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More MA Stuff- What About the Correspondence Route?
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bluetortilla



Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 2:50 am    Post subject: More MA Stuff- What About the Correspondence Route? Reply with quote
Anybody have good or bad words about correspondence MA's in TESOL? Seems convenient and reasonable, but obviously not as interesting as a 'human' campus.

How do employers, particularly universities throughout Asia, regard such degrees? Recommendations for specific schools or things to avoid?

Thanks- heaps of helpful people on these forums! Very Happy
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creztor



Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Posts: 476
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I assume you mean "distance" or "online" courses? Some countries do not accept distance degrees. You will need to check which ones.
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bluetortilla



Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes. Thank you for clarifying that.

Well, since the thread is started here is just as good a spot as any I guess.

Does anybody know which countries do NOT accept distance learning MA's?
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tttompatz



Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
bluetortilla wrote:
Yes. Thank you for clarifying that.

Well, since the thread is started here is just as good a spot as any I guess.

Does anybody know which countries do NOT accept distance learning MA's?


More a case of which schools/universities being choosy about what they want for a MA or other post graduate certifications.

Country would imply immigration or other government body and typically they don't care about your MA (but they may care about your BA (whether or not you actually have one as an immigration/visa requirement)).

Typically, academic institutions in the middle east post publicly in their ads that they do NOT accept distance MAs.

I have never seen any other specific instance, especially not in Asia, where a distance MA was refused AND additionally it doesn't say on the MA whether it was on-campus or by distance learning. If the university you took the MA through actually has a brick and mortar campus then the only way the employer will know is if you tell them.

.
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bluetortilla



Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks TomPatz. Sounds good. I'd much prefer an on campus situation, but I'll take what I have to take.

I guess there must be an distinction between 'distance learning' and 'online learning.

Got a BA and tons of experience by the way. Also got the first level in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. I've used that in SOHO business here in Jappan (English school) but not in much else.
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creztor



Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Posts: 476
PostPosted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 3:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Taiwan does not accept online/distance degrees, which is why I said it depends on the country. I agree with tttompatz that the ME is most likely one place you definitely won't be able to use them.

bluetortilla, an online degree may or may not work for you, because I think it ultimately depends on WHERE or WHAT you will do with it. A good example is if you plan to stay in Japan, assuming online degrees are recognized, but obviously if you wanted to go to the ME it would be a bad idea.
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tttompatz



Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
PostPosted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 4:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
creztor wrote:
Taiwan does not accept online/distance degrees, which is why I said it depends on the country. I agree with tttompatz that the ME is most likely one place you definitely won't be able to use them.

bluetortilla, an online degree may or may not work for you, because I think it ultimately depends on WHERE or WHAT you will do with it. A good example is if you plan to stay in Japan, assuming online degrees are recognized, but obviously if you wanted to go to the ME it would be a bad idea.


Taiwan won't accept an on-line BACHELORs degree (for immigration/visa purposes) but (mostly) they don't care about the source of an MA (provided you have a legitimate Bachelors degree).

There are also exceptions to the "distance degree" rule as well. They accept both the UK and Canadian "Open University" bachelors degree but they have a whole list of degree mills that they refuse out of hand.

.
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creztor



Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Posts: 476
PostPosted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
No offense, but I wouldn't want to risk paying 15k USD (or whatever one paid for a distance MA) and run the risk of "mostly".
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bluetortilla



Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan
PostPosted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
If it's just not feasible to get an on campus MA, then what are some of the big names in long distance ones? 15k USD is a lot of money. Wouldn't an on campus degree be about the same?
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tttompatz



Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
PostPosted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 1:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
creztor wrote:
No offense, but I wouldn't want to risk paying 15k USD (or whatever one paid for a distance MA) and run the risk of "mostly".


Only an American would pay that kind of money for an MATESOL.
In most other countries you can get a DECENT, distance, MATESOL for about 1/2 that.

I also note that no-one else commenting here so far (other than myself) has one or is a position where they would be on a hiring committee making the decisions about someone who has one.

I said "mostly" only because I am not familiar with EVERY university, post graduate institution and school district on the island but I am NOT AWARE of ANY who would turn someone away based on a distance MA or if they would even care or ask (provided it was from an accredited university).

It is not an immigration issue (as the bachelors degree is).