Job Discussion Forums

prsprsbks · Joined: 31 Aug 2010 Posts: 11

Are there any Americans out there who have completed a degree in education (at the postgraduate or master's level) from a university in the UK, Canada, or Australia?

And if so, have you been able to obtain work in any of those countries?

And if so, would you ever be able to return to the states to teach? Or would your British/Canadian/Australian education degree be worthless in the US?

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I knew two professors at my last alma mater (US) who had UK Certificates of Education (Master's Degrees). That doesn't specifically address your post, they were both British citizens, but I don't think the nationality of the bearer would matter.

tttompatz · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:40 am Post subject:

As long as it was from an accredited university there is no problem with the employer and no problem with immigration when working abroad with said post graduate degree as long as there was a demand for teachers in the area you wish to work in.

Typically it has never been an issue returning to the States however, that said, in today's market/economy with the current level of unemployed/under employed teachers and the current hiring freezes that exist, all bets are off (when discussing returning to work at the primary/secondary level).

In regards to teaching at the post secondary level, it is as much about the politics/prestige of it (and the employer's perceived self prestige) as it is the credential itself.

.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I'm American with an MA from a well-known British university. I have worked with this qual in both Europe and Canada (no wish to return to the US, but I think the qual would be recognised there, as I know other US teachers with the same one who teach inside the US).

However, getting an MA in England didn't give me the right to work in the UK!!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 5:40 am Post subject:

And why would it? Does an MA from the US allow one to work there?

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Read it again, Sash.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 5:57 am Post subject:

I have. I still don't get why anyone would expect to be given a work permit just because they also got an MA from whatever state they studied in. What have I missed ? Please quote the relevant passage. I've got a splitting headache that would make a lesser man weep...

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

After I said that, I thought that perhaps I had misinterpreted what I took to be your misinterpretation (?). Yes, spiral 78 was just mentioning the semi-ironic fact that a degree from a foreign country doesn't allow you to work in said foreign country. "Allow" and "right" could be cause for confusion, but not here.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 6:19 am Post subject:

Man, that's too deep. I'm confused. Maybe it's the hangover....

Sherri · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 6:28 am Post subject:

I went to university in the UK. I work in the US now for a community college and had to have my degrees evaluated by an outside agency. I used http://www.ierf.org/ but there are many similar. The HR department gave me a list I could choose from.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I have. I still don't get why anyone would expect to be given a work permit just because they also got an MA from whatever state they studied in. What have I missed ? Please quote the relevant passage.

OP asked if those of us with post-grad quals from UK, etc were able to get work permits for the countries in which we studied. I said no.

No expectations expressed, I don't think.

Hope you feel better soon! Very Happy

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:31 am Post subject:

Not doing so well on the communication front today - I blame the cheap vodka I experimented with last night. Half blind. Dunno what I am typing... But was referring to the OP with the expectation of work permits on the strength of an MA. Not even sure if the OP stated that now... Might have been a hallucination... like the rats...

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Might have been a hallucination... like the rats...

Are you SURE about the rats, Sasha?? Cool

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:48 am Post subject:

As sure as I am that the OP's name is based on a Shakespearean play...

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

I have an MA from Spain and willhave an MA from Australia next summer. they are both by distance. So I haven't even tried to get work there. I imagine that if you actually went to those countries you'd have a better chance than someone who did it bydistance.

As for trying to get work back in the US, I haven't tried due to the hoops I'd have to go through to bring my husband with me. Ironically, Korea only took 10 days to give him residency and the US would probably be 10 months due to his nationality and being rejected 3 times before. Rolling Eyes