[SeekAndFind]

Upon reflection, it appears that “useless” degrees share one or more common traits:

• Lack of Job Market (outside of academia or government subsidies)

• Not Data-Driven

• Demands Post Grad Degrees

• General Lack of Scholarly Rigor

• Rampant Groupthink and Plagiarism

Look upon these features as red flags.  The more of these red flags a field of “study” flies, the higher the likelihood recipients of these degrees will wind up as a burden on society.  More bluntly, a burden on you.  Below is a table of arbitrarily-chosen college degrees, rated on the scale described above.

Image created by the author.

Some may quibble with the labels or applicability of the red-flag traits, or the number of flags assigned to certain degrees.  But the overall method of analysis is valid.  This can serve as a road map of sheepskins to avoid.  The more of these boxes are checked, the more money colleges will scam out of you, and the less likely you are to ever earn it back.

[hinckley buzzard]

Nice work. I agree with you about psychology, my field. And it is trending toward a “lack of rigor” flag and even a “not data driven” flag. I’m not sure current psychology departments even identify themselves as a science anymore.

[CodeToad]

“Lack of Job Market (outside of academia or government subsidies)
Not Data-Driven
Demands Post Grad Degrees
General Lack of Scholarly Rigor
Rampant Groupthink and Plagiarism”

I think that a a good list. When those things are present, there isn’t an education of any kind.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

I’m not sure why EDUCATION degree is on this list. If no one majors in this, then who will be able to teach school (K-12)?

It’s is good choice for moms - can contribute significant value to family bank account, while still taking care of her children who can go with her to work each day.

[Joe 6-pack]

I have degrees in art history and history. I wouldn't disagree with the scores and conclusions in your post; however, I would offer one caveat with regards to art history.

In those excruciatingly rare instances and programs where it is taught properly, it is perhaps the most comprehensive of the liberal arts, encompassing aspects of anatomy, chemistry, engineering, literature, mythology, historical methods, social psychology, politics, etc. It demands scrupulous observation and the ability to communicate and defend one's analyses and conclusions.

Honestly, in the 30 years since I left college, I've not once had to identify a sculpture or date a painting in advancement of my professional life, but the research, writing and communication skills I developed in the discipline have been put to use virtually every single day.

Again, I do agree with the primary assertion of your post in that it ranks among the useless degrees out there; I'm just saying that it doesn't have to be, and frankly the responsibility for that is primarily on the academics in the field.

[EnigmaticAnomaly]

Definitely not surprised by the placement of "Education" at the top, but it seems we all conveniently forget that educators played a significant role in all our lives. If they had all been a net drain on society, then what does that say about each and every one of us? How did we manage to become rational, reasoning adults without at least a modicum of guidance from someone in our educational past?

Contrary to popular belief, many teachers enter the field to do their small part to try to "right the ship", so to speak. I've met many conservative teachers during my time behind the desk, and I can say we all have the same objective --- to reach the students we can and free them from the allure of groupthink.

[aspasia]

But you must keep in mind that the history of education shows that "the left" (as they call it around here) has worked very very hard to make education only about practical, calculable results.

Looks like it's available at Internet Archive.

[cherry]

here's the thing....our shallow, petty, leftist driven country DEMANDS these meaningless degrees just to get a job...govt or academia...its all the same..

which is why you'll find english majors running wildlife depts or fire safety....

get the dang degree and you're in...