Job Discussion Forums

Albulbul · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 364

What is the position in the UAE about MA's earned by Distance Learning ? Are they accepted as equivalent to full-time MA's ?

I was thinkking especially of an MA from a reputable University in England - specifically in Applied Linguistics and TESOL.

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

The last report on this said that the Ministry of Higher Education (tertiary institutions) recognizes them, but the Ministry of Education (primary, secondary, language schools, military schools) does not.

No one has posted any changes on this situation yet, but it is still early in the school year.

VS

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

If you decide to do an M.A., at least do a course that has a residency requirement.

Distance and on-line degrees aren't recognized by some employers and governments in some EFL countries.

In recent years, a lot of people are getting degrees in Australia because they're so easy to get and cheap - University of Southern Queensland, UNE, etc. These programs are normally 'coursework' Master degrees with no thesis component and are done on-line/distance.

These schools exist but are not that reputable. And quite frankly, the quality of these programs is quite suspect.

I, myself, would never hire someone who graduated from a UNE, USQ type distance education program.

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

Dr Disco · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 7:13 am Post subject:

I'm in a distance MA program from California State University. Several of the students (myself included) have had better EFL job offers just for being in the program. Maybe some shools don't respect it, but the reality is that they are being accepted more all the time. My school, as well as some of the others, all require thesis work, a substantial amount of reading and essay work, as well as regualar work online.
I would check out new each shool individually, and look into their reputation among other prfessors at schools in the region. Try to contact people who have a phd in distance ed.

ALso, go for universities that offer the same degree on campus.

I would suggest going to a UK or Australian school, as they have a better reputation (overall) among distance education. Having said that, I'm attending a humanities program at www.csudh.edu

Good luck, and do lots of research before you commit.

sifu_sensei · Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 25

Hi

HCT, ZU and the UAEU all recognise distance master's degrees. Also, some Australian schools have an excellent reputation. Macquarie is one of the top universities in the world in the field of TESOL/Applied Linguistics, and Monash and Sydney also have excellent reputations.

Many British Universities also offer excellent programs, and the number of schools in the US offering distance programs is on the increase. Most countries will recognise distance master's and doctorates. Taiwan is one of the few exceptions.