Susanne

Master of Applied Linguistics

I have worked as a Speech Pathologist both in Germany and Australia before I decided to take up postgraduate studies. As I still wanted to continue with my profession I was looking for an online opportunity to do so. The Master of Applied Linguistics (generalised stream) appealed to me greatly as its courses offered me the right mixture for both my professional and personal priorities and interests. Working towards a teaching position I found it necessary to gain a more thorough theoretical foundation in areas such as language acquisition, and aspects of bilingualism. Both areas are well covered in the program.

When I started the program we still lived in Canberra. Close to halfway through the program my family and I moved back to Germany. In regard to my studies that wasn't a problem at all: as soon as I was reconnected to the internet I was able to continue with my studies. Material was always quickly and promptly mailed out to me (most of it was available electronically anyway) no matter where I lived. Both academic as well as administrative staff was easy to contact and always reacted very promptly to my queries.

I also had the opportunity to meet with some lecturers in person and had a look at the University campus, Newcastle, and the Hunter valley.

Close to the end of the program I won a teaching position as a junior lecturer/clinical supervisor in Speech Pathology at the 'Medau School of Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology/(Priv.) University of Applied Sciences for Allied Health professions' in Coburg, Germany. It's a very satisfying position and I feel very confident in teaching, now that I have the theoretical foundation I was looking for.
I found my postgraduate, online studying experience very enjoyable and worthwhile both in regard to professional knowledge gain, career options, and personal advancement