a close friend of mine never finished his coursework (smart guy, just lazy...) and he's done fine for himself. so it's possible, but i would highly recommend finishing up...

so tell me, mr smith... why does your resume say yale, 2000-2003 but no m.larch?

also, some schools require coursework completed within a certain time frame... will you still be able to do this if you push it out further?

I had a professor who failed a required final semester history/theory course and consequently never earned his masters.

I left my first masters program with papers outstanding in three courses. It took me seven years to find the time to finish them.

If someone asks the question, tell them that you'd be happy to finish the courses if they gave you the time and paid for them.

If all you need is some GE, you can probably take most of it online through a JC or state college.

Depending on how many units are outstanding, you may never have to set foot on your original campus again.

However, it's important to communicate with your school. Depending on how long it's been, you may have to meetnew requirements or have to repeat course due to currency requirements. Be sure to contact them and get the final word on what you need to complete. You may also want to apply for a leave of absense to protect your status and catalog rights.

Interesting responses.

I've heard tales of talented people taking ten years to complete their undergrad math requirements, all the while being promoted to principal at a firm.

So there is such a thing as 'leave of absence' for undergrad degrees? I'm not doubting, I just have never heard of this. I'm a bit concerned that some reqs will change and I'll actually lose credits completed for which I received an override or 'waiver.'

Every school I've ever checked out has some sort of leave policy.

Which classes do you need? Your school might even accept testing in lieu of classes.

There are many options. Since you're just missing some GE, it would be a shame to not finish.

If you want, send me your specifics and I'll see if I can help you out. I've spent a lot of time researching online ed.

info[AT]californiaarchitectce.com

Hmm, it took me 10 years to get my undergrad...though 6 of those were working and not taking classes (too expensive). It wasn't until I got an illness that caused me to lose my job did I bite the bullet and take out another federal loan to finish my last semester.

Thanks for sharing that Milwaukee.

I don't mean to keep shooting down positive advice, but I'm tapped out as far as loans--I'll save that topic for another discussion.

I'm mostly curious to know if anyone has had a relatively successful design career without a degree..in the last 20 years lets say because we all know FLW and others made their own way so to speak, right?

My goal, as cliche as it sounds, is to be a designer. I don't have a lot of interest in management though I'm not so naive to think that there isn't going to be a managerial/business component to every/any project. I just want to produce great work. Does any client really care where you went to school and for how long? Aslong as it isnt Harvard, Yale, Berkely, Columbia..who cares, right?

clients will possibly care if you dont have a degree, justifiably or not. No one will care how long it took you though

If its just GE classes, are there no possibilities to taking night classes while working? Do one a semester and knock it out in a year or 2?

Like others have said, being that close, you really will regret not finishing later on. It has the potential of creating headaches wherever you go, and be possible reasons for either lower salaries, or being passed over for opportunities.


Talk with your current boss. Will he allow you to adjust your schedule to attend a class, if you make up the hours on other days? I cant imagine a GE class being that time consuming class wise, to prevent something to be worked out if your boss is reasonable.


Comparing your situation to anyone in the past really doesnt work as well anymore. It seems that an undergrad college degree today is what a high school degree was in the 70's. More and more degrees are being required for every type of job, and will probably continue to do so in the future.

Why would a client care? How would they even know if you had a degree or not?

If you're licensed, what's it matter?

oh, well if you are licensed, thats a whole other matter

i was under the impression it was working without a degree and without a license




is there a way to become a licensed landscape architect without a degree?

I believe you need at least an AA or a certificate, but a BS/BA is not required in California.

oh, well that is a bit different then.

to the OP, if this will not delay you getting your license, i dont think its really that big a deal then overall in your career.


I'd still say to get it done, just because you are so close. But if its not required in your career path, I dont see it being much of a problem.

perhaps 1% of your clients might care.

Definitely finish asap. GE is easy to do virtually anywhere and as I've mentioned, if it's lower division, you can do it cheaply at a CA CC/JC.

Probably the main impediment is a 'Field Study/Study Abroad" which I cannot afford. I don't get along with the professor that runs the field study in the US, and the Euro study abroad is upwards of $5,000.

oh, that does sound like a major requirement still to finish

Well, field study is not GE. There are ways to get around problem profs. Why do you have to get along with him anyway? So you don't get an A, big deal.

I certainly wouldn't consider it a 'major requirement' in terms of my overall education and qualifications. It's a BS thing...there's an option to do a field study locally with the GIS/natural resources dept for a couple weeks, but they wouldnt let me in because of the outstanding math. lol.

Some people may say a Euro trip is a major educational moment. I think that sounds great in theory, which is why the school can charge 5k for a field trip, but in reality you could take it or leave it and be just fine as long as your not a total backwoods ignoramous.

FWIW, I;m planning on taking a dirtbag cheap ski vacation to France next Winter. I think that's worth it.

I think it's more than not getting an A. I dont want to go into it, but the guy should resign.

A euro trip is great, but it should be included in tuition if it's going to be a req. Other schools, many other schools require an internship over 'field study.' I interned all through school--nothing.

Try talking to your department advisor or dean. You could probably get another field advisor.

i wouldnt worry about doing the Euro trip just because you are an architecture student and everyone says they do it

if you dont get along with the professor, it could be awful, plus if motivated, you get more if you go on your own.

I had a ridiculous study abroad experience through my school, which if i had known all the details, might very well have not gone. Though the main reason i went is because it took an entire semester off my time there


Sounds like in your position, the extra money isnt worth it just to go to Europe

Yeah, the weird thing is that I took the longer 'five year' track and Europe is still a requirement.

the summer 'field study' is technically 'summer studio' for fast trackers.

Then there is option C which requires I complete the math first then go fly into my college town from wherever I am at the time and go camping for a couple weeks.

It's silly no matter how you cut it and the more I think about it, the more motivated I am to work for the required ten years and get my license the hard way.