Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

lunreclpse · Post by **lunreclpse** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:57 am

What's up everyone...

Alright I've decided to get my master's degree online through the University of New England in Australia. I've noticed a lot of job postings in the US that are looking for a post-grad degree like this. Two questions:

1.) Is this school accredited and/or will it be looked down upon on a resume?
2.) Has anyone been assisted in their job search by possessing their master's? (i.e opening the door so to speak)

thanks a bunch guys and take care

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:59 am

Woodcutter has posted at length at least once about the UNE MA:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/teacher/viewtopic.php?t=8221

UNE also appears to have been mentioned on a dozen or so other threads (according to the search results for 'UNE'), but probably only in passing.

Obviously doing an online or distance MA is better than not doing (not being able to afford in terms of money or time or whatever to do) an on-site one, but you'll have to be prepared to face the fact that some employers (in certain regions especially) may not welcome and indeed refuse to accept the former type. Just as important I would think is what you imagine you would actually stand to learn and genuinely gain from doing whatever course(s) - even supposedly more prestigious qualifications can seem a bit cookie-cutter/conveyer-beltish in some respects (and few involve actual prolonged research that is going to change the world - I mean, most are still taught spoon-feeding ultimately). Then I doubt if employers are going to be exactly splurging on hiring now - cutting back more like.

Sally Olsen · Post by **Sally Olsen** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:14 pm

But you probably can't get a job at a university without at least a Masters, if that is what you want.

lunreclpse · Post by **lunreclpse** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:19 pm

Thanks for the input! I checked out woodcutter's post and it was very informative. Final question, if I am looking for work as an adjunct/assistant/full time instructor at a university in the states, would this degree be a turn-off?

articulate_ink · Post by **articulate_ink** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:08 am

I'm almost finished with the UNE MAAL program. I have had mostly positive experiences with it, but I have a couple of concerns as well.

On the plus side, the content of the courses has generally been very helpful and relevant to my teaching work. It is rigorous, as well. That seems to be overlooked in most discussions I've read about UNE. This is not a do-nothing degree mill program, which is a conclusion many people jump to based on the open enrollment policy. A lot of thought has clearly gone into content delivery via distance. UNE has a lot of experience with students in remote locations, and they've been able to translate it into distance education very successfully. The forum-style postings are beneficial in the sense that they require some thought and often some research. The instructors have been very good (I've had a couple of issues along the way but it's nothing you wouldn't find in any grad program: egos and accountability, the usual crap that goes along with academe) and when I was in Korea there was a great network of fellow students.

However, I would hesitate to recommend the program at this moment in its history, particularly if you want to work in the US. When I began it in early 2007, UNE was still accredited in the US. However, they chose to unsubscribe to whichever of the bodies that was providing accreditation. When this came up, it was explained in terms of costs to the university versus benefits. This can be worked around, but it's something to keep in mind if you're aiming at US employment where accreditation could be an issue. There has also been a fair amount of turnover on the faculty lately. There are other rumblings about how the financial crisis will affect UNE's funding, and about the future of master's-level programs in Australia in general. Finally, I've had some complaints about how papers have been marked.

If you're in a hurry to get started, I'd suggest doing your homework. U Mass has a distance MA in applied linguistics. The one at U of Southern Queensland has a poor reputation but I'm not clear on why; it might just be the usual bile one encounters in the Korea forums. I'm not sure what else is out there. I wouldn't totally rule out UNE, but I'd be aware that there are a couple of yellow flags waving right now.

Sevans · Post by **Sevans** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:43 pm

Most universities here in the States require a PhD if you want to be a professor. Some community colleges will hire you with a MA, but it depends on the school and the pay will not be nearly as good as at a Uni.

So if your goal is to become a professor in the States, factor that into your decision and make sure that you can get into a PhD program with the MA you are looking at.

I don't know the school you are looking at, but I just wanted to comment on the requirements for teaching in the States. With the above information, I would be very careful about UNE if they are not accredited. If your degree is not accredited, it isn't worth the paper it's printed on in the States.

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:13 am

Great - so I've got a mickey mouse MA again?

Anyway, I certainly didn't do the UNE MAAL with an eye on becoming a big league academic in the USA - I had a much more realistic running to stand still kind of aim....

And I have.

Sally Olsen · Post by **Sally Olsen** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:02 pm

There are other jobs in the university besides professor and usually an MA with intention of studying for your PhD while working is enough for the various other jobs that need doing.