Doctorate in TESOL vs. Master's in TESOL?

[EliEverIsAHero]

Back in the day, my folks, the older generation, found their escape hatch from precarious moments by teaching English abroad. Moved to a new place where the rent was too damn high? Move away teach English in a wealthy foreign country and bounce back. That's what the older generation did, and it was very easy to do during the last 30 years of the 20th century, give or take some change.

I looked this up and the world is very different today. Many of the countries where you could earn a healthy amount of bread, subsidized lodgings, and travel money for teaching the basics of grammar to early-adult/young-adult students now specifically require a Master's in TESOL and/or a CELTA/DELTA for applicants. Often if not always both. 

So from that POV an MA in TESOL would be the optimum plan for anyone considering that route. But would a PhD in TESOL be overkill? Would it, perhaps, not even hold the same weight as an MA in TESOL in those markets?

Any thoughts on this from folks here who've been in that world?

[Sagan]

If we're talking about legitimate degrees from accredited institutions, holding and using a master's in something is way different than a PhD.

A master's degree means you've "mastered" the subject in question. But the PhD requires that you advance scholarship in that discipline. So, the master's helps qualify you to practice in the field, but the PhD prepares you to research that field. Huge difference.

Will it matter in practice to have a PhD? There is a certain cache to the degree and title, but it's utility is a highly variable concept. YMMV.

Now, on to the other thread which is more interesting, IMO.

[Mint Berry Crunch]

If we're talking about legitimate degrees from accredited institutions, holding and using a master's in something is way different than a PhD.

A master's degree means you've "mastered" the subject in question. But the PhD requires that you advance scholarship in that discipline. So, the master's helps qualify you to practice in the field, but the PhD prepares you to research that field. Huge difference.

Will it matter in practice to have a PhD? There is a certain cache to the degree and title, but it's utility is a highly variable concept. YMMV.

Now, on to the other thread which is more interesting, IMO.

A PhD in that subject also commands mastery in it in addition towards contributing to theory. I don't know what you're talking about. Master's is good, PhD/Doctorate is better. PhD>>>Master's

[bjcheung77]

PhD is better than the Masters, but, you need to know your use case scenario. Most positions don't require a PhD in TESOL as there really aren't many things to research in that field. Most of the time, having the Masters degree would be sufficient, find your use case scenario and see what is required, if the PhD is required, go for it. Review other similar degrees offered by ACE.edu if needed, like the EDD or EDS instead.