authentic proof of university degree?

[unenlightened]

neeeed your assistance...
What sort of verification does the government/education system/private school require from potential english teachers before they can teach?

Are institutional transcripts adequate OR is there truth to the rumors that one requires the ACTUAL degree? OR would valid documentation with an authentic university seal suffice in this antiquated era?

Please, does anyone have experience/information regarding proper documentaion requirements to validate university education?

many thanks potters.

[Anonymous]

some schools do require the "ACTUAL" degree! that is if you need visa sponsorship, but if you already have a visa, i don't think you'd need the original, valid documentation should be enough. but if i were you, i would call and ask. remember: they do speak english!

[DJ]

Centaur,
In March I will be graduating, and we get "official paperwork" a few weeks after that...but its not the ACTUAL degree. Will that work? The actual "mount on the wall" degree takes a few months to recieve after graduation.

[paul]

DJ

Im not sure on this but you should be able to get a letter from your university on official letterhead saying that you have completed the requirements and necessary credits allowing you to graduate, before you receive your actual diploma. In many cases immigration will allow that- in New Zealand the graduation ceremony is in May and teachers leave in July on the JET program and applications are well along by the time of graduation. Like many things in Japan it works on a 'case-by-case' basis so it pays to check with your employer as to what he will accept in the beginning.

If in doubt, you can always have a back up by sending a copy of your official transcripts. I got my first job when I was in New Zealand and all i sent was a photocopy of my degree- if you dont have that a copy of a letter from the university may suffice.

[Anonymous]

DJ
the same problem happened to me in the US, but i asked to talk to the dean and explained to him my situation: that i was leaving the country in a few days, and that i needed the official degree as soon as humanly possible. surprisingly enough, he handed it to me a couple of HOURS later. if you pressure them enough, you can get it earlier than you're supposed to.
Hope this helps.

[DJ]

Yup, it helps....Thank You! DJ

[unenlightened]

hey, thanks everyone.

centaur...
I will require VISA sponsorship once i arrive in japan and begin the search. I just received my duplicate degree certificate(via post from my univrsty), with its fancy, glossy, shiny little seal which I hope will dazzle them and suffice as proof. Afterwards I plan to make copies and distribute with endless applications.

thanks for the insight,
mila

[Anonymous]

You do not need the actual diploma. Offical transcripts are enough, preferably ones that have a university seal stamped into them. These should be available very soon after your final term ends, if not sooner.

[Anonymous]

Hi MCa,

Is it okay to have just your orginal degree, and not carry your transcripts...

[Anonymous]

You're worried about transcripts!? Why worry? Most institutions only require a copy of your original transcripts. But, if you don't have a degree or it's too much trouble to get your transcripts then do what 30-40% of English teachers in Japan do-make a fake one!

[Anonymous]

Hi
One friend of mine went to the Canadian embassy
and got them to give him a letter saying his University
was genuine.
They accepted that and all he did was ask for the letter.
No one really checked.
GP