Korean Job Discussion Forums

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Zed,

I see his point. We really need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing an on-campus M.A. at this stage in our careers.

Also, he is correct in that 'at this stage of the game' distance degrees don't carry as much 'weight' as the on-campus degrees. I bit risky to spend so much money on a degree that may or may not be recognized by many governments and universities.

However, $50,000 U.S. is too high if you do it in Australia or New Zealand.

There are lots of people going to places like New Zealand and Australia and getting these TESOL M.A. degrees.

Tuition can range from $12,000 - $16,000 per year Australian.

Factor in living costs and flights and it's definitely up there.

They are only 2 semesters long - under a year.

So, maybe $25,000 Australian - ????

Adam2446 · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

I would just find out if the school is accredited or not. In Canada if a university is provincially accredited then I would not worry about the quality as it will be recognized by all other Canadian universities. I don't know much about the Australian ones that you guys are mentioning though.

posco's trumpet · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: Beneath the Underdog

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

More about distance degree problems here:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=10719

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

Pusanpoe · Joined: 27 Jan 2003

For 95% of jobs in Korea an Ma is not necessary. MA USq or full time MA education Harvard makes you well over qualified for most jobs in Asia. school teachers in Korea get limited extra points for possessing an MA degree. However, I would hire at a uni someone with good experience and employment record plus an MA (on-line or offline) over someone with limited experience, TEFL certificate and no Ma. Ma is a nice addition to the arsenal not much else for 95% of the jobs.

Scott in HK · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:01 pm Post subject:

It is not that the NET program doesn't recognize distance degrees....rather that Master degrees are not one of the criteria for being hired.

The NET program wants its teachers to have B'Ed's or Grad Dip's in Tesol. Having a Masters, distance or not, does not help you in any way.

Mankind · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Australian has a big problem with M.A.'s. Most now are just seen as jokes. Aussie Uni's are handing them out like candy. Prices are low, requirements are low and study times are often low. A lot of people now just disregard Aussie M.A.'s as being little more than mail order degrees. I imagine Pheonix will be the same in a year or two.

If the M.A. doesn't come from a well recognized or top school, it's kinda useless in many respects.

HAND Smile

Scott in HK · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:29 pm Post subject:

Mankind...

Do you have any links that support the idea that Aussie degrees are getting a bad reputation? I haven't come across any aritcles saying this.

Mankind · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Mankind · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Some degrees lend themselves to course work. An MBA is a good example. An M.A. in TESOL can, but I would think sometype of thesis would be in order. Perhaps not a year long out of 2 years study but something.

The question people need to ask before signing-up for an M.A. of any kind is why. Why am I trying to get an M.A. Is it to learn more about the topic, to change careers or to jazz up my C.V. Most people I know who did, TESOL, Linguistics... M.A. did them do spruce up their C.V.'s learning something was an extra bonus almost. And out of all the TESOL type M.A.'s friends have done, only 1 left me going wow thats tough shit. The rest were stuff I figured out after a couple years teaching.

A lot depends on what you want out of it I guess.

HAND Smile

Scott in HK · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:12 pm Post subject:

Mankind...

I am not sure that 'talking to several HR people over the last few years' is enough evidence to support your earlier statement.

TECO...I took my M"Ed through distance and all the people in my course were dedicated teachers who were doing their degrees while working in their classrooms. Many of them lived in Aus but couldn't take the time off to take their degrees on campus.

You would have been happier doing less courses and completing a thesis?? Then why didn't you?? I am sure you had the option to do it by coursework or not.

For the most part, you take out of the distance degree what you put into it..if if was a joke it was because you chose to just make the grade rather doing work above and beyong...that was your choice.

The 'thesis' is not the end all and be all critieria for determining whether a degree has value or not. I have read enough papers to know that few of the grads who wrote one really contributed anything new to the world of education. I would rather delve deeper into my area of interest (I was trying to gain knowledge that would help me run my own school) than spend time learning about research/experiment techniques. If I had done a thesis, I would have had to take two different courses on research techniques and my thesis would have been two credits....it would hardly leave room to explore all the different areas that interest me.

Now having said that...I might still go back and complete a thesis in the future as I might want to hit the next academic level.

Scott in HK · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:07 pm Post subject:

Mankind..

Excellent points about why you are doing it...I undertook mine to become a better teacher. And I learned a lot about running an immersion program.

And I agree Mankind that a great number of people go into their search for a school with the ideas of cheap and easy as their criteria for choosing a school. I chose one due to the nature of the course that it offered.

Mankind · Joined: 18 Jan 2003