Looking for certificate programs?

Hi, I will be entering the Air Force in August. I am going to sign up for the GI Bill. I really don't see my self going back to school just for the degree itself. I am much more interested in taking individual classes on many different subjects of my liking.

But the GI Bill only works towards getting a degree, certificate, license etc. I feel it would be a waste of time to go to a college for a degree and take classes that are required for the degree, but would not interest me or be useful.

But there are some schools that teach things I would be interested in like natural building and herbal medicine. Which I feel the whole course would be beneficial and not contain some 17th literature (nothing against 17th century lit) class, which would bore the hell out of me but is required to graduate and get a degree. Does this make sense so far?

The two schools that came to mind are yestermorrow natural building school, on the east coast (which the GI Bill does support) and Blue Otter School of herbal medicine.

My question is what are some other schools similar to these? Structured away from your "normal" 4 year college. I mean any thing really. Think of all the different subjects on this forum, are their certificate programs for these subjects. Unless the VA changes something then all schooling must be taken to achieve a degree or certificate ( which I feel is bull shitzu). Thanks

A Permaculture Design Course from an accredited teacher gives a certificate, and if your teacher is made of the right constitution all those subject's your interested in should be covered. Mind you it's only a 72 hour course, but the personal study unit will last a lifetime.

UNC (North Carolina) offers a PDC course.  Here is the Introduction:

http://mediasite.online.ncsu.edu/online/Catalog/pages/catalog.aspx?catalogId=f5a893e7-4b7c-4b79-80fd-52dcd1ced715

They also have the advanced course which gives the Certif, as well as many other related courses.  The Intro course is also offered as a 'Distant Ed" (online) course.

Thank you Saybian.

John, wow a pdc at a college. Thats great i will definitely check that out, exactly the kinda stuff I am looking for. Thank you so much

Yes.  It would probably be easier to get the GI Bill to pay for a course at an accredited college than some weekend course at a garden club.  Besides the Intro & Advanced PDC, UNC also has a full line of related courses, such as botany, horticultural sciences, landscape design, etc.  Your GI Bill could really get you preped for a career @ UNC.
It's a nice campus as well.

Steven Baxter wrote:Hi, I will be entering the Air Force in August. I am going to sign up for the GI Bill. I really don't see my self going back to school just for the degree itself. I am much more interested in taking individual classes on many different subjects of my liking.

But the GI Bill only works towards getting a degree, certificate, license etc. I feel it would be a waste of time to go to a college for a degree and take classes that are required for the degree, but would not interest me or be useful.

Did you have any luck applying the GI Bill to a PDC course? I've got one "semester" left, and rather than work more on a higher degree, I'd like to take a PDC. Love any feedback/follow-up you have here.

Thanks for your service!

I have two years until retirement, I'm going to make it my mission to see what I can do about adding some PDCs to GI Bill, I'll see what the process is to get things added. If manicurist license is on there I'm sure i can get some PDCs on there.

Also Missouri University has a online Agroforestry Masters, I contacted them, it doesnt matter what your undergrad is. You just have to do an essay for acceptance into their program.

Will definitly look into courses at Yestermorrow natural building school, I didnt see them on the listing though.

Hello, I'm also looking for a G.I. approved program to earn a permaculture certification. I'm hoping to use my AmeriCorps reward to fund my certification course. Does anyone know any colleges/universities, or schools recognized by G.I. other than Yestermorrow and UNCA that offer a PDC course?

I know this is a really old post but anyway, I am currently attending Alderleaf Wilderness College(Washington State) using the GI bill and they have a PDC as part of the curriculum. I also contacted Aprovecho in Oregon and they said they will be approved to accept the GI bill this year. That is a natural building and permaculture non profit school. Also check out the natural building school near lake tahoe. It is not GI approved but tuition is only 400 a month which includes food and camp site.

corection from previous post the natural living school not building school.

Outstanding intel Andrew. I'm retiring next year and was really hoping to find a PDC course covered by the GI Bill. Better yet, I plan to relocate to Oregon or Washington so this is perfect. Thanks a lot for posting!