guyanaboy

Hey Everyone,

I am in desperate need of some advice since I feel as though I am at a crossroads... Currently, I am doing my MA in English Literature online and about halfway done... I want very much to teach at a college (preferably in Florida) in the US as soon as possible because there are problems where I currently work... I am wondering if some colleges (Junior Colleges) would hire me even though I have not completed my MA (I hope and pray to be done by September 2009) ??

I am also thinking of starting an online PhD in September to improve my chances of finding employment...My passion is for film though I am not sure that there are that many teaching positions in that field so I not want to limit my opportunities so I am thinking that I should continue in English Literature...

As mentioned, I am pretty desperate to relocate and want very much to secure some sort of full-time position as soon as possible so I would be extremely grateful for any and all advice you can give...

Thanks in advance...

RoaringMice

Where are you getting your degree? What university? That'd help me determine whether or not your MA will be acceptable to community colleges in the US.

I would be very surprised if you'd be able to parlay an online PhD into a teaching job. I'd really need to know where you were thinking of getting your PhD in order to be able to give a guess on that one, but in general, academia still looks down on online programs. Be very cautious.

guyanaboy

Thanks for your prompt reply...

I am studying at National University which, from my understanding is regionally accredited and my goal is to complete my studies as soon as possible so that I can begin working in the United States at a community college... I am currently teaching at a community college so I have experience working at that level... I believe that one can teach at the community college level with an MA so I am hoping that once I have completed my studies that I can find work in Florida...

The PhD is something I would like to do for personal reasons though I think that it would improve my chances of being hired as colleges appear to prefer hiring PhD's... I guess what I would like to do as soon as possible as complete my MA, work at a college then while I am teaching complete my PhD on the side... The question is whether or not it would be possible for me to land a teaching position by September if my MA is not finished by then and if it would be better to do a PhD in English over my first love, Film/ Media Studies...??

tbradford

Online bachelor's and master's degrees are gaining more acceptance, although they are still questioned by academics especially. However, online PhDs are not really helpful for gaining a teaching position. You would be better off trying to get into a brick and mortar PhD program than working on one online. An online PhD might actually work against you rather than for you when looking for teaching positions at regular schools.

guyanaboy

Thanks... the only option that I have is that I can do an MA in School Counseling from Kent State University which has more or less a satellite campus where I am located... I am now worried about how my online MA will be perceived and so I am now thinking that maybe I need to do a second MA at regular B & M school? I am not trying to avoid doing a PhD at a regular B & M school but realistically, time and money are not on my side...