English Master's 4 Online Teaching

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Cate, Jan 13, 2006.

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  1. Cate

    Cate New Member

    Hi all,

    I have a question I'm hoping someone could help me with. I have an undergrad degree in English and Psychology from the University of Washington. I'd like to teach online. I've looked at National University's Master's in English, and MFA; also Mercy College's Master's in English Literature. That's about all I can find as far as online English Master's degrees.

    Which of these two universities would be looked upon more highly regarding getting a master's degree from? I'm not thrilled with either, but I really want to teach online and there aren't many choices for online English grad degrees. I'm not interested in CSU Dominquez Hills Master's in Humanities because there's no financial aid above the cost of the program, which I would need.

    Also, I've looked at Walden's online Master's in Psychology...but I think I prefer going the English route, although Psycology may be more marketable as far as online teaching.

    Any suggestions/help would be much appreciated.

    Thanks much,

    Cate :)
     
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    I don't really have any detailed knowledge of Mercy College or National University. But, to the extent that you say that that was all you could find, might you also consider the MFA in Writing and Literature from Bennington College www.bennington.edu ? Or maybe a good thesis-only master's from University of Melbourne www.unimelb.edu.au or the University of New England www.une.edu.au or the University of Teesside www.tees.ac.uk ?
     
  3. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

  4. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    Hi Cate,

    I am an online student at National University (Psych undergrad). If you have any questions about the school, please let me know. The school is a bit pricey ($1044/course), but it is Regionally accredited. Also, with the 4 week course format, you could complete an MA in English in 11 months (the capstone courses are usually 8 weeks)! The MFA in Creative Writing would take you longer though, since there are several seminar courses which are 8 weeks in length.

    - Tom
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 13, 2006
  5. Cate

    Cate New Member

    Thanks, everyone.

    Appreciate all your input.

    To make my question more specific, does anyone know of someone on this board or elsewhere that teaches English online, that got their master's online?

    If so, from where, and what degree did they get?

    Thanks much! You're all so helpful.

    Cate
     
  6. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

  7. Cate

    Cate New Member

    Thanks - I'll check out the links you provided.

    Appreciate it!

    Cate
     
  8. Witt

    Witt New Member

    Texas Tech

    Texas Tech University (www.ttu.edu) offers an M.A. in English with a concentration in technical communication. This program (thanks to its faculty) is highly regarded in the English studies community. Between the two schools you mention, though, I would go with National University because I have several colleagues who graduated from its M.A. in English program and have good teaching jobs both on campus and online. The other program I have never heard of.

    (By the way, I teach English online and have my master's in online teaching and learning from California State University, East Bay. I am able to teach college-level English courses, however, because I have also completed 22 credit hours in English at Missouri State University, which does not offer its graduate English courses online.)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 14, 2006
  9. Cate

    Cate New Member

    You do? Great. Did you get your master's online as well?

    Thanks for the tips. I appreciate it very much. Further, would you suggest National's Master 's in English, or their MFA for teaching English? It seems the Master's in English might be best for teaching, since creative writing jobs are tough to come by. Do you agree?

    By the way (another question, sorry to bombard you with them :) where do you teach online?

    Thanks so much,

    Cate
     
  10. Witt

    Witt New Member

    Did you get your master's online as well?

    Yes, I did. I edited my previous post to tell you about my master's.

    Would you suggest National's Master 's in English, or their MFA for teaching English?

    I believe that National's M.F.A. is in creative writing rather than "teaching English." Either the M.A. in English or the M.F.A. in Creative Writing would qualify you to teach English at the college level. Keep in mind, though, that the M.F.A. is considered a terminal degree in many academic circles, while the M.A. is not. Ultimately, base your decision on which degree comprises coursework that best suits you. What courses excite you? Which courses would you rather gag than take?

    It seems the Master's in English might be best for teaching, since creative writing jobs are tough to come by. Do you agree?

    Creative writing jobs are no harder to come by than traditional literature jobs. (I say "literature" rather than "English" because National's M.A. in English is essentially a literature degree.) If you want a degree in an English studies area that offers plenty of jobs, get your master's in rhetoric and composition or technical writing. Again, I recommend Texas Tech's program for either of those fields.

    Where do you teach online?

    I am the Director of Online Teaching and Learning at Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) in Springfield, Missouri, and I teach online English and education courses for OTC. Previously, I taught online courses in composition, technical writing, and literature for North Arkansas College in Harrison.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 14, 2006
  11. Cate

    Cate New Member

    Thanks so much. I appreciate your help.

    I didn't mean to say "MFA in teaching English." I was referring to getting either the MFA or the Master's in English, in order to teach online. It just reminds me how important a comma is! :)

    It sounds as though you have a great job. I admire all the work you've done to get there, as well.

    I'll look into the Texas Tech program. Sounds interesting and like a very good degree. I've been checking the links the others have provided, too. I still have a few to check out. What excites me most is creative writing, but evidently I wrongly assumed that wouldn't get me an online teaching position. I'll have to give that some more thought.

    Thanks again to you and the rest that responded to my post. I like this board very much; there are so many people that respond here with helpful and pertinent information.


    Cate
     

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