ASM "Extension Diploma"? 1

[HgTX]

Forgive me if this belongs more in one of the "self-improvement" fora but I figured this audience is more likely to give me a relevant answer than the more electronically oriented people for whom various certifications seem to be a regular part of life.

If one takes 5 ASM courses one can get what they call an Extension Diploma:

http://www.asminternational.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Training/ExtensionDiplomas/diplomas.htm

It may very well be that I will wind up taking 5 ASM courses, but if they then ship me the handy-dandy diploma, is there any value to stating this on a resume, or would it just look silly?

And in general, how should one handle non-degree courses on a resume? Like if I don't have a welding engineering degree but I take a couple of welding engineering courses at Ohio State? Or these ASM thingies?

Hg

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[CoryPad]

I think they are worthwhile for inclusion on a resume. I think they should be added in the same category as presentations/publications, recognitions, etc., or even under education as "continuing education". Professional engineering rules sometimes require continuing education, and these qualify, so show them to everyone. ASM International is a respected organization, so classes from them won't look silly (unless you continue to refer to them as "thingies").


Regards,

Cory

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[Rich2001]

The ASM courses are very good. Include the extension diploma on your resume under Professional Continuing Education.

In general, I include only relevent continuing education courses on my resume. Though on my CV I include all continuing education courses taken or taught, along with every publication, presentation, committeee memberships, professional memberships and grants ad nauseam, ad infinitum.

Vita sine litteris mors est.

 

[HgTX]

Rich, when do you have cause to bring out the CV?

Hg

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[Rich2001]

I was an Assistant Professor (Mechanical Engineering Technology). I was teaching part-time and consulting when the Department Head lost her battle with cancer (3 month from learning that she had cancer until she pasted. I was asked to take over the department.

The last time I had to use a CV was for an Eisenhower grant.

Vita sine litteris mors est.

 

[rorschach]

Many, and perhaps even most ASM courses are convertable to college credit now (this was not always the case) so by all means list them, they are no different that any other college course. I certainly do.

 

[TVP]

I agree with the others-- definitely include them under a section called "Professional Development" or "Professional Continuing Education", etc.

 

[NickelMet]

Did anyone really take the time to look over the required ASM courses for the extension degrees? As a corrosion engineer, I found the corrosion engineering extension degree requirements a bit lacking. Taking the set of courses ASM prescribes is a good start but by no means what I would consider "degree-able".

But, a bit in defense of ASM, they do have a great selection of courses. And, in my honest opinion, I think the extension degree is an interesting concept, but someone needs to think about content a bit more. (Really now, leaving out their 'Nickel and Nickel Alloy' class as an option but include 'Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys'?)

I can see these things (extension degrees) coming under a bit of fire...

My 2-cents,
~NiM

 

[HgTX]

I don't by any means consider the ASM classes equivalent to college courses. They're one-week seminars. Exams are graded (at least in the take-home version of the class) but no final grade is issued for the course.

See, that's really at the heart of my question. I might very well end up taking enough of ASM's classes for them to tell me I have an "extension diploma". If I put this "extension diploma" on a resume, do I imply that I *don't* know the difference between this "diploma" and "real" higher education?

Seems to me, thinking about it more, that there's really no use for it. I'd be an idiot to just put it there without the list of classes, since someone reviewing my resume wouldn't know what it means, and if I have the list of classes there already, why garnish it with a little title of "diploma"?

It's starting to smack more of hype.

Hg

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[rorschach]

That is not the case, at least with the courses I've taken. The Houston chapter teaches two courses a semester over at Rice University. I've taken several. They are three hours long once a week for 6 weeks. Taught by practicing metallurgists in industry, not academics. The chaprer exams are graded and the scores plus the finals are sent off to Materials Park for grading. I'm not sure of the exact process for the internet and correspondence courses but i know the finals are graded in Ohio and are accredited by the Ohio School board.

 

[HgTX]

I guess 3 hours long once a week is the same as a weeklong seminar in Ohio. 3.2 CEUs. Looks like the chapter classes are the takehome course administered by a live teacher, or something similar.

As I poke around ASM's site a little more, I see their seminars are "recommended for college credit" by the American Council on Education.

I'm still not sure what the point of the "extension diploma" would be, though. You'd have to list your courses anyway; why add the title?

Hg

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[NickelMet]

HgTX:

I agree with your last point: "Why add the title?"

Personally, I don't agree with their nomenclature on those sets of courses being "degrees". I would not list it on my resume as such. To me, I don't believe the content nor the criteria for completion is enough.

Now, I will list ASM courses on my CV (as Rich stated above). And, I do list relevent course work directly on my resume (as it applies to the job I'm looking at of course). I had several ASM courses and found the instruction and information to be very well done.

I think we'd all be best to remember to not mis-represent ourselves on our resumes. And this "extension degree" to me sort of fits right in there. What stops John Doe from stepping off the street as a hot dog vendor, taking the required seminars, gaining the status of the "extension degree", and then touting himself as a "degreed individual"? Especially under the circumstances of having no real education - real world and scholastic training - in that field? (Yes, I looked at the registration form and there is NO protection against this happening that I can see.) I'm not against anyone improving their career outlook, but as for "degrees" I'd much prefer that these stick to accredited colleges and universities where the proper education curriculum can be developed, monitored, and changed appropriately.

Okay, I know I've probably ticked someone off...so let's hear it...

~NiM