How Can I Take A Specialist Degree In A Subject That Doesn't Exist?

[LaurenD]

I have no prior degree qualification, but for the last 45 years have become Europe's leading historian on beauty pageants and how they and the women who compete in them have been shaped by changes in society and opinions.
I have had three books published on the subject and would very much like to study for a recognised qualification in this subject.
Each university I approach requires a prior degree and I wonder if anyone knows of a way in which I could create my own qualification and then offer this to others in the future, as a module attached to women's studies or social history?

[Ringlet]

You would need to persuade a university to introduce a degree programme in the subject you require. To do this, you need to identify a lecturer in that university who would be willing to undertake such teaching.

[Jackdaw33]

I always thought that Media Studies represented the nadir in Mickey Mouse degrees, but Beauty pageants?

[ichkeria]

As you claim to be the leading light in this field I don’t think you’ll get very far.
Who would teach it to you?
Your only hope is somehow to persuade someone to accept “Beauty Pageant Studies” as a module as you suggest.
And then persuade then you can teach it.

[Peter Pedant]

I think your aspirations are very noble
a beautiful idea
and wish you luck in giving them an academic meaning

[woofgang]

This organisation accepts volunteer tutors who have no formal qualification https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/tuition-fees-degrees-free-university-brighton-fub-universities-bachelor-degree-ba-if-project-ragged-a7100421.html


or you might look at doing a degree with an independent studies module choosing your specialist subject. This would get you your base degree and bring your specialist subject to the attention of the Uni. https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/languages-and-cultures/undergraduate/why-lancaster/modules/delc424-independent-study-unit/

[barry1010]

The three books you had published - did a publisher pay you or did you pay to publish?

[barry1010]

Good heavens! There are several books on the history of beauty pageants and even citations for sociology degrees. Well I never.

[pastafreak]

Years ago I remember reading that there were situations in which previous...or "life" experience...could be applied to degree studies. This was primarily for older students obviously.
It may have been the Open University, but I can't say for sure.

[LaurenD]

Hi @barry1010 - all three books have been published and featured in national newspapers. They concentrate not on the contests themselves, but the social mores of the day and the ways in how society has changed for the women involved, reflected through the eyes of this medium -i.e. the ban on married women and single mothers, the reasons women take part, the standards upon which they were judged back in the 1950s compared to modern day.

[jno]

that sounds interesting; but if you're already the main expert on the subject, who at a university would be able to teach you more?

[LaurenD]

Thank you to those of you who have been so helpful and encouraging.

And to @woofgang for your very practical advice.

[jno]

barry, I don't think it's proper to ask ABers to give their real names if they don't want to.

[barry1010]

She might be using a pen name for her books, jno

[jno]

she might be, she might not, barry. For AB purposes she's LaurenD unless she wishes to identify herself further. The Site Rules are not to identify people by their own names unless they choose to themselves "as it can easily be misused by others" (and has been in the past even on AB).

[THECORBYLOON]

BARRY, regardless of whether a pen-name is used, you cannot ask for information and should not speculate about identity.