Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sirius black]

What is the criteria for a degree to be acceptable? Thinking of getting into a Master's program. Finding the easiest one I can find that is acceptable for employment as a teacher overseas as well as America. I know about accreditations, are the for profit unis like Univ. of Phoenix acceptable?
One program had this: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

I know degree mills aren't acceptable where you just pay and get a degree of any kind.

Basically, what is the criteria of what is acceptable? Is it possibel to ask immigration about a specific school ahead of time and know if it will be accpeted?

PS: Don't bother with comments about getting a quality education, etc. Kindly respond to the question or scroll. However, I know there will always be one person. Don't be that person please.

[ttompatz]

For work in Korea you MUST have a bachelors degree from a properly accredited university (not on the list of degree mills and yes, on the list of some accepted regional accreditation bureau).

They do NOT care about a masters (or other post graduate program) degree and typically won't accept it as a replacement for an undergrad degree for an E2 application.

Bottom line:

(copy of) BA from a real university (notarized as a true copy of the original with an apostille affixed to it).

FBI check with apostille.

If you are from the States and your university of choice is NOT accredited by one of these then chances are good that your application will be denied.

*Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

*New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC-CIHE) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
- - (NEASC-CTCI) Commission on Technical and Career Institutions.

*Higher Learning Commission (North Central Association of Colleges and Schools) (NCA-HLC).

*Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

*Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges

*Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC-ACCJC) Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
- - (WASC-ACSCU) Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities

.

[carny-vor]

Im not too sure about this- im not sure how american universities work but it should follow that a Masters degree is the level above a bachelors so therefore trumps your bachelors.

Is it not just the case that the bachelors is the 'minimum requirement' but if the applicant has a masters then the masters replaces the bachelor degree.

I'm not sure what you mean by the easiest masters though- surely the only thing acceptable as a masters would be a full 1-2 year graduate programme.

[nathanrutledge]

A masters doesn't "replace" a B.A., no. Yes, it's a higher degree, but like me, my B.A. is in History and Economics, but my M.A. is in Applied Linguistics. People ask me about my education, I mention both because my 125+ hours of undergrad work was in two totally unrelated fields to my 30+ hours of masters study.

OP, as ttompatz said, check the accreditation, but also keep up on the news. A university in ND was just caught for handing out degrees that hadn't been earned, so make sure that there isn't anything fishy in the pipeline. No use getting a degree from somewhere that has accreditation, working hard to earn it only to have the university ruin it's name.

Fairly sure U of Phoenix is accredited. Only thing I'd say is not about the quality, but the price! I knew a woman I used to work with was taking classes through them, and it was at least double what the local university charged for the same stuff. Just something to think about.

[carny-vor]

[ttompatz]

What is even more relevant is the simple fact that the bureaucracy requires a Bachelors Degree. Either you have one or you don't.

If you don't then you don't meet the requirement and bureaucrats are not in the habit of using independent thought processes when it comes to changing or interpreting regulations. It is in black and white - full stop - end of discussion.

A REAL MA may trump a BA in real life but it makes no difference when dealing with an immigration service (in Korea, in the States, in anywhere). They have one way - their way. Follow it or be denied.

There are no shortcuts in life or in real academia. It may fool your friends (MA with no BA) but won't get you anywhere outside of that.

.

[bbunce]

I have a Master's with University of Phoenix in Education and that helped me obtain a teaching certificate in my home state. However, you need to check with your local state requirements for certification before you do anything. Your state education department can answer any questions you may have as to the particular school. You should think about the long-term not just working in Korea because you may not like working here forever.

I know Phoenix is not recognized by several states but Korea doesn't care about that. To them, a degree is a degree and as long as it is apostilled (certified), they don't care.

[proverbs]

they accept degrees from University of Phoenix?!

[CentralCali]

Why not? It's an accredited university. FYI, the US military has classes on base conducted by that university as well as the University of Maryland and a couple of other institutions. Non-accredited institutions are not eligible for that program.

[12ax7]

[wanderkind]

Do all public schoolboards in Korea screen for a specific GPA requirement, OR is it JUST having a 4 year degree?

[Carbon]

Why bother to do an MA at all if the uni is seen as dodgy? It may get you a job, but also a good laugh from peers. Not being snobby here, but the U of Phoenix really has a cheap image (read: degree mill).

Yes, OP....I know you don't want this discussed, but it is totally relevant. By the same criteria you laid out, just scroll if you don't want to know/read about this stuff. An MA is a major undertaking; a milestone in ones' personal and academic life. Why smudge it? You are the one who has to bear that for the rest of your life. Think more long-term; go to a reputable school and get a solid, respectable education. As others have said, it will serve you well to do so.

If you want a university position in Korea, you should know that most have a hiring committee comprised of foreign professors who will see that on your resume. This alone will speak volumes about your character, and not favorably. I am not saying the U of P is bad, but that it has a negative image, regardless of what the reality may be.

[ttompatz]

[proverbs]

ttompatz, i looked up some of the organizations you listed, and i believe they are Regional Accreditation. however, i looked up U of Phoenix, and they were nationally accredited. does immigration accept National Accredited schools also?

[ttompatz]