Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nourozi]

Should I get an online masters degree for university jobs? Is it worth it?
Got any suggestions on where to get my degree?

[the ireland]

I'm in the middle of doing my masters now...it's an actual masters, not an online one, wish i could come up with a topic for my dissertation that my supervisor wouldn't keep shooting down though

If you actually want to learn about the subject you are doing, i would recommened actually doing it through lectures and boring stuff like that rather than just online.

however if you want a piece of paper calling you an mba, msc, mbs, etc etc, o it looks good, then just get one in thailand, phillipines or somewhere like that

[michaelambling]

[bassexpander]

[kasain]

Well no one answered his question:

Is it worth getting a masters degree. If you plan to go to another country that pays 4-5k or more a month, sure. Or if you have plans to go back to your home country it would help.

But IMO if your going to stay in Korea, I wouldnt. Masters would cost 20-30k and maybe give you a $3400 dollar to $500 dollar a month raise. That doesn't come close to equal out your investment.

If you went for a teaching degree, I don't even know how you could as most teaching degrees in USA require you to be a sub for six months. No pay. But then start you off at 50+k a year.

[the ireland]

[bassexpander]

My MA program will cost me about $12,000 US, including books. There is at least one I've seen that is closer to $7,000 total, and they teach a few classes here. I forgot the name of it -- someone can chime in with it. Good luck getting into that one, though. I hear the list is pretty deep.

[Dodgy Al]

[Unposter]

University pay and conditions in Korea vary greatly. I've heard anywhere from 1.8 - 3.7 million won a month. Most universities, at least in the Seoul are, do not pay for housing or flight and they usually have the private school pension fund, which means you do not get a one month severance.

Hours and vacation time can vary greatly. I've heard anything from 9 hours to 20 classroom hours a week. Plus, there are office hours, exam creation, exam making and grading term papers. There may be other university events which take place outside normal working hours as well.

Generally, there are a number of options to supplement your income if you work at a university such as extra classes, editing, test evalution etc...If you are hard working and a good teacher, I think there can be a lot of money to be made. I would say upwards to 10 million a month but I think very few can do that. I know of at least 1 FT who has been making that regularly. I would say somewhere in the 5-6 million won rage is realistic if you want to work and are a good at what you do.

Some people get hired with a BA but they rarely get the plum positions. An MA (from anywhere in anything) usually nets you an additional 100,000 won per month. I would say even an MA in TESOL or English does not guarantee anyone of a plum university position. From my experience, whatever that is worth, it is still all about making contacts but an MA in the right field would certainly help and open doors.

Is it worth it? You decide.

[bassexpander]

[Jimskins]

Can I slightly adjust this thread to

Get a PHD?

I have an MA TESOL and am here in Korea for the long term, do you think it is worth starting a PHD part-time whilst working at a low-hour Uni job (assuming I can find one) ?

Cheers

[the ireland]

a phd???

if i ever see a text book, the inside of a university library, the harvard business review, be told how to reference my work in the harvard style, look through the ebsco journal database or have an exam ever again after i finish this masters i will jump off a bridge!!

[Craven Moorehead]

To tell the truth, if you have to pay for your Masters, DON'T bother doing it.