How are Indian degrees valued in US?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by vinodgopal, Oct 17, 2006.

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  1. vinodgopal

    vinodgopal New Member

    I have a bachelors from Madras University, Masters through distance education from Annamalai University and an MPhil from Madurai Kamaraj University. These are regionally accredited in India however wish to know if foriegn universities accept these Indian universities for admission in distance education Phd? I cannot take a residency program as I am busy with work and family activities. Please advice.
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Once you find a distance PhD program that interests you, contact them and ask. They will probably tell you to have your Indian credentials evaluated by AACRAO or by World Educational Services or another member of NACES.

    http://www.aacrao.org/
    http://www.wes.org/
    http://www.naces.org/

    For what it's worth, I evaluate transfer credit at my university and work with international students as well. Based on what you said, I expect (although obviously can't guarantee) that your programs would be evaluated as the equivalent of a U.S. Masters and enable you to enter a PhD program.

    What is your field of study?

    -=Steve=-
     
  3. vinodgopal

    vinodgopal New Member

    English literature
     
  4. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I'm not sure how many PhD programs there are by distance from U.S. universities. You could try Old Dominion University and their online PhD in English:

    http://al.odu.edu/english/academics/phd.shtml

    You'd need to come twice for summer residencies, though, and I think you said that wasn't realistic.

    -=Steve=-
     
  5. mattchand

    mattchand Member

    Hello Vinodji,

    I think the acceptability of these degrees would depend on the institution you are contacting, as well as what your marks were especially in your final degree, the M.Phil. As has been indicated already, it is unlikely that you will find a doctoral program whose cost is comparable to what you would pay in India; I have family members that did their entire BA via distance from Annamalai, and the entire thing cost less than US$200. I think there may be distance programs that can be done at the doctoral level in India. The University of Mysore has a guideline document for Ph.D's in India that's likely fairly standard. The University of Hyderabad also has a doctoral program in English that appears that it may be possible to do over a course of time, without actually residing at the campus.

    Those aside, the next best options may be several of the South African ones, but though these are very inexpensive by US standards of university education pricing, it is still likely significantly more than you would expect to pay in India itself.

    Now I have a question or two for you: I would be interested in knowing how your experience was in distance education with the institutions you mentioned. Was your undergrad degree at Madras University by distance education (I have been told that their distance program is one of the better ones)? I have heard mostly some negative things concerning Annamalai University from people I know who studied there, and mixed things concerning Madurai Kamaraj University. I'd be especially interested in hearing about your experience with the Madurai Kamaraj M.Phil, as this appears to be a very good deal.

    Peace,

    Matt
     
  6. manny00

    manny00 Member

    Is a BS degree from an accredited India university such as Annamalai University considered equivalent to a US RA degree?
     
  7. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    You can read more about it here: http://www.aihec.org/
     
  8. mattchand

    mattchand Member

    It may be as I understand it, depending on one's grades and what one would want to use it for. I think at least some masters' programs in the US might require some extra study for those with 3-year degrees (which include most Indian bachelors'). I can also recall a friend who had acquired her bachelors' in India which was recognized in India for a job as a school teacher, but upon arrival in the US discovered that her degree was not considered sufficient for that purpose and she had to acquire an additional degree while in the US before she could teach.

    If one is considering such a degree for use for a particular job, make inquiries as to whether that qualification would be considered sufficient. If one is planning to move from there on to a US Masters' degree, inquire at the institution in question regarding their acceptance of Indian 3-year bachelors' degrees. Finally, Steve F's advice on getting degrees from outside the US evaluated by AACRAO is a good idea as well.

    Having gone through all that, if it seems to meet all requirements, an Indian distance bachelors' would be really inexpensive, even if one had to fly in annually for exams for three years, compared to a US bachelors'. Based on the experience of people close to me, though, I'd avoid Annamalai, but in addition to Madras University and possibly Madurai Kamaraj (noted above), other possible options for undergrad degrees may include Indira Gandhi National Open University, as well as a number of institutions listed here, (although in each case to actually find the web site of the institution listed one would need to google the name).

    Peace,

    Matt

    PS: to "me again", I think you have the wrong type of "Indian" in mind in this case :D
     
  9. mattchand

    mattchand Member

  10. vinodgopal

    vinodgopal New Member

    Madurai Kamaraj

    The only concern I see is that they ask for the original certificate of your masters degree be sent through registered post. The curriculum is good but the guide can at times be a bit impolite. (Just my opinion)
     
  11. vinodgopal

    vinodgopal New Member

    Distance Phd

    Now doing all the research came up with several options including Karnataka State open university and CIEFL as two distance education providers that offer Phd's through distance. I am not going to rush into things as

    1) I know having a full time supervisory job and doing a Phd might be a little too much for my little brain and
    2) It costs a lot and I have got to save a bit in order to take them right away. And ofcourse the old saying "Do not rush".

    My idea is to give a year's break and in the mean time do the required homework to find the right university. That way I could also start saving enough to obtain the doctoral degree that I am a bit keen to obtain. Thinking of it, distance Phd is not a bad idea at all. As long as the effort it takes to get one is appreciated.

    Does anybody have an idea about Srilankan universities?
     
  12. dl_mba

    dl_mba Member

    Re: Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL)

    I dont think CIEFL is accredited by UGC (RA equivalent).

    "The Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL) is an autonomous Institution, registered as a society"

    http://www.ciefl.ac.in/AboutCIEFL.asp
     
  13. mattchand

    mattchand Member

    Re: Re: Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL)

    CIEFL is classified by UGC as a "deemed university" and therefore accredited. See here.
     
  14. dl_mba

    dl_mba Member

    Re: Re: Re: Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL)

    Opps my bad !
    Will CIEFL enroll students from US?
     
  15. mattchand

    mattchand Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL)

    They clearly do for at least some of their programs. Maybe if one had a clear idea of which one, he or she could write and make an inquiry.

    Peace,

    Matt
     
  16. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Not other than the Open University of Sri Lanka:

    http://www.ou.ac.lk/

    -=Steve=-
     

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