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WhatsGrammar?
Joined: 05 Jun 2008
Posts: 54
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 Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:42 am Post subject: |
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As an update to this.............The University of Leicester ( UK ) now offer a distance/online MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics. ( one subject )
The good news is that on graduation there is NO mention on your certificate or transcripts that this was undertaken on an online basis.
Because of the added linguistics element the course now runs over 30 months. 6 months per 30 units ( 180 required including dissertation )
You can compress this down to approx 2 years if you are prepared to devote 20-22 hours per week. |
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natsume
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 409
Location: Chongqing, China
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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| WhatsGrammar? wrote: |
The good news is that on graduation there is NO mention on your certificate or transcripts that this was undertaken on an online basis.
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I think Justin mentioned this in another thread, but wouldn't one not want to work for an employer that did not have the wherewithal to a) Google your university to see what kind of degrees they offer, and b) connect the dots on your CV and degree dates to determine that it was probably earned via distance? (I am not making a judgement call on distance degrees.) |
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pneud
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:54 am Post subject: |
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natsume wrote
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| [W]ouldn't one not want to work for an employer that did not have the wherewithal to a) Google your university to see what kind of degrees they offer, and b) connect the dots on your CV and degree dates to determine that it was probably earned via distance? |
If online m.a.s are still not accepted in Taiwan, (even though I'm a resident I don't have any current information on this, and it's my assumption that they will be eventually) then not having the degree labeled differently would be a real advantage. It is likely the ministry of foreign affairs, or education that will not accept the degree and not the university to which you apply. The employer's concern would be whether the university is accredited. The bureaucrats won't check.
As well, the University of Leicester has both a taught and online program that have identical names. It is great that UL stands behind the quality of the online degree so that they make no distinction between the two methods of study. |
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Marcoregano
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 872
Location: Hong Kong
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:43 am Post subject: |
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| natsume wrote: |
| but wouldn't one not want to work for an employer that did not have the wherewithal to a) Google your university to see what kind of degrees they offer, and b) connect the dots on your CV and degree dates to determine that it was probably earned via distance? (I am not making a judgement call on distance degrees.) |
Personally, I wouldn't want to work for an employer that discriminates against online degrees. Obviously, if it's a 'paper' degree from some imaginary university, then fair enough, but if it's an MA from an established uni, then it ought to be accepted at face value. In my experience, most reasonable, reputable employers do not discriminate against online degrees. My MEd TESOL was 'done' online but to date none of my employers since then (including three HK universities) have ever even asked. It's a Masters degree. Full stop - or period, if you prefer! |
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sweeney66
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 147
Location: "home"
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 5:36 am Post subject: |
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I'm just now finishing a BA online.
I'm planning to return to NYC and I'm going to apply to CUNY "in person" programs and UMASS online.
I just kind of enjoy going to a physical classroom and meeting my classmates and proffesors face-to face.
However, UMASS's courses sound more interesting, more theoretical and more my style. More "meta", if you like.
Well, we'll see who admits me with my weirdo BA. |
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Marcoregano
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 872
Location: Hong Kong
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:48 am Post subject: |
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| I confess I've never heard of an online BA. I totally agree that if possible meeting with teaching staff and fellow students is the way to go. One reason I was happy to do my MEd TESOL online (apart from cost/time considerations etc.) was that I had already experienced four years of on-campus student life. Oh boy, what I'd give to spend four years studying f/t now!! Dream on... |
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Justin Trullinger
Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I think Justin mentioned this in another thread, but wouldn't one not want to work for an employer that did not have the wherewithal to a) Google your university to see what kind of degrees they offer, and b) connect the dots on your CV and degree dates to determine that it was probably earned via distance? (I am not making a judgement call on distance degrees.) |
Can't remember if it was me who mentioned it, but I do agree. Nonetheless, I understand that immigration/consular services are a different kettle of fish. If the fact that the degree doesn't say distance is enough to keep them off your case, so much the better.
A good employer will figure it out; but if you're coming out of an extremely reputable Uni, like Leicester, I can't think why a good employer should care if immigration doesn't. As far as I can see, doing a decent masters at distance says a heck of a lot about your self discipline, motivation, drive, and organisational skills, as well as the actual content of the course. Cause it's HARD. I'm struggling to fit an MSc from Aston into my schedule. It won't say "distance" on it; to an employer who knows the field, it's obvious, though. Aston is fairly well-known. And their onsite course is an MA, primarily a taught course; the MSc is only available as a distance program, and is primarily research based. Even if you did the MSc while living in Birmingham (heaven knows why) and working on Aston's campus, it's a distance degree. I would bet that most immigration bureaucrats don't know that, though.
Best,
Justin |
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newinSeoul
Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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I just posted this on the other thread. I've heard good things about these two schools.
I've recently been to a TESOL conference where two schools were in attendence.
One was 'The New School 'out of NYC.
Scott Thornbury and Jeremy Harmer actually teach some of the online classes in this TESOL distance course.
http://www.newschool.edu/matesol/
University of Birmingham was also in attendance. They have a MA TESOL, and a MA Linguistics distance program.
http://www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk/programmes/distance/subjectarea.shtml#education |
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Justin Trullinger
Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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University of Birmingham has a great rep, and there are a few fairly regular posters round here who have done their course. I also liked the New School's look.
But wadayamean TWO SCHOOLS were in attendance?? Ya walked right past SIT? (Just to the left of the New School, just across from U of Birmingham...)
(I know, they don't have a complete distance option. But we WERE there...)
Best,
Justin |
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newinSeoul
Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 5:05 am Post subject: |
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^Sorry, I didn't do it on purpose  . I was looking at MA distance courses. I'm still trying to decide which course would be the best. Trying to decide doing a MEd. or MA TESOL. |
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Justin Trullinger
Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:45 am Post subject: |
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No worries- and if you want pure distance, SIT's programs won't suit- all require time in Brattleboro for the MAT.
I just figured I'd mention it, as you pretty much had to walk around me to get to the two you mentioned. I'm a TESOL Trainer for the SIT course, currently in Korea, and since they didn't have much staff at the conference was helping keep an eye on the stand...
Best,
Justin |
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sweeney66
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 147
Location: "home"
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:11 am Post subject: |
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| The New School looks good to me and so does NYU, (both online) but I'm priced out. If money were no object, I'd go with Columbia Teachers College (attendance required). If they'd admit me. |
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newinSeoul
Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Justin Trullinger wrote: |
No worries- and if you want pure distance, SIT's programs won't suit- all require time in Brattleboro for the MAT.
I just figured I'd mention it, as you pretty much had to walk around me to get to the two you mentioned. I'm a TESOL Trainer for the SIT course, currently in Korea, and since they didn't have much staff at the conference was helping keep an eye on the stand...
Best,
Justin |
Keeping an eye on the stand so it wouldn't run away?
I don't know much about the SIT course. Is this like the CELTA? Or something you pursue after the CELTA? |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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| SIT is the School of International Training. It does an MA that is considered joint top in the field with that offered by Monterey. Either will cost you around $50,000 though. |
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Justin Trullinger
Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:00 am Post subject: |
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Exactly- SIT is the school, and they have various programs. Their MAT (Masters in the Art of Teaching) is pretty top tier, in terms of quality. Also, unfortunately in terms of price. I've met a lot of great people who have done this program, and who teach on it. Probably this is something you'd do after a cert and a few years experience- you don't want to invest that kind of bucks in training in a new field; anyway, experience is a pre-req.
THey have a lot of other programs, though. The SIT Certificate in TESOL is a short course (intensive four weeks, extensive longer) in teaching English- suitable, like the CELTA, as a first course, or as an intro to EFL /ESL for teachers experienced in other areas. Most places (IH and the BC, for example) consider it a CELTA equivalent, as it meets or exceeds all the hours requirements, the requirements for trainer qualifications, the assessing, etc.
Honestly, I'd say it's the best short course out there, though much less wide spread than CELTA or Trinity. (Biased opinion. I'm an SIT Licensed trainer, currently working on an SIT course in Korea...)
Best,
Justin |
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