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Best Master's Degrees?
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robbie_davies



Joined: 13 Jun 2013
Posts: 133

PostPosted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 9:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

nomad soul wrote:
robbie_davies wrote:
It is an Education degree and they stress this pretty thoroughly in the adverts I have seen about what they want - TESOL or Linguistics.

I have two colleagues (direct hires) with MA Ed degrees; however, both are career teachers with related BAs and years of ESL teaching experience mostly gained in US public schools. So, I'd argue it's possible to get hired with an education degree, but there better be some solid goods behind that degree. I would suggest those with a master's in ed also indicate their specific TESOL coursework on their CV so that employers can determine their qualifications on an individual basis.


That's fair enough. Very Happy
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 9:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

soheeb16 wrote:
Yea that is true for my end on if its useful, but the embassy isn't going to look past the degree. Maybe the transcript, I wouldn't know.

As for my own benefit (and maybe for the inquiry by a potential employer)... I looked at it and it seems general. It doesn't specify.

Well, I also looked at that degree program and it very much specifies that it's for teaching primary and secondary school students---not adults in an EFL situation. What you refer to as a concentration in ESOL, is actually an ESOL endorsement (i.e., bilingual education endorsement), which means you're only awarded the endorsement upon passing the half dozen ESOL courses in addition to the ESOL Praxis exam. Then there's their graduate school admissions; I suspect you'd struggle to get through the required statement of purpose addressing why you want to be in their ESOL track program.

That degree program won't cut it and is contrary to your first post where you stated you wanted to "impress employers while also meeting the new visa requirements." Anyway, as I suggested, look at the content and not just the degree title (and low cost).
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robbie_davies



Joined: 13 Jun 2013
Posts: 133

PostPosted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 10:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Beaker wrote:


Does the world really care or understand which university you got that MA from in the majority of cases? If not, then there are some cheap fees and local living costs near certain universities I'm exploring already.


Interesting, where do you come from? If you are British, there are loads of great programmes for less than five grand, (domestic fees.)
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sicklyman



Joined: 02 Feb 2013
Posts: 930

PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 2:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

robbie_davies wrote:
Beaker wrote:


Does the world really care or understand which university you got that MA from in the majority of cases? If not, then there are some cheap fees and local living costs near certain universities I'm exploring already.


Interesting, where do you come from? If you are British, there are loads of great programmes for less than five grand, (domestic fees.)

most don't cost more than 10 grand even if you are international
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soheeb16



Joined: 17 Jun 2013
Posts: 57
Location: New York, NY

PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 4:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

Well, I also looked at that degree program and it very much specifies that it's for teaching primary and secondary school students---not adults in an EFL situation. What you refer to as a concentration in ESOL, is actually an ESOL endorsement (i.e., bilingual education endorsement), which means you're only awarded the endorsement upon passing the half dozen ESOL courses in addition to the ESOL Praxis exam. Then there's their graduate school admissions; I suspect you'd struggle to get through the required statement of purpose addressing why you want to be in their ESOL track program.

That degree program won't cut it and is contrary to your first post where you stated you wanted to "impress employers while also meeting the new visa requirements." Anyway, as I suggested, look at the content and not just the degree title (and low cost).


Fair enough. I was already bothered by the fact the degree was Education, not TESOL, so I guess this is reaching for what is only a semi-relevant degree.

It seems a degree in TESOL aimed at adults is what I should be after then, right? I would really appreciate any suggestions for online programs with U.S based institutions. Also, should FHSU still be my backup at least, or is it just a bad idea if I am looking at Saudi?
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soheeb16



Joined: 17 Jun 2013
Posts: 57
Location: New York, NY

PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 5:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Alright, these two programs seem the best to me:

http://www.emporia.edu/emlj/modlan/esl/master-of-arts-in-tesol.html

http://www.education.su.edu/departments/tesol/programs-6/msed-tesol/

Thanks again everyone, this thread is basically deciding my future, so I really appreciate all the help.
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robbie_davies



Joined: 13 Jun 2013
Posts: 133

PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

soheeb16 wrote:
Alright, these two programs seem the best to me:

http://www.emporia.edu/emlj/modlan/esl/master-of-arts-in-tesol.html

http://www.education.su.edu/departments/tesol/programs-6/msed-tesol/

Thanks again everyone, this thread is basically deciding my future, so I really appreciate all the help.


I think your thread has come full circle.

If you do it online and want to live and work in Saudi Arabia, then you are asking for trouble. There is no sign that the requirements are going to change anytime soon.

If you want to live and work in Asia or wherever else - then they will be OK - I suppose.

I don't think anyone is going to advise you to take an online MA TESOL if your goal is to work in Saudi Arabia.

People slip through the net sure.

I would rather have the peace of mind that comes with having what they want. We are all different though so make your choice but you have had good advice here so don't say you weren't warned.
Very Happy
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robbie_davies



Joined: 13 Jun 2013
Posts: 133

PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sicklyman wrote:
robbie_davies wrote:
Beaker wrote:


Does the world really care or understand which university you got that MA from in the majority of cases? If not, then there are some cheap fees and local living costs near certain universities I'm exploring already.


Interesting, where do you come from? If you are British, there are loads of great programmes for less than five grand, (domestic fees.)

most don't cost more than 10 grand even if you are international


Indeed, fantastic value, I don't know how long the fees at that price are going to last though.
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soheeb16



Joined: 17 Jun 2013
Posts: 57
Location: New York, NY