A Trans Graduate and a Degree- Please Help?

[jessilynn]

Okay, so I am kinda stuck here in a weird spot. So I went to school to be a Medical Assistant. Now I DID graduate, however, I was NOT transitioned or even out to very many, though I made hints. I have an Associates of Applied Sciences, hard earned over like 1 and a half to two years (dont remember exactly).

My degree still has my old name. Simple, I should be able to change it VIA the school. Here's the NOT so simple part; The school shut down due to loss of accreditation.

I am hoping that there is a silver-lining here. Like because I completed the degree already, that I DON'T have to go to school for another 2-3 years because I already have the education.

At the time when I graduated, I was not ready to even THINK of getting a job in the Medical Field. I couldn't help myself, how could I have helped others?
However now that I am who I am suppose to be, I am happier, I have my life on track, engaged to an amazing woman, I just need help on what to do about my degree.

I need a better job, something I love doing, something I was trained to do so that I can provide a life for us and our future family.

[DawnOday]

Honey that's why you go to an accredited college. Even CC is better. Yes it may be harder to get spots in the program in a timely manner. Seems they have no problem hiring foreigners, and even though there is an expanded need for nurses there have not been many spaces added.

[Dena]

If you can get your name changed, that's a big part of the battle because you earned the the certification while they were accredited. It's possible that will be accepted in part or in full. If it's not, there may be some testing program where you can be approved by taking a test on your skills and knowledge. Consider the case of foreign doctors who wish to practice in the United States. They are not required to get a full medical degree but are tested on their knowledge before they are allowed to practice. Check out the state licensing requirements and see what it would take for you to be qualified to work in your area of interest.

[FTMax]

I think you would have fewer issues getting it updated on your degree than to get an employer to recognize education earned from a school that was shut down due to accreditation issues. Especially if the school is defunct - then it's really just a matter of photoshopping your new name onto your transcript. There's no one to call to have it updated, so similarly there's no one they could call to verify.

I don't know how stringent employers in the medical field are about the accreditation of schools. But being that it's a field very heavily reliant on certifications, I would guess a lot. I would not be surprised if a potential employer at the very least asked you to take remedial courses and pass them to ensure you're able to meet their standards. I would also not be surprised if a potential employer would not accept your degree based on where it is from.

I have a friend who was in school at ITT Tech for information technology, and they ended up shutting down all the campuses earlier this year. Thankfully his industry certifications were independent of his degree, so they still hold weight. His degree is borderline useless and many companies have said no. He lucks out in interviews if he's able to demonstrate that he knows his stuff, but at places that are very degree-focused, he's had no luck getting in.

[jessilynn]

I have been doing some exploring... And no... there is NO way I can get the name changed, however, one thing I was thinking is a meeting with a counsellor at my CURRENT school... which IS a CC. Talking seeing if I can bring my transcripts to an Evaluator (someone who will find viable credits and see if I can skip a sh!t ton of classes, and maybe look into getting re certified.

My school has been MORE than helpful in getting information to me (I am at a PRETTY liberal college).

However I WAS in the Associates of Applied Science Degree program. But I was dropped because someone with my SSN already went through that degree program and got an A.o.A.S... ME! At least the male me.

So I am going to see what I can do with this Academics Counsellor. And I hope to even meet with a Career Advisor.

My Fiancé has also spoken to her dad who will help me polish up a resume. To see if I cant SHOW that I have the knowledge and actrually went through it all in the first place.

[KathyLauren]

If you got (or get) your name changed legally, the combination of your degree with the old name and the name change document should be equivalent of having the degree in your new name.  The downside is that it means outing yourself when you have to show your degree.  But if getting the degree document reprinted with your new name is not possible, it is the way to get your qualifications recognized.

[mac1]

If you got (or get) your name changed legally, the combination of your degree with the old name and the name change document should be equivalent of having the degree in your new name.  The downside is that it means outing yourself when you have to show your degree.  But if getting the degree document reprinted with your new name is not possible, it is the way to get your qualifications recognized.

The certificate or diploma is not what the prospective employer usually requests.  They usually want the transcripts which will probably always include the original name.

[KathyLauren]

The certificate or diploma is not what the prospective employer usually requests.  They usually want the transcripts which will probably always include the original name.

But the principle still applies.  Any original document with your old name plus the name change document is equivalent to a document with your new name.  That is the purpose of getting a legal name change. 

Show them the original transcripts along with the change of name document, and you are good to go.  The only downside is that you out yourself by doing so.