Whether traditional, or proprietary, education is first about achieving stable, sustainable employment. Beyond that it may be for knowledge's sake, for research, or for enjoyument. As an old boss of mine used to say, its not about a PhD, its about a J.O.B.

Unfortunately some schools, both proprietary and public have forgotten that bit of information. A graduate that can not perform the tasks for which he or she was trained is an embarrassment to the school that trained them an someone who is doomed to failure for many years to come. If the school permitted that person to graduate without the appropriate skills, then the school has done a major disservice to the student.

Schools without the proper equipment for students to train on are guilty of this. Schools without qualified staff to maintain, develop or preserve their curriculum are guilty of this. Schools without qualified advisory boards that keep the curriculum are guilty of this. Schools that attempt to teach online courses that require hands-on in person labs are guilty of this.

If as a student you are evaluating your education. Talk to people in your future field and evaluate whether you are getting the instruction you need. Some questions to ask would be:

What are the most important skills that I will need for this job?

What are the qualifications that I should expect my instructors to have?

What kind of equipment are you currently using to perform this job?

Is being an intern required in order to get hired?

What licenses are required to practice this job?

What certifications are required to be hired for this job?

What soft skills are required for this job? (Writing, Social, Communications, Math)

If as a student you are not getting the things that those in the field indicate you absolutely must have. Challenge the school, write to the accrediting body. Insist on the quality you are paying for.

A degree in only worth what you put into it and that only has value if the degree has sufficient quality to launch you along the path to your dreams.