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Getting a university job with a distance M.A.
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Chet Wautlands



Joined: 11 Oct 2008
PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 1:46 am    Post subject: Getting a university job with a distance M.A. Reply with quote
Hello all

I'm currently doing a distance M.A. from the University of Missouri. My focus is in TESOL. Next year I plan on applying for a university job and I'm not too concerned on location (proximity).

So, as you might have guessed, I was wondering if anyone had managed to find work with a distance M.A. in Korea. Was it an issue? Were you ever asked about it?

I would have loved to do an in-class M.A., but financially it would have been a disaster.

Also, I have been in Korea for three years now and am pretty much conversational in Korean. I have friends who do not speak English and I do a lot of basic translating for people at my school, but I cannot understand the news. Let's say I'm a "high-beginner". Would that be worth mentioning in a university application or would it be largely unimpressive/unnecessary?


Thanks for your sincere responses

Chet
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mattdsoares



Joined: 04 Dec 2009
PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 2:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Most if not all of the major universities that offer degrees online, such as Mizzou give you a degree that is 100% identical to the degree you'd get if you went to lectures on campus. So it shouldn't be an issue for you. It's the same degree someone on campus would get, so they will only know it was distance learning if you volunteer that information.
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liveinkorea316



Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Location: South Korea
PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 2:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
mattdsoares wrote:
Most if not all of the major universities that offer degrees online, such as Mizzou give you a degree that is 100% identical to the degree you'd get if you went to lectures on campus. So it shouldn't be an issue for you. It's the same degree someone on campus would get, so they will only know it was distance learning if you volunteer that information.


They will work it out since he will have documented work in Korea during the time his degree was supposedly completed. If you could get around that issue it might work though.
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willteachforfood



Joined: 24 Jan 2011
PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 2:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You can get a university job without an M.A. full stop....so yes, you'll easily be able to get a university job with your online Masters....you'll do fine.
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jaeimseu



Joined: 20 Feb 2010
PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
It is possible to get a university job without a master's degree, especially if location is not high on your list of priorities. If you look at the job board here at dave's you can find uni jobs that don't require a master's, so I would guess that an online master's would put you ahead of the bachelor's only people in most cases.

Even an on-site master's doesn't guarantee a job. A friend of mine has an ivy league master's in education and, although he did get a few offers, he didn't even get called in for an interview in some cases. Competition is pretty stiff these days. I think you'd better be able to interview well and/or do a good teaching demo regardless of the degree(s) you possess.
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sigmundsmith



Joined: 22 Nov 2007
PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 6:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
willteachforfood wrote:
You can get a university job without an M.A. full stop....so yes, you'll easily be able to get a university job with your online Masters....you'll do fine.
Although this is true the university gigs that are advertised are usually in country areas and pay can be (and usually are) considerably lower than in the city. It is vary rare to see a university position in a major city advertising that a BA is sufficient.

But if you are willing to live a year in the middle of no-where (I did) then it is possible. It is a good way to get your foot in the door.
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Thiuda



Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Location: Religion ist f�r Sklaven geschaffen, f�r Wesen ohne Geist.
PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:27 am    Post subject: Re: Getting a university job with a distance M.A. Reply with quote
Chet Wautlands wrote:
So, as you might have guessed, I was wondering if anyone had managed to find work with a distance M.A. in Korea. Was it an issue? Were you ever asked about it?


I have an MA in Applied Linguistics that I did by distance. In job interviews I always make it clear that I did my degree while working and it has never been an issue. In fact, I received positive feedback from several hiring committees. My distance MA has garnered me three uni jobs so far, so I don't think you'll have to worry.

My advice, don't be defensive about your credentials - they're just as good as MAs done residentially - tell the hiring committee that your MA was by distance and why that was the better way for you to go.

Congrats on finishing up your MA and good luck in your job search.
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cyui



Joined: 10 Jan 2011
PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi Thiuda,

What does your name mean(�iudo, �eudō? �iuda, or Theod (Theo, "God') etc?
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Hotpants



Joined: 27 Jan 2006
PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 4:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
My distance degree was looked down upon in interviews somewhat, so I really had to convince the interview panels how it would add to my teaching. Having had prior uni teaching experience did also help. That latter point may be more important now there is more competition for uni gigs by MA holders than ever. There are also a LOT of unis that hire by connections over qualifications, too. But if you can sell yourself well, you still have a chance to get a foot in somewhere.
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Poker



Joined: 16 Jan 2010
PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hotpants wrote:
My distance degree was looked down upon in interviews somewhat, so I really had to convince the interview panels how it would add to my teaching. Having had prior uni teaching experience did also help. That latter point may be more important now there is more competition for uni gigs by MA holders than ever. There are also a LOT of unis that hire by connections over qualifications, too. But if you can sell yourself well, you still have a chance to get a foot in somewhere.


This is what I am worried about. I am also looking to do a distance MA (Applied Linguistics through Birmingham University). But I am scared that after studying away, while working too, for two years and spending a chunk of ch