Job Discussion Forums

Venusian Pollyanna · Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 5

Dear all,

I am looking into applying for an M.A. in TESL or Applied Linguistics (at a Canadian or US university, preferably) and, since I am currently working, I need to find a reputable online program.

I have searched on google and dave's but all the information I've come across is either outdated or unreliable.

Any advice?

Thank you in advance.

VnPa

JabberJabber2 · Joined: 17 Aug 2009 Posts: 6

Hello,

From what I know, reputable Canadian universities do not offer full online or distance Master programs. Usually they require you to have some in-class time, which can usually be done during summer break or winter break (UBC for instance)

One option would be to find a program that is offered by a sister school in or around your area. For example, a few American universities are offering M.A. programs through a sister school (they ship out professors twice a year for intensive in-class learning). I know of few in Korea, but I know nothing about the region you are living in.

JabberJabber2 · Joined: 17 Aug 2009 Posts: 6

guess that helps without really helping, smiles.

InterRick · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 86

NYCESOL11211 · Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 75

If you must do online education, New School has a good reputation.

readytotravel · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 77

I am working on my MS in TESOL from Shenandoah University which is located in Winchester, VA. It is all online and an excellent program.

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

shendoah (whatever) is NOT authenticated by Kuwait MOHE
It was one of the early ones to be 'outted' as open to fraud
one tefl teacher was kicked out of GUST who had such a degree

norwalkesl · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

In the Middle East there is still a great deal of suspicion of "distance learning" . If you are thinking of working in the region it may be better to look for a so-called "blended degree" which has a mix of online and on-site education.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Why not consider one of the UK programs?
Edinburgh, Surrey, Leicester, and Birmingham all offer reputable distance MAs. I know from first-hand experience that Birmingham's MA IS accepted in Saudi...though I can't speak for the rest of the M.E. on that.

Dominic-Pax · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 77

I highly recommend University of Birmingham's MA. I personally did the program. Birmingham has a great reputation worldwide and the MA TESL/TEFL and AL programs have very good student support.

Go to http://www.cels.bham.ac.uk/ for more information.

Citizenkane · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 234 Location: Xanadu

The last three posters are right.

Online degrees are not widely accepted in the Gulf. Many places outright refuse to recognise them. If it's at all possible, go for one of the programmes mentioned above, where you do much of the work online, but also spend several weeks a year on campus. These programmes are widely respected internationally, so would be a better career move than doing an online degree with a less well-known uni.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I know that three of the students on my distance Bham MA course were FROM Saudi, and that the gov't was sponsoring their study - so I guess this program is recognised there...