Which of these three degrees for job?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Michael, Sep 15, 2010.

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  1. Michael

    Michael Member

    Which of the following three degrees would be the most likely to land a job for a person? M.Ed in School Library/Media; M.Ed in School Counseling; or Master's in English?
     
  2. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    If your question is for any job as ooposed to a specific job then my vote is for the Masters in English, especially if technical or professional writing was included in the program.
     
  3. PatsGirl1

    PatsGirl1 New Member


    I'm actually considering enrolling in LTU's Tech Writing cert, if for nothing else than to get side gigs grant writing and to have my B.A./M.B.A. "make sense" and flow better on a resume.

    Grant writing is lucrative, if done right.
     
  4. Michael

    Michael Member

    Kevin, thanks for your input.

    Here is my situation: I have a bachelor's with teacher certification in English, Social Studies, and Special Ed. I taught SPED for 14 years but had to quit for health reasons. My health has not improved but I need to go back to work. Didn't like teaching SPED and don't think I want to teach anything in a public school, even though English is my first love, as it were. That's why I considered school library and school counselor. I might like to teach English at a community college, but seems like that would be hard to land.
     
  5. cravenco

    cravenco New Member

    English, which is your first love.
     
  6. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    There are plenty of ALA Accredited masters in library science degrees available via DL.. But this focus will narrow your field. The same with school counselor. I don't want to dissuade you from either field as I believe they are good professions but limited in availability.

    Take a look at: Utah State MS Technical Writing

    and : Northern Arizona University-MA English-Emphasis in+Literacy Technology+&+Professional+Writing

    I like the Utah State program because it is an MS degree but both of these programs are broad enough to apply to many fields.
     
  7. Michael

    Michael Member

    Thanks. Could you say why you think English would be the best?

    I appreciate all the input I've gotten to my posts here.
     
  8. Michael

    Michael Member

    Thanks Kevin.

    There are school librarian and school counselor jobs listed on my state's teacher website.

    Could you expand on why you think an English masters would not be as limited or limiting as the other two?
     
  9. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Writing and communication are skills used in every profession. For instance, the other fields you mentioned would include wrting and communication as a necessary building block.

    I don't know about the specific requirements for the jobs you mention but in my daughter's school the counselor holds a doctoral qualification and is a licensed psychologist. I think that meeting minimum standards for any profession makes it hard to compete against those with these types of qualifications. I do believe that your background would be well suited and I recommend you talk to someone in your area about the professions since my background doesn't qualify me to do anything but provide anecdotal recommendations.

    I will stand by my assertion that the more common the skills, math, English, science, then the broader the application of the degree in other areas.

    However, take a look at this: Florida State MS Library and Information Studies

    the program has 3 concentrations: "Information Needs & Services, Youth Information Needs & Services, Information Architecture & Technology."
     
  10. Michael

    Michael Member


    Thanks for further explaining. What you say makes sense. No school counselor I've known has had a doctorate, but, as you say, a person with a doctorate would have an advantage over someone with just a masters.

    As for an English degree, I'm more interested in traditional courses, plus creative writing, rather than technical or professional writing.

    Thanks for the FSU link.
     
  11. cravenco

    cravenco New Member

    Sure.

    Being able to communicate properly is key in any job, and stating your health problems, a lot of physical activity will not serve you well. I am not saying for you to teach English, but having a well rounded, grounded skill such as writing will serve you better.

    This is coming from my viewpoint because I love the written word and believe it will serve one better in the job market.
     
  12. cravenco

    cravenco New Member

    English rhetoric and composition, not literature?
     
  13. Michael

    Michael Member

    Thanks for your opinions. I need all the help I can get.

    Of all the English programs I've looked at, I like National Univ. and WNMU the best. I could finish NU's program in about half the time as I could WNMU's, and I like the 4-week and 8-week block course schedules better, but NU costs more than twice as much as WNMU. As for course offerings, I might like WNMU a little better.

    Of these two schools, which do you think would be better?
     
  14. Michael

    Michael Member

    I'd prefer literature and creative writing.
     
  15. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

  16. cravenco

    cravenco New Member

    I hear good things about both. But more people, from here at least seem to flock to WNMU rather than NU.

    I have a friend who finished their MA in English and Creative Writing MA (NU). He said he enjoyed it intensely.
     
  17. cravenco

    cravenco New Member

    You my be able to do a dual English/Creative Writing at NU. I am not sure though. You may need to e-mail them and ask if this is possible.
     
  18. cravenco

    cravenco New Member

    If that is the case a dual degree from NU may be better:

    Masters in English/Masters in Creative Writing.
     
  19. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    Hi Kevin,

    You are confusing a School Psychologist (which usually requires an EdS, PhD or EdD and an internship) with a School Counselor, which generally requires a master's degree. Of course, School Psychologists usually make about 20-30k more than a School Counselor, and have expanded responsibilites.
     
  20. Rain

    Rain New Member

    Michael,

    a little bit sidetracking here - but I couldn't help thinking that with your qualifications and experience (even without a masters) you could get a really, really good job in an international school, if you were willing to relocate of course.
     

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