Job Discussion Forums

[chola]

I have just read a thread and there was discussion about academic requirements for teaching in Universities. Some said it is necessary to have a Masters -some said unncessary. Can anyone offer clarification on these 2 views--i.e. are there conditions that make an MA necessary and conditions that make it uncessary to have?

[Ben Round de Bloc]

Chola, I think it depends on the individual university. Some universities require a Master's degree, while others don't. A Master's degree is not required to teach EFL at the state university where I teach. However, applicants with MAs, especially in TESOL, linguistics, or education are highly preferred. Even with the MA, previous EFL teaching experience is required. The very minimum requirements are a BA degree + a certificate from a recognized EFL teacher training course + at least one year of documented EFL teaching experience done after completion of the teacher training course. Additionally, at the university where I teach, there are several different types of contracts (with different wages per hour + benefits) for EFL teachers. There is no direct correlation between type of degree and type of contract offered. In other words, someone with a BA in anything + 10 years teaching at the university may earn the same or more per hour and have the same or better benefits than someone with his/her MA in TESOL + 10 years teaching at the university.

[ls650]