College in Second LIfe

I have noticed on my other avatar, since I created a new one, that numerous people viewing Second Life are in their late to mid 20's or early 30's. Most seem to be on all the time, like I am due to a work lay off.

I had a thought that, What if Second Life could hook up with colleges around the world to hold via live school classes to earn a college degree. Since alot of colleges are online now, why can't they go through SL as well? It is my understanding that alot of Second Life players do make real money off the Linden Market buy creating virtual games, clothes, buildings, buying and re-selling land, scripting.

This could be a whole nother world brought out for people to earn a college degree from home who have never had the chance to go to college. Live classes, enrollment, forums, proffessors volunteering time online, communities getting involved.

This is my thought, that I thought I would share.

And by the way Chip, I love your clothes!!! lol

Velvet.

Nice idea but classes have different requirements so would be hard to find a standard that would work

Many universities DO offer classes in SL and students earn academic credit for taking them. As far as I know, none is offering a degree in SL. If their courses are approved at the campus level and the universities are accredited, however, earned credits will transfer. You can at least make progress toward a degree by taking in-world classes, therefore, even if you can't earn the degree itself.

I can easily imagine being able to earn a degree in the future. There are standards for multi-institution on-line degrees in many states in the U.S., and there are regional accrediting standards that allow degrees across state lines. Because most universities will accept at least some transfer credits from international schools, the possibility of a global in-world degree is not far-fetched. I just wouldn't hold my breath and expect it to happen very soon.

A list of RL schools who teach in SL:

http://www.simteach.com/wiki/index.php?title=Institutions_and_Organizations_in_SL#UNIVERSITIES.2C_COLLEGES_.26_SCHOOLS

The simteach wiki in general points to many many resources for RL education in SL.
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I had this same thought and I looked into it. Come to find out that there is a place called Saint Lions (I think, I am bad with names) University that even offers housing in the dorms on SL along with classes. Also, they have Student Work Program that earns up to $8.50US. All on SL! It's a private Catholic university based in Florida. Look into it and see if you like it. My degree plan isn't listed as of yet, but when they do list mine I'll happily join in.

This Saint Leo University u r talking about.