My husband has finally started going to school. He planned on doing something in the medical field (surgical assistant or something like that), but has to, of course, take a bunch of pre-req. classes. This annoys the heck out of me because I think it is ridiculous that we are paying for an almost 40 year old to take a GYM class! REALLY?!?! But that is a whole other issue! LOL
So he said that with the classes he has had so far he could be getting close to an associates degree in humanities. Ok..... but what can you DO with that? He keeps saying that "just having a degree may help me get my foot in the door somewhere." I am not sure WHERE though!
So, does anyone know if this is even a useful degree? Or what he would be able to do with it?
Thanks for the insight. It is mostly what I thought you were going to confirm. I know it bothers him that he never finished and doesn't have any type of degree, so that is part of his motivation. If it is one of those things that he can apply for the degree without taking any "extra" classes (other than what he needs for a medical or surgical assistant) then I have no problem with it. I just don't want us wasting money on classes that he does not absolutely need, nor do I want him wasting time on them. HE is only able to go VERY part time, so any extras are just going to prolong the final results!
I think I will show him some of the responses here. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't jumping to conclusions and I don't want to look like I am not supporting his efforts!
Thanks!
An AA degree is pretty useless unless it's in something practical, like accounting. But if he's earned it he should take it, why not? It's something to add to his resume while he continues working towards his Bachelor's degree.
As someone who has hired tons of people in my career... I am confident in telling you that there is ABSOLUTELY no value to an associates degree in humanities. If your husband is in his late 30s, he needs to have an actual career in mind -- that's the only reason he should be in school. And that career needs to be one that pays back what he's invested in his education.
Um - I hate to tell you this but in some high schools you can earn an honors diploma and up to 22 college credit hours (the equivalent of an associates degree).
So in some instances an associates degree is really like a high school diploma.
The point of the credits earned in high school is so they can go toward a 4/5 yr BS degree - and since our son wants to be an engineer anything that will save us money come college time is a big plus for us.
I do think that earning a degree at any age is a good thing.
I'm just not sure what the return on investment is for a humanities degree.
http://hechingerreport.org/content/in-era-of-high-costs-h...
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/humanities.htm
I would have thought that a nursing degree would be a good place to start on your way to become a surgical assistant.
Hubby really needs to spend some time talking with a vocational counselor.
Well, in spite of what the naysayers think, the world needs people who can think and write; typically that's what a humanities degree gives you.
Law is O. area where computers just can't do what thinkers and writers can. Humanities degrees are often found in non-profits, social services, counseling etc.
Grown ups with homes and kids might use an associates degree now to get a foot on the door, as he said, whole developing other skills for the niche he wants.
I found an interesting article for you:
http://www.businessinsider.com/11-reasons-to-major-in-the...
Associates are typically useless, unless they are field specific. (Nursing, veterinary, accounting, etc.) Literary and fine arts degrees are pretty useless. Trust me. I went for one and my husband has one. Unless he wants to teach, don't bother. I don't think many people look at a resume and think, "Humanities degree, we can't pass him up!!!" I think he should work toward getting an associate and higher degree in the medical field, the are he wants to earn in. A humanities degree, does not get a foot in the door.
If he's planning to go on to get a four year degree, then there's nothing wrong with having a two-year degree he can have on his resume in the meantime. Any degree is better than no degree when competing for a job.
It depends. Some fields only ask that the person have a bachelor's degree. And some want a specific degree in their field. Business, management, social services, etc.
If he's planning on going for his Master's degree, he should get a degree in whatever he loves. His Master's will focus in on something though, and he should be prepared to choose a field.
My initial thought is nowhere. An associate's really isn't worth much unless it's in something practical. At some point, every person in a 4 year liberal arts school would probably qualify for an associate's in humanities, but why bother? To me it just says that he completed a basic core curriculum (i.e. 13th & 14th grade).
Maybe someone else who has done HR or continuing ed can give more info but if I were hiring someone, I would think that an associate's in humanities is a pretty useless degree.
Does he work now? What does he do now?
No, its not very useful, especially since its an associates and not a bachelors. Back in the 90s liberal arts degrees were popular and they DO produce well rounded, knowledgeable people (I have an English degree), but nobody is going to jump to give him a job just because of the degree.
No it is not. It only shows you tried so pretty much useless other than transferring to universities.
It's not super useful, but he's right about having a degree getting you in the door. I work in accounting with a degree in history education.
That being said, it would be better for him not to major in nothing (which is basically what a humanities degree would be).
not very unless he continues towards a bachelors in something practical and he can transfer the credits....(take from someone w/ a bachelors in a not so very practical field)
But Kudos to him ti finally going back to school...
He is correct that having a degree of any kind would be an asset. And if that is what he has enough hours in he can go for that and continue later. He sounds like my heroes in life. They don't settle but keep grabbing for more. Nothing wrong with gym classes, they up your grade average and you save on a health club membership. Wish him luck for me. My mother was in her late seventies when she got her bachelor's degree.
Before he goes to "get" the Associates degree, check with financial aid. A lot of times, if you earn a lower degree then you are a "degreed" person and so they will cut what you are eligible for. I would be really careful because it can be very expensive.
Also, a humanities degree is not really worth much unless he just needs a degree.
It's a great accomplishment for him and a great START, but an Associate's Degree in anything is not really going to get him anywhere. He needs at least a Bachelor's Degree. Hopefully all his classes can transfer toward a Bachelor's Degree.
