Job Discussion Forums

[daily chai]

There seems to be some grey in this area, which is especially relevant for many of us pursuing an online MA TESOL or with one already in the bag.
Taiwan has accredited their own distance bachelor's degrees
http://www.wes.org/ewenr/02nov/Practical.htm
"Nontraditional Higher Education

Distance education is taught at national and municipal open universities. These programs provide adults with advanced and continued education by way of audio-visual communication media. Open university students can be either full time or part time. Full-time students are required to be at least 20 years old. They are admitted after passing an open entrance examination. There is no prerequisite education level for those who register part time; however, they must be 18 or older at the time of registration. Those who fulfill the program requirements receive a bachelor's degree."

The Open U. of Kaoshiung and the National OU are two colleges that offer distance BA's.
http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/yearbook/chpt18.htm#2

The MOE regs here:
http://140.111.1.22/english/home_regulation.htm
Click on "Procedural Guidelines For Verification And Recognition Of Foreign Educational Qualifications." They don't say that distance degrees aren't recognized. Terms #7 & 8 have the most to say--that degrees must come from a locally accredited school (basically) and must have an equivalent in Taiwan. Hey, there ARE master's degrees in Taiwan. The distance curriculum isn't that different from f2f.

Can anyone else shed light on this issue? I'm particularly concerned for one member here. He has a distance degree and it sounds like he spoke to someone at the MOE, who told him it wouldn't be recognized. Crossing fingers the MOE agent was misinformed...

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

Hi,

Yeah, I phoned the MOE and Ministry of Higher Education both last year and this year.

Each time I was advised that distance M.A. degrees are not recognized by MOE stipulated faculty positions at Taiwanese universities (private or national schools).

[Aristotle]

The Ministry of Education (MOE) bases it's decisions and decrees on how much money it will put into the pockets of the MOE officials. Whether or not those decisions are good for education or anything else is irrelevent. If there is a way for the MOE officials to pocket some cash through accrediting degrees from other institutions then they will do so and not until.
Welcom to Taiwan,
A.

[hockey 101]

I received my Masters via distance and the degree(piece of paper) issued doesn't make a distinction if it was done online or onsite. Maybe the University makes a distinction if they were contacted. I don't know.

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

I think the cofusion comes from the fact that people lump all university teaching positions together, when really they are not the same.

Many people seem to have a friend who teaches or has taught English at a university with only a B.A. - but it's in the university language school - not a faculty position.

I had someone say to me last year - "It's easy to get job at a university and you odn't need an M.A. degree. I have a friend who..."

For instance, Shi Hsin University in Taipei advertised for teaching positions recently at their university which require only a B.A. These positions do not fall under the guidelines of the MOE and the courses taught are non-credit courses. These people do not receive a 'certificate of lectureship.'

However, another university is currently hiring only faculty positions and the MOE requires applicants hold an M.A. - even for part time faculty positions where the courses are taught for credit.

Facutly stipulated MOE teaching positions in Taiwan require an M.A. that is done mostly in residence or on-campus.

[hockey 101]

If you have a Master's degree from an accredited university, how would the MOE know if it was on site or via distance?

[ScottSommers]

This has got the oldest question in the world. It is not at all difficult to tell. You can read more about it here and here and here

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

Scott Sommers wrote:

[Taylor]

Lots of good information here, guys.

Keep up the good work. Let's keep Dave's ESL Cafe a great place worth visiting!!!

Best Wishes to All.

Sincerely,

Taylor

[ziggy stardust]

I have an MA which I did through distance education. It is from a respected, Commonweath accredited Australian university. It is not accepted by the MOE. Fine, I respect the rules of the land even if they make no sense.

An American friend of mine has an MA from an unaccredited university in the states (the university, in Colorado, was founded by Alan Ginsberg in the sixties, and from what I'm told, seems to specialize in getting high and writing free-form poetry). And that degree is recognized here.
Even in America, where you can earn university credits for eating lunch, this school is not recognized.

What's wrong with the MOE?

[ScottSommers]

The issue of diploma verification is only important for jobs that need notarized diplomas. I have not had an English teacher's visa for a long time, but as far as I know, no diploma notarization is needed for a permit to work as an English teacher.

To return to your situation; I'm not sure if you're stating what you know to be a fact or if this is your interpretation of a situation. I'm also not certain what you mean by "recognized". Do you mean that your friend actually used his or her unaccredited diploma to get a job that you were disqualified from because your diploma was earned at distance? Your friend's diploma is not likely to be useful in getting a university faculty license. It might be OK for an English teacher's visa, but then, your diploma should also be OK.

[Aristotle]

Here is one solution. Go to the office that you will be submitting your degree to and ask them specifically which degrees are acceptable and which aren't. Make sure they write down the information for you and get the persons name in Chinese.
Then shop around until you find a degree that suits your needs.
Keep in mind that many degrees accepted by the Ministry of Education on Taiwan will not be accepted in nations that do not tolerate the corruption so rampant in the Ministry of Education on Taiwan.
For much the same reason many degrees from law abiding nations will not be accepted by the Ministry of Education on Taiwan.
Good luck,
A.

[markholmes]

Is Aristotle that bloke 'Battle-Scarred' who used to post on Tealit?

Just wondering.