Job Discussion Forums

Great_Leader_of_ESL · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 6

Hello all.

This is officially my first post on Dave's. I am planning on starting my Masters through the University of Phoenix in the next month or so. I have been looking at their programs, and am currently torn between the Masters in Education -- Teacher Education/Elementary with an Arizona teacher certification or an MATESOL. I am leaning towards the Masters of Education due to the Arizona certification (which seems like it can be exchanged in most states for a certification there) and due to the fact that many of the better paying jobs overseas are asking for "certified teacher in your home country."

About my long term plans: I have two years experience teaching ALT in Japanese elementary schools. I currently have a BA in Japanese and a TESOL Cert. from Anaheim University. I am starting a new contract teaching in a Hagwon in Korea next week. I would eventually like to teach in the Middle East (mostly to pay off these student loans) and then return to the US with my Japanese wife.

Any comments from people with experience in this area will be appreciated.

Thanks.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:36 am Post subject:

Dear Great_Leader_of_ESL,

Nice to meet you - I'm the Great_Leader_of_EFL. Your plan sounds good - but in the Middle East, the MATESOL would be far more valuable than the MA in Education.
There's also the problem that U of P is an on-line degree, right? That could also be a problem in the Middle East.
Regards,
John

Mexicobound · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:02 am Post subject:

I don't know about Asia but I have read on the board where people in Latin America have received MATESOL from a brick and mortar university while teaching.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

BUT, the MEd confers QTS doesn't it, (Qualified Teacher Status) whereas the MATESOL doesn't, does it? (I'm not 100% sure about US quals, so pls correct me if wrong).

Generally speaking I'd say QTS is a heck of a worthwhile qualification if you're going down the teaching track - it means you can apply for jobs at international schools worldwide - which pay better than anyone except the top unis - plus you can get a real job in your own country if/when you feel like returning.

Mexicobound · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:15 am Post subject:

IMHO, don't waste your money on online degrees.

From what I have read of the U of P teacher cert. programs:
The OP would need to move to Az., find a teaching job and teach as a student teacher(most likely an unpaid position) before certification will be granted.
Read here:

http://www.phoenix.edu/degree_pa/education/maeearly_childhood_education__certification_/16.html

Also, U of P doesn't offer a MATESOL they offer a:

Master of Arts in Education/Curriculum and Instruction�English as a Second Language
see here:

http://www.phoenix.edu/degree_pa/education/maecurriculum_and_instruction_english_as_a_second_language/15.html

That isn't even a certification or a real MA degree.

PS: State certs are not transferable to other states, not true.
You must get certified in any state you teach in; you can teach for 1 year with another state's certification but you must get certified by the state you wish to teach in within 1 year.(usually)
There is a teacher I work with who is a teacher from Oklahoma who had to take all the SBEC(State Board Educator Certification) tests for certification in Texas.
This includes the subject tests for areas taught plus a Pedagogy and Profession Responsibilities test.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:27 am Post subject:

Regarding reciprocity, here's a good source:

State-by-State Chart for Policies on Reciprocity and Out-of-State Teacher Certification
Below is a chart that explains the basic conditions under which states do or do not grant reciprocity for
out-of-state teachers, or accept their out-of-state qualifications and experience in the certification process. All teachers must be certified in the state in which they teach, and the requirements vary
greatly between each state. Please use this chart as a starting point to find the information you need, by clicking on the links to �FURTHER INFORMATION.�

http://www.jflalc.org/upload/336.pdf

Mexicobound · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:29 am Post subject:

Also, look what others have to say about the U of Phoenix:

from "The guide to online schools":
http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/university-of-phoenix-reviews.html

From consumer affairs:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/education/phoenix.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/02/univ_phoenix.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/education/phoenix_easya.html

from Rip-off report:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/324/RipOff0324028.htm

and Complaints board:
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/scam-and-cheating-c55882.html

and Student's Review:
http://www.studentsreview.com/AZ/UP.html

Great_Leader_of_ESL · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 6

Thank you all for your support and comments. The list of states that I could exchange my certification in was very helpful, so thanks for that John. Even if I would be unable to get a certification outside of Arizona, Phoenix is a nice city, and I would not mind living there again.

As far as the student-teaching goes, yes mexicobound, you are 100% correct. I would have to return to Arizona and do two 8 week unpaid student-teacher courses to complete my certification. Lucky for me, my wife likes the weather in Phoenix and the local scene down in Tucson, so returning to AZ won't be too much of a problem. The salary for a starting teacher with a masters in AZ is only $35K per year, but which of us goes into education for the money right?

As far as getting a degree from a brick and mortar school, it is something I would love to do. However, I don't have the $50K it would cost for living expenses and tuition to go back to the University of Arizona or Arizona State University and do it. There is, another option, however. I could return to Arizona after saving up some money in Korea and attend a community college teacher certification program. One of these programs can be had for about $10K in living expenses and tuition. The only downturn is that it only makes you a certified teacher with a BA as community colleges do not offer MA/MS degrees.

So new question to you all. Which would be more beneficial? A brick and mortar CC teacher cert. combined with a brick and mortar BA, OR an online MA with a teacher cert.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject:

Dear Great_Leader_of_ESL,
Which would be better may depend to at least some degree on where you want to go. As I mentioned earlier, the Mideast is not "online degree" friendly. But in other places in the world, whether your degree in B&M or online might not be so much of an issue.
Regards,
John

Chancellor · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:32 pm Post subject: Re: Thank you all