help, DETC and South Africa

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Vogle, May 22, 2002.

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  1. Vogle

    Vogle New Member

    I need some help. I want a doctorate from University of South Africa and because I work for the public school system, I need it to be respected and accred. I keep getting mixed messages from DETC. I have been told and it is on the UNISA's website that they are DETC accred., but I read that they could not accred. doctoral programs. If anyone is familiar enought with UNISA, please let me know if they are accred. and how they are viewed in the USA (doctoral program) by public schools>
    Thanks
     
  2. Howard

    Howard New Member

    Vic,
    UNISA is a GAAP school, the equivalent of RA in the United States. Some think that the DETC is deterimental, others that it gilded the lily, and others that UNISA did it so students could participate in the federal student loan program.

    At any rate, UNISA is both accredited and credible as an educational institution of higher learning. How it is perceived by the educational system in the US would, in all probability, depend on which RA body you are under. SACS, the southeastern RA authority, frowns on any distance learning degree for education, but other parts of the country may be different. I would suggest that you check your area before investing time and money in a doctoral program.

    Good Luck.
     
  3. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    What Howard said regarding UNISAs respectability is accurate. They didn't really need the DETC accreditation as they derive their accreditation from the government of South Africa. The guesses listed by Howard as to why they went for DETC are as good as any I've heard. From Vics posting I gathered that when he referenced the "public school system" he was referring to elementary/high school. If I'm right about that then your own HR Dept. or union officials should be able to tell you how such a degree might be seen. Keep us abreast of your efforts, I don't think that anyone else on the forum is enrolled at UNISA and I at least would like to know what the process is like.
    Good luck,
    Jack
     
  4. defii

    defii New Member

    I seem to have heard on several occasions that the application and registration process at UNISA is cumbersome at best. Moreover, I made efforts to contact UNISA's North American representatives. They were equally non-responsive.

    The person interested in a UNISA doctorate in education might also want to consider that most of their doctoral programs are purely research based. And I believe I've heard at least one poster say it was particularly difficult trying to confirm that there would be no residency requirement.
     

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