Type of Master's matter?

[CaliPro]

I was wondering if the type of Master's you got mattered in terms of getting a better salary.

I would like to get my MA TESOL for teaching esl at Universities later down the road.

So I was wondering if I could just get that instead of getting an Masters in Education.

[WeDoDude]

A Master's degree is a Master's degree. Whether it is a Master's in Arts (MA), Master's in Science (MS) or Master's in Education (MEd). What matters is the coursework you took and what your Master's degree is in (your major). Each type of Master's has its own requirements to obtain, but one is no more regarded than the other.

If you want to teach at the Uni level you might want to look into a Doctorate degree. Uni jobs are less about teaching and more about researching and publishing. Sure there are adjunct positions that might take you on with only a Master's degree, but those are usually part time positions.

[CaliPro]

I am speaking about purely in a sense of increasing your pay in the international teaching field.

In regards to teaching at Unis, having a doctorate is not as important in teaching ESL (oral English) at Universities abroad. Generally speaking a Masters in TESOL will do. Well, in the regions I will be living in.

[PsyGuy]

As far as purely qualifying for an increase in step on a schools salary school, all masters are treated the same. An M.Ed though is more marketable, and makes getting into administration roles much easier, and admins make more money in general.

[CaliPro]

Ok that was what I was thinking.

Not sure i want to be in administration.

Working at a Uni in terms of hours and stress is a lot more appealing when I reach 40 or 50 years of age.

Does it have to be a masters from the US?

There is a MA TESOL program I can do in Korea that would be convenient that I could go ahead and knock out this yr or next. Not really looking to go back to the US for a year.

[PsyGuy]

It doesnt HAVE to be in the USA, but outside of western countries, such as USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. If you really want to be taken seriously it needs to be from one of that particular countries well known universities. NUS in Singapore, Sophia in Japan, UHK in Hong Kong, BU in Thailand, etc. These are usually the schools that have exchange or branch campuses with western universities (Yale has a new branch campus at NUS in Singapore).
As you know there are a LOT of colleges, universities that appeal to the ESL circuit offering Masters degrees in TESOL.

In SK the Ivys are in order:

Yonsei University
Koryo University
Seoul National University

Yonsei doesnt have an graduate program in TESOL. Though UG program in Eng. Lit. program combines some TESOL courses, these are only at the undergrad level.
Koryo University offers a Masters in English Linguistics, but its much more an academic program then a teaching program.
National University has a Masters in English Linguistics and in English Education, and its really the only one of the three you would have any chance of getting into.

[CaliPro]

Not so much concerned with being taken seriously.

I will need it for the standard raise and to meet the qualifications for the jobs I want when I get older.

At the end of the day an MA TESOL is a MA TESOL.

I know it wouldnt be an issue in Colombia. I will need to head over to the Middle East forum on DavesESLCafe to see about how it affects getting a job over there.

[PsyGuy]

By taken seriously I mean accepted.

[CaliPro]

So MA's from only top tier / elite foreign Universities are accepted? (by accepted I mean get the standard MA bump in pay at International Schools)

[PsyGuy]

Its less certain. I wouldn't so much say top tier elit universities only, but universities with well regarded reputations. This is really an area where the issues are decided Oma. Axe by case basis, and if you have a degree from a school that might be suspect, or have or develop a reputation as being a diploma mill, or who's academics are inferior, your masters may not be accepted as a masters. It might be seen as a bachelors or honors bachelors, which just made it worthless, it might not be ccepted at all. Why take that risk?
Last year we had a substitute tutor, who had a 1 year masters degree from a school in HK. His degree was not accepted.
If you want to teach UNI, your kidding yourself, if you think all masters degrees are seen equally. A masters from a more reputable school is going to make you more competitive.

[CaliPro]

I am just looking for a convenient 1yr low-moderately priced MA TESOL degree that will qualify me for Uni gigs.


The time table isnt gonna line up for to take one next year anyway. Guess Ill just have to wait till I get settled in somewhere then see what the options are.

[PsyGuy]

The issue is what you want in the meaning of "qualified". If being able to check off "Masters degree" is all you want, then any Masters will do. If your looking to better your marketability, and actually open doors to better positions, you need a strong solid academic credential.

[CaliPro]

As far as International Schools are concerned, I am only looking to "check" off Masters Degree for what ever bump in pay policy they have towards that.

In regards to Universities I will need to do my due diligence and make sure the degree is accepted to get me the jobs I want in "x" region.

[Chinuk]

For what it's worth, the schools I've worked at in Asia didn't seem to care what my Masters was in (not directly in my teaching area, but connected) or where it was from (definitely not a top tier uni). They just ticked the box and I got the increased salary.

[bobin85]

[quote="Chinuk"]For what it's worth, the schools I've worked at in Asia didn't seem to care what my Masters was in (not directly in my teaching area, but connected) or where it was from (definitely not a top tier uni). They just ticked the box and I got the increased salary.[/quote]

Out of interest, do you think the box would get ticked for an automatic MA (i.e. one you get for free a certain amount of time after a Bachelors degree)?