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ExpatLuke
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 744
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 Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 2:39 am Post subject: Master's Degree Advice |
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I'm looking into furthering my education to improve career options down the road. Assuming you already have a MA in TESOL or a undergraduate degree in Education, what would you recommend?
Would you go ahead and get the M.A.Ed even if you have the BA? I see a lot of schools offer undergraduate programs in TESOL now too. What are the benefits of holding a BA and an MA in TESOL? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 3:18 am Post subject: |
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There is no benefit to having a BA and MA in TESOL unless you come across that rare employer that requires both degrees.
What is it you want to do in terms of your career? That's where you need to start. Otherwise, you may end up spending your hard-earned money and time on a degree or qualification that only minimally enhances or supplements your present credentials, skills, and knowledge. |
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ExpatLuke
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 744
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 3:26 am Post subject: |
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| I'm just wanting more options. Right now, I'm on the management track, but that could easily change if I end moving back to the States and need to start over. I'm leaning towards a general MA Ed at the moment, as I feel that could open options beyond just teaching English. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 3:54 am Post subject: |
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| Check out the following related threads for some ideas on paths you might pursue: |
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ExpatLuke
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 744
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| Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 6:31 am Post subject: |
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| Sure, thanks! |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:01 am Post subject: |
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| ExpatLuke wrote: |
| I'm just wanting more options. Right now, I'm on the management track, but that could easily change if I end moving back to the States and need to start over. I'm leaning towards a general MA Ed at the moment, as I feel that could open options beyond just teaching English. |
So what do you want to be when you get bigger?
If you want to move into the tertiary sector then the MA/M.Ed is the route to go.
It will also, when coupled with a B.Ed/PGCE/teacher's license, & experience lead to legitimate admin positions (VP/Principal, headmaster, etc) with responsibilities and remuneration to match.
IF you want to stay in schools (international) then a B.Ed, or post grad teacher qualification coupled with a teacher's certification/license (either elementary or secondary with subject certifications) is the choice to make.
I guess the gist of this post is for you to determine where you want to go and get the correct certification / qualification to get you there rather than get some expensive qualifications and hope it will lead to something.
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Baggio
Joined: 04 Feb 2014
Posts: 48
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| Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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My personal two cents:
Don't do an MA in TESOL. Doesn't guarantee you anything in terms of moving up in payscale. Unless you want to move into the theoretical aspect of TESOL, wouldn't waste time with it.
My advice? Do a PGCE, opens up a lot more doors and more lucrative pay. |
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MuscatGary
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...
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| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 1:06 am Post subject: |
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| Consider a Masters in Educational/instructional Technology. It's increasingly in demand. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:04 am Post subject: |
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| MuscatGary wrote: |
| Consider a Masters in Educational/instructional Technology. It's increasingly in demand. |
Ditto that! 
(Both MuscatGary and I have a Masters in Ed Technology.)
| ExpatLuke wrote: |
| I'm just wanting more options. Right now, I'm on the management track, but that could easily change if I end moving back to the States and need to start over. I'm leaning towards a general MA Ed at the moment, as I feel that could open options beyond just teaching English. |
If you see yourself returning to the US in the next 5 or so years, start planning for your career transition now. In other words, figure out the direction you want to head in (e.g., teaching k12 or teaching at the tertiary level, k12 administration or higher ed admin, elearning/training and course design, technical writing, etc.) and set a plan on how you will achieve that goal. That entails researching the types of positions or roles you're interested in. For example, you usually can find higher ed administration, staff, and faculty profiles (real people) on college/uni websites as well as on Linkedin. The same goes for k12 school admin and staff descriptions. Also, sites like The Chronicle of Higher Education and Higher Ed Jobs are invaluable in terms of jobs and trends in higher ed.
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ExpatLuke
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 744
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| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:12 am Post subject: |
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| All really useful advice... I have a fair amount to consider, I suppose. I'll definitely update this thread once I make a decision. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 5:40 am Post subject: |
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| One more technology and education-related degree you should look into is a Master of Library and Information Science. I have a friend with an MLIS who snagged a super cool job at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC a few years ago. Her BA is in History. She also has experience as an EFL teacher in Japan and worked in a pubic school library in the US. Anyway, an MLIS is not limited to libraries and museums. |
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ChrisHenry15
Joined: 03 Jan 2015
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 5:33 am Post subject: |
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Framingham State University. In class courses offered in Xiamen during the breaks
MA
6-7K total (not including lodging)
American degree
In class |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 11:12 am Post subject: |
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| ChrisHenry15 wrote: |
| Framingham State University. In class courses offered in Xiamen during the breaks. |
You're referring to Framingham's M.Ed. Concentration in International Teaching, which apparently is taught at Xiamen International School in China in January and over the summer.
The FAQs indicate the program does not offer US licensure, although it seems to be geared to k-12 teachers --- possibly those who are already licensed. |
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JoThomas
Joined: 08 Jan 2017
Posts: 148
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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In September I'll be starting the Professional Master's of Education through Queen's University in Ontario, Canada. It is great in that you can do it part-time online. It is geared to people living abroad.
For anyone interested: http://educ.queensu.ca/online
I think the US works a bit different then Canada, whereas in Canada you have to go to Teacher's College to get a B.Ed. before you can take a M.Ed.
To the OP, I'd suggest getting a degree in education. I have a friend who had his MA Education but wasn't certified in his state to teach. If you aren't certified to teach, then you will have a hard time getting into an international school. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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| JoThomas wrote: |
| To the OP, I'd suggest getting a degree in education. I have a friend who had his MA Education but wasn't certified in his state to teach. If you aren't certified to teach, then you will have a hard time getting into an international school. |
The OP seems to want a degree that won't limit him to teaching if he has to return stateside, hence the other options previously posed. Some of those options will also work overseas. |
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