To be deductible, your expenses must be for education that either maintains or improves your job skills, or is required by your employer or by law to keep your salary, status or job.
Expenses to learn a new trade or job or to qualify for a new career aren't deductible.
Given the above, one cannot deduct a career education expense unless employed.
See https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900089-can-i-deduct-work-related-education-expenses