3 1/2 year bachelors degree outside of United States

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Brazuca, Nov 24, 2011.

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  1. Brazuca

    Brazuca New Member

    I have a 3 1/2 year bachelors degree from a country other than United States. My degree was evaluated and it was equivalent to 3 1/2 year undergraduate degree in US terms. I was accepted into an university in the United States and I got my masters. I got a job in a school system, though when the school that I was been hired by realized that my degree was 3 1/2 year degree, I was not hired. Any thoughts in how I could deal with this matter? I am afraid that I will not be able to get a job because of my 3 1/2 year degree situation.
     
  2. muaranah

    muaranah New Member

    So, essentially are they saying you need another 15 undergraduate semester hours? What exactly does your evaluation say in terms of the semester hours you earned, including upper level credits?
     
  3. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    You could have your degree evaluated by one of the big three aggregators such as Thomas Edison State College. Here is an article on that process. http://www.degreeinfo.com/content/124-college-credit-what-you-already-know-unofficial-thomas-edison-state-college-tesc-portfolio-guide.html

    Then, you will have a 4 year bachelors after you complete any requirements that are missing. Case will be closed.
     
  4. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member


    Did your 3-1/2 year degree require any prerequisites such as A levels - some US schools treat then as general education and provide credit - you may be able to obtain equivalency by going though an agency such as ECE
    https://www.ece.org/

    Another way to obtain credits quickly is by taking challenge exams such as CLEP and DSST.

    Have you trued appealing the schools decision to the school principal or asking for his advice?

    I suggest looking into the Excelsior BS in Liberal studies - in my opinion the most flexible BS degree in the USA.
     
  5. Brazuca

    Brazuca New Member

    Thank you for your response. I will check the Thomas Edison State College out :)
     
  6. Brazuca

    Brazuca New Member

    My credential evaluation states that I possess the equivalent of 3 ½ years of U.S. undergraduate study. They also stated that I have only 104 credits and a total of 2.225 hours. Therefore, it is not equivalent to a 4 years of U.S. bachelors degree. However, I was accepted into a Masters program in an American University where I completed my masters and a CAGS program, which is a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies. Can you shed some lights regarding this situation? many thanks:)
     
  7. HikaruBr

    HikaruBr Member

    By your nickname, I assume you're Brazilian like me. If you have a "Bacharel" or a "Licenciatura" you have the equivalent of a four year US degree. If someone evaluated your degree as 3.5 years degree, you'll have to have this evaluated in other place or argue with the first evaluator.

    I had my "Bacharel e Licenciatura em Historia" originally evaluated as a 3.5 years of undergrad study by WES. After months of arguing on the phone with them, I wrote a very lengthy essay by email, explaining the Brazilian educational system and why their evaluation was wrong (I also send them links to the Brazilian Ministry of Education website and links to my school).

    They never answered me back (maybe they don't want any proof of their error), but after one week I've received a message saying they were re-evaluating my degree and then, after some weeks, I received a new evaluation, as a the equivalent of a 4 years US degree.
     
  8. Brazuca

    Brazuca New Member

    Yes, you are right. I am "Brazuca," and I have argued with the agency that evaluated my credentials as well. I actually contacted the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) and they wrote a letter ensuring and acknowledging that the Executive Secretarial course is a full-time bachelor’s degree program and is recognized by the Federal Government. I also asked assistance from the university that I attended and they also explained the admission process, its requirements as well as the Executive secretarial program. The evaluator did not change their statement from 3.5 years undergraduate degree for equivalent of a 4 year bachelors U.S. degree. At this moment, I am feeling very frustrated because I have just finished my Masters degree and I cannot get a job because of the letter that was generated by the evaluator stating that my degree is equivalent to undergraduate degree in U.S. terms. They argue that I have 104 credits and 2.225 hours while in the U.S. a bachelors degree is approximately 120 credits and 1800 hours. Any thoughts?
     
  9. Brazuca

    Brazuca New Member

    Many thanks for the info:)
     
  10. HikaruBr

    HikaruBr Member

    Hum, I know that some Executive Secretariat degrees in Brazil are indeed 3 or 3,5 year degrees, so in this case your evaluator is correct and your degree is not the equivalent of a 4 year degree, unfortunately.

    But if in your school this degree it is indeed a 4 year degree, then you should get a new evaluator (if you used WES first time, then use ECE, etc...).

    If nothing works out, your best bet would be to try to complete a American BA through Thomas Edison or Excelsior College.

    In theory, that would be the fastest way, because you only need to complete the credits to reach 120 credits (in your case, 16 credits).

    I say "in theory" because you have a Brazilian degree and, most likely, you don't have the General Education credits that you need for an american degree. Unlike Brazil or most European countries, here in the USA you always have (more or less) 30 credits of General Education electives in your degree (Math, English Composition, etc...).

    I'd enroll in Thomas Edison or Excelsior and ask for a evaluation of your credits, than you will know for sure how many credits you need.

    You can complete those credits pretty fast with CLEP tests (those are some tests that give you the equivalent 3 or 6 credits for Lower division undergrad classes) or using Straighterline (a cheap provider of online college classes).
     
  11. Brazuca

    Brazuca New Member

    Thank you HikaruBr for your info. :)
     
  12. HikaruBr

    HikaruBr Member

    De nada :)
     
  13. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Bear in mind that the 15 hours per credit (1,800/120 = 15) refers to in-seat/instruction time per semester unit. However the US regional accrediting agencies expect that an additional 15 to 30 hours be spent on reading and homework.
     

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