Job Discussion Forums

BocaNY · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 131

Hi am starting my search on master�s programs and I have some questions. Sorry if it has been asked before...I looked and couldn�t find any post.

1. What type of Master�s is more felxiable Master�s in Edu or Master�s in ESL?

2. What is the difference between an M.A and M.S? Between an Ed M and M.S. Ed? What about between the four?

I know what the abbrs. stand for am looking for more info about the general overall courses.

Thanks for your help.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

MA in ED is probably more flexible.

MA and MS, I understand that the MS is more theoretical, I think?

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

It's a masters in TESOL (or TESL or TEFL) not ESL.

M.Sc degrees in TESOL are pretty rare- US universities have a tendency to call things 'science' degrees.

There may or may not be a whole lot of difference between an MA, or an M.Ed or a M.Sc. It's more about who is running the programs, their research focus, the university's focus in this area and the manner in which this area is normally approached in the country itself.

In terms of marketability of the degree- anything directly related to language teaching (Applied Linguistics, TESOL, SLA etc) is better than something NOT related to language teaching (A M.Ed in Adult Education is not directly related to language teaching, but there may be similarities with what you study in a masters degree in TESOL).

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

rogerwallace · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 66 Location: California

As someone who holds an MEd, it lets of into many doors and specific fields in education(at least in the USA). Some are for administration and some in other directions. If you want to work in the USA, it places you above the rest are far as ways to go in the field. This is a good basis going into into an Ed. program. The others are for teaching in general teaching(more pay) or specific fields(special ed.). My is in "cross cultural teaching and coming from California- my teaching licenses also include cross cultural LANGUAGE and academic develoment(CLAD), SOME ARE BI-LINGUAL(bclad).
I also have teaching lic. in ESL as well as several other subjects. When teaching in the USA, there is no need for TOESL, etc. as students have come to the USA from other countries and are here(English as a Second Language).
I have found my background quite useable overseas and have developed my own text and curriculum there. Good luck but an "on-line program won't be much help in the USA(esp. in the coming years) to get licensed.

BocaNY · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 131

Hi thanks for the responses. Someone on another thread suggested I should give more info about what I want to do.

Right now I dont want to return to the states for about 5yrs (but that may change depending on how things turn out) after that I was thinking of getting my master�s and teaching lic in NY. Teach for a few years and then go traveling again but working in international schools. Not really sure if i will stay outside the country for ever or return eventually to the US. I have thought of maybe one day opening either a daycare or school where subjects are thought in english somewhere in South America.

I want a degree that will keep the doors open for my once or if I decide I want to open a school or run a school.