Michael Nicholson (academic)

Michael Nicholson (born 1941) is an American perpetual student from Kalamazoo, Michigan, who as of 2016^[update] has received one bachelor's degree, two associate's degrees, three specialist degrees, and one doctoral degree, along with 23 master's degrees, including ones in health administration and special education administration, for a total of 30 degrees.^[1][2]

His first degree was in religious education from William Tyndale College in Michigan in 1963.^[3][4] He earned his doctorate in education from Western Michigan University in 1978.^[3] Besides his studies in Michigan, Nicholson has earned degrees from a number of institutions in Texas, Indiana and Canada.^[3]

Nicholson has worked at several teaching positions.^[1]

When asked in 2012 about his pursuit, Nicholson said "I just stayed in school and took menial jobs to pay for the education and just made a point of getting more degrees and eventually I retired so that I could go full time to school."^[5] He took on a job as a parking attendant to attain a tuition discount.^[6]

References

1. Nicholson, Michael; Collins, Emma (September 14, 2016). "College Advice from a 75-Year-Old Who Went to School for 55 Years and Got 30 Degrees". Vice. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
2. "71-year-old man has 29 college degrees – and counting". New York Daily News. June 20, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
3. "Michigan Man Has 29 College Degrees and Counting". ABC News. June 18, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
4. Miller, Korin (September 14, 2016). "Michael Nicholson, Who Has Been in School for 55 Years, Shares College Advice". Teen Vogue. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
5. "Michigan man has 29 college degrees". United Press International. June 19, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
6. Rauwerda, Annie (August 4, 2021). "I asked a twelfth year senior to get me excited for college". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved April 26, 2024.