Job Discussion Forums

SledgeCleaver · Joined: 02 Mar 2013 Posts: 126

This has probably been asked and answered a million times before, but I talked to a teacher in China (a guy who teaches at a university where I was offered a position) and he basically said, "don't come here, at least go to Shanghai or something, in fact I'd say go teach at universities in Japan." He insisted that it was possible to do this with a good bachelor's (economics) and about 5 years teaching experience, in various fields including mathematics, test prep, and ESL.

I don't think he can possibly be correct, but I thought I should check here. Do people with bachelor's degrees work at Japanese unis?

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

I would say over 90% of university teachers in Japan have a MA. Practically everyone I ever worked with had one. This is for the direct hire jobs, anyway. Going through a despatch company or working for a big program like at Waseda I think you may creep in with a bit of luck... The only guy I worked with who didn't have a MA was employed over twenty years ago when standards were less stringent.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

People have been "grandfathered" in with a BA.
People working for Westgate (at universities, but not for the uni), can have a BA.
People in some small backwater or very low tier uni might have just a BA.

By and large, though, it will take at least an MA in terms of degrees. Even your 5 years of experience may not be sufficient supplement to a BA, especially if it's not in an Asian country. A big requirement in addition to the MA (or PhD in some cases) is publication history. See the FAQ stickies for more details.

And, to go to the horse's mouth on requirements, look at the job ads in English and Japanese on the main site for unis: JRECIN.
http://jrecin.jst.go.jp/seek/SeekTop?ln=1

SledgeCleaver · Joined: 02 Mar 2013 Posts: 126

I imagined with low-tier unis it might be possible, or with connections or whatever. But generally I was thinking, no, I'm not going to get a job there. Which is not a tragedy for me personally, since I wasn't even thinking of Japan until that guy recommended it. Would much rather work at a high-tier uni in China, which appears to be quite possible.

Anyways, asked and answered, thanks.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You're welcome. Just keep in mind one more thing. If you ever DID change your mind and tried to go from a Chinese uni to a Japanese one, many (most?) would not accept it as an equivalent job. That is, you wouldn't automatically be considered a viable candidate.

Best of luck in your endeavors.

Solar Strength · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 557 Location: Bangkok, Thailand