A multifaceted evaluation of Master of Arts programs in English language education

OpenAlex · İngilizce

Although Master of Arts (M.A.) programs in English Language Education (ELE) are widely offered across Türkiye, there is a notable lack of research that systematically and comparatively evaluates these programs across institutions in terms of their aims, content, implementation processes, and outcomes. In response to this gap, the present descriptive mixed-methods study explored the perspectives of current students and graduates from 23 distinct M.A. programs in ELE in Türkiye, employing the Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) evaluation model. Specifically, the study examined participants’ motivations for pursuing an M.A. degree, their evaluations of various program components, and the extent to which these evaluations differed according to individual variables such as gender, teaching experience, and academic achievement. In addition, participants’ perceptions of program strengths and weaknesses were investigated, together with their recommendations for program improvement. Data were collected through a questionnaire, open-ended questions, and follow-up interviews. The findings indicated that participants who pursued graduate education with the intention of becoming researchers in academic contexts reported a strong alignment between their professional goals and their program experiences. Moreover, certain subgroups, namely, female participants, more experienced teachers, and students with mid-level academic achievement, tended to evaluate the programs more positively. Participants also identified key strengths of the programs and proposed several suggestions for enhancing program quality, including increasing the range of elective courses, updating and enriching course content, and fostering greater curricular diversity. Overall, the findings provide valuable implications for program developers, faculty members, and prospective M.A. candidates, contributing to the ongoing improvement of graduate education in English Language Education.