I don't think I should pay for this...AIBU?

[Wenjie]

DD is at a university in the United States getting a four year degree in Art & Design: Games and Playable Media. She just found out she almost has enough credits to get a two year degree in Business Administration. It would be around 800 USD, which converts to about 590 GBP. She doesn't think that's much, but I don't even know that employers would care about a two year degree. I know this might not be the right place to post something about schools in the states, but it's caused friction. Am I being too unaccommodating?

I think if you’re already paying out £55k an additional £600 is a drop in the ocean. I think she and you may regret it in the future if she doesn’t do it.
Any chance of a p/t job to pay you back?

I would add that I think your daughter is going to do well. She's bravely come to a new part of the world that is an important center for the games and entertainment industry. My spouse has the same degree and skill set that he had when we lived elsewhere; it wasn't until we moved to California that things took off because the size of the community of like-minded people with similar goals meant so many more oppoy. She'll meet and talk to people and adjust her training as needed. I wouldn't be surprised if that is what has led to her mention of the business degree. Getting into games is highly competitive. It is also constantly changing in terms of markets and tech. Maybe this why a specialized degree doesn't get one "in" the same way a law degree let's you enter the legal business, or a plumbing certification gets you in to plumbing. With games, local connections and mentors are invaluable. For producers and designers, strong fundamentals (writing, familiarity with agile teams and other funky management stuff, data analysis) are really important because the need for these is a constant as one moves from one platform to another. She'll do great.

@ThumbWitchesAbroad She has a meeting in four days with a counselor at the community college to get a student education plan updated so she can register for classes. I'm definitely feeling more open-minded after reading the replies on this post. But I'm waiting until after the meeting to decide whether I'll pay for it.

@Thethuthinang Thank you for your reply. It was especially interesting to see you husband's perspective on games-related degree programs.

@LannieDuck I want to thank you, too! Wow, someone whose husband works in the games industry and teaches. That's really interesting. "The games industry doesn't value games degrees." Maybe I should have made a post asking "AIBU to fund a game degree" instead of fretting about the business courses.

[quote Wenjie]@ThumbWitchesAbroad She has a meeting in four days with a counselor at the community college to get a student education plan updated so she can register for classes. I'm definitely feeling more open-minded after reading the replies on this post. But I'm waiting until after the meeting to decide whether I'll pay for it.[/quote]
Glad the thread seems to have helped you with a wider perspective on the situation - hope that your DD does well.

It’s a drop in the ocean compared to what you’re already paying, I wouldn’t think twice about it (could add value, in which case it’s a bargain).

Not sure the £55k for a gaming degree is such good value though

55k for a four year degree in California is good.
My Ds did a 4 year degree there in a private Uni. In business and accounting, cost 120k 10 years ago. (included accommodation) Thank god for scholarships, grants and school loans.

I’d pay it, if only so she has something to fall back on if the gaming doesn’t work out. I wouldn’t have paid £55.5K for a gaming degree though. She is very lucky.

She had the meeting with a counselor to draw up a student education plan, but she's still restricted from registering for the courses and they commence in a week, so it may not matter.