Introduction
Computer technology is now playing an increasingly influential role in education. Language education has been no exception to this trend and in recent years growing numbers of educators are undertaking graduate level courses in the field of CALL. In the first part of this article, I will identify the major factors that educators must consider before embarking on such a course of study. In the second part, a number of CALL courses in various countries will be examined in order to assist educators in the task of selecting a course suitable to their needs and future career goals.

Selecting a CALL course, factors to consider
The number of CALL focused training programs has increased rapidly in recent years. In contrast to a few years ago, educators considering entering a CALL course are faced with a larger number of possible options. However before embarking on a course potential applicants should consider the following questions:

• Why do I want to do this?
  If your goal is to improve your knowledge of computer technology, ESL pedagogy and make you a better teacher then a CALL course may be for you. If you think that graduating from such a course will make you more marketable you may be disappointed. While it certainly true that the demand for computer literate language educators is increasing, the number of posts is limited. Moreover the financial returns from undertaking what is a demanding course of study may not justify for some, the high costs of such a program.

• What will be the entry requirements?
  Most Masters degree programs in CALL will usually require applicants to hold a first degree and some previous teaching experience in the language teaching field. However there are exceptions and negotiation over entry requirements may be possible in some cases.

• Is distance learning an option?
  To many mid-career educators or those with circumstances that make undertaking a residential based MA impossible, distance learning may be a possibility. However candidates should first ensure that any distance based course is accredited internationally. British universities appear to be taking the lead in this area of course provision; distance based MA's have been common in the UK for many years. However it is fair to say that suspicion regarding the validity of distance based degrees remains in some conservative quarters of academe.

• How much will it cost?
  Graduate programs are expensive and CALL courses are no exception to this trend. Potential applicants should compare and contrast course fees and the cost of living in North America with the UK and Australia. Potential applicants should also note that the level of course fee is often determined by an applicant's nationality and residency status. For example, a British applicant for a Master degree resident in the UK usually qualifies for reduced rate "home" fees, while applicants from overseas are usually required to pay a higher "overseas" fee.

• Where can I get financial support?
  Various sources of financial help are available including competitive bursaries, home government support and grants from private charitable institutions.

• How long will the course take?
  Masters degrees generally take two years to complete. However in some cases it is certainly possible to finish in a shorter period of time. However burn out may be a factor in many accelerated MA programs. Full time doctoral degrees generally take three or more years to complete. Part time doctoral degrees may take several years.

• What should a CALL course contain?
  There is a great deal of variety in course content within CALL postgraduate degree programs. In the author's view, a CALL degree should include a through grounding in applied linguistics, instructional design and practical computer skills. These skills should include the use of software tools and authoring packages. Other relevant areas of study would be hypermedia design; concordancing and computer mediated communication (CMC).

• Who will teach me?
  Any potential applicant to a masters program would do well to find out as much as possible about the faculty who will teach them. CALL experts of long experience are still relatively rare so it pays to take the time to check if the faculty in your program have the appropriate backgrounds in educational technology and applied linguistics.

• Will I be able to handle the course work?
  Potential students with little or no background in computers may expect to experience a degree of technostress in the initial stages of the course. This may be alleviated to some degree, if applicants already possess basic computer skills including familiarity with the more popular word processing, email and web browser software. Being prepared may make the course more enjoyable and beneficial in the long term.

• How will my course work be accessed?
  Assessment methods vary between degree programs, but in most cases assessment is based on course work and examinations.

• What type of degree will be granted?
  In the US most CALL based degrees are given the degree classification of MA whereas in the UK by contrast, many CALL degrees are classed as M.Sc. or M.Ed.

• What will I do with this qualification?
  Although the job market in EFL is growing, finding a suitable post where CALL skills can be fully utilized isn't easy. One motivation for those taking CALL courses is that they provide transferable skills. Many graduates of CALL programs have launched alternative careers in areas such as web design, instructional technology and software consultancy. CALL courses examined M.Sc. in CALL and TESOL University of Stirling, Scotland (http://www.stir.ac.uk/ celt/courses/MSC.HTM#CALL). This course was established in 1993 by John Higgins one of the founders of CALL as a distinct discipline, and was the first CALL postgraduate program to be launched in the UK. The program combines a solid grounding in applied linguistics with the essential elements in CALL theory and methodology.

  The M.Sc. may be completed in one year and is made up of the following components:

  Autumn Semester
  

• Teaching of skills or Second Language
  
• Acquisition
  
• Syntax and Grammar
  
• Classroom Observation (for those with no ELT experience)
  
• Introduction to CALL concepts and materials
  
• CALL and communications

  Spring Semester

• Teaching of Elements or the ELT
  
• Curriculum
  
• Phonology
  
• Microteaching (for those with no ELT experience)
  
• The CALL curriculum; evaluation, integration and supplementation
  
• Software enhancement and Data-driven learning

  In addition to the above requirements, students must also complete a 12,000 to 15,000 word dissertation on an aspect of CALL research. A research based Ph.D. degree in CALL is also available at the same institution.

  The University of Manchester Center for English Language Studies in Education offers an M.Ed. (Master of education) course in educational technology and ELT (http://www.man.ac.uk/CELSE/centre/techELT.htm). This course is offered in two modes. Fully distance learning based or through a combination of distance learning and summer attendance. In order to graduate students are required to undertake a total of six course modules, three of which must be in the area of educational technology. In addition students are required to submit a dissertation of between 12,000 and 20,000 words on a research topic of their choice.

  The University of Newcastle upon Tyne, offers an MA in Media Technology for Teaching English as a Foreign Language (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/langcen/postgrad/media.html).

  This course provides students with a grounding in language teaching methodology, computer assisted language learning, video in ELT and media center management.

  This course may be completed in 12 months of full-time study. Assessment is by course work.

  MA in Computer Assisted Language Learning, University of Melbourne, Australia (http://www.hlc.unimelb. edu.au/callmast_arts.htm). The above program takes the form of a research based Masters degree. In order to graduate a candidate must submit a 30,000 word CALL based thesis by research. It may be undertaken on a full time or part-time basis. The University of Queensland Australia runs a Master's degree program in applied linguistics, computers, technology and language learning (http://www.cltr.uq. edu.au/mactll.html). This program is composed of the following courses:

• Structure of Language
  
• Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching
  
• Second Language Acquisition
  
• Second Language Research
  
• Second Language Teaching
  
• Literacy or Issues in Language Program Development
  
• Portfolio and Synthesis
  
• Principles of Computer-Enhanced Language Learning

  This program can be completed over 3 semesters full time or 6 semesters part time.

  The University of Waikato New Zealand Department of General and Applied Linguistics (http://www.waikato.ac.nz/ling/), offers an MA in applied linguistics that includes a major CALL element. Some of the courses in this degree program may be undertaken through distance learning. M.Phil. and Ph.D. courses in CALL are also available.

  Iowa State University offers an MA in TESOL with a CALL specialisation (http://www.engl.iastate.edu/tesling/ma.html).

  This program is designed for those seeking training as a CALL specialist in an ESL program. Core course requirements include the study of the following subjects:

• Sociolinguistics
  
• Grammatical Analysis
  
• Second Language Acquisition
  
• Methods for Teaching ESL
  
• Second Language Testing
  
• Practicum in Teaching ESL or
  
• Seminar in Teaching English Composition
  
• Computer Assisted Language Learning
  
• Instructional Technology

  In order to graduate, MA candidates must submit a research based thesis. The University of South Florida runs a Ph.D. program in interdisciplinary education (http://www.coedu.usf.edu/deptseced/forlanged/phdbro.html) with an emphasis on SLA and instructional technology.

  Core elements of this program include courses in the areas of applied linguistics and SLA. In addition courses are available in the areas of educational technology described below:

• Authoring Systems and Languages
  
• Programming Languages for Education
  
• Applications for Computers as Educational Tools
  
• Instructional Design for Computers
  
• Interactive Media and Interactive Video
  
• Telecommunications
  
• Sound Processing and Animation

  Candidates are also required to complete a dissertation. The State University of New York at Stony Brook has established a Doctor of Arts program in Foreign Language Instruction (http://ccmail.sun- .edu/llrc// llrc3.html). Included in this program are graduate level courses in educational technology with an emphasis on CALL and language center management. Students on this course have access to the Language Learning and Research Center at Stony Brook.

  The Department of Linguistics Ohio University in Athens Ohio, offers an MA in teaching English as foreign language (http://cscwww. cats.ohiou.edu/linguistics/dept/). This degree program is composed of courses in language teaching theory and methodology, curriculum development and evaluation.

  A practicum is also provided to give candidates supervised teaching experience. Five CALL courses are available as part of the above degree program. Entry requirements include a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This course requires two years of full time study.

  Conclusion
  Embarking on an advanced degree is a major undertaking in terms of time and money. Selecting an appropriate course depends largely on an individuals needs and circumstances.

  Potential applicants may pre-empt many difficulties by carefully researching the courses available in order to find the best match between their career goals and the courses available.

  While obtaining a Master's degree in the CALL field does not guarantee employment, it does provide opportunities in what is an expanding and increasingly important area of language education.

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  Mark Peterson holds an M.Sc. degree in TESOL and CALL and is currently a faculty member at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.