<p>Are there any schools that don't require college algebra for a degree? After working 35 years and never needing it, but now going back to school, I'm being told I have to take a pre-algebra class (no credits) before I can take College Algebra. One reason I never finished my degree before is because of Coll Algebra - tried it twice - it made no sense and I dropped the class and dropped out of college. I'm on a fast track to get my degree now online and had to take a algebra diagnostic test which indicated I'd need the pre-alg class. I'm discouraged again. Any alternatives? My degree is in accounting, which (to me) is logical and reasonable, but algebra is not.</p>
<p>brown</p>
<p>10char</p>
<p>Maybe the problem is the major, not the school. I was a political science major and I never had to take any math in college.</p>
<p>I've never heard of an accounting program, even UPhoenix or UMUC, that didn't require college algebra.
Algebra will come in handy when you get into FV/PV or revenue recognition methods or factoring out tax amounts. All relevant in accounting.</p>
<p>There's many self-study tools. Your local community college likely offers training software.
I had not taken taken a math class in 6 years and never past Algebra I. Despite initially struggling with the elementary concepts, a little self studying helped me ace the GED math section and pass out of College Algebra in the assessment exam.</p>
<p>You may not have done well on the diagnostic test because you haven't used algebra or studied it for years. Don't assume you will not do well in a new class with a new teacher. it stinks you have to take prealgebra without credit but go into it with an open mind. Good luck.</p>
<p>Why don't you check out the non-credit offerings at your closest community college? There may be a pre-Algebra class that you can take. Community College math teachers are used to working with students who struggle with the subject, so you certainly won't be alone.</p>
<p>The real secret to mastering Algebra (and just about any other math topic) is to do every single problem in the book. If you can't solve a given problem, discuss the problem with your classmates/teacher/tutor, and try again. Keep at it until you have it figured out. My sister had to take pre-Algebra and then College Algebra for her degree in Elementary Education. It was a huge struggle after 20 odd years out of school and raising 5 kids (she only had Algebra 1 and Geometry in HS). But believe me, if she could do it, you can too.</p>
<p>Don't be so scared of Algebra. If you've ever done your own taxes on the paper forms, all of that stuff about figuring out whether you qualify for an extra child credit or capital gains/losses is basically Algebra in disguise.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>