Job Discussion Forums

friendoken · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 41

I've been living and teaching in Laos for going on 4 years now. I have a BA in Applied Communication from RRU in Canada.

I like the school world but I don't want to be a teacher forever. I have been looking at MEd's around and Assumption University has a MEd in Educational Administration that sounds ideal. I believe it will help me move into a management role and perhaps a directorship role in the future.

I have heard all the stuff about degrees from SE Asia and all, but Assumption seems hooked into the Aussie system and claim 75% of their grad students are foreigners. Again, that may mean they're all Cambodians too if you know what I mean.

Regardless, I am married to a Laos and I will live the rest of my life in this part of the world. I'm 48 presently, but still looking a fair bit younger. I have no need of another Western degree because I think one from a top notch uni in Thailand carries weight around this area.

Does anyone have any news to spill about Assumption. I've contacted them - and others - and they certainly appear professional all the way.

Any info is welcome.

Thanks

ytse43 · Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 10

My ex-wife, who is Thai, graduated from AU. She said all the classes were taught in English, and made friends with students from various countries, mostly from SE Asia, the Mid-East and Oceania. Her degree was business, and although it helped her in Thailand, it was of no use to her in the US, where we met. However, since you are already established in that area, a degree from AU may be of more benefit. Best of luck!

80daze · Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 118 Location: China

I wouldn't recommend it!

From what I know degrees (BA/MA) from none English speaking countries don't travel well, it may serve you well in Thailand as that's where it is based but once you leave there some employers well not hold it as high as degrees from English speaking countries.

Try looking online many English/ Aussie Uni's now do MA's online, it may take a little longer but at least you know it will travel well.

Good luck Very Happy

80daze · Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 118 Location: China

Sorry just reread your post - as you will be living in the area "for the rest of your life" then please ignore my last post Embarassed

I'm sure it will be well regarded in SE Asia

God luck Very Happy

friendoken · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 41

Thanks for the advice. I do plan to spend my life in this area. Not necessarily Laos, but definitely in SE Asia. I like it here and I've grown so accustomed to the weather, it is really pleasant in Laos, there is no way I will ever do winter again. Forget it!

Also money comes into it. An MA from a Thai uni, many of which are fairly highly regarded - Chulalangkorne is #132 in the world I read yesterday while Assumption was #996 or something like that - is not so bad. Especially when my undergrad degree is from Canada. I'm sure that helps the picture.

Nonetheless, I digress. An MA in Canada would cost me $20,000 +. They cost around $8000 in Thailand. And as I plan to stay here...

Thanks again

Any other advice on uni's in Thailand is appreciated. I want a Masters in Education. I am leaning towards Administration as opposed to curriculum based because I'd like to move into the office and get out of the classroom. Or at least have the option of doing so.

Hadit · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 109

Hey Friendoken,

I could see you doing it if it was a lot cheaper than $8000, but actually I think you could do an online program from Australia for that, and have it more widely recognized in SE Asia. You probably realize the safest bet would be to get a Masters from the US, England, or Australia. I personally wouldn't do it, even though it is probably a good school, and this is unfortunate.

The thing you should ask yourself, since you know where you want to live, is what job you want and how that Masters will help you. For instance, maybe you could go back to the US and get alternative certification, a teaching license for international schools.

Would a Laos university be the job you want? A curriculum director position somewhere? You could maybe even contact someone with that position in a said school and see what qualifications they would accept.

bedwiya · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 66 Location: Kuwait

I got my MA in Applied Linguistics online from the University of New England an Aussie uni in Armidale, NSW. I checked with some Aussie friends beforehand to see if it was a legit uni. They said indeed it was and has been around for over 100 years, but were now offering courses online. If you take 2 classes per semester then you can finish in 2 years. It cost $10,000 (would have originally cost about $8,500 but the exchange rate was so bad by the end of my program it end up costing about 30% more per semester). Still, I think it was a very good program and it was cheaper and more legit than many US schools I could find online.

Pauleddy · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 295 Location: The Big Mango

I knew someone who got a distance MEd in 2 yrs at an Australian Uni. It was one of the better places, Melbourne etc. She had to do 10 essays and 8 modules, or somethg.

I have never been 100% in favour of distance/online degrees of any sort, because you don't get the "magic dust" of a good teacher and bright colleagues//synergy//blah blah--however, the girl who did the MEd now has a much better job.

Assumption has a good name here (especially for Business) but even Chula is not Harvard by a long chalk. Personally, I think that a foreign non-Thai name (Melbourne, Manchester, anyplace) is normally better on a CV)

Eddy