http://education.gsu.edu/ctl/Programs/Future_Colleges.htm 

Degrees will wither in importance. Today, the meaning of a degree varies in content and quality, depending on the college. In essence, we offer thousands of different degrees, even if they are called by the same name. A degree now signifies a period of successful college attendance; the class rank indicates the relative success of the student; and the name of the college marks the quality of the degree.

However, with the change in emphasis from institutional process to educational outcomes, degrees will become far less meaningful. A transcript of each student’s competencies, including the specific information that the student knows or the skills that he or she can perform, will be far more desirable.

Colleges now have a virtual monopoly on higher-education credentials. If degrees become less important, how will we continue to attract students in a world offering limitless educational choices? Why would a student stay at the same college for periods of up to five years if degrees give way to specific competencies? And, under those circumstance, what are the prospects for residential institutions? Will traditional collegiate life become the province of only the most affluent in our society, who have the leisure and money to afford it?

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   From this article, i am praying that degrees do not lose any importance! I currently being in college, am looking to find a career that will be able to support me and one day a family. Having completed almost one summer session of college it is clear that this is going to be hard work. If my hard work in the end is not going to pay off its almost like I don’t feel college is worth attending. And if this trend continues who knows if my kids will even have to go to high school if all people care about are certain skills. 

    If it is not evident already, this article highly upsets me. It is basically degrading the college system saying that people are no longer likely to be interested in going. Pursuing anything academically, now thats completely out of the question. The author of this article is basically saying that jobs will be given based upon what your good at, not exactly what you studied. For example if you are a veterinarian, but love to talk your most likely going to end up being a secretary. Right now I am going to say that this isn’t what I agree with but I sadly see it happening with college tuitions reaching outrageous amounts.