Job Discussion Forums

cleonar3 · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 7

I've recently been accepted into Macquarie University and University of New England in Australia. My Father worked in U.S. academia and told me that university professors that had foreign degrees had problems working for U.S. universities.

Would I have any problems as a U.S. citizen with a foreign degree working in a U.S. university? I don't want to get a degree that I cannot use in the U.S.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

There was one instructor at my university in the US who's "Certificate of Education" (British "Masters", I believe) was no problem. There were several other UK teachers there, I'm assuming their education was similar.

cleonar3 · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 7

Which University did you go to? Was it in the US?

My Father worked in the field of Engineering, which may also have different academic standards. I imagine that teaching ESL would be a very international line of work, and so international schools would be more readily accepted. But that is a big assumption when you are paying thousands of dollars to get higher education. I would hate to spend so much money on a degree I cannot use!

Thanks for your response!

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

University of Alaska Anchorage. Sixth rated in Engineering in the United States. (Arctic Engineering, primarily, but still one of the top schools.)

michgreen · Joined: 16 Apr 2010 Posts: 27

It would depend on the university (private vs state) and their requirements.

Some state universities will ask you to get your degree evaluated by an educational credential evaluation service before they'll consider your application.

I teach in a university IEP in the States and our faculty coordinator doesn't want to get involved with hiring US teachers with foreign degrees because of the paperwork hassle. Plus, for every job that's advertised, there are 100 applicants with US MAs.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 6:51 am Post subject:

I always tell people the same thing about gradschools- if you want to work in a variety of countries, check out which MAs are widely accepted in those countries.

If you want to work in one specific country, get your degree in that country.

You clearly see yourself eventually working in the US. It would make most sense to get any degrees you invest in from US universities.

In any given case, an Aussie MA might be accepted, but an MA from a US university will always be. So which suits you more? Sometimes, or always?

At best, you're going to run into serious questions- as a US citizen wanting to work in the US, why exactly do you have a foreign degree. If you have a good reason and a good story, as well as a profile that's stunning in other ways, they may be willing to evaluate your degree and take you. But if your reason is "It was cheaper/easier/more convenient" or whatever...you can see why they won't go for it.

Best,
Justin

powerrose · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Shenzhen, China

I would say that a degree that's 1/2 to 1/4th of the cost and 1/2 the time is also a serious consideration.
I had the same concerns (I'm applying to U of S. Queensland and U. of Adelaide) but I just couldn't deal with the huge cost and time commitment in the US. Plus I dealt with so many schools in the US just being gigantic d-bags. One school said I couldn't even apply because my bachelor's GPA was too low. Like a 3.6 in my non-education degree from 8 years ago is such a fantastic predictor of my success in a Master's of Education program. And many don't have programs for non-certified teachers, and many don't have distance programs.

I don't see how a Masters in ESL would get you a university job in the US anyway. I thought that was the minimum requirement for teaching k-12 these days.....

Ultimately, for me, it was a serious question of investment for me. I know a masters will qualify me to work at certain higher paying schools in my area in Asia. I also know a masters will qualify me for a lot of private sector work in the US, where they don't really care about where you got your degree.

michgreen · Joined: 16 Apr 2010 Posts: 27

MATESOL/Applied Ling are enough to teach in a university's IEP department.

The IEP is usually attached to Continuing Education if its not run by a private company.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

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

Additionally, UNis in OZ have a good rep for distance education, which is a big factor.

michgreen · Joined: 16 Apr 2010 Posts: 27

If you want to teach ESL in the US, I would find a university in your area that has an ESL program and ask them if they would accept an applicant with a non-US MA.

Macquarie University has an excellent rep in ESL circles. Ann Burns has participated in many US TESOL and IATEFL conferences.