Job Discussion Forums

T-Bone · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Phnom Penh

Let me first begin with the obligatory apology if this has been covered before... Sorry if this's been covered before.

Anyway:

Has anyone out there recieved an online MA in TESOL or applied linguistics (to further your career prospects)? If so, did it help your career? Are there any schools or countries that won't recognize them? What universities or courses do you recommend? Which ones are dodgy?

Anyone's experiences with online graduate degrees would be helpful.

As for me, I am looking to get an MA in TESOL or App.Ling. while working full time in Asia. I probably will stay in the region, but may want to branch out to other parts of the world in the future...

Thanks again,

T-Bone

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

There are many programs. Do an online search. Paul has a website that he can post with many of them. The only places that officially do not recognize distance masters that I am aware of are: Taiwan and Ministry of education in UAE (this does not include the universities as that is the Ministry of Higher Education). Most programs will not say "distance" on their degree anyways.
Yes, it is doable while working f/t. I am doing a masters in applied linguistics at the moment.
The ones to watch out for are often based in the US as the US does not have national (only regional accreditation) accreditation like Canada, Oz and the UK.
My advice would be to email the universities you're interested in and ask them to send you a course catalogue.
You can also go to the teacher training forum on Dave's and do a search there. They like to talk about diploma mills.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Hello T-Bone:

These 2 links might help:

http://www.matesol.info/ (Free Graduate TESOL Guide)

http://www.whichcourse.com/ (WhichCourse.com)

You'll find a few more online MA programs here. Just scroll down to the bottom of Part I:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=12862 (The Master Index Thailand)

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

Definitly not wanting the fake degree. Does anybody know the cheapest country/place to get an accredited online Masters? One that doesn't have "online" written on it. Of course exchange rates make all the difference ragarding costs.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

Thank you Gordon. $8000Aus is a very good price compared to the UK. I have to say that I really am not enthralled at doing an MA. There are far more interesting subjects IMO. I am also not sure if it would pay for iteslf as I plan to semi retire/teach in a more developing part of the world after Japan. $8000 though isn't too bad on that account.
Any names of institutions you care to mention.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

T-Bone · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Phnom Penh

Thank you Gordon, for the good advice, and thank you, Kent for the links! A lot of great info there.

I have attended three Universities in the US in Lousiana and Oregon and was unaware that there was only regional accredidation in the US. All the schools I've attended have been accredited, and I had no problem transferring credits from any schools to the others.

Of course, I have attended only State schools, not private institutions. I think most (or all) of the State schools recognize one another; it's some of the private Unis that may or may not be recognized by others.

Anyway, thanks for the good advice. How far along on your degree are you, Gordon, and where are you studying (or rather from which school)?

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan