I've read this forum back and forth over the years about masters programs. I'm still a bit torn and need some advice about which direction I should take to further my career. And also which degree would be more beneficial to me having a trailing spouse. We have no kids at the moment, but we are planning on starting a family within the next 4 years so I will eventually be an expensive hire (keeping it real) in the future. I'm an American currently in W. Europe but I plan on working in at least 3 IB schools in different countries over the next 10 years before settling down in our ideal location.
Right now I'm trying to decide between George Mason's (formally FAST TRAIN) program to get my M.Ed. with an Advanced IB Studies concentration. Or Concordia University's M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction with a STEM concentration.
I know that I want to continue working in IB schools for the rest of my career. Would it be better to just get my M.Ed in STEM and then go through one of the programs for Advance IB certification? Or should I focus on GMU's Advance IB program and add on some sort of STEM certification? My goal is to move into a Curriculum Director/IB Coordinator position with this degree; so would this be the best option for me being an expensive hire in the future? Or am I shit out of luck regardless until I move into a higher admin position (7-10 year goal)?
I'm passionate about all the STEAM areas and can't limit myself to focusing on one subject (like, just Science), so I'd like my advanced degree to reflect that. I'm also wary that the word STEM is the 'in' word right now, and 10-20 years from now it won't be as in-demand as it appears to be in both DE and IE. Do you all think that the STEM bubble will eventually pop in IE? This question probably warrants a different thread.
I could complete Concordia's program in 14 months. George Mason's would take me 3 years max. The only thing I dislike about Concordia's program is that it lacks an international focus, and their focus is more on national and state standards. These standards aren't necessarily a bad thing especially with STEM subjects, but I have no plans of teaching in the US ever again. To finish GMU's program quickly I'd have to take intensive summer courses on campus in Virginia, which means I'd be spending my summers in...Virginia. ::gasp::
I know that WHERE you get your masters isn't as important WHAT you major in, but as an expensive hire I have to be careful about my choice. I'm also not opposed to eventually getting both masters degrees, or a PhD.
What do you guys think? What would you do?
I need my teaching career to fulfill my steminist agenda and also keep me relevant in the IB cult while I birth some babies.
Masters program advice
Response
There is no portfolio pathway to obtaining an Advance IB certificate. You would be essentially doing two Masters to do both STEM and the IB Advance Certificate.
The Concordia Masters in STEM isnt a STEM program, its all Meds/Peds the only STEM about the content is having STEM in the title. None of its going to teach you STEM content (maybe a little content in technology implementation in the classroom), but there is little to differentiate those topics from many other technology based Masters C&I programs.
STEM based degree programs that focus on content tend to be technology education focused programs that either 1) Prepare a candidate more for managing an technology resources and training or 2) Curriculum and assessment organization and implementation rather than serving as a basis for providing classroom instruction. The programs that are directed at classroom instruction provide only superficial exploration of the various STEM components, you cant study much of any content subject when you have to cover so much content (bio, chem, phys, ICT, eng, mat), you would be better off doing a degree in environmental science.
STEM is Pop.Ed. Its my position that STEM is a corrective reaction to a developmental deficiency, that solves the wrong problem, and thats socially promoting maths. In the cultures where its 'cool' to be good in maths there isnt a STEM issue. What made ICT and programing popular wasnt apps, or iphones or the internet it was rapid deployment programing languages. Instead of writing code line by line you just dragged and dropped small chunks of modular code together. Coding became acceptable because the process reduced the maths learning curve. No you have coding boot camps where students learn how to organize and assemble programs as opposed to 'writing' it. It would not have gained such acceptance, if we were still coding in cobalt, or pascal, or fortran, or even C. C++ and VB are too complex for most script kiddies.
I see nothing in your goals about STEM, it seems more like a hobby or interest than a professional objective. If your objective is an IB leadership role (leadership appointment in an IB IS) the GMU program offers you the opportunity to both complete the IB Advance certificate and obtain your administration/supervision credential, which would be highly marketable in pursuing leadership roles.
Family and expense is less an issue and limiting factor in leadership.
If your going to do two Masters degrees do a doctorate you can than focus on what you want which could be STEM integration in IE, or whatever you want your dissertation to be.
The Concordia Masters in STEM isnt a STEM program, its all Meds/Peds the only STEM about the content is having STEM in the title. None of its going to teach you STEM content (maybe a little content in technology implementation in the classroom), but there is little to differentiate those topics from many other technology based Masters C&I programs.
STEM based degree programs that focus on content tend to be technology education focused programs that either 1) Prepare a candidate more for managing an technology resources and training or 2) Curriculum and assessment organization and implementation rather than serving as a basis for providing classroom instruction. The programs that are directed at classroom instruction provide only superficial exploration of the various STEM components, you cant study much of any content subject when you have to cover so much content (bio, chem, phys, ICT, eng, mat), you would be better off doing a degree in environmental science.
STEM is Pop.Ed. Its my position that STEM is a corrective reaction to a developmental deficiency, that solves the wrong problem, and thats socially promoting maths. In the cultures where its 'cool' to be good in maths there isnt a STEM issue. What made ICT and programing popular wasnt apps, or iphones or the internet it was rapid deployment programing languages. Instead of writing code line by line you just dragged and dropped small chunks of modular code together. Coding became acceptable because the process reduced the maths learning curve. No you have coding boot camps where students learn how to organize and assemble programs as opposed to 'writing' it. It would not have gained such acceptance, if we were still coding in cobalt, or pascal, or fortran, or even C. C++ and VB are too complex for most script kiddies.
I see nothing in your goals about STEM, it seems more like a hobby or interest than a professional objective. If your objective is an IB leadership role (leadership appointment in an IB IS) the GMU program offers you the opportunity to both complete the IB Advance certificate and obtain your administration/supervision credential, which would be highly marketable in pursuing leadership roles.
Family and expense is less an issue and limiting factor in leadership.
If your going to do two Masters degrees do a doctorate you can than focus on what you want which could be STEM integration in IE, or whatever you want your dissertation to be.
Last edited by PsyGuy on Thu Jan 21, 2016 6:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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peachestotulips
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 6:24 am
Re: Masters program advice
I didn't even realize GMU had a STEM offering, which I wouldn't be interested in actually. If I go to GMU it will either be for a M.Ed in Advanced IB, or just the graduate certificate in Advanced IB.
If I get my M.Ed in STEM it will be at Concordia Uni.
I don't have an interest in going through a portfolio pathway either, although I technically could earn the basic IB teaching and learning certificate through ECIS. I'm not looking for a program to 'teach' me STEM content, per say. I'm already creating and facilitating interdisciplinary STEAM activities in my classroom. I just don't have the advanced degree to back it up. Listing off my certifications/contributions/achievements isn't relevant to my questions, but its my work experience thus far, more so than a hobby. :giggle:
In the countries where I want to work there is a dire need in these areas. My objective is getting whatever M.Ed degree that will enhance my IB and STEM background as an expensive hire.
Option A:
M.Ed in STEM + Certification in Advanced IB
Option B:
M.Ed in Advanced IB + Certification in STEM
Option C:
Get both masters degrees
Option D:
M.Ed in Advanced IB + PhD in STEM
Would moving into an IB Coordinator type position be the best option for me being an expensive hire in the future?
If I get my M.Ed in STEM it will be at Concordia Uni.
I don't have an interest in going through a portfolio pathway either, although I technically could earn the basic IB teaching and learning certificate through ECIS. I'm not looking for a program to 'teach' me STEM content, per say. I'm already creating and facilitating interdisciplinary STEAM activities in my classroom. I just don't have the advanced degree to back it up. Listing off my certifications/contributions/achievements isn't relevant to my questions, but its my work experience thus far, more so than a hobby. :giggle:
In the countries where I want to work there is a dire need in these areas. My objective is getting whatever M.Ed degree that will enhance my IB and STEM background as an expensive hire.
Option A:
M.Ed in STEM + Certification in Advanced IB
Option B:
M.Ed in Advanced IB + Certification in STEM
Option C:
Get both masters degrees
Option D:
M.Ed in Advanced IB + PhD in STEM
Would moving into an IB Coordinator type position be the best option for me being an expensive hire in the future?
Reply
@peachestotulips
My apologies I was referring to the Concordia STEM program in the previous response. I have corrected the error, again my apologies.
Why do you feel you need an advance degree to "backup" your current STEM experience? There are two components of an ITs resume what they can teach (degrees, certificates, etc) and what they have done (experience, exam performance) of the two, specifically, experience is king, and by a lot. If you are already successful in STEM instruction/curriculum/assessment, adding a degree isnt going to mean more marketability. Your graduate degree should do more for you than a band upgrade on the salary scale. I dont see how it works for you, maybe you can explain? It appears to me to be more of a personal goal of something you want to do and not a goal that increases your utility (which is fine, many ITs that obtain doctorates dont do anything professionally with them, they werent doing before).
Option B is the strongest option given factors of resources vs. marketability.
Leadership roles at the margins have more range of difference. Much depends on the IS and individual factors. In an traditional IB World IS. IB Coordinator is a tasking responsibility often assigned to a senior member of leadership, or is a dedicated FTE junior leadership role. In a small IB IS or in a IS with only DIP IB coordinator is an additional PTE role assigned to an IT who carries an instructional load, which may be more congruent with an HOD appointment.
The recommendation with the greatest utility based on your needs and wants is a senior leadership role at the rank of AP/VP/DP.
My apologies I was referring to the Concordia STEM program in the previous response. I have corrected the error, again my apologies.
Why do you feel you need an advance degree to "backup" your current STEM experience? There are two components of an ITs resume what they can teach (degrees, certificates, etc) and what they have done (experience, exam performance) of the two, specifically, experience is king, and by a lot. If you are already successful in STEM instruction/curriculum/assessment, adding a degree isnt going to mean more marketability. Your graduate degree should do more for you than a band upgrade on the salary scale. I dont see how it works for you, maybe you can explain? It appears to me to be more of a personal goal of something you want to do and not a goal that increases your utility (which is fine, many ITs that obtain doctorates dont do anything professionally with them, they werent doing before).
Option B is the strongest option given factors of resources vs. marketability.
Leadership roles at the margins have more range of difference. Much depends on the IS and individual factors. In an traditional IB World IS. IB Coordinator is a tasking responsibility often assigned to a senior member of leadership, or is a dedicated FTE junior leadership role. In a small IB IS or in a IS with only DIP IB coordinator is an additional PTE role assigned to an IT who carries an instructional load, which may be more congruent with an HOD appointment.
The recommendation with the greatest utility based on your needs and wants is a senior leadership role at the rank of AP/VP/DP.
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peachestotulips
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 6:24 am
Re: Masters program advice
Thanks for your responses. Its not so much that I feel I need an advance degree to "backup" my current STEM experience; but since I've decided to go for it I wondered why not be in an area that I'm proficient in? I have a general B.Ed in primary ed, so I want my master's to be a bit more specific to what I love. I just have concerns that it could eventually do more harm than good having STEM written on my master's certificate in the long run. I think the Advanced IB degree will be more marketable and provide me with better resources. I looked at the syllabi of a few courses at GMU and the content is exactly what I'm looking for.
If anyone is interested, tonight GMU is having an online "Information Session" at 4:00PM EST for those who have questions about their TCLDEL (formerly FAST TRAIN) program.
If anyone is interested, tonight GMU is having an online "Information Session" at 4:00PM EST for those who have questions about their TCLDEL (formerly FAST TRAIN) program.
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peachestotulips
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 6:24 am
Re: Masters program advice
After participating in the info session I feel that GMU is the best option. Before I even asked, the recruiter mentioned a few times that most graduates are currently IB Coordinators. Its also possible to complete the program in as little as 10 months, rather than 2 years. Thanks for your input.
Reply
@peachestotulips
I inferred from your previous post that the 3 year (2 year) length of study cited for GMU was based on your, individual circumstances and how long you had determined it would specifically take you to complete. Many Masters programs advertise timelines averaging about a year. Understand that timeline to completion typically requires a real full time commitment.
I inferred from your previous post that the 3 year (2 year) length of study cited for GMU was based on your, individual circumstances and how long you had determined it would specifically take you to complete. Many Masters programs advertise timelines averaging about a year. Understand that timeline to completion typically requires a real full time commitment.