education Institutions.
International Accreditation Association.
International Accrediting Association.
International Accrediting Commission for Postsecondary Educational Institutions.
International Accrediting Commission for Schools, Colleges and Theological Seminaries Holden, Missouri.
International Association of Non-Traditional Schools.
International Commission for Excellence in Higher Education, Inc.
Middle States Accrediting Board.
National Accreditation Association.
National Council for the Accreditation of Private Universities and Schools of Law Unrecognized agency from which Monticello University has claimed accreditation
National Council of Schools and Colleges Accreditation.
West European Accrediting Society.
Western Association of Private Alternative Schools.
Western Council on Non-Traditional Private Post Secondary Education.
World Association of Universities and Colleges.
Worldwide Accrediting Commission.
When in doubt – check it out.

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Can a College Degree Close the Racial Gap?

Posted on December 16, 2009 by Degree.com

When it comes to overcoming the racial gap, education is essential for more than the minority student alone.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 16, 2009 ) New York, NY What is meant by “racial gap”? Generally, the term is used in reference to economic status, but it can apply to a wide variety of subjects, such as health and disease, criminal justice and voting turnout. Being the proverbial “melting pot” of the world, the racial gap has been an inherently ongoing issue for the US since the Civil War. Increasing research and the ability to compile more accurate statistics allows us to measure our progress, or lack of it, as a society. Many times, however, results reveal more than just differences in what we eat, where we live and how we live, as based on gender or age. When two or more sets of results are indicated and divided according to race, a racial gap is born.

In troubled economic times, racial gaps in financial status, wage differences and unemployment rates are brought to the forefront. The difference in unemployment rates between white males and black males has long been a problem. The college education factor has been the generally accepted cause of the disparity, and emphasis on the importance of it as a means to becoming more competitive in the work force has resulted in an increased number of black males enrolling in college and earning a degree. Sheila Danzig, Executive Director of online education portal Degree.com, notes a marked increase in enrollment numbers for degree programs, both on campus and online.

However, current unemployment statistics show that a college Degree is no longer the guarantee it once was for gainful employment. Even college graduates are feeling the pinch of sudden joblessness. Where is the racial gap emerging now? In the more selective demographic of the college-educated unemployed, numbers are significantly higher for black males seeking work than for white males in the same group.

Have African Americans been misled by pursuing a college education as a means to becoming fiscally self-reliant and improving their quality of life? Is it only an urban legend that equal opportunity really does exist, as long as you have the right equipment to play the game? Persistent slights from potential employers, surprised upon learning a candidate’s race, whether real or perceived, would certainly be ample cause to question the validity of a career plan.

There is reason to persevere, though, and according to a knowledgeable source, higher education continues to be the solution. But, in the opinion of Guadalupe Quintanilla, there is more to it than simply using education as an equalizer for minorities, and it centers on further defining who is to be educated. A truly well rounded education should do more than shape a minority student to fit into the mold of a white workplace. Quintanilla believes that to complete the equation, it is equally important to educate white students in cultural diversity, contending that it should be a graduation requirement.

As an educator, nationally recognized developer of cross-cultural training for urban law enforcement and president of the Cross-Cultural Communication Center of Houston, Ms. Quintanilla endorses the stand on the necessity of college education to remedy the racial gap. She states that it falls short, though, of providing a real solution unless cultural diversity training is added to core curriculum courses for degree programs.

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Are Too Many Graduates Lowering The Value of College Degree?

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Degree.com

The bachelor’s degrees are devalued while the costs of attaining them continue to skyrocket, making employers lack confidence in the education system which churns out more than enough graduates to an already overpopulated job market.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 15, 2009 )
Fort Lauderdale, FL The number of college graduates continues to increase, even in recession, making employers to lose trust in the higher education system and terming bachelor’s degrees as ‘insufficient’.
Career experts and employers alike report a growing problem in the American society. The increased outflux of graduates from colleges wielding degrees, hoping to get into the job industry in order to make a living – and of course service their overwhelming student loans – may soon have dwindling hopes, because of the decreasing value of degrees.
The problem partly lies with the soft job market, but to greater extent to the oversupply of college graduates. In the 70s only 47 percent of high school graduates went on to college, making a bachelor’s degree phenomenal. In late 2008, that percentage rose to 70; making a bachelor’s degree seem more of a birthright.
According to Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com, http://www.degree.com, the premier internet portal for online study, the overproduction of degree holders can be attributed to the fact that weaker students, who would have found more viable options other than college to start earning a living, are pushed to join college. “Kids face a lot of pressure, and as a result many who are not crafted to become degree holders end up with degrees especially from online universities” she says, adding that, “it makes potential employers lack confidence in the higher education system and ‘that piece of paper’ gets watered down.”
The only thing that has not been watered down in reference to higher education is the cost which has continued to soar. Average tuition costs rose by 6.5 percent this fall. A recently released report by the Project on Student Debt revealed that two-thirds of all graduates leave college with high debts; in 2008 the average debt rose to $23,200. According to the US Department of Education, the total amount loaned to students in the 08/09 academic year rose to $81 billion. Ironically, the unemployment rate for recent graduates hit double digits for the first time rising to 10.6 percent.
Students enrolling in campuses across US are well aware that college degrees no longer command authority in the job industry and are now willing to go further to Master’s and PhD level. In an annual survey conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute which has always been keen to ask freshmen what their personal glass ceiling to college education is; the number of freshmen willing to work for a master’s degree rose from 31 percent in 1972 to 42 percent in 2008. This is a clear indication that people need more than just a bachelor’s.
Employers stress the fact that although the bachelor’s value has plummeted, it still remains essential. They admit that once it is coupled with work experience it gains its ace status and is more likely to get the holder the attention he or she desires. Dan Black, director of campus recruiting in the Americas for Ernst & Young, and his team will hire more than 4,000 people this year out of 20,000 applicants. There are a lot of things besides a degree “that will help differentiate how much attention you get,” says the veteran hirer.
Currently, graduates should steer their careers where there is steady job growth, by pursuing education, business and healthcare degree programs.

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Recession is Driving Young Americans Back to College in Droves

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Degree.com

College are running out of parking spots as the economic crunch as Americans enroll in colleges more than ever in an attempt to keep off the unemployment rolls.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 10, 2009 ) Dallas, TX “Parking space is becoming an issue of concern,” remarks a spokesman of a certain college, “we got them [students] parking in cow pastures.”

Business ethics demands that prices of goods or services be increased gradually depending on the situation warranting such an action. In a time such as this, of economic recession, where a single dollar means so much, increasing the prices of products would ultimately lead to loss of customers. Surprisingly enough, America’s colleges have constantly been raising their tuition and fees and are still recording mammoth enrolments.

According to Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com, http://www.degree.com, the premier internet portal for online study, the number of enrolments in many American colleges is up by at least 15 percent. She gave an example of The Technical College System of Georgia, having 28 campuses teaching varied degree programs from dental hygiene to power line maintenance, which sharply jacked its fees having a 24 percent increase in enrolments compared to the previous academic year. The campus parking lots have been exhausted by the huge number to an extent that, “we got them parking in cow pastures,” remarked a spokesman from the institution.

Owing to such congestion the institutions of higher learning should invest as much as possible in starting accredited distance learning programs which will allow a percentage of students to sign up for online degrees.
In October, 41 percent of 18 to 24 year olds enrolled in either community colleges (for vocational training resulting in certification) or four year colleges (for undergraduate degrees), from 39 percent in the previous academic year, albeit tuition fees having hiked by an average of not less than 4 percent.

19.1 percent of 16 to 24 year olds are currently unemployed making them resort to college in a bid to improve their future job prospects considering the overall unemployment rate recorded in October had reached 10.2 percent – the first time to hit double digits since 1983.

Apart from the economy being the culprit as to why students are enrolling in colleges at unprecedented rates, the Pew Research Centre attributes the rates to be rising due to two reasons. The first reason according to their findings is the reducing number of well-paying unskilled jobs from the onset of 1980s. This period was referred to as the ‘college premium’ where the disparities between the salaries earned by college and high school graduates rose notably.

The second reason according to Pew reports is that the pool of potential college goers has increased. The report indicates that the number of 18 to 24 year olds having dropped out of high school had remarkably dropped to 9.3 percent in 2008 from a high of 15.7 percent in 1973. This increases the number of students eligible to join colleges.

One of the major problems facing colleges currently is the surging enrollment which has come at an inopportune time when their funding has shriveled. Public colleges have had their funding cut by the state governments which are in a frenzy to sort out their finances. Thanks to Obama’s initiative to increase the amount of Pell Grants, students are able to afford the ridiculously high tuition and fees dictated by the colleges.

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Insuring That You Get Hired When You Graduate: When to Choose to Specialize

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Degree.com

A study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that students should specialize later in order to avoid making mistakes, avoid losing skills, and end up better aligned and better matched career-wise.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 10, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL When you specialize later, you can avoid making mistakes, avoid losing skills, and seem to end up better aligned and better matched.
As students and anxious parents watch the ranks of the jobless grow fast and steadily, the idea that higher education, whether traditional or online classes, or on line study, is primarily about getting skills continues being etched in the minds of many; now more than ever.

Traditionally, it was believed that exposing students to a wide array of subjects and varying educational approaches helps them explore the various career paths. However, a study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research spearheaded by Ofer Malamud, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, indicates otherwise. The report suggests that giving students ample time to figure out their academic paths would ultimately influence them to make better career choices.

Malamud attended high school in Hong Kong, which had a British-style basis and was therefore justified contemplating attending a university in England. Malamud’s first instance of hesitation about going to England manifested because he would be forced to choose a major when he was just about to complete his high school education. At the time, Mechanical Engineering appealed to him greatly but not enough to make a commitment. He wound up going to the US to study for his first college degree.

As is evident from his title, Malamud did not pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering but rather he went towards a totally different career path: as a labor economist where he wondered about education’s relationship to and its effect on career choice. According to Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com, http://www.degree.com, the premier internet portal for online study, Malamud’s study was designed for one purpose: to “test whether education provides information [about the student] as well as skills.”

In the study Malamud compared college students enrolling and graduating in England and Scotland. The former apply for a specific field to study in university while in the final stages of high school, while the latter enter a broad faculty for the initial two years and specialize in the remaining half of their stay in college. The Scottish system resembles the US undergraduate system to a great extent.

Malamud managed to follow-up on graduates from the two countries and assess how aligned their career choices were with the areas of specialization they chose in college. This is what Malamud thought: For English students, it would be harder for them to switch out of their current fields in college – say when proceeding to the third year – since they would lose the accumulated skills they had worked so hard to gain in the two years. They would be forced to stick to the field they had begun with even after realizing that it wasn’t their best career path.

The data analyzed from his study indicate that students from English institutions were specializing too early resulting in unsolvable mistakes. “English graduates are 20% more likely than Scottish graduates to end up in careers that are not in line with their areas of specialization in university,” says Malamud. The pattern extends as far as six years after students leave college – not just after graduation.

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