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brillig
Joined: 21 Feb 2009
Posts: 6
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 Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:36 am Post subject: Masters but no Bachelors |
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I'm seeking opinions. Perhaps some of you may have one?
I was able to have the requirement for a BA waived at the University where I received my MFA in Creative Writing because of the quality of my admissions manuscript. So this puts me in the strange position of having a graduate degree but no undergrad.
In my naivete I assumed that this fact would make me more attractive to Ph.d programs and faculty search committees--that I could do grad level work without the benefit of an undergrad degree. But na, na, Fi Fi, na, na.
Anyway the requirements for teach in many countries state that a 3-4 year degree is needed. My Masters was a 2 year program. Is this going to be a red tape nightmare for getting a visa, or perhaps, will it prevent me from getting a visa at all when I can produce a Masters diploma but not a Bachelors? Am I in the right forum? |
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GambateBingBangBOOM
Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:05 am Post subject: |
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Which university did THAT??? 
I think you are going to have a problem, basically because not many people will believe it's a real degree. Maybe you could start writing some fiction books to fund an undergraduate degree??? |
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brillig
Joined: 21 Feb 2009
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:41 am Post subject: |
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| GambateBingBangBOOM wrote: |
Which university did THAT???
I think you are going to have a problem, basically because not many people will believe it's a real degree. Maybe you could start writing some fiction books to fund an undergraduate degree??? |
Spalding University. Yes, it is a real degree, and Spalding is an accredited university with a bound copy of my creative thesis in their library, my transcript in their archives, and my student loans funds in their bank.
I have only a slightly better chance of writing novels that sell well enough to fund a degree than I do of winning the lottery. I'd be surprised if 5% of the talented people writing really good fiction are making a living from it. You got to write a Harry Potter-size hit to do that.
Anyway thanks for the reply. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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Hold on - it may not be such a big problem.
I have two friends who have no first degree, but significant job experience (NATO) which, along with an entry manuscript, got them into MA programs at reputable British universities (Leicester and Surrey). They work with me now at a university in the Netherlands - neither has ever been asked to prove that he has a first degree, as the MA trumps all...Not to mention the fact that they are highly respected teachers with management and training positions now.
I think it depends on what country you are targeting to teach in. |
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Justin Trullinger
Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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Agreed that it might not be a problem.
Your MFA isn't made less legit by lack of a BA.
But I'm not sure that a MFA will be counted as a degree by schools or immigration authorities.
(I was in theatre before teaching- fine arts degrees are often a lot different than their "academic" counterparts.)
Best,
Justin |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Justin Trullinger wrote: |
Agreed that it might not be a problem.
Your MFA isn't made less legit by lack of a BA.
But I'm not sure that a MFA will be counted as a degree by schools or immigration authorities.
(I was in theatre before teaching- fine arts degrees are often a lot different than their "academic" counterparts.)
Best,
Justin |
One presumes that by having the masters degree one has met the particular university's requirements for that degree. |
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Ifenwick
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 1
Location: Surrey, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:31 am Post subject: MFA, but no BFA |
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It seems to me, I agree with Chancellor, that the university should even grant the BFA to you in conjunction with your MFA. That would make perfect sense. Thanks.
Cheerio. |
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brillig
Joined: 21 Feb 2009
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:08 am Post subject: Re: MFA, but no BFA |
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| Ifenwick wrote: |
It seems to me, I agree with Chancellor, that the university should even grant the BFA to you in conjunction with your MFA. That would make perfect sense. Thanks.
Cheerio. |
Thank you, Chancellor and Ifenwick. You comments gave me an idea. Maybe I could be granted a BFA through Excelsior College. Of course if proof of only your highest degree is all that is usually required to teach abroad, I'll not worry about it immediately.
An MFA is an academic degree and a terminal one at that, Justin. Not that I think you are doubting it, but if you are ever challenge about a BFA (you implied you might have one in theater), it also is an academic degree. Usually the difference is more credits are need to fulfill the requirements so that the added studio classes can be taken.
My main concern is that so many job listings and recruitment services emphasis the 3-4 year degrees that are needed for visas. |
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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
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| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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| I suspect that things will rather depend upon the views of the school you apply to. At least your degree is in a literate subject! |
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