Online Degree

[marty827]

I am currently teaching English to foreign students in a private language school in Singapore. 6 months ago I married a Thai so am considering moving to Thailand to teach. My problem is I don't have a degree. So I was thinking of doing an online degree which is considerably cheaper than the local University. Do I need a degree to teach in Thailand? and if so is an online degree accepted? Also I have recently heard about this Thai Culture Course. Do I need to take this before I can find a job? It seems a lot more complicated than here in Singapore. Any advice would be appreciated

[Scott]

You might want to look at the "questions about qualifications" thread at the top of the forum threads. It can answer some of your questions.

You do not need to have a degree to teach in Thailand, however, some schools require/request a degree and in some areas the local officials will not approve anyone without a degree. So there is a lot of variation in the enforcement of regulations.

Getting a degree would greatly increase the chances of finding a decent job and being able to choose where you want to live/teach.

Hopefully some other posters will be able to add more information for you.

[Edsman]

I'm also interested in knowing about the acceptance of online degrees. I'm looking at an online university in the USA that is accredited by the same agency that gives accreditation to all major universities in the same geographic region. The US Dept of Education lists them as an accredited university as well. So, is the same weight given to online universities that aren't diploma mills?

Does anyone here work for a "good" international school and have an advanced degree from an online university? I'm thinking about enrolling in a M.Ed program but I want to make sure it will be accepted.

[colino]

I know 3 teachers that have them and have WPS as well,

They dont seem to have any problems,, colino

[Scott]

I don't think having an on-line degree would negatively affect your job chances. Most places give you a degree and it doesn't specify that it was an on-line degree.

Making sure that the school is accredited--there are a few officers out there that have a list of places not to accept degrees from.

[dada]

Actually if the job is worth having and your qualifications are bogus you will be outed anyway if anyone finds out.

Its just a matter of time.

[Xangsamhua]

An online degree and a degree from an online university may not be the same thing.

Many perfectly reputable universities offer online studies as a mode, similar to distance-mode, for some or all units in a degree. The qualification is the same, whether undertaken on campus, by distance mode or online, and the transcript + testamur will not indicate the modes by which the graduate completed the course.

However, a degree from Dodgy Brothers' Online University, which operates out of a small office somewhere, is a different kettle of fish.

On the other hand, I don't know but there may be credible online universities out there that really do meet acceptable standards. I don't know of any in my country. Where I come from the Open University is backed by a consortium of major universities, so it's an online program, but not an "online university".

[Phatcharanan]

On the other hand, I don't know but there may be credible online universities out there that really do meet acceptable standards. I don't know of any in my country. Where I come from the Open University is backed by a consortium of major universities, so it's an online program, but not an "online university".

Sure there is.....................and it ranks higher than the OU.

University of Leicester, UK. Distance-learning MATESOL etc.......done entirely online.

Good enough to get me into Bangkok Patana this August.

[JohnC]

Teacher_exam_1__1_.pdf

Well this seems to spell out the legal requirements, whether they are enforced of course is another matter.

[aussiestyle1983]

"An online degree and a degree from an online university may not be the same thing.

Many perfectly reputable universities offer online studies as a mode, similar to distance-mode, for some or all units in a degree. The qualification is the same, whether undertaken on campus, by distance mode or online, and the transcript + testamur will not indicate the modes by which the graduate completed the course."

These are good points.

Distance education, or, non-traditional education, can include online learning, CD Rom instruction, learning via correspondance, and other types of learning that do not take place in a traditional face-to-face setting. Most degrees obtained in this way use a combination of such study modes, some even requiring you to attend a place nominated by the university where you will sit exams. The degree you will get is the same and is not of any less value. The main difference is it way in which you spend study time. Instead of sitting in a lecture hall or attending tutorials, you will get lectures on CD or have to download them, and have to contribute in an online discussion board. The asignments are usually the same, because you don't need to attend the campus to write an essay or research report. That is why most uni's that I know of do not distingusih between degrees obtained on-campus or through alternate modes of study. The number of semesters available does differ, so on my transcript employers might be able to work out I did my degree through distance education because I do four full semesters every year, where as some on-campus students have only two semesters per year, plus summer school or whatever you call it. AFAIK, that is the only way employers could tell how I got my degree. They could see that I only had to do two classes per semester but over four semesters a year to get a full time load of eight classes done compared to the on-campus student who does four classes a semester over just two semesters. I think the time taken to get the degree would be the big tell because you can do an online degree in less than half the time. If you do 6 units a semsester for 4 straight, back-to-back semesters (12 months), your 3 year full time 24 unit BA would be done in a year. I don't think that would be possible on campus.

[Ave]

I've just come across the MUST university online.

www.mustuniversity.com/Programs/index.asp"www.mustuniversity.com/Programs/index.asp[/url]

I've tried to understand if it has good accreditation and checked [//www.internationalaccreditation.org/iao/memberarea/certificate.asp" //www.internationalaccreditation.org/...certificate.asp

It seems ideal for working adults with a very low budget but is it going to be useful I wonder.. Can somebody take a look and give me their opinion please. I'm not interested in the popularity of the university, simply its attendibility and professionality given its low fees..and I'm desperate to complete my studies before my fiftieth birthday and without having to starve myself..

[Geekfreaklover]

Depends on the school or language centre. Some schools when posting job adverts state that they will not accept applicants with online degree qualifications. Although, I have seen this only once or twice. Many schools accept applicants with TEFL quals only (no degree).

BTW, Thailand is a excellent choice to do an online degree as the cost of living is very cheap here.

As for the cultural course. Personally I would see it as a waste of money, but I cannot speak with authority as I have not looked at the course programme. I doubt it is a requirement by any any schools. Although the language centres might tell you it is - they are the ones selling it.

[Ave]

Thank you Geekfreaklover.

I have been teaching with only a TEFL for a few years now, no problem but learning on the job is so much harder I've noticed. Also, with an online degree I would be able to keep my job and aim at higher wages for doing the same job as the other ESL teachers who receive 'farang' salaries instead.

Educational psychology is just a personal interest, something I would enjoy studying and that might come useful as I'm working with learning support children, something I didn't expect to do before getting the job but that I seem to be able to do quite well. In Thailand and probably in its neighbouring countries most schools don't seem to have teachers who are prepared or qualified to teach in that field. The fact that I'm not a native speaker would easily put me at the bottom of most employers' list if I didn't have a specialisation to offer, that's another reason why I'm looking outside a B.Ed.

Cheers

[CosmicSurfer]

I am currently teaching English to foreign students in a private language school in Singapore. 6 months ago I married a Thai so am considering moving to Thailand to teach. My problem is I don't have a degree. So I was thinking of doing an online degree which is considerably cheaper than the local University. Do I need a degree to teach in Thailand? and if so is an online degree accepted? Also I have recently heard about this Thai Culture Course. Do I need to take this before I can find a job? It seems a lot more complicated than here in Singapore. Any advice would be appreciated

You have a job teaching in Singapore.... Do yourself a favour...

Stay there... DON'T move here!

Read all the horror stories reported on this board.. Don't think that you are different or will have a different situation on experience in any way.

The ONLY exception is if you are RICH and don't have to rely on working to support yourself.

I kid you not.... Being married to a Thai gets you nothing, especially if you are coming here to be a teacher.

Singapore is Heaven compared to Bangkok... Stay there!!! Do NOT move here!!!

If you do..... You'll be SORRY !!!!!!!!!!

CS

[Geekfreaklover]

I am currently teaching English to foreign students in a private language school in Singapore. 6 months ago I married a Thai so am considering moving to Thailand to teach. My problem is I don't have a degree. So I was thinking of doing an online degree which is considerably cheaper than the local University. Do I need a degree to teach in Thailand? and if so is an online degree accepted? Also I have recently heard about this Thai Culture Course. Do I need to take this before I can find a job? It seems a lot more complicated than here in Singapore. Any advice would be appreciated

You have a job teaching in Singapore.... Do yourself a favour...

Stay there... DON'T move here!

Read all the horror stories reported on this board.. Don't think that you are different or will have a different situation on experience in any way.

The ONLY exception is if you are RICH and don't have to rely on working to support yourself.

I kid you not.... Being married to a Thai gets you nothing, especially if you are coming here to be a teacher.

Singapore is Heaven compared to Bangkok... Stay there!!! Do NOT move here!!!

If you do..... You'll be SORRY !!!!!!!!!!

CS

Sounds like you've had a bad experience cosmic?

[CosmicSurfer]

Sounds like you've had a bad experience cosmic?

Just stopped living in a pipe-dream and am speaking from a place of reality.

If you have no options in life, and this was 10 years ago, then sure come on and join the circus.

But the OP has a Job in SINGAPORE.. a clean well run society with no pollution, sidewalks you can walk on, an immigration system that has logic, schools where teaching and learning are real and meaningful.

What is his advantage to coming to live here... absolutely NONE.

Why lie to the poor guy... If we had the chance to trade places with him who here wouldn't?

CS

[Xangsamhua]

On the other hand, I don't know but there may be credible online universities out there that really do meet acceptable standards. I don't know of any in my country. Where I come from the Open University is backed by a consortium of major universities, so it's an online program, but not an "online university".

Sure there is.....................and it ranks higher than the OU.

University of Leicester, UK. Distance-learning MATESOL etc.......done entirely online.

Good enough to get me into Bangkok Patana this August.

Sorry, Phatcharanan, I was referring to Australia, where Open University Australia is supported by 12 universities, including two from the Aussie "Ivy League" (the Group of Eight).

[Xangsamhua]

As for the cultural course. Personally I would see it as a waste of money, but I cannot speak with authority as I have not looked at the course programme. I doubt it is a requirement by any any schools. Although the language centres might tell you it is - they are the ones selling it.

Foreign teachers at our schools all have to do it (at Bansomdej Rajapat University for BKK people). We've come to terms with it. An 'old hand' wouldn't learn anything new, I'd say, but the lecturers are pleasant, the group activities are OK and the lunch is good. Having said that, I think most people are glad when it's over. I believe it is a requirement in BKK for renewal of the licence, but I think there's a pinned thread on this question.

[Xangsamhua]

On the other hand, I don't know but there may be credible online universities out there that really do meet acceptable standards. I don't know of any in my country. Where I come from the Open University is backed by a consortium of major universities, so it's an online program, but not an "online university".

Sure there is.....................and it ranks higher than the OU.

University of Leicester, UK. Distance-learning MATESOL etc.......done entirely online.

Good enough to get me into Bangkok Patana this August.

Sorry, P., one more thing. The University of Leicester is not an "online university". The course you are referring to is an online course from a very respectable, well-established university, with an academic community, campuses, etc. Not an online university in any way.

[markg]

Yes, just to mirror what others have said, many traditional universities are now offering distance learning programmes.

It makes financial sense. You can increase the number of courses you offer without having to increase the size of your university campus. It 's environmentally friendly - students don't have to travel to study with you. You dont have to heat or cool the classroom. etc etc

Online courses from old established universities are growing in popularity and certainly are accredited and accepted.

The University of Manchester (established in 1824) runs loads of them.

I am led to believe that the certificate and transcripts you receive after 3 or 4 years of HARD study will be exactly the same as if you'd turned up to a classroom to study. There is no mention of it being a distance course.

That being said, certain American universities appear to show accreditation which looks official, but can be bogus. Check it out carefully !

[Phatcharanan]

On the other hand, I don't know but there may be credible online universities out there that really do meet acceptable standards. I don't know of any in my country. Where I come from the Open University is backed by a consortium of major universities, so it's an online program, but not an "online university".

Sure there is.....................and it ranks higher than the OU.

University of Leicester, UK. Distance-learning MATESOL etc.......done entirely online.

Good enough to get me into Bangkok Patana this August.

Sorry, Phatcharanan, I was referring to Australia, where Open University Australia is supported by 12 universities, including two from the Aussie "Ivy League" (the Group of Eight).

My apologies.

[dada]

In the US there are a plethora of accreditations for instance some apply to business schools such as ACSP for instance. However what determines if a school is accredited or not is regional accreditation. RA versus non RA schools.

There are six regional accrediting bodies covering the USA and their territories are loosely geographic.

One such regional body is the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges it mainly covers a huge chunk of the central USA. A school from Florida or the East coast would be affiliated with a different regional body but still one of the six.

There are other accreditations such as DETC however if a school is not have the umbrella accreditation by one of the regional accreditiing bodies such NCA it is viewed as being non accredited.

There is a further distinction. Just because a school is non accredited it does not mean it is the same thing as diploma mill granting life experience degrees and the like.

Accreditation is much more straight forward in a place like Australia.

Because degrees from around the world are so hard to analyze some institutions (generally schools that pay better, aspire to a higher standard and are jobs worth having) maintain a list reputable institutions they will accept a degree from and possibly a list of those they won't. It is possible in some cases to have an institution not mentioned included or even one that is mentioned on a list reclassified.

[marty827]

Sounds like you've had a bad experience cosmic?

Just stopped living in a pipe-dream and am speaking from a place of reality.

If you have no options in life, and this was 10 years ago, then sure come on and join the circus.

But the OP has a Job in SINGAPORE.. a clean well run society with no pollution, sidewalks you can walk on, an immigration system that has logic, schools where teaching and learning are real and meaningful.

What is his advantage to coming to live here... absolutely NONE.

Why lie to the poor guy... If we had the chance to trade places with him who here wouldn't?

CS

Thanks for your honest opinion CS.I agree with you, Singapore is very clean and well run compared to Thailand. But my wife is worried she wouldn't be able to find a job here as her English is not good enough to be a teacher here. She is also very close to her family and is worried she would not be happy to live here away from them. I am easy going and can live anywhere but want to be happy living with my wife. So that is the advantage for me living in Thailand. Another problem living in Singapore is it's very expensive compared to Thailand. On my salary I can only afford to rent a room, which is not an ideal situation for living with my wife and my children, which we plan to have.

Everybody, thanks for your advice and opinions. I have a few decisions I need to make.