[bigbob]

Excellent article! Here’s a link:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121858688764535107

We probably do need to develop standardized competency tests in some disciplines, but that would be a really worthwhile endeavor, since it would allow objective evaluation, just as is possible in the CPA example.

I really like this quote, I’ve been saying the same thing for years...decades, actually. And it actually does apply to engineering as well, since the field changes so quickly that by the time a student has completed a BS degree what they learned is typically 2 years old, and that’s enough to often be obsolete:

“Outside a handful of majors — engineering and some of the sciences — a bachelor’s degree tells an employer nothing except that the applicant has a certain amount of intellectual ability and perseverance”

My version: “A college degree is essentially proof that a person has learned something about how to learn things”.

[wintertime]

Even in fields, such, as engineering, nursing, medicine, and dentistry, much of the material is very routine and changes little from year to year. This type of material is well suited to Internet learning and testing by certified testing agencies.

The time spent on campus and expense to the student could be reduced enormously.

For example....How much does Calculus or Differential Equations change from year to year? Of course laboratory classes, clinical rotations, and internships need personal interaction with teachers and professors.

[Reily]

I had a Prof who made the following comment about newly minted bachelors, masters & PhD degrees. (He was my Master’s degree co-advisor, so he was talking about it from an EE perspective but I think it applies in general.)

1. Bachelor degree implies you can be taught/trained,
2. Master’s degree implies see 1), think a little, & maybe be a little creative,
3. PhD degree implies see 1) & 2), write about it (a little!), maybe be a bit independent.

Your mileage with above may vary.