Job Discussion Forums

[While I was out]

Let me explain my question. I've got a BA and a tesol cert, 4 years of experience. I'm going to start an online MA after the summer break. I'd like to know how much people's salaries jumped after they gained the MA.

If the salary jump is enough, I may take a year off and go to uni for a year, as opposed to taking 2 years part-time, it would be a welcome break . Just how much do people think an MA is worth per month?

[veiledsentiments]

Depends on the employer... as far as most of the Middle East, it is the difference between being considered by the best employers and having zero chance of getting hired.

If you can afford to take the break... do it. Then you also don't need to worry at all about whether an online degree will be considered or not by X employer or in X country... and IMHO, the advantages of having contact with your fellow students and the professors make the whole process more enjoyable and beneficial.

VS

[15yearsinQ8]

if it involves jumping into a university and teaching there, pay can double
however, online degrees are not authenticated all places

[Tom Le Seelleur]

With your limited experience I would take the year off

[scot47]

I know of several people in jobs in KSA who have studied for an MA, been awarded the degree and then received zero pay increase from the employer.

[While I was out]

[While I was out]

Double post.

[scot47]

How can I make any recommendations ? I do not know you or anything about you.

[veiledsentiments]

I'd say finish the degree back home and do some teaching while you study that is related to what the ME employers are looking for - which would be academic English... reading/writing... test preparation...

And... don't count on a doubling of salary. I don't know of any university level employer where that would happen... most of them don't hire BAs unless they have extensive direct experience or an emergency hiring situation. Perhaps if you compare entry level at the corner language school to the main university which only hires MAs.

I'd say finish your studies and do plenty of reading on all the boards here. That will help you to learn of the various countries and employers. By the time you finish you will be able to ask questions that are easier for us to answer.

VS

[While I was out]

Thanks VS. I wasn't counting on a doubling of salary, and won't be making any employment moves before I have the MA.

[moonapali]

Thanks for the post and all the sage advice. I am working and would have to do an online masters. It is encouraging to see that at least some employers give it value.

[veiledsentiments]

Just be sure that the university is accredited and known. Beware the diploma mills.

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I'd drop out and remove all doubt. I have no doubt that certain on-line Master's are legitimate (altho, I've worked with a few suspecious chaacters... ).

By doing it face-to-face, there'd be no questions as to the validity of the degree...and as VS says, beware of diploma mills...they're always found out.

NCTBA

[usa_in_gulf]

Most well known and accredited universities do not even mention on your transcripts or diploma that the degree was obtained via distant learning.

[veiledsentiments]

But, as had also been said before here, your CV can make it obvious to an employer who checks... and cares.

If on the same dates as your MA from the US, you were also teaching in say... Korea, they know that it was a distance degree of some sort.

VS