Since When Does Everyone HAVE to Have a Bachelor's Degree? (health care, high school)

[electricboogaloo]

It's 2007 and in a relatively short amount of time, the Bachelor's degree has become almost devalued. Everyone says today's Bachelor's degree is the new high school degree.

I've taught undergrad classes at three different colleges and universities. I can honestly say that there is major grade inflation, to the point that we pass people who have no business earning a Bachelor's degree.

About 40 years ago, the only people who went on to college were the "smart" kids. Now, the dumb kids are graduating right next to our sons and daughters.

What next?

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by electricboogaloo

About 40 years ago, the only people who went on to college were the "smart" kids. Now, the dumb kids are graduating right next to our sons and daughters.

I agree that a Bachelor's degree is now the new high school diploma.
And a 4 year degree certainly does not guarantee a job, let alone job security.
I still think it is possible to create a satisfying life/career without a college diploma, but getting started might be quite a challege.
40 years ago, college was a community of learners.
Now it is a commodity, purchased by informed consumers.
The thing is, college costs a whole lot of money.
There has always been financial aid, and now it too is more out there in the open, with all sorts of scholarships available to those who are able to wade through the endless forms.
There have always been people who "skate" through college; now there are simply more of them, because more people attend.
People who want to go to the next level, whether for personal fulfillment or career or both, will get their Masters degree.

[skytrekker]

Hey folks- even 30 years ago in 1977 the Bachelors degree had little worth- unless in something very practical; like accounting, or tech ed. Even going on to graduate school THEN was no guarantee of a job. Unless it was very focused; like Law, medicine, business, teaching etc.

Today- no amount of education is a guarantee. Unless in health care, law, teaching, and perhaps an MBA- and the last degree has become increasingly theoretical.

However, my degrees have given me the ability to think critically- and understand who I am as a person in relationship to the rest of society, and that knowledge is priceless. In order to survive in the complex world of today- education is very helpful-so a degree in monetary value may be worth far less today; the knowledge gained can never be underestimated.