Job Discussion Forums

queenpinkness · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 3

I plan on working in the UAE in the future, preferably at a university. I have been accepted by both Birmingham university in the UK and Leicester university UK for an MA in Applied Linguistics via distance learning. I am not in a position to return to the UK or any other English speaking country nor do I wish to. Would one of these degrees be accepted even though they are exactly the same as on campus? I do not want to waste so much money if I can not fulfill my ambitions with it.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

At the moment, distance MAs are accepted by the Ministry of Higher Education (universities) in the UAE, but not the Ministry of Education (K-12). I would think that both of those universities would pass muster.

VS

USAMATHMAN · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 72

Discovered this advertisement today for a one year M.A. in Applied Linguistics. Just curious. Is this a legit program?

The University of New England's
http://www.une.edu.au/bcss/linguistics/maal.php

Course Listing:
http://www.une.edu.au/bcss/linguistics/units.php

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

Hello USAMATHMAN,

You have asked if this is a legit program. The University of New England has been totally black-listed in the UK and I definitely wouldn't recommend it.

In July 2009, the Australian H.E. supplement reported that the university was involved in the largest plagiarism scandal in Australian academic history. According to the former chancellor, John Cassidy, 220 out of 230 MA theses checked as part of an internal investigation were extensively plagiarised. The university was notified of the problem back in November 2006, yet still allowed many students with plagiarised theses to graduate.

What does this tell you about the so-called research staff and supervision of students? As a result, all UK universities have this university on a black list, both for candidates applying for further postgraduate work or employment. It is currently rated about 1,181 in world rankings. It will take a long time for this university to establish credibility.

USAMATHMAN · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 72

Wow! Didn't know things were that bad. I just happened to have glanced over their advertisement while on the site.

I have no plans of pursuing a degree in Linguistics, but hopefully someone will see your post before they make the mistake of wasting their money on the school.

Thanks for info!!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I just googled it and the top link was:

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s2012482.htm

Not to let them off the hook, but I think this is very common... both online degrees and on campus degrees... the internet has made plagiarism both easier to do and easier to catch.

VS

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

Yes, VS, plagiarism has become a real issue. However, high ranking universities insist on all assignments being submitted both as hard copy and electronically. They are passed through sophisticated software anti-plagiarism checks + the student has a viva to establish authorship.

The chances of "getting away with it" after rigorous checks are minimal, particularly when a professional lecturer knows exactly how a student writes and the subject area.

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Right. Unfortunately, to know how a student writes, we have read the drivel!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

USAMATHMAN · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 72

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 3:40 pm Post subject:

"I go and set with my family...and then we take a rest..." Rolling Eyes

Hard-working people we teach! Laughing

NCTBA (and now I take a rest...)

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

One of our little babes in the woods at DWC submitted a paper...in German. No, there wasn't any course in German.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

You do wonder... did someone do it for her (as in copy it off the internet) and she didn't even bother to look at it before she turned it in?

VS

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

I know, and that sounds like a reasonable possibility. A trusted colleague told me about the paper and I had a good laugh but I never saw the paper or asked for further details...I guess there's never much time for hanging around the water cooler at DWC.

I was teaching freshman research writing at the PI and one of my favorite drivel pieces was a student's proof that the US gov't is greedy because they tax cigarettes heavily. That was it--no other factors examined or research done. The US gov't is greedy because they tax cigarettes heavily.