Job Discussion Forums

Sudz · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 438

Hi there.

I've been investigating doing an MA TESOL through Monash University. I lack a BA, but have 6 years of working experience in Asia (Monash allows relevant experience as a substitute for the lack of BA).

Just wondering though, would this be a problem in Oman? The rest of the middle east?

Any feedback would be highly appreciated!

Thanks

winterwind · Joined: 10 Apr 2010 Posts: 10

6 years of work experience now can substitute for a bachelors, and be admitted to a master's? Is it a joke?

Sudz · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 438

6 years of experience doesn't equal an undergraduate degree, but yes it can be sufficient enough for admittance into this particular program.

Am I one of the few people who doesn't find this to be unreasonable? I've completed about a years worth of psychology undergraduate credits, and truly I couldn't imagine completing the additional 2 or 3 years having ANYTHING to do with this success in this particular program.

Just seems like academic snobbery to me.

What is more relevant: 6 years of in-class teaching experience OR an unrelated BA?

winterwind · Joined: 10 Apr 2010 Posts: 10

You cant substitute work experience for a bachelors degree! A degree is a degree, work experience is work experience, can you understand that?

A masters degree is post-graduate studies! That means you need to be a graduate to do it. Its not a high school graduate they are talking about Wink

You want to take a shortcut and are justifying it to yourself. You should do the right thing and finish your bachelor's degree and then apply to a masters. Nobody is going to give any respect to a masters degree with no bachelors degree, in your home country or overseas. And I think it shows employers you are a person who likes to take shortcuts in life, and also have low moral standards because you want to "cheat"

kylemcgee · Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 86 Location: Various..

I would just like to mention that I was accepted into the MA programme at Nottingham Uni (Malaysia Campus) without a bachelors.

I didn't think they would accept me either, but they took my work experience (they specifically required 2 years) and my CELTA for qualifications to let me in the programme. It was interesting especially as a local university in Malaysia indicated that they could not accept me, but the British university did.

I graduated late last year and now have my Masters. Once I tell employers I have a Masters, they never ask about a bachelors..

Just for your info..

Kyle

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

Both times I had my degrees "certified" for Omani employers, it was required to include the BA and MA. I fear that they are assuming that you have a BA and you may hit a snag when the certified copy doesn't appear.

It has been mentioned on the Saudi board that not having a BA will keep you from working there even if you have an MA.

VS

kylemcgee · Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 86 Location: Various..

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

I wonder if they don't know what an AA is... that is a very American bit of paper. Cool

We'll just have to wait and see. Do come back and let us know.

VS

ummkhadija · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 5:58 am Post subject:

Dear, Kylemcgee

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

Some countries have a four year Masters programme - I have no BA - I have MA(Hons) - from one of the ancient Scottish universities - the hardest but most enjoyable years of my life.

No one has ever asked me about a BA.

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

ummkhadija · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 3:43 pm Post subject:

Dear VS,

Mr Brown · Joined: 14 Jul 2010 Posts: 26

Don't know how employers would regard your master's without a bachelor's but, yes, you can apply to some UK master's programmes without a bachelor's (and apparently Australian too). They usually require a DELTA or equivalent and substantial relevant experience.