I actually have counter- arguments for all of this because this person is being super immature trying to scare people away. This is my reply, and why MT candidates should not worry about any of this (as much as you can) :
1) No beating around the bush, its more expensive. But that price also comes with the name... there is a reason it is ranked 11th in the world, and how the name is recognised around the world. I have experience at an international school, and you'd be surprised with the # of OISE grads in leadership roles across the world (I sure was)... I'm sure some of this is replicated on the private level (to some degree, as small as it may be). My following points only add to the benefits of investing in OISE's tuition fee.
2) As for the pay level, I already have a MSc, and I can tell you that you only get paid $1,200 a year MORE than a teacher without a Master's. Although an OISE MT grad is not recognised as a Master's on the pay-scale, it still is recognised as a MASTER'S DEGREE. I had to simply ask myself, what looks better, another master's, or another bachelor's. The answer was simple, and had nothing to do with the $1,200/year Master's bonus (it's almost comical. They should double down if anything ;). Even if this was my first master's I would be proud. Don't let this guy bog you down. Over-time the MT degree will have more to show for itself (as it's still a new program), as there are only 700 total spots between MA (early childhood) + MT, HALF the total number of former OISE B.Ed spots.
3) Your source of info is wrong. You heard from a friend who left and spoke to 'another university' who did not consider it to be a Master's program. I applied to all Ontario B.Ed programs, and each one tried to convince me that they were the right school, and that the MT degree is a 'glorified B.Ed' (you literally quoted them), and tried to discredit it. OISE is going to attract the most impressive candidates, not simply because of the MT program, but because of its reputation. OF COURSE OTHER SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO TRY AND CONVINCE YOU TO COME TO THEIR PROGRAM OVER THE MT. To paraphrase one school in an article I read on this topic, [It's not fair that OISE get's to chose between the best of the best, as the master's degree would be more attractive, leaving the other schools with lesser-qualified candidates]. One school's angry faculty can't discredit a program's entitlement to graduating you with a Master's, and even if the pay does not change, you still have a Master's over a bachelor's.
4) Research - glad you brought this up. You put into your research project what you want to get out of it. Of course the course (heh) is going to be a joke, but if you want to pursue research and are passionate about your project, I'm sure you'll get out of it what you put in. I should say I'm biased (due to writing & defending), and have an idea of where I want my research to go. I want to use my project's findings as a talking point during an interview, explaining why my educational intervention was able to increase students' learning due to heavy research informed practice (hoping to reject that Ho...lol). I think everyone should have this mindset, and explore an area of educational research in which they are passionate about. Like I said before, you probably get what you put into it, and I plan to put in a lot and not 'coast' by.
5) 25% longer. Except for Queen's and UOIT which go 16 months straight (I only know about Ontario schools), the B.Ed programs have summer offs, while the MT program requires you to work through the first summer. TBH, that was a plus in my books because who needs a 4 month break during a B.Ed
6) Your claim that people are dropping the program... sure.... if they have their hours why would they drop the MT for a B.Ed if (as you say) they are 'virtually the same'. If they are indeed the same, they would tough it out and finish their 2nd year, and not lose all of the 'same' courses and practicum hours.
7) It's a master's in TEACHING not a Master's in Ed or a Phd or an Ed.D. It's to prepare you to become a leading TEACHER and NOT administrator (i.e. principle, but you can still be the subject head). Carry on with an M.Ed or PhD/Ed.D if that's your true passion, or just change to that program if your true passion is beyond being a teacher.
**All things you have said point to you being an upset candidate, and not a current MT candidate who is in the middle of practicum... just saying**
So I asked myself: Spending 50% more (there are these things called grants) for the name and program is worth it in my books. I hear horror stories of people stuck on supply for 9 months-3 years. Take any advantage you can get, and a master's looks better than a bachelor's on paper. I'm sure you can live without the extra $1,200/year (except when your child goes to uni and has a list of first year text books #FirstYearMistakes). You call it 'glorified' based on a competing school's description. In stat's we call that a biased sample (but you should know that, it being easy and stuff). Finally, the benefits speak for themselves (refer to points 1-7).
BE GLAD YOU'RE IN THE PROGRAM OR HAVE GOTTEN YOUR MT ACCEPTANCE!
IF YOU'RE WAITING - BEST OF LUCK!
