Teaching a subject with little to no real-world experience?

Discussion in 'Online & DL Teaching' started by Randell1234, May 30, 2009.

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  1. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Okay, my wife will probably get her BS from CCU and go on to get a masters to teach online. Currently, she does not work and we are looking at this as some "retirement plan". So with her background - admin work - she would not compete with people with masters degree and a professional background.

    The question: what RA school will accept an NA degree and offers masters degrees in a high-need area where real world experience is not required? The one that comes to mind is American Military University's MA in History or Humanities. You can't have real-world experience unless you are a thousand years old ;) :D

    So, give me feedback. Is this a bad idea for some reason? I am thinking history, humanities, public administration or english. Does anyone know of an RA school that will take an NA degree that offers a masters in english? I contacted Fort Hayes and Western New Mexico and they said no.
     
  2. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Randell,

    National University and Northwestern State University of Louisiana both offer a masters in English. I'm not sure on their policies of the NA degree but I always say apply.

    NU MA English

    NSULA MA English

    NSULA is inexpensive and would be the first place I would start and even make an appeal if turned down. It is too good a bargain to not take a look.

    I'm thinking of the program just because it is so reasonable.

    You might also check with Morehead:

    Morehead MA English

    There are a number of technical writing programs out there also. I've posted som threads here previously.

    You might also considering her taking a look at teaching English as a second language.

    Good luck and I think that it is a great idea.
     
  3. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    Are you 100% sold on the NA degree? Why not go RA and dramatically expand the opportunities?
     
  4. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator


    I have several reasons: price, flexability of program and testing, and my all time favoriite - because. ;)
     
  5. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I'm guessing that if a person had the credentials to teach Mathematics that they could find work at the CC level regardless of their "real life" experience.
     
  6. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    I would think that history is one subject you could teach without real world experience. After all, wouldn't you need to be about 200 years old to have experience "doing" history?
     
  7. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    That is my point! Thank you-
     
  8. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    It depends on the definition of history. For example I worked with WWII vets at a WWII aircraft museum and also interviewed WWII vets on their experiences for the Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/vets/

    Also I worked in aerospace for several decades. I now read history books on programs I worked on.

    I would count this as real world experience.
     
  9. Princeofska

    Princeofska New Member

    You do need experience to teach history at an online school, usually the big names like UoP and DeVry don't even count just classroom experience in your five years. I have friends with loads more internet and ground experience than me that can't get into the main online schools because they only have academic experience. I got in because I had a diverse background, I have done administration, corporate management, museum work, and teaching. I spoke more to their supposed student base - the working professional - than my colleagues. Also, despite how "easy" you might think it is to have no real world experience and still get a job teaching history, most of the online gigs (unless CC) want you to have published.

    Oh, and the biggest killer, the competition. There are literally thousands of unemployed history PhDs out there looking to scrape by, many try to get online classes. That is a lot of competition for a non-professional in history. I just don't think the odds are good in history. Now English, a high need discipline, that is probably the ticket you are looking for. If she can stand the routine grading of awful papers.

    Oh yeah, last time I checked APUS is actually RA and NA, so that degree might go a lot further than a purely NA degree. Speaking of APUS, does anyone know how to apply to be an adjunct there? It seems on their employment page they only have full time faculty positions. (Wish I had my PhD in hand, since some of those positions are sweet for a historian!)
     
  10. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    I would highly recommend finding the contact info. for the program director for the program you want to teach in (providing you are qualified) and contact them directly. That was my route into adjuncting at APUS.
     

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