Hi Chadillac, Mainly I'm considering the program to further my career in teaching academic writing. A funded program would be great, but it is not a necessity. I will hopefully continue working while I attend the program and will be able to pay my way through. Eventually I would like to go onto a PhD, but that will be well in the future years after I've completed my MA. I hope this helps, I'm a little new to the idea of a masters and am still trying to figure out a lot of what I need to attend a graduate program. Thanks!