Best option for online masters degree in education

[Monomial]

Hi everyone,

A search of past posts shows that variants of this question have been asked several times, but I guess I am hoping for some more up to date information, and maybe advice a little more targeted to my specific situation.

I am currently working and living in Thailand with my Thai wife and children, and I am rather tired of my current setting. It isn't that it isn't lucrative, but in my mid 40's I am finding that it simply isn't very fulfilling, and staying on top of fast moving trends in smartphones and mobile commerce just isn't something that I enjoy doing. I'd prefer to leave this to the younger guys who actually think that spending all day on Facebook is fun.

I've always wanted to teach math and physics however, and I would like to prepare myself to be able to do this at Thai schools and universities where they may want an English speaking teacher for this position. I understand that teaching in Thailand can be a lesson in moral compromise, but I still think I would find this preferable to where I am currently at.

The question becomes what should I do to accomplish this? I have a Bachelor's degree from a prestigious university in the US, but have no formal education in teaching. I would like to do some kind of course online that would be respected enough to allow me to get hired at a decent school in the Bangkok area. I can not leave Thailand to do this, and I have to continue working while studying in order to pay the bills.

Can anyone offer suggestions and links on what courses I should take in order to make a career transition like this? I am sensitive to price, but will pay if it looks like a sound investment in my future. Essentially, I am looking for a good cost/benefit ratio, rather than the best or the cheapest.

[DLang]

I believe you can do a distance M.Ed from Sheffield Hallam University.

[DLang]

I've always wanted to teach math and physics however

If you have a degree in either of these, consider doing the above M.Ed, or an iPGCE.

You could fall into a very decent position if in the right place at the right time.

[otherstuff1957]

If you are from the US, an M.Ed. from Framingham State U. (in Mass.) can be done here in Bangkok. I don't know if this link is allowed...

http://www.framingham.edu/graduate-studies/international-education-program/international-teaching.html

The cost is quite reasonable and I would sign up, but the time frames when they offer their classes just won't work for me.

There are other local or online options, but most of them are either quite expensive, or will get you degrees from Universities from Thailand or the Philippines. Which may not be as well regarded by the better employers.

[SlyAnimal]

With the bachelor degree you already have (BSc?) you could already teach at a government school. The money (30k-40k isn't anywhere near as good as an international school (40k-200k), but with no prior teaching experience in your home country, even with a MEd you'd likely still end up at a government school or possibly a university (Although in that situation a masters in the same field as your bachelor degree might be of more use than a MEd). Although with a MEd you might be able to get into a better government/private school than most (So 30k-50k), regardless of experience.

With this in mind, additional study isn't going to look as attractive while doing a cost benefit analysis. A TESOL or CELTA course might be a good qualification so to give you the knowledge/experience/confidence to teach well.

Also just havings bachelor degree will allow you 4-6 years of teaching (if you don't hop around schools) after which you'd need a full licence. A full licence can be obtained via a BEdu, post graduate diploma in teaching or by completing a series of krusapa seminars*. If the seminars option doesn't become available, I'd recommend the postgrad dip as its only 1 year (BEd is 4 and a masters is 2 but doesn't guarantee a licence).

* These came out last year but aren't currently offered in English. We're all hopeful that this will change.

[SheungWan]

I believe you can do a distance M.Ed from Sheffield Hallam University.

If he has a good degree from an upmarket US university, he shouldn't go backwards status-wise with a UK new university.

If it is work he is essentially looking for then undertaking the CELTA with International House is the way to go.

[casualbiker]

I believe you can do a distance M.Ed from Sheffield Hallam University.

If he has a good degree from an upmarket US university, he shouldn't go backwards status-wise with a UK new university.

If it is work he is essentially looking for then undertaking the CELTA with International House is the way to go.

Not sure what you mean by new university?

And how does a CELTA beat an MA.End?

Also IF he decides to stay in mainstream schools (EP etc) then he will need the education degree to get a Thai teaching licence!

Edited June 7, 2015 by casualbiker

[casualbiker]

I believe you can do a distance M.Ed from Sheffield Hallam University.

Not according to their website!

[SheungWan]

I believe you can do a distance M.Ed from Sheffield Hallam University.

If he has a good degree from an upmarket US university, he shouldn't go backwards status-wise with a UK new university.

If it is work he is essentially looking for then undertaking the CELTA with International House is the way to go.

Not sure what you mean by new university?

And how does a CELTA beat an MA.End?

Also IF he decides to stay in mainstream schools (EP etc) then he will need the education degree to get a Thai teaching licence!

In the UK, the new universities are primarily those universities formed from the prior-existing polytechnics around 1992 and distinguished from the pre-1992 'old' universities. The lines of distinction are still there in many respects. I would argue that given the OP's background, a CELTA is more appropriate for his CV at this point in time rather than a questionable online Master's, particularly in Education.

[exsas]

Just seen this, UK university based in Bkk

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (International) - PGCEi

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/education/prospective/pgcei/pgcei-introduction.aspx

[optad]

A PGCE would be ideal or a grad dip in Education. Entry into the grad dip now requires a four year under graduate degree, essentially honours. They are a one year course full time generally with 2 placements amounting to around 12 weeks in total.

In Australia it is still not an automatic award to teach as you must then be licensed by the teaching authority. The UK is similar. Registration is then provisional until certain hurdles are completed whilst working.

I know in Australia they are fazing these out or at least encouraging prospective teachers to convert the Grad Dip into a masters of teaching and most students are. At the university of Melbourne, well regarded, 850 studetns are enrolled in the M Teach. There are at least 5 or 6 other universities competing for prospective teachers and I can tell you from experience, there are no domestic jobs!!

I say this for two reasons and certainly not to discourage you as I was in exactly the same spot some five years ago.

1) Specialising in education as with anything is the critical thing. I would advise against an M Teach but an Med in a specialty is better. There lots and that is the growth sector. Anything to do with the international Baccalaureate is a smart move for example and there short course, but expensive, for those. Not online and not sure about Asia.

2) The inability to convert the PGCE or Grad dip into domestic employment is a set back, despite wishing to remain working where you are. The better schools are looking for qualified teachers take the ones who have satisfied the hoops in home country because they are the most arduous. If you can at all, go back adn do the single year qualification before they rule against them. Can be difficult i know but it is rewarding, you will unlearn bad stuff and really open your mind and doors to different things.

That PGCEi is interesting but i would really want to know a principal's pov view at an international school in BKK before enrolling. Actually their take on all those international ED online courses would be really good to know as a currency in south east Asia especially with ASEAN creating some special demands for educators atm.

If there is no comment on that i might even ask around about that myself.

Good luck to the OP though. Remember if you are not moving forward you are going backwards.

[zeichen]

The real problem is that most online master's in Education don't lead to a teacher's license in the US. For the better paid jobs that is what looks good not just the degree. The University of New England has a 1 year program that leads to a teacher's license. Without doing a practicum though a degree in education is worthless. You will learn more in the classroom with an experienced teacher doing your student teaching than 100 hours in class.

As for the CELTA recommendation, go back to the UK and stop peddling that crap. A CELTA is absolute rubbish in the field of academia. International schools don't even look at it. If he got a CELTA guess what, he would still only get to teach in Thailand on waivers for 3 years. It doesn't satisfy any requirements for a teacher's license here. If he wanted to teach EFL at language schools or even at the university level, then yes it is fine. However, the OP wants to teach Math and Physics and get paid well. If he gets a teacher's license and a Masters in Education from his home country, he could be earning 100-150k baht a month compared to EFL teachers here earning 30-50k a month.

[optad]

Pretty much what i said. I will add though that the grad dip in Education was an intense year. I added an Med later which was not nearly as demanding. As outlined education authorities will not sign off on course conducted in foreign jurisdictions for good reasons. It is as much about standards as it is also about peer vetting adn continued supervised practical exploration.

The CELTA is not worthless though and for newbies to teaching, it does offer a methodological starting point. They are not really shaped for science and maths so you would need to be lateral about that. You may not get your investment back financially either.

Edited June 17, 2015 by optad

[zeichen]

"The CELTA is not worthless though and for newbies to teaching"

Yes it is absolutely worthless for anyone teaching math and Physics. Or did they some how change English Language Training to Adults into Education Pedagogy? Not only is it worthless monetarily for non EFL positions, it is worthless for its practice and knowledge of pedagogy. The course barely touches on educational theory or anything about contemporary best practices in education. The majority of the classes are geared for communicative approach to teaching conversational English.

For those that are interested in teaching communicative approach to non native English speakers then yes it has some value. However it is a very rigid methodology that doesn't incorporate all aspects of language learning. It is a good starting point for an EFL teacher but if he/she doesn't build upon their skills set, they will not continue to meet the needs of their students for the future.

[GanDoonToonPet]

"The CELTA is not worthless though and for newbies to teaching"

Yes it is absolutely worthless for anyone teaching math and Physics. Or did they some how change English Language Training to Adults into Education Pedagogy? Not only is it worthless monetarily for non EFL positions, it is worthless for its practice and knowledge of pedagogy. The course barely touches on educational theory or anything about contemporary best practices in education. The majority of the classes are geared for communicative approach to teaching conversational English.

For those that are interested in teaching communicative approach to non native English speakers then yes it has some value. However it is a very rigid methodology that doesn't incorporate all aspects of language learning. It is a good starting point for an EFL teacher but if he/she doesn't build upon their skills set, they will not continue to meet the needs of their students for the future.

I teach maths & physics in a respected Bangkok EP. I have found the CELTA to be invaluable in conveying complex concepts through the 'gestures, pictures & realia' approach. Another pertinent method I was taught was to use closed questions in order to facilitate self-discovery. These techniques include CCQs, gap fills, word banks, odd one out, reading for gist & many more.

You obviously don't know anything about the CELTA, as IT IS purely a pedagogical training course. Prospective candidates have to pass an interview & 2 pre-course assessments before being allowed onto the course, as they are expected to have a high standard of subject knowledge before embarking on their pedagogical training.

The training includes observing the methodology of trainers during lectures, observed teaching practice & extensive (often visceral) feedback.

[zeichen]

"You obviously don't know anything about the CELTA, as IT IS purely a pedagogical training course. Prospective candidates have to pass an interview & 2 pre-course assessments before being allowed onto the course, as they are expected to have a high standard of subject knowledge before embarking on their pedagogical training."

First of all I do have a CELTA and I also have a masters in Education. Which one do you think I value higher?

As for your comment on purely pedagogical training course. Perhaps you have never studied education. Because it is clearly based from a linguistical perspective and not a pedagogical one. Reading excerpts from Garner doesn't equate to much.

"closed questions in order to facilitate self-discovery. These techniques include CCQs, gap fills, word banks, odd one out, reading for gist & many more."

Sorry but I think that you must have gotten your wires crossed. Because open questions facilitate self discovery not closed questions.

Just because you teach at an EP doesn't mean that you actually know how to teach. If you cannot get hired at an International school for a decent salary then you are just deluded yourself to your own prowess of teaching.

Yes, dealing with second language learners requires some techniques and approaches that you wouldn't need teaching native speakers the same subject, but the majority of CELTA and TEFL courses are not focused on pedagogy as much as they are on linguistics.

I spent 6 years studying, 100's of hours in supervised classroom settings before getting my license. You spent 100+ hours with about 8+ of supervised training. Really, you are either arrogant or just ignorant. Get a masters in Education, get licensed in your home country go through teacher training and then see if you actually think that the CELTA is so valuable.

[rcoyote]

zeichen

Thanks for your perspective. I have taught one year and now would like to take on some type of higher learning. Bang for the buck is important, but honestly I do not want to pay anything unless I actually learn more about teaching and helping the students I work with. I have a BA from the Univ. of California, Santa Cruz, an online TEFL and a Business Certificate... All of these helped me and my students, but I just want more. I need to stay in Thailand, I need to continue working unless it is for a small break. I have heard about the Framingham program, but I am just fishing right now and looking for different possibilities.

Future goals??? I am really not sure. I enjoy teaching adults mostly. I am 52, kids like me but I'd rather shape adults. I could see university work as a possibility or working directly with corporate clients. Again, mostly I would like to learn from someone who is somewhat of a master teacher, or from from a respected system. Thanks, S

[Deserted]

You must proceed with caution, many institutes won't accept them. I would contact your prospective employer first.

[MajarTheLion]

Try Western Governors University. The web site address is the three letters followed by .edu.

They have several MA Education programs. I am currently working on my BS in Business. It is self-paced, regionally accredited and very reasonable tuition. I'm not sure about Masters programs, but it's about $3,000 per six-month term for Bachelor level programs and you take as many classes as you can. I started in February and have finished 10 classes for about 35 credits. I don't have a job, so that certainly helps. I asked the sales guy, er, enrollment counselor about the Masters costs. I don't remember a specific number but it wasn't much more than Bachelors-level programs.

If you want to know anymore about it, feel free to reply here or PM me. Best of luck to you.