Job Discussion Forums

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

Could some of you 'in the know' tell me about an American University called the American International University....I read that they offer an MA in 10 months and are just as recognised as all other Uni's from the USA?

Many thanks!

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

Sorry I think it is American Intercontinental Uni Confused

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

It looks like a scam. It's not accredited anywhere as far as I can see. The best source for US universities is www.usnews.com/usnews they publish a yearly ranking of reputable US universities. The one you mention doesn't appear anywhere on the list. Save your money.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I too looked at the site and it looks a bit shady. I would never invest in a completly online school, too easy to pack it up and move on. It's expensive too, $27,000 US!!!

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

In my Petersons Guide to Graduate Programs in Education I can find info on:

American International College, American University, and Alliant International University.

Neither of the two names you listed makes the list.

Given that it is almost impossible to find an on campus MA in the US which can be done in one year, the odds of finding a distance program which can be done in that time and is reputable appear to be completely impossible.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I stand corrected. They are not in Peterson's Guide, but they are indeed an accredited university.

Their website says that they are accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. According to Peterson's this is indeed one of six accepted accrediting agencies. I then went to the website for the commission found at http://www.sacscoc.org. There they are listed to be accredited to give degrees up to and including the masters level. Of special note in December they were denied in their application for the the right to have a Doctoral progam. One of the reasons being problems with their graduate program. See December activities on the website for more details.

I hope all this helps. Mark

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

Much appreciated!

I think my decision has been narrowed down to UNE or possibly Sheffield Hallam University.
One of the big attractions to UNE is all the positive feedback found on this forum as well as the fact that it can be completed in 12 months.

As for Sheffield http://www.shu.ac.uk/ then someone has said that on the forum that you can complete it within 18 months which is still pretty good and plus the price is 2150GBP!

Anybody has any feed back on Sheffield's MA Tesol?

Many thanks.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I inquired about the sheffield hallam university MA last year and they told me that I didn't qualify for the 18 month masters program. They told me I had to do a one year program prior to that. I was surprised as I have a BA, CELTA and nine years of EFL/ESL experience. I think you need a post grad certificate before you can take their MA. So check with them closely before you get excited about the price and time frame (like I did).

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

Gordon:

Really...that sound pretty unreasonable. I was accepted onto the MA with ASTON a couple of years ago but didn't take the offer up. Now I've seen that entry requirements have changed and they now request a essay or exam before entry. The bar seems to be getting raised!

I don't know if that's necessarily a bad thing but I do know that I'm almost certainly going to try with UNE...then again maybe I won't be accepted there? I heard that they are pretty flexible with entry....any experience with entry requirements?