Accreditation for unisa (southAfrica)

Hi
Im an X southAfrican living in Israel( Shalom ) I would like to know how well known is the Masters in Educational Psychology programme in Unisa (south Africa)?
I tried to search the web and the results were not very clear

does anyone have any knowledge on the university's international standing?

10X
Angie38

 

Hi Angie,

Here is some information extracted from wikipedia:


AccreditationUnisa received a Royal Charter in 1877. It currently operates under the Statute of the University of South Africa issued in terms of the Higher Education Act (No. 101 of 1997), and is accredited by the South African Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Its qualifications (including those of the SBL) are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Internationally, Unisa is listed in the Commonwealth Universities Handbook of 1999 and also in the International Handbook of Universities of 1998.

On 12 January 2002 UNISA was granted full institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The accreditation lapsed in March, 2007, and UNISA did not pursue renewal.

Impressive history:

Founded in 1873 as the University of the Cape of Good Hope, the University of South Africa (or UNISA as it is commonly known, spoken as you-nee-suh) spent most of its early history as an examining agency for Oxford and Cambridge universities and as an incubator from which most other universities in South Africa are descended. In 1946 it was given a new role as a distance education university and today it offers certificate, diploma and degree courses up to doctoral level.

This forum views UNISA favorably, and after years of discussion, the conclusion is that a UNISA degree is equivalent to a U.S. RA degree per GAAP requirements. This is a good school, and the price makes it a great deal.

Welcome! Shalom

Abner :smile:

 

I know of Unisa as Im an XSouthAfrican

But you did say that their accreditation lappsed in 2007 meaning?

I also read here that inrolling lakes loads of time and requires nerves of steel .
Thay do take their time in answering e- mails.


10X again
Angie38

 

"On 12 January 2002 UNISA was granted full institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The accreditation lapsed in March, 2007, and UNISA did not pursue renewal".

Certain schools non U.S. schools obtain DETC accreditation, most likely to appeal to a broader base of students. This accreditation did lapse in 2007, but in actuality, UNISA never really needed it. So, they let it lapse. Nothing bad.

Yes, some of our members have described the application process alone could take one year or longer. Emails are sometimes returned quickly, but mostly not. Others state the best thing to do is call.

keep the questions coming Angie!

Abner :smile:

 

OR that a U.S. RA degree is equivalent to a UNISA degree … :smokin:

 

A year to apply?? :-0
Is there a reason for this?
Any University worth is salt would be student orientated and ready and willing to assist their intrested clients (students) .
Does this mean that Unisa are not student focused?

Why does it take a year??

 

Hi Angie,

Bear in the mind that the one year time frame probably pertains to American students going through the international process to apply. Do you have any undergrad coursework from South Africa? Or would you be starting UNISA with zero credits? Israeli credits?

UNISA has good international recognition.



Abner

 

Oops, I should have just asked where you undergrad degree is from.

I think we have had one or two members graduate from UNISA. Does anyone remember who they were?

Abner

 

I believe that Brad Sweet graduated from there in addition to Free State.

 

The question you've asked is like a course in critical thinking. Here's your first quiz:

The Top 10 Online Universities in the World | eHow.com

 

Since approving degrees and transfers from other universities (including foreign universities) is part of my responsibility at my institution, I try to keep abreast of which institutions are widely accepted and which are not. UNISA is widely accepted within U.S. higher education.

 

With respect: (noting that you're in Israel and from SA, and this is an American viewpoint if not applicable I apologize)

1. Most high school students moving to college are part of a 9 month to 2 year application process depending on what school you're interested in. Very few actually apply before fall of their senior year.

2. Most colleges start taking applications a year ahead of the annual class start date.

Now if you're using online schools with a rotating start date as your standard and you're going to apply that standard to a school that operates very much as a conventional university, well, that may not be fair to that university.

Lastly.

3. As a student you are a product of the school, not a customer. I realize that in America we have a blurring of the line and this statement is more my own opinion than actual fact, but much of what makes higher education broken (but not all) is related to turning students into customers.

I wish you luck with your UNISA journey. It's a great school and worth the wait if you should opt to.

 

Abner Hi
I have a BA from an Israeli college . I matriculated in South Africa.I have an South African passport and citizenship .I hope this would shorten the timespan some what,

 

May I ask why Freestate? having lives in SA many years (johannesburg) Free state seemes quite odd

 

BTW what is the best way to communicate with UNISA as they aren't good with e mails? would it be addvisabe to contact the SA emmbacy here?

And how does one take the exams here are there UNISA centeres where one can sit for them or are there no exams in a Masters programme only thesis?


Thanx again all for the information

 

Unisa

Do you know if UNISA is also recognized or accepted in Europe?

 

And another question .
Due to the fact that they (Unisa) arent very good at answering e mails should I contact the embacy here ? could they act as a go between . And how does writing exams work here? Are there centeres where one can write them ? or is it that in a Masters degree its mostly thesis and assignments writing and no actual exams?

Thanx again for the info

 

He is a theologian. Why is Free State odd? I have had great luck with them.

 

IACI Canada is the go-between for UNISA, but I personally have not had much luck with this organization. However, I was able to contact people in the department in which I wanted to register at UNISA, and they were responsive. UNISA has an exam location at Tel Aviv, see Unisa Online - Overseas countries

I know that at the master's level, Free State has what is called a taught masters with a field study (taking courses). I think that the way to get into a ZA university from a distance is by first contacting someone in the department that you wish to register, to see if you are a good fit. It took me about two to three months of going back and forth to get accepted at the Free State Business School. I need to do a field study with them at the Master's level prior to being accepted for the doctoral program, since I only had a taught masters without a dissertation.