Raymond Bleesz
11-Nov-2005, 08:06
Recently, I contacted my alma mater, & inquired about their photo dept program. The university offers the typical degreed programs for a 20 year old.
Recent national demographics have shown that alumni, recently retired peoples are going back to "campus" to live out their "golden years". I am one of those who is giving thought to this move.
I received a BS degree & did post grad work (history/education) in "67/8" before the "green machine " took me & now I think I would like to be a student again--perhaps finish up what I was not able to finish or look at the BA/MFA photo program.
However, I had asked the department head (Photo/Art), if an old war horse such as myself, with photo credentials, years of working at photography, exhibitions, portfolios, recommendations, etc, etc, etc, if a special program existed for "older photogs" & if a specific, direct course could be arranged to obtain a "degree" without going through the basic A thru Z program which a 20 year old would need to do to achive a degree . The answer was "no".
I am aware that a "title" does not make a photographer. There are very talented people on this forum--those who write on technical photo matters, those who have extensive exhibitions & portfolios, those who are photo educators, some who have learned photography from the bootstraps of hard nocks----those who have taken extensive photo workshops----the list goes on and a good number of you may not have a degree/s in photo--nor perhaps did you search one out.
Whatever. I would like to know if your alma mater (perhaps you do not have one)(please name the institution) has a degreed photo program directed & aimed at "old war horses" such as ourselves? What are your thoughts on this matter of higher education in today's society fitting the needs of the "Baby Boomers--Post WW11)
Recent national demographics have shown that alumni, recently retired peoples are going back to "campus" to live out their "golden years". I am one of those who is giving thought to this move.
I received a BS degree & did post grad work (history/education) in "67/8" before the "green machine " took me & now I think I would like to be a student again--perhaps finish up what I was not able to finish or look at the BA/MFA photo program.
However, I had asked the department head (Photo/Art), if an old war horse such as myself, with photo credentials, years of working at photography, exhibitions, portfolios, recommendations, etc, etc, etc, if a special program existed for "older photogs" & if a specific, direct course could be arranged to obtain a "degree" without going through the basic A thru Z program which a 20 year old would need to do to achive a degree . The answer was "no".
I am aware that a "title" does not make a photographer. There are very talented people on this forum--those who write on technical photo matters, those who have extensive exhibitions & portfolios, those who are photo educators, some who have learned photography from the bootstraps of hard nocks----those who have taken extensive photo workshops----the list goes on and a good number of you may not have a degree/s in photo--nor perhaps did you search one out.
Whatever. I would like to know if your alma mater (perhaps you do not have one)(please name the institution) has a degreed photo program directed & aimed at "old war horses" such as ourselves? What are your thoughts on this matter of higher education in today's society fitting the needs of the "Baby Boomers--Post WW11)