Job Discussion Forums

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

There is no way for the employer to know that the M.A. from Birmingham was done by distance, because the degree certificate and transcript are identical to the ones done on site.

It is up to the candidate to mention this, or not.

I know people working in Saudi who have done their entire M.A. by distance and have good jobs.

Ghost

vorticity · Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 35 Location: The Eurasian Plate

So - thus far - perhaps we can conclude the following:

Distance MAs are fine, so long as your potential employer doesn't question you about you acquired the MA

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

lynnknows · Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 5:57 pm Post subject:

I know of several people that are working in Saudi, right now, that did their MA-TESOL online. I think the problem comes in if you attend an online University vs a traditional University that offers online classes.
There is no way for the MoE to know a person took classes online or in a traditional class if they take the classes at a traditional university. Well, there is one way, I guess the person could tell them in an interview.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

My Saudi friends tell me that it matters whether the university that issues the degree is recognised as reputable in KSA. I don't know whether/where there is an official list (Canada has one, for example), so I can only say for sure that UBham is accepted - or has been on some occasions.

I think it would likely be a red flag if it's a degree from a non-Anglophone country, though.

Balzac · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 266

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I've heard of blended. Basically, you study online and then go to the campus for a couple weeks each year.

I got one rejection email, probably because I came right out and said that my MAs were online. However, I'm not putting much stock in this recruiter. He also said that it was impossible for me to get my husband a visa, yet I've heard from some peopel on this board that women CAn get men visa.

Balzac · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 266

redsnapper · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 60

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Then I guess I'll have to be honest. Is there a section on most applications that asks if your degree was done online or not?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

If the question is there (though I doubt that it will be), answer honestly. It is more likely to come up as an interview question, I would think... if at all.

VS

redsnapper · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 60

johnslat · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:39 pm Post subject:

Dear redsnapper,

You could be right. On the other hand, having worked in the Kingdom for nineteen years, I got to experience the work habits of a lot of hiring committees (heck, I was even on some.)

While I'm sure some are half-witted enough to realize that a degree from a US university gained while working in Korea must have been attained online, I'd say there are a good number that aren't half-witted enough (or simply don't give a hoot.)

I noticed on another board that you are on a hiring committee, and I'm sure that yours would screen her out. But I'd also say that yours may be, well, exceptional (at least in my experience.)

Regards,
John

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

My first MA from Spain was earned while I was in Peru.

My second MA from Australia will be earned (June this year) while I'm in Korea.

I've never had anyone ask if my degrees were earned online. FYI BOTH unis are accrediated brick and mortar schools.

7168Riyadh · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 149

@vorticity

ghost is right, if it's not mentioned on the certificate (and usually it's not) and if the employer wants you, shouldn't have a problem...

...but if only it were that simple. This regulation actually originates in the US, where you are supposed to spend 1/3 of your time in the campus attending classes for your degree to be recognized as a valid qualification to teach at a college. The regulation is designed to counter "degree mills" that basically hand out degrees in exchange for a fee, a prevalent practice in the US where the higher education system is very laissez-faire. It is the Saudi Committee (Council?) for Higher Education that has introduced this rule in Saudi to, as they see it, help maintain high standards Shocked

...Now I earned my degree online through supported learning (it was a superb degree course, equal to any other MA), and went on to teach at a university in the kingdom. But I was hired by a recruiter. When I applied for a job at another university, they had sniffed my degree out as earned online, no doubt because one of my compatriots worked on their hiring team and had alerted the management--who needs enemies, eh.

There is no right answer here, of course, but you if you're hired through a recruiter you'll probably be okay. Otherwise, it may be tricky.