Living Outside The Lines: Journey Of A Non-Traditional Student
By, Becky J Miller
Last month Corridor News ran this article, “TAB Statement Regarding Non-Traditional Students” https://smcorridornews.com/tab-statement-regarding-non-traditional-students/. Since my collegiate journey was one of a non-traditional student, the column caught my attention.
Bill Hammond, CEO, of the Texas Association of Business, made this statement, “We urge the House of Higher Education Committee to endorse the use of prior learning assessments. That would allow Texans to get full college credit for the skills they already have and speed up their time to get a degree or other post-secondary certificate.”
As I read his comments I could not help but wonder why all the fuss over a program that is already active right here in our own backyard at Texas State University. How do I know you ask? Well, I am a graduate of that very program.
In 2007 I returned to college as a 40-year-old freshmen. Enrolling in Central Texas College right after high school, I’d earned a number of credits, few of which transferred to Texas State. My University Seminar professor was the first to mention the Occupational Workforce and Leadership Studies Program (OWLS). At the time, I wanted a business degree from the McCoy College of Business, so I turned up my nose.
Two weeks into my second semester, life derailed my pursuit of secondary education and I withdrew from school. The walk from J. C. Kellam to the parking lot at Strahan Coliseum is already long, but it is much worse when tears blur one’s vision. That day I was sure my fate was sealed and that my dreams of a college education would never come to fruition.
By 2012 life had calmed down sufficiently to allow me to once again pursue my dreams of becoming a college graduate. Five years after my first attempt, any program that would accelerate the process was definitely worth my time.
The Texas State Department of Occupational Workforce and Leadership Studies web page explains their program this way, “Texas State University recognizes the value of life experience gained through the workplace, military, public service or community experience. In the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree program, you can earn up to 24 hours based on your prior learning, reducing the length of time and amount of course work needed to complete your degree. Students who have documented prior learning may elect to apply for credits during OCED 4111. During this course, you will build an extensive portfolio that demonstrates your work history and shows the competencies you have acquired.”
Overnight, by simply applying to the program and having my transcripts reviewed, I went from a second-semester freshmen to a second-semester sophomore. Under the OWLS program, my previously disallowed junior college credits were now permissible! Yeehaw!!! This progression alone was sufficient to keep me motived. The next two years were not easy, but take note, it was a mere two years before my beautiful college diploma proudly hung on my office wall.
If you reread the above statement from the OWLS website, notice the words, “extensive portfolio.” They aren’t kidding. Students on this degree plan are required to take two Occupational Education courses, one at the beginning of their program and one in their last semester; both are hard-core, writing intensive. Trust me, this degree may be fast-tracked, but by no means is it given away, you gonna earn that puppy!
At the end of my first semester, the second time around, I’d earned an additional 18 hours of credit, based solely on my life and business experience. Students have the potential to earn 24 and while I was disappointed at not maxing out on the score, based on the way everything aligned, I was over what I needed by 3 hours.
Two years after graduation, I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the program. My advisor was readily available with sound counsel for the entire journey, and my college experience was no less rich than if it had taken longer. This program is not only for undergraduate degrees; those students desiring a master’s degree may continue on under the OWLS covering.
So, Mr. Hammond, should you desire to put a face to your platform, I would gladly volunteer to be the face of the non-traditional student. #Eat’EmUpCats!
Until Next Time,
Becky J Miller
“Warrior Princess”
