Titulo Propio
I've read and participated in a Master's Degree program sponsored by Spain's Ministry of Education's Spanish Language and Culture Courses. I studied at the University of Granada and received a University Masters or Titulo Propio. I have read a lot of discussion on the internet amongst Spainards themselves between the difference between a University Masters and an Official Masters. I could write for 1o pages, but I won't. Here's what I found:
The degree programs in Spain have traditionally been created and regulated by the government. They even regulate the credit hours and the classwork. Schools that follow this program are called Official and hold the official seal. Universities that invent their own programs are called University Masters or a Titulo Propio.
The program for Spanish teachers offered by the Spain's Ministry of Education, the Spanish Embassy and the University of Granada is a University Masters. However, they have worked out an agreement with WES, a foreign degree accrediation agency and the degrees are recognized as the equivalent of a US MA degree in Spanish. Does it work? Yes, I've taught with it at the high school and college level. Could this be replicated by all universities that offer a University Masters. I don't know. The University of Granada is a state university founded in 1531, even before our beloved Harvard. So I never questioned the integrity of the degree. However, I can say that if you decide study with this particular program, make sure to send your degree to WES. I had a fellow coworker send hers to another agency and they gave her an unfavorable report.
Sound confusing? It is. An official Masters transfers anywhere, a University Masters may not.
The degree programs in Spain have traditionally been created and regulated by the government. They even regulate the credit hours and the classwork. Schools that follow this program are called Official and hold the official seal. Universities that invent their own programs are called University Masters or a Titulo Propio.
The program for Spanish teachers offered by the Spain's Ministry of Education, the Spanish Embassy and the University of Granada is a University Masters. However, they have worked out an agreement with WES, a foreign degree accrediation agency and the degrees are recognized as the equivalent of a US MA degree in Spanish. Does it work? Yes, I've taught with it at the high school and college level. Could this be replicated by all universities that offer a University Masters. I don't know. The University of Granada is a state university founded in 1531, even before our beloved Harvard. So I never questioned the integrity of the degree. However, I can say that if you decide study with this particular program, make sure to send your degree to WES. I had a fellow coworker send hers to another agency and they gave her an unfavorable report.
Sound confusing? It is. An official Masters transfers anywhere, a University Masters may not.
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in the same master and I was wondering if the degree is recognized as the equivalent of a US MA in Spanish. How many credits did the accreditation agency give to your master?
Thanks!
The Spanish Embassy had an agreement with my state's department of education, so there were no issues. I think it was recognized as 33 credits. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI am interested in this same program and am in the process of proposing it to my district and presenting it as a Master's degree. I'd really like to speak with you to learn more about your process getting it recognized as a master's degree in the USA.
ReplyDeleteI had no problems at all. There were teachers from Alabama, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other states. I never heard of any problems with anyone getting their master's degree recognized. Ask me any questions you'd like to know! I'd be honored to answer your questions. :)
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DeleteThank you for your post. You explain the difference really well. I was just wondering if you were talking about just your master, the one in teaching Spanish, or all Titulos Propios from Universidad de Granada. I got mine from UGR, in Higher Education, in 2008. I moved to the U.S. in 2014, and AACRAO didn't give me the equivalent to a MA. Thank you in advance for your response!
ReplyDeleteThis all depends on what accrediting agency you use. They are not all the same. WES wes.org seems to be a bit more lenient and inclusive. The problem is that Spain's official titles are so traditional, so when universities want to branch out and make their own degrees that are not found on the official list of nationally approved degrees, there lies the problem. I would definitely try a different accrediting agency.
DeleteInitially , the propio postgraduate had value as was the only one for second and third circle of studies. By that means, only professionals and simultaneously graduates from first circle studies could enroll in the program. As the university was recognized from the Spanish ministry of education, then the degrees were automatically legitimate. Unfortunately, the new world order invented the Bologna process in order to alter the degrees as official and through media underestimate the universitario degrees. In degrees were included specializations and expert postgraduates referred as well as degrees. Globalization and Bologna process, brought more international students therefore more money , as it is not necessary to have experience in a profession. Once an individual graduates with a baccalaureate then can continue studies. Own degrees were always more difficult more professional degrees and simultaneously academic. In Greece as well , where I live, propios used to be accepted automatically after completion and before the Bologna process. However, I have recognized my Master’s propio by submitting my dissertation translated from Spain to Greek and currently enrolled in a PhD in Anthropology. Personally I believe that Americans spreading a bad criticism on Spanish education even though they have very inferior education comparing to the European and as a boomerang our propios don’t work in their country. Because it’s the capitalism that invented the Bologna process and of course would prefer their nation to pay a lot of thousands in order to have their people enrolled in their “institutions”
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