[Goose]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/25/busin...74f24220a2

Not totally crazy given that it is possible to major in music theory and studio art in many places.

BC

I don't think it is a crazy idea at all. Colleges/Universities can offer degrees in anything they want. Some certification groups may not count those degrees, but that is fine too.

Conferring degrees and having "majors" is only useful in so far as it documents a certain minimum body of work with prescribed characteristics. If one has a degree in e.g. English there are certain minimum expectations of what one should "know". Obviously, there are many different paths to a degree in English, but the "core" could be relied upon. Degrees are also granted in "Science, Technology and Society". I am not convinced there is really a "core" for that degree. While it may be true many excellent students receive that degree, I can't tell you much about what they reliably will "know".  I am not sure what I could expect from someone who graduated in "Sports" either. How would that degree be defined?

There are lots of degrees that Stanford doesn't offer. Some such degrees are in "no question legitimate" academic subjects, some are much less so. That is fine too. I think degrees in sports should remain on that list. Not all useful and desirable career paths are amenable to receiving a "degree" or "graduating" from a University. IMO pointless to attempt such certification.

[Goose]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/25/busin...74f24220a2

Not totally crazy given that it is possible to major in music theory and studio art in many places.

BC

I don't think it is a crazy idea at all. Colleges/Universities can offer degrees in anything they want. Some certification groups may not count those degrees, but that is fine too.

Conferring degrees and having "majors" is only useful in so far as it documents a certain minimum body of work with prescribed characteristics. If one has a degree in e.g. English there are certain minimum expectations of what one should "know". Obviously, there are many different paths to a degree in English, but the "core" could be relied upon. Degrees are also granted in "Science, Technology and Society". I am not convinced there is really a "core" for that degree. While it may be true many excellent students receive that degree, I can't tell you much about what they reliably will "know".  I am not sure what I could expect from someone who graduated in "Sports" either. How would that degree be defined?

There are lots of degrees that Stanford doesn't offer. Some such degrees are in "no question legitimate" academic subjects, some are much less so. That is fine too. I think degrees in sports should remain on that list. Not all useful and desirable career paths are amenable to receiving a "degree" or "graduating" from a University. IMO pointless to attempt such certification.