Any language degrees?

[dfrecore]

I thought it turned into a debate over whether or not it was easy to do this test-out only, or if it could be done quickly and inexpensively. Obviously you can find courses in just about anything. I'm sure any of us could find a degree that you could do for $50,000 in 4 years. I don't think that's what the OP was looking for.

And yes, the foreign language degree can be done, but the OP really was more interested in a degree in translation or interpretation, which cannot be done through one of the Big 3 that I could see. So in that case, just about nothing on this forum could really help him/her unless they could find a degree at a school which would take CLEP/DSST the least, and some ACE credits if they were really lucky.

[Kev]

Thanks a lot for all of your help. Just to clarify, most importantly, I would like to do a degree where what I will study will be useful and what I will learn could be implemented into my work or personal areas of my life. My future career projects have to do with language, translation and interpretation. While I could do courses in French, I really would have no use or interest in learning about French literature and history. I could probably easily get credits, due to being fluent, but it would solely be for this reason and I would probably get nothing out of what I learnt.

For the Foreign Language degree, if there would have been a possibility of doing courses about or in Thai, then that would interest me very much. I am not fluent as of now, but will be in about a year. While it would be very useful and interesting, I doubt it would be very practical to try to get good grades in a language which I haven't spoken at least for the past 10 years.

So, I guess this would be very complicated to do (and probably expensive, as well as take a long time). I still wanted to know if it was possible. I'll continue studying my target language daily and maybe get certifications in interpretation, translation or something along those lines. A degree in Psychology, done in a year, still interests me though.

Thanks again.

[Kev]

So just to confirm everything, if someone would want to get a degree in about 1-2 years (3 years maximum), would a degree in...

[INDENT]Foreign Language, in Thai (I think this is categorically a 'no')
Interpretation
Translation[/INDENT]

...be possible?

And finally, and most importantly (which I think hasn't been covered), would a degree in linguistics be possible?

[swalke321]

Translation and Interpretation degrees are certainly possible. It depends on the criteria. I would think there should be a few colleges that would offer translation or interpretation degree programs both undergrad and graduate. Some programs might allow CLEP tests and maybe DSST. Some colleges offer their own challenge exams. Some may offer online/distance education while others may be on campus. The cost could vary as well. Linguistics might be possible as well. I'm not sure how common a foreign language degree in Thai would be but there might be a few programs within the US. There are plenty of programs out there, you just have to search for them.

[sanantone]

Sorry that providing three sources for those courses was unhelpful, misleading, discouraging, and lazy, Sanantone.

I have rarely seen a thread over such a benign topic evolve into such vitriol.

I'm not talking about you. I just hate when people tell someone they can't do something without doing any research. I've learned to check things out myself, but some people are very trusting. If I listened to people who told me I couldn't do certain things to earn a degree, I would have probably taken an extra two years to earn a bachelor's and maybe even ended up with a dreaded, liberal studies degree.

[sanantone]

So just to confirm everything, if someone would want to get a degree in about 1-2 years (3 years maximum), would a degree in...

[INDENT]Foreign Language, in Thai (I think this is categorically a 'no')
Interpretation
Translation[/INDENT]

...be possible?

And finally, and most importantly (which I think hasn't been covered), would a degree in linguistics be possible?

Ashford University has a degree in applied linguistics. They accept 90 transfer credits (or maybe 99), which can include CLEP, DSST, and ACE-evaluated courses.

[dfrecore]

Ashford University has a degree in applied linguistics. They accept 90 transfer credits (or maybe 99), which can include CLEP, DSST, and ACE-evaluated courses.

This Applied Linguistics degree would not be cheap, and it doesn't look like you could test out of any of the Major courses, so you're looking at about $22,000 just for the major courses plus that first course that's required (Personal Dimensions of Education). The rest you could test out of, for maybe $2,500 (25 courses for approx $100/course).

I'm wondering if you could instead do a degree from one of the Big 3 - a general degree - and then get a Masters in Linguistics or Translation instead? It probably wouldn't be cheaper, but it might be more useful. If you're going to spend $25k+, it may as well be on a MA than a BA that you can get for $5-$6k.

[sanantone]

This Applied Linguistics degree would not be cheap, and it doesn't look like you could test out of any of the Major courses, so you're looking at about $22,000 just for the major courses plus that first course that's required (Personal Dimensions of Education). The rest you could test out of, for maybe $2,500 (25 courses for approx $100/course).

I'm wondering if you could instead do a degree from one of the Big 3 - a general degree - and then get a Masters in Linguistics or Translation instead? It probably wouldn't be cheaper, but it might be more useful. If you're going to spend $25k+, it may as well be on a MA than a BA that you can get for $5-$6k.

I don't recall the OP asking for cheap. I must have missed that post. The post I quoted asked for fast. The first post in this thread asked for tests/ online or mostly by tests/online.

[cookderosa]

I feel like the OP has had exceptional advice from several well-versed members and has dismissed it all. There is MORE than enough in this thread to get someone off and running in any one of many directions. I think my usefulness ended several posts ago. DeRosa out.

[dfrecore]

I don't recall the OP asking for cheap. I must have missed that post. The post I quoted asked for fast. The first post in this thread asked for tests/ online or mostly by tests/online.

You are absolutely right - they asked for fast and mostly via test-out or online. I assumed cheap, because I think that's what we focus on here.

I give up. Sometimes, it just doesn't pay to debate various things on here, people get upset by stuff that isn't personal, but they take it as such (at least that's my interpretation).

OP, good luck with your degree. I hope you've found what you're looking for.