The $$ factor - Affordable Degree for overseas students

I am in my 50s and have a very large resume of experience, informal and continuing education credit learning and papers/articles written. I am a US citizen residing abroad and the degree requirements are strict. Accredited US degrees are reexamined by the local education ministry and professionals retake boards and language proficiency tests.

The down side is that $3500/mo is considered a fantastic salary. Local living it is but paying for US college credit... College is expensive here and transfer is almost never accepted or discounted. My family of 5 currently has a precarious income of $1,500/mo.

I am presently in the 2nd year of a very good program for a combined BA/MA that unfortunately has chosen align itself with a not honorable distance learning school. I would like to know if there is a US accredited university that I could submit my portfolio and papers to that could grant me accredited degrees by transfer/evaluations and test for a very low price - I simply do not have the money as we have just lost our business due to health issues and I must become the breadwinner. Until now I have done 15 years of teaching, counseling,translations, what ever was needed, as a volunteer. I also have 20 years of formal, highly respected locally, continuing education studies.

This is important as I may seek govt employment or US civil svc positions overseas.

Where shall I begin? School recommendations?

 

US / UK / Euro degrees are expensive, and practically out-of-reach for those who live in the Two-Thirds world.

Would recommend completing a non-US degree that [a] you can afford, and that will meet educational requirements for a US government job.

US government jobs require CHEA [www.chea.org] accredited degrees and/or degrees that have been evaluated as comparable to a US CHEA accredited degree.

From: USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site

"To qualify based on education, submit copy of transcript or list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Application materials will not be returned. Submit proof of your education with a transcript or list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade point average or class ranking. We will be unable to return these to you. You can receive credit for education received outside the United States if you provide evidence that it is comparable to an accredited educational institution in the United States when you apply."

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Would suggest you go to this website: http://www.chea.org/search/search.asp

Look for your country of residence and see what schools are acceptable under CHEA criteria.

I would get into a local school that will provide you with a properly accredited degree which will be acceptable to the US government.

 

You may be a good candidate for TESC/EC/COSC depending upon where you live since you are looking to transfer/test-out, but only if there are any CLEP/DSST/etc. test centers nearby for you to use. I am able do that from where I lived in China for example, but in some 3rd tier city, it would be virtually impossible.

 

We have testing centers in major cities here. I can't afford college here either. It would cost $4,000/yr for basic tuition and I would have to start over. I would be ready to retire by the time I reached an MA. My advisor has said that she would give me a PhD on the spot if the ed ministry would allow.
I will check these tests. What school will collect all of this and grant the degree?

 

Oh, these are schools. Thanx