Second BA or time for a Masters?

[IAmRubyLennox]

I'm studying with the OU, and I could really do with some input into where to go next.

I have a 2:1 in English Language & Literature already, which I got when I was 21.

This year I have been doing module E111 with the OU, because I needed it for work (teaching assistant). It's an OU Level 1 course, so equivalent to first year undergraduate level. At the end of this year I can either cash it in for a Certificate in Supporting Learning in Primary Schools (equivalent to NVQ level 4 and 'sector-endorsed' for work) or I could continue doing other undergraduate modules in Education or Childhood & Youth, and end up with another Bachelors degree.

Or...

I could finish E111, get a useful qualification in the bag for work, and then continue studying with the OU at postgraduate level for an MEd (Applied Linguistics). This would build on the knowledge I have from my first degree, coupled with the child development knowledge from E111 / work.

On the one hand, there seems very little point in getting another BA, if I want to study childhood / education at HE level I should be looking at something postgrad... as my father and aunt take every opportunity to point out .

On the other, would it be a bit stupid being the most over-qualified TA on the block?

(I know that a PGCE would look like the most obvious thing for me to do, but due to about a billion family considerations, it's just not a goer).

If you've read this far without losing the will to live then thankyou, and please tell me what you think.

Which option would prefer? If you do the masters for personal development does it matter if you are "overqualified" and does it give you the possibility of other things in the future?

I'm studying a masters with the OU and it has taken me in a completely new direction that I wasn't expecting. I've certainly found it interesting and challenging so far.

Well, whilst I'm sure I would enjoy the full BA in Childhood & Youth, I do feel that anything I do should be a progression from where I am now. Also, the MEd with the Applied Linguistics specialism is supposed to be particularly interesting (and valuable) if you work with children who are learning English as an additional language. In our area, we have an ever increasing number of EAL children and it's one area I'm particularly interested in.

Ultimately, anything I'm doing is for personal development because I don't strictly have to have any of it.

Which masters are you doing, webwiz (and thank you for taking the time to answer my OP)

My sister is doing a Masters in a field quite closely related to the one you are in. She says it will develop her career enormously. She worked previously for a local authority in a special school for severely autistic children and it will allow her to do a much wider range of work in helping children with severe speech and language learning difficulties.

I would definitely go for the Masters if you gives you a recognised qualification in your field of interest.

My Masters is Social Research Methods - I have a first degree in Psychology but have moved a bit more over to the social sciences. Its certainly been a challenge so far but I am glad that I started it.

Perhaps a PGCE would be a good idea? Something like this perhaps?

that course looks brilliant, slug, but I've ruled out PGCE for a number of reasons.

I have three primary age DC and no family support nearby. DH works on a contract basis, both in the UK and overseas, so from one month to the next I don't ever know where he's going to be, whether he's going to be living at home or posted abroad, and so on.

There's no PGCE course offered within 45 miles of where I live, and even those require you to be in college 8.30am - 4.30pm Mon - Fri ... and that's before you get into the realm of teaching practice. And then of course, at the end of all that, there's an NQT year to get through. The teacher I worked with last year was an NQT and I know just how much work she put in. I don't know how I'd possibly achieve that with 3 children and no family around.

Thanks for the suggestion, anyway

Do the Masters. A better use of your money if you already have a degree and you'll get the cerificate in learning support for work purposes. As webwiz said, it could take you in a direction you hadn't considered and if doing it primarily for personal development, I would do the more challenging course.

With a Masters you'd have a better chance of teaching at FE/lower HE level (as in teaching your subject) than with two degrees, I reckon. I gave up on the PGCE for similar reasons (LP, middle of nowhere, need to work) and that route worked for me.

Great, thank you all so much for your input, I really appreciate it.

IamArubylennox, i have 2 dc, and am doing my pgce full time right now.

I am a single parent with no family to help!!

All you need to do is find one brilliant childminder to do a few hours here and there, and Bob's your Uncle!

It is doable and it sounds like you are more than qualified to do it....

There's an MSc in childhood and youth at the OU that you could do instead. See here. That'd probably be far better for you than the BA Childhood and Youth.