Job Discussion Forums

[Scruffey]

So I've been teaching for a little while now and I'm beginning to consider doing this long term. I'm looking to gain some qualifications to break into some of the better university jobs.

I'm asking about this program in particular because I have some ties to it that could help me out. So... rate this program!

http://education.asu.edu/webfm_send/73

[Dedicated]

Scruffey,

I've just looked at the website which states

[Badar Bin Bada Boom]

Were I a manager, those with online degrees would be in my second or third pile of CVs. This is possibly because I'm one of those dinosaurs who actually sucked it up and went through a brick-and-mortar program where you interact with real people--yah, in person--a whole bunch of people at once, like in a class, or study group! And did an experimental (not let's-survey-our-students-or-colleagues) master's thesis. I'm talking about something that required original thought, creativity and rigorous statistical analysis with experimental and control groups, pre- and post-tested. But yes, I'm biased. There are some managers who exhibit the same prejudices I have (at least until you've proven yourself at work). It's kind of like this: if I have $300 to spend on a watch, I'll go for a second-tier Swiss one rather than an amalgamated Western design made of Chinese parts. Some people who notice my watch might be shallow or materialistic or judgmental, but only the Swiss brand will gain me entrance into the watch-lovers' club. Second-class MA degrees, mebbe...mebbe.

[Scruffey]

[strangerthanparadise]

Not long ago some of my students and I were chatting about martial arts, something those guys are into with boundless enthusiasm. At one point I mentioned that I had the black belt in karate. Puzzled and surprised - I don't even remotely look or behave like someone who has a black belt in karate - they asked me where and when I had been able to put THAT on my CV. Poker faced I told them that I had done it online. 'Piece of cake', I added. Perplexed, stunned, just for a second or two, and then, they started screaming with laughter, they nearly p*****d themselves.
I don't do that when I hear someone has an online teaching qualification, I feel more like crying. The profession, the art of teaching if you like, is going to the dogs.

[nomad soul]

Scruffey, you might check with the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (www.sacm.org) for general info about acceptable online degree programs for US citizens seeking teaching gigs in the Kingdom. The SACM is part of the Saudi Embassy in D.C. and carries out responsibilities for the Ministry of Higher Ed. Their focus is on Saudi students studying on campuses in the US; however, they also verify degrees from US colleges/unis. They authenticated my M.A.T. as well as a friend's M.A. that, except for her practicum, was completed online. Her US degree is from an accredited uni and she made sure to prominently note her practicum on her CV. She's now working at a uni in KSA and was a direct hire.

BTW, I don't know if the MoHE's perceptions about online learning is changing, but if you look at Saudi job ads for EFL teachers over the past 6-9 months, there appears to be little to no mention about degrees being completed online. Employers seem to be more concerned about TEFL certificate components---how many face-to-face hours the cert entailed and that it included at least X amount of hours of supervised teaching practice, which is why the CELTA carries so much weight. However, it will be interesting to see how the new online CELTA will be received by Saudi employers since the physical certificate won't specify the mode of instruction.

[johnslat]

Dear strangerthanparadise,

And, like karate, EFL in Saudi can be a "contact sport."

Regards,
John

[sirius black]

Does the actual degree say 'Online'? Many colleges give the same looking degree to both their students on campus as well as those online. If its indistinguishable and there is no way to tell, then wouldn't it be worth it?

I know of a few people who got their degree online and are working in Korea and my friend who got her Masters online from Argossy while working in Korea had it accepted by every employer in America.

[Scruffey]

I was told that the actual degree doesn't say that it was earned online. I'm guessing for most interviews they'd ask that though right?

[Scruffey]

Oh, and thanks for that link Nomad. I'll have to check that out.

[nomad soul]

[diodeone]

ASU has an excellent Education department IMHO

[DirtGuy]

I asked the recruiter I'm working with about an online MA and how it is considered in KSA. He used "worthless" to describe it yet I can't help but wonder if that viewpoint may change in the future. Perhaps it's changing right now given the sheer number of graduate (and undergraduate) degrees obtained online these days. Perhaps attending a well-regarded school vs. a place like Phoenix may make a difference.

Speaking of University of Phoenix, a friend of mine got an online Masters in Special Ed. from this school and has had absolutely no trouble getting job offers. I used to think that only a physical classroom setting was appropriate for learning anything but times are a-changing and maybe that's no longer the case.

Besides, as was pointed out above, how would they know the degree was done online anyway?

DirtGuy

[nomad soul]

DirtGuy, there's a big need for special ed teachers, which is probably why your friend's degree appeals to employers.

[veiledsentiments]

Sorry... but Phoenix University is NOT well regarded. Mostly I would say that it is "well advertised" - wherein they spend big bucks to keep pulling big bucks from its students.

I looked at their related MA and wouldn't have considered it.

VS