Degree verification process

[BAM101]

Hello Everyone…This is my first post to this forum. I have a question about how and by whom Uni degrees are verified. Is this done by the country at the time a visa is applied for, or is it done by the school where one is applying for work? Also, do the certification schools like TEFL or TITC (or others) verify your degree, or will they simply accept my diploma as proof of my degree?

The reason I am asking this is because, although I do have a valid university degree (BSB), the college that I graduated from is no longer in operation. They closed their doors in the mid 80’s. I do have my original diploma and transcript, but verification at this point would be difficult at best.

If I simply submit my diploma for either the visa process or at the school I want to teach at, will that be enough? I am considering teaching in Thailand, Vietnam or (least likely) China. Can anyone tell me what I would be up against if my degree cannot be verified?

Thank you

[exported_kiwi]

Hi Bam, as yet, I don't think that verification is an issue in China so maybe it's best to come here and get experience and references first so that it would, maybe, nullify the need for credible verification because your experience is pretty "hot".

Just a thought and I"m sure others will have advice too.
Good luck!

[cool ice]

My experience is that the visa office just needs to sight your degree. As to verification by an employer, no-one has ever verified my degree with the university.... well, not to my knowledge that is.

[BAM101]

Thanks Kiwi and Cool Ice, I appreciate the response. I know I said in my post that I'm considering China, but to be honest, that country scares me a little. I know that Vietnam is a Communist country like China, but I've been to Vietnam and therefore have some idea of what to expect there, but I have not been to China except for a couple of hour’s layover at the Hong Kong airport.

While in Vietnam, mostly in HCMC and Phan Thiet, I never got the “big brother is watching me” feeling, and other than a little obvious propaganda being broadcast via loudspeakers outside of a government building, there wasn’t much of a sense of being in a Communist country. People there have complete freedom of movement – most of them don’t have enough money to go anywhere, but for those that do, they can. Is it the same in China? Does the government watch everything you do – especially foreigners? Please give me some of the lowdown on what life is like for Americans in China.

Kiwi, not sure what you meant by, “your experience is pretty "hot".

Also, for anyone else reading this post, I would still be interested in hearing your input on my original questions about degree verification, specifically:

1. Do the CELTA/TEFL schools verify degrees?
2. Do the schools that are hiring verify degrees?
3. Does the government verify degrees when issuing work permits?

If the answer is “yes” to these questions, does anyone have experience similar to mine where verification is a problem due to the college no longer existing?

[cool ice]

BAM101, your college no longer exists? Was it a small college? Like I said in my previous post, no visa office nor school went beyond just looking at my uni degree.

A CELTA/TEFL school would not verify degrees as they are only after your money so that you signup for one of their courses!

[BAM101]

Hey CI, yes, it was a small college in Ohio. Enrollment dropped off to the point where they couldn't stay open and somewhere around 1987 they shut down.

Thanks for answering my questions.

[LeslieW]

Originally Posted by BAM101

Hello Everyone…This is my first post to this forum. I have a question about how and by whom Uni degrees are verified. Is this done by the country at the time a visa is applied for, or is it done by the school where one is applying for work? Also, do the certification schools like TEFL or TITC (or others) verify your degree, or will they simply accept my diploma as proof of my degree?

The reason I am asking this is because, although I do have a valid university degree (BSB), the college that I graduated from is no longer in operation. They closed their doors in the mid 80’s. I do have my original diploma and transcript, but verification at this point would be difficult at best.

If I simply submit my diploma for either the visa process or at the school I want to teach at, will that be enough? I am considering teaching in Thailand, Vietnam or (least likely) China. Can anyone tell me what I would be up against if my degree cannot be verified?

Thank you

My first question is this. Is the transcript the original and is it notarized?

I have dealt with this before with other teachers and honestly its the countrys decision to accept or not. Thailand, S. Korea, China are all cracking down on documents. The fact you have the degree and transcriptions may be enough for them. If they choose to verify your degree and cant than they will ask for transcripts or not accept your application at all.

I think its worth trying because one cant answer your question, its up to their immigration. If you dont try you will never know and that is worse. If they allow it then you are well on your way to that visa.

I only deal with teachers wishing to work in Japan, but the same applies. If the degree cant be verified then they will ask for transcripts.

I wish you good luck, If you decide to look for work in Japan please feel free to contact me at:

resumesjapan@yahoo.ca

Leslie