Job Discussion Forums

[Ookami.K]

I have decided that I will pursue further education, in order to improve my teaching abilities and to open up more possibilities. I would like to be tenured at a university, at some point in the future, and I would like to have some weight behind my name when I create educational materials.

With the diminished view of distance learning and online education in the eyes of Japanese employers, I have decided to attend one of the physical universities in Japan. As far as I know, the universities that offer Masters degrees in English education are Teachers College and Temple University. Private Japanese universities also offer the degree I seek, but I have been unable to determine which language is used for instruction.

As such, I am most strongly considering these two universities.

Teachers College is actually the Columbia University Graduate School of Education. It offers a Master of Arts in Education, TESOL. In order to graduate, one must obtain 36 credits at 8,1000 yen each - for a total of 291,6000 yen. Teachers College is regarded as the #1 graduate school of education in the United States by US News and World Report.

Temple University is actually a public Pennsylvania University. It offers a Master of Science, TESOL and a Doctorate of Education, TESOL. In order to graduate, one must obtain 30 credits at 7,4000 yen each - for a total of 222,0000 yen. Temple University offers the ability to take 9 credits of classes prior to matriculation.

I suppose I know the cold hard facts. What I want to know is:
1. Will attending Teachers College be more respected on my resume than attending Temple University, while in Japan? Europe? Middle East? I don't plan on returning to the United States, so the prestige I would have there matters little to me.
2. As I will likely seek to get a doctorate after this degree, will I be able to attend a Japanese university's doctoral program with one of these degrees?
3. If not, will it be easier to get into Temple University's doctoral program with a degree from Temple University or a degree from Teachers College?
4. Is attending Teachers College going to be worth the additional 69,6000 yen and the additional year of study?

Finally, if anyone here has attended either of these graduate schools - I would really like to get your impressions on the quality of the education you received, if you are satisfied with your decision, and what you're doing now that you've attained the degree (if you have).

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies!

[bearcat]

Where graduating from is going to matter less and your publishing articles and being well networked within the professional organizations of the field will be your main concerns.

Both schools have their own merits. Look at who is currently teaching in both programs and if there are any differences in their programs from an educational standpoint. If you have a specific interest or focus, are the teachers or courses to be offered going to cover those areas?

At the Doctoral level it becomes even more important that you choose a program based on the above if you are serious about it. My understanding is that you usually do not want to get your Doctorate from the same institution you got your MA from unless the program really features people who are affiliated with your area of interest.

[fat_chris]

Also, what insights do posters have on the EdD program in TESOL at Temple University-Japan (Osaka Center and/or Tokyo Center)? Do you feel that the EdD program is "solid" or would it be better to return to one's home country (i.e., the US) to pursue the doctorate?

In my case, I have earned an MA in TESOL and am interested in teaching on the college and university level in Japan. One of my goals has been to earn a doctorate in TESOL or Applied Linguistics. It's just a matter of when and where and how to pay for it.

Regards,
fat_chris

[fat_chris]

[Ookami.K]

Thanks for the great information. I'll be sure to ask these kinds of questions if they aren't answered during the information sessions.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I gotta tell yas that I give a BIG THUMBS UP on the TUJ program! As I frequently tell anyone within earshot, it is the BEST money that I ever spent. I aced my M. Ed. in TESOL there a few years ago after somewhat dropping out of my field (I say "somewhat" as I worked full time at NOVA to make ends meet,,,and NOBODY has to be reminded of what kind of freak show that purported "language teaching chain" that was...used 'em like a tool, I did!).

After finishing my studies at the Fukuoka Center, I slipped back into making the big bucks again without having to suffer under the novices that I had to put up with with only the 1st degree.

Now, I work for a great uni system and have received over 30% in raises in the short few years I have worked for them. I deploy cutting edge educational technology and guide my students in its usage. I work on a very supportive educational team under a suprvisor that respects the people that s/he chose to employ.

I know that people balk at the price that TUJ charges, but high prices are the reality in Japan. Something that the high prices brought me were the great likes of Sandra Fotos, Sandra McKay, J. D. Brown ( the most unpretentious leader in his field that I ever shared a beer with), Michael Rost...the goes on and on... And, all of these people were either brought to TUJ in their Distinguished lecturer Series, are visiting profesors at TUJ or on a great staff of educators that Temple was so smart to employ. One of the big reasons that I so impressed my interview panel was including these names on my resume. That alone, of course, wasn't the reason that I'm in the position that I currently hold, but it was interesting to see them take fuller attention of my words when I mentioned things that I had learned in their classes. I'd say that I earned the money back for my TUJ experience within a year to a year and a half. Our savings rate now is something between USD35,000- 40,000 p.a. Not only because I'm in a good part of this game, but I work for a great system who very wonderfully fully compensate the professionals that work for them.

I can see where the choice between Teacher College and TUJ's program would cause a conundrum as both are excellent colleges. Ironically enough, the Director of the program offered at TUJ got HIS doctorate from Columbia U.

Nope, got nutin' but great memories of my classes, the extremely hard work in keeping up with the readings and actually understanding what they were trying impart, and sitting around with my professor and other members of my cohort translating the Old English that had been assigned for that week while sucking down some great Asahi Beer and eating great Japanese Izakaiya style food. God, I wish this opportunity had existed when I served the JET Program(me) in the early 90's!

Oh, and the bit about "visiting professors", that means that many of them still are associated with other universities, but those like Mark and Fred are there full-time. I really don't know what "visiting professor" really denotes.

NCTBA

[G Cthulhu]

[Ookami.K]

NCTBA, thanks for the great information!

[redeyes]

NCTBA, thanks very much for your PM -- I just replied.

Best,

RE.