Job Discussion Forums

Sunpower · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 256 Location: Taipei, TAIWAN

Anyone know what the rule is in Taiwan on applying for a university teaching position with a masters degree obtained through a distance format?

I've heard that if you spend a certain number of days studying at the university, that the M.O.E. will allow you to teach in Taiwan uinv.

On the other hand, if you do the entire degree through the distance format, the MOE won't allow you to teach in universities.

Has anyone found problems using distance M.A.s to get university jobs in Taiwan? And has anyone heard if the Taiwanese government is planning on changing it's attitude towards these kind of degrees?

ScottSommers · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 82 Location: Taiwan

When you are hired to teach at a university in the ROC the MOE demands that you submit a notorized copy of your diploma and an immigration record. If the name of the university or the department granting the degree is not contained on a formalized list that they have, the work permit will not be granted. This list does not contain unaccredited universities, as well as those degrees granted by distance. Universities such as Aston, Birmingham, etc do have non-distance degrees that are accepted. The immigration record is consulted to see how much residence the degree required.

I have heard of all kinds of scams to get around this. I have not heard that any of them have worked. The examination of your credentials is quite complete, and I doubt it is possible to slip through. In fact, I have not met working in Taiwan anyone graduated from a school that has a distance program. No one will say this, but my feeling is that even if you have a degree with residence from Aston etc., it would be viewed with suspicion.

Distance degrees are accepted in Korea and Japan. My understanding is that they do not have the same market value as more conventional degrees, but I really don't know.

It is not likely that the situation in Taiwan will change any time soon. It will have to change eventually with Taiwan's entry into the WTO, but I doubt it would be possible for something like this to change for years to come.

ScottSommers · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 82 Location: Taiwan

When you are hired to teach at a university in the ROC the MOE demands that you submit a notorized copy of your diploma and an immigration record. If the name of the university or the department granting the degree is not contained on a formalized list that they have, the work permit will not be granted. This list does not contain unaccredited universities, as well as those degrees granted by distance. Universities such as Aston, Birmingham, etc do have non-distance degrees that are accepted. The immigration record is consulted to see how much residence the degree required.

I have heard of all kinds of scams to get around this. I have not heard that any of them have worked. The examination of your credentials is quite complete, and I doubt it is possible to slip through. In fact, I have not met working in Taiwan anyone graduated from a school that has a distance program. No one will say this, but my feeling is that even if you have a degree with residence from Aston etc., it would be viewed with suspicion.

Distance degrees are accepted in Korea and Japan. My understanding is that they do not have the same market value as more conventional degrees, but I really don't know.

It is not likely that the situation in Taiwan will change any time soon. It will have to change eventually with Taiwan's entry into the WTO, but I doubt it would be possible for something like this to change for years to come.

Scott Sommers
Ming Chuan University
[email protected]

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

Does anyone have any current info on Distance Education in Taiwan now?

I've been hearing that there are people getting hired with distance education degrees in Taiwan.

Interesting to hear if any of this stuff has changed in Taiwan.

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

It is almost impossible for people to get uni posts with distance degrees. The MoE despite all its flapping on many issues is pretty clear on this one, and in the past only degrees with 66% or more residency time were accepted. In other words you had to be sat in the classroom for every 2 years of a three year course. I doubt things have changed and it doesn't matters if the distance degree is a BA, MA or PhD. If yoou've done any degree by 100% distance then I seriously doubt the MoE will give you time of day. However, does anyone know the situation with the UK's Open University which is a major distance learning institution and has an exceptional reputation?

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

I worked at a university in Taipei and there was staff who held degrees from non-English speaking nations. As far as I gather, and I may be wrong, it could be possible for you to get a job at a university teaching ESL if your MA is from Austria. I knew of someone working in a Taiwan universitry who had a degree from a mainland European nation, the place where their family emigrated from pre-1939. However, knowing Taiwan's bureaucracy then maybe can navigate the English-country rule due to their ancestry. I am not sure of the ruling so consequently someone like Michael Turton - see his website - would be the best place to find an answer.

Without further clouding your chances be aware that just a MA is not always enough these days to get a uni instructor post. If the competition includes people with publications, etc., then your chances will rapidly diminish and theirs increase. Plus the competition will include people with MA Tesol and the like, or educationd degrees. I don't wish to be negative but yout chances are slim.

BJ · Joined: 03 Dec 2003 Posts: 173

Basically, it is the level of education they are looking for. To teach at Uni/college full time you need at least an MA. Country of origin does not really matter as long as it is on the list of accredited institutions. They will take the advice of the TECO (taiwan reps office) in that country, contact the school concerned and check it with national edu authorities.
Certificates need to be satmped by the TECO after it has been confirmed.

DIstance learning as such must be specially recognised and added to the list, but very few make that list. The authorities still need you to spend over one year of study overseas (for chinese teachers with overseas qualifications)

This is from my co-tecahers who have/are studying abroad and from personal dealings with the MOE.

in 15 years the rules have changed, getting more difficult about 8 years ago. since then nothing much has changed.

Very few answer to speciifics can be given as they "might" fall within the changes to the list. Suggest contacting the MOE and asking if it is an approved institution for acceptance purposes. This can be doen from overseas.Thats as muich as I know, hope it helps