Non-Accredited Degrees for Visas?

[Inquisitive One]

I'm currently looking into teaching English in Korea or other Asian countries but I've run into a bit of a problem. To get a working visa in many of these countries, you must have a bachelors degree. Many of the jobs ask just for a degree "It doesn't matter what kind" just for the formality of the visa.

I typically work in a field where degrees are of little to no use at the moment (search engine optimization and internet marketing) so I've had little need to go to school as of yet. Not wanting to wait two to four years before I can actually head off to Korea (which by then might have dropped their wages to less than competitive), I was wondering if anyone knows if a non-accredited degree would be suitable for a Working Visa?

I know they're laughable when it comes to employment, and I intend to be fully honest with both the Korean government and my employer when it comes to this degree. Does anyone have any ideas here?


Thanks,

Josh


p.s. In all honesty, I think degree mills are horrible horrible places which shatter the hopes and dreams of people who lack the skepticism or knowledge to see through them. I spoke with someone at Belford who continually assured me that the degree was a real degree (even to the point of defensiveness) but I thought it better to bring the question here.

[DRJ]

I'm currently looking into teaching English in Korea or other Asian countries but I've run into a bit of a problem. To get a working visa in many of these countries, you must have a bachelors degree. Many of the jobs ask just for a degree "It doesn't matter what kind" just for the formality of the visa.

I typically work in a field where degrees are of little to no use at the moment (search engine optimization and internet marketing) so I've had little need to go to school as of yet. Not wanting to wait two to four years before I can actually head off to Korea (which by then might have dropped their wages to less than competitive), I was wondering if anyone knows if a non-accredited degree would be suitable for a Working Visa?

I know they're laughable when it comes to employment, and I intend to be fully honest with both the Korean government and my employer when it comes to this degree. Does anyone have any ideas here?


Thanks,

Josh


p.s. In all honesty, I think degree mills are horrible horrible places which shatter the hopes and dreams of people who lack the skepticism or knowledge to see through them. I spoke with someone at Belford who continually assured me that the degree was a real degree (even to the point of defensiveness) but I thought it better to bring the question here.

Unfortunately you are not asking for a non accredited degree your are asking for a mill degree. Unaccredited still means work and time. Mill means send money along with a resume and graduate.

Pick anyone you like. the cheapest I suspect would do, and get your degree.

[Inquisitive One]

I suppose I held them in the same respect. The ones I've looked at so far seem to be degree mills. I feel even sorrier for the people who waste months or years of effort only for their degree to have been worthless.

[DRJ]

I suppose I held them in the same respect. The ones I've looked at so far seem to be degree mills. I feel even sorrier for the people who waste months or years of effort only for their degree to have been worthless.

Given your original post why not consider something like TESC which will allow you to use some of your experience towards credits and then test out for the balance. Given a little dedication this process can be done quickly, cheaply and you end up with something of value. I am not convinced that you can do the unaccredited route any faster.

Another option may be Western Governors University. They offer the opportunity to work on a competency based program. I suspect you could demonstrate comptency in some areas rather quickly. (caveat: I am not really familiar with the WGU process but have read some interesting comments that lead me to the conclusion I experess).

Good luck,

[Inquisitive One]

Thanks for the feedback. I don't really know too much about either of those options. Could you elaborate?

I'd love a sort of place where I could clep through or test out of a degree. At first that's what I was hoping Belford was, but it's just a scam-artist place. Does anyone know of an accredited university you can almost fully test out of?

[DRJ]

Thanks for the feedback. I don't really know too much about either of those options. Could you elaborate?

I'd love a sort of place where I could clep through or test out of a degree. At first that's what I was hoping Belford was, but it's just a scam-artist place. Does anyone know of an accredited university you can almost fully test out of?

The three institutions listed below allow PLA and CLEP testing out as well as something called FEMA (unsure about this process) all of which can be done reasonably cheaply and quickly. If you are near a community college that can offer you some inexpensive options most of these will probably transfer as well.

http://www.tesc.edu/
http://www.charteroak.edu/
https://www.excelsior.edu/

The other school I mentioned is Western Governors University.
http://www.wgu.edu/index.asp

They run a program that is competency based. Please read their literature carefully and talk to the enrollment people. I am not fully versed on this evalutation strategy so cannot comment more.

All of these schools are Regionally Accredited. If you read through a couple of the posts you will come to appreciate the debate around this issue a little bit. You can also get some data at www.chea.org

Good luck. let us know if we can be of further assistance.