Job Discussion Forums

[themuths]

I've been doing a lot of research on primarily the MA-TESOL, trying to sort out the good from the bad from the terrible. Seem to be a bit of all types, especially on search sites such as this one: Gradschools.com Online Tesol List.
As indicated by the subject, I'm looking for a high-quality Masters program from an American university. I currently teach at a private institute in Hong Kong, and am pursuing an MA/ME to not only benefit myself in the short-term during my international TESOL/ESL career, but also to put myself in a vastly superior professional situation once I eventually and inevitably decide to return to the States. That means once I finish a Masters program I'd like to teach at a university internationally, and once I return to the US either continue to do the same, go back to the private sector, or continue in education in some other capacity. I have a BA, a 120-hour TEFL Cert, and almost 2 years (2000 hours) teaching experience. I don't want a degree from an online-only school for a variety of reasons (even though Anaheim University seems to have a quality set of faculty), however even given that provision which eliminates a lot of contenders it still seems there are two tiers of schools out there. Here's what I've found so far, with my current favs in each category being USC and Cincinnati:

TOP TIER:

MAT@USC - cutting edge technology, live classes 3-4x week using group Skype-esque technology, quality staff, well-respected university, and the lowest price amongst the most expensive schools at $42,000 for a 14-month MA-TESOL
The New School - MA-TESOL from a traditionally uber-liberal university, seems high-quality but is the most expensive at $51,000
American University - MA-TESOL, again seems quality but is $47,000 and requires a GRE (a test I'm none too keen to take if unnecessary)

(all the top schools seem to offer the MA-TESOL, while the other choices offer a wider variety of degrees)

LOWER TIER:

University of Cincinnati - ME-TESOL , around $17,000, takes 2 years
St Cloud State - MA-TESOL, around $17,000, takes 2 years
Mercy NY - MS-TESOL (not what I'm looking for)

My qualms with both of these are their seemingly lower standards and ratings, more impersonal approach (though nowhere near as bad as Dominican University which I've ruled out), farmed-out assistance, being less known/having a worse reputation, plus overall value - and there must be other reasons as well as to why these programs are literally a fraction of the cost of the others, right!?
Also in Cinci's case, being an ME versus an MA, does that make much or any difference since I want to get as flexible a Masters degree as I can to leave myself plenty of PhD options should I choose to follow that path later in life, since English, Education, ESL/TEFL all might be eventually the most applicable.

How important are the features that USC offers - 'real' albeit online classes with an actual professor whom you can see and talk to like 'normal,' a more prestigious name/research reputation, being #23 in the nation according to USN&WR, shorter completion time, etc. And are they worth the significantly higher price tag (over double the cost!)?

Any advice, first-hand experience, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! If you know another website I ought to post this inquiry on, please let me know...

Thanks!

[fladude]

Well price isn't the only issue. Realistically none of the schools you listed have a great academic reputation. I have a relative who got an MA in TESOL from Harvard and it cost about the same as New College....

If you want to save money and still get a reputable degree, look at state universities. The major states all have schools with good reputations whether it be in Florida or one of the other states.

[naturegirl321]

I've heard good things about the New School and St Cloud. But it all depends on what you're looking for exactly. I personally went with Australian Universities over US ones.

[naturegirl321]

[rayman]

I wonder if university reputation really matters to any employers outside the US. Those degrees seem really expensive. You could go through one of the best Ausralian universities for a fraction of that cost. Even with a stronger Aussie dollar. America's reputation for education also isn't what it used to be on the global stage.

[themuths]

Thanks for the replies, haven't quite gotten the full answer I'm looking for, but that's how it goes

To respond to your comments:

fladude - obviously price isn't the only issue, that's why I'm looking at schools in a variety of price ranges to find the best overall value program for me, both short-term and long-term. However, I think several of the schools I listed have great academic reputations... USC is a Top 25 school overall according to USN&WR, while U of Cinci is a Top 100 school and a Great Value from other such grading institutes. Both are known research institutes with long standings as higher ed schools. Harvard doesn't offer an ONLINE degree, so it isn't a realistic possibility in any capacity. I have looked at probably 50 schools intensely, including plenty of state universities (Indiana State, UMass, Missouri, Missouri State, Illinois, Arizona State, etc.). But most state schools don't offer an MA/MEd with a focus in TESOL/ESL online, hence why I've asked for help - do you have any specific programs to recommend?

naturegirl - thanks for the specific recs, New School seems too expensive and perhaps (though I feel bad saying this) a bit too liberal overall. St Cloud does look good, but Cinci's course-work and higher-tier standing seem to make it a better option - do you know anyone who has gone to St Cloud who could offer a firsthand opinion? I want a degree from an American university, since while it would be all the same while working internationally as far as where my degree comes from, I would rather have a degree from a respected American school when I want to go work/teach in America. Plus I don't want to put up with differences in international teaching styles, expectations, and the endless 'British-isms' that I suffer through here in Hong Kong also taking over my education
Dominican is near Chicago, yes, but it has not only farmed out its MA program to University Alliance, which makes me very wary, but also I think I'd rather get a degree from a larger/state school rather than a small private school. Did that for undergrad, and it was great, but am looking for a different experience now that I'll be in graduate school. Plus I have an aversion to any overly religious school, so others like Eastern University fail that test as well.
I may eventually want a PhD, or not, I want a program that will be great either way. Not terribly worried about a thesis or not, but getting good grades goes without saying! I think USC may offer the best overall program, but given the 2.5x price increase, probably NOT the overall best value, which is also very important!

rayman - I also wonder about reputation really mattering, but I'd rather not learn that the hard way, as it seems naturegirl has based on some of her other posts. I can't afford the time/money/energy to get a degree that ends up being less valuable and useful than I thought. That's why online only schools are out, and I want a well-known and hopefully well-regarded school. I'm worried about the use of an international degree within the States, and would rather not risk that since I think in some ways it would be less comparable to US-based degrees. Rather not be the lowest person on the proverbial totem-pole when applying for jobs just because I wanted to save some $, and as I said above I have other concerns about studying internationally as well. I agree that $40k seems a bit high, if not almost ridiculous, which is why as I do more research U of Cinci seems more attractive at $16k. I think you are right about America's decreased reputation globally, however the American accent is often still highly valued, and most foreign employers are just concerned with your level of education, not where the degree comes from. No one has ever questioned my BA from a small liberal arts college in the MidWest, and I imagine the same will hold true for an MA from an American university.

I have also looked at some MA-Applied Linguistics degrees, for example at UMass, however I don't think that's the route for me since I don't want to be a linguist per se, but rather want to improve my teaching, particularly in the ESL/TESOL environment for the foreseeable short-term future. Seems either an MA/MEd would be suitable with an ESL/TESOL focus... but anyone know much on the difference between those two?
Any other thoughts, opinions, ideas are greatly appreciated, this is a major life choice and I don't want to pick incorrectly!

[naturegirl321]

[steki47]

[naturegirl321]

[steki47]

[overhere]

Sorry, I feel I have to defend my alma mater here...The University of Cincinnati is NOT a second rate university. True is not Ivy league, but neither is USC. The University of Cincinnati is the second largest state university in Ohio (Ohio State being #1). With over 40,000 students UC is reknown for engineering, music and other programs. Having said that, I will be attending the distant learning M.Ed. TESOL program at the University of Missouri...The whole program is only about $11,000. Below is a link..good luck!

http://mudirect.missouri.edu/degprog/index.shtm

[Shimokitazawa]