Korean Job Discussion Forums

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I have a BA in Journalism/Mass Comm.

My minor is in English. I want to further my education and become a more qualified teacher.

Should I go for the Bachelor of Education (not sure how long it will take since I have the BA already) or should I get an MA?

I'm thinking of getting my MA in Distance Learning or some something to do with technology and learning.

Opinions?

CanadaCommando · Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Location: People's Republic of C.C.

Here's a lil more info on this thread:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?p=433692&highlight=#433692

Personally, I think it all depends on what you want to do in the future.

A B Ed is good if you want to be that Career teacher. Gets you certified with your state, gives you some decent theory to back up the logic you already use in the classroom, etc. etc. Alot of my BEd program felt like jumping through hoops however-3 Units in the Philosophy of Education? History of Education and Government? etc. etc. But, this has got to be done if you want to make a like outta teaching.

I think some M.A. courses sound really interesting, I would like to upgrade myself soon. However, while they offer a very good guided study, they often dont pass out such simple and pragmatic skills that the B.Ed does.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

depends on which college or University you go to.

In the University of Alberta you can get your B Ed in a year as an after degree(I think)

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Yep...do you want to teach kids? Go the BEd route...

If you don't want to teach kids, then the MEd route might make more sense.

I'm starting the master of educational technology from the university of british columbia. It's an online degree but it holds the same admission requirements as the regular grad programs so it is a pretty solid degree.

If you speak spanish you can also get the degree from a university in mexico...(joint degree program)

For me, my decision wasn't based on "not wanting to teach kids" more on the fact I wanted to continue my education while in Korea and an online degree made that possible.

kylehawkins2000 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

Most MEd programs require a BEd or equivalent to enter. Be leary of any programs that allow you to jump straight to the MEd from another discipline. In Canada the normal route is BA/BSc first, then a BEd (usually the BA or BSc is required to enter a BEd program, so you can consider it a 'post-graduate' degree if you like), then after the BEd you can go on and do an MEd. You are qualified to teach in most provinces once you receive a BEd but evey province has different rules.

Most BEd programs are either 1 or 2 years. All Ontario Schools for example are 1-year programs, but in Nova Scotia they are all 2-year programs.

I would suggest thinking about which direction you want to take your career in. If you are interested in being a teacher in Canada, US, or wherever your home country is, the best thing to do is check with the local school board and see what their requirements are for certification. It is generally easier to become certified in Australia, England, or the US than it is in Canada.

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I have a BA in English education. Personally I wouldn't waste my time going for another BA. Just get the MA in education. You'll still have to student-teach, though...which can be a pain in the ass.

thorin · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

What if you have no interest in teaching kids. Is an MEd equivalent to an MA TESL if you'd like to get a decent uni gig here? I was thinking it was but what you said makes me feel unsure about getting an MEd without a BEd.

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

If you don't want to teach kids..(AND especially if your motivation is for Uni positions in Korea...) SKIP the BEd...

Get a MA or MEd from and acred. university (online) and forget about it.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Depends where/who you want to teach. In new zealand you can have a basic 3 year degree and then you can get a 1 year teaching diploma that lets you teach in most english speaking countries. You can also enter masters after 1 year of study rather than going the full ba route.

Reasonably cheap for overseas students.

thorin · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

kylehawkins2000 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

In Canada any MEd program that I'v heard of has been geared towards public school teachers looking to improve their credentials. Although it may be possible I'm not aware of any schools that allow people without BEd's (and usually experience teaching in a school setting) into their MEd programs.

I've been told that the Canadian BEd is roughly equivalent to some of the MEd's in other countries becuase in order to attain a BEd you need a minimum of 5 years of total university Education. (In many cases it's actually 6 years).

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

You don't need to study 5-6 years to get a B.Ed.

Many Canadians do 3 year general B.A's, and do another 1 year B.Ed after that.

CanadaCommando · Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Location: People's Republic of C.C.

I think a very important distinction here should be made between:
1) M. Ed.
2) M.A. in Ed........

The first degree is almost always supplimentary to a B.Ed, and is usually a very focused study on a single aspect of Education.

The Second, while similar to the M.Ed in that it is education focused, does not need to be proceeded by a B.Ed or ANY education courses formally.

Maybe I am misunderstanding a distinction; maybe it is a Canadian thing. All I know is the friend a's degree from Australia is a M.A. in Educational Planning (or some BS) while as friend b's degree from U-Vic says "Masters of Education in ...." (special needs curriculum development in her case).

Again, I just want to stress than in more and more provinces in Canada, M.Eds are not licensed to teach. The only program that licences you to teach right of the bat is your B.Ed (or working up to it). One would assume this is similar in other countries as well. Also, foreign Masters degrees, ESPECIALLY AUSTRALIAN do not hold alot of weight with alot of certifing boards.

I took a program similiar to what CLG described- a 15 month post degree curriculum in Education. Left me roughly 2-3 courses shy of a B.Ed, but I am certified everywhere i have gone (looked into NZ, US, and Aus before I came here). I can take a M.Ed w/o having to finish my B.Ed. It was a good route, and I am glad I took it.