Korean Job Discussion Forums

[boatdrinks]

Just wondering if anyone is earning a Ph.D. here in Korea. Originally i planned on going back to the states for more study... then i got married and going back isn't an option now. Some first hand knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Something along these lines...

Are the programs full/part time?
What do they cost?
What's their reputation?
Is it really worth it?

Thanks a bunch!

[PRagic]

Depends on whether or not you want to doctorate to work in academia, you just want one to have it, or you want one to augment your business career.

For working in academia, I'd advise against a Korean Ph.D. That may sound blunt or discriminatory, but even their own universities discriminate against Korean Ph.D. holders, at least at the major institutions. The degree simply doesn't stand up to international competition, both in Korea and even more so outside of Korea. Kind of a shame, really, as some of the schools here, especially the international studies grad programs, have some top notch profs.

However, I would strongly suggest asking what the funding potential would be. If you can get funded from the get-go at a Korean university, then it might be worth it, particularly because you seem to be fixed to Korea with few options to leave. There's no way I would pay for a Ph.D. in Korea. Funding is a deal breaker.

Is it 'worth it' to have a Ph.D.? Not really, especially for the pain in the arse it is to get one. If you want to work long term at a university in a competitive dicipline, though, it's almost a must. It's 'worth it' if you dig what you study, though. For business, it is almost overkill, unless you are an area specialist or very specific in your research/responsibilities scope.

[kimchikowboy]

[PRagic]

Strickly between you and me, where are you working? I'd be curious to know of different/better business programs in Seoul. I'm published, experienced, and well-qualified. While I am in a tenure track position, I'd make a move if I could teach content more directly related to my research interests...and the money were right. Might as well be frank.

Thanks for any info. Good luck finishing up.

[PRagic]

ah-hem...and that was supposed to be a PM.

[boatdrinks]

PR, can you PM me? I can't initiate contact until i have 25 posts

[dogshed]

I thought Korean universities didn't hire foreigners for
tenure track positions. Did something change or was I
misinformed?

[PRagic]

Public can't, private can. Plus, with the new F5 visa, we're all waiting to see just how far we can go. Uncharted waters.

[Mr. Pink]

If your field is history, getting a Ph.D in Korean History from a Korean university, WILL get you jobs in Canada/America.

When I look at the people who teach Chinese and Japanese history, so many of them got their doctorates in the country whose history they are teaching.

Of course this will require you can read Korean and Chinese letters...

But just an observation I have noticed in the field of history.

Might I ask the OP: just because you are married why is it not an option to study abroad?

EDIT: Just wanted to point out, one day Korean labour and immigration historians are going to be examining the discrimination that foreigners cannot get tenure track positions in a Korean public university. To those who are in those "shoes" - congratulations, you are making history!

[PRagic]

Good point. Korean History would be a good Ph.D. to do here if you, as the poster said, could handle the Hanja involved and can read at a high level. Some programs do allow you to write in English, but your research much naturally contain source materials in Korea.

Budhist Studies is another major that comes to mind.

[Trevor]

Hey y'all.

As long as were on the subject, I have a shiny new M.A. from an American Uni in English Lit (19th Century). I'm looking to trade up from my current (middle-of-the-road National) Uni here in Korea where I teach Convo and Comp to a job where I can teach literature, for instance Dickens or something of that nature.

Any ideas? One poster said it can't be done but I hear from others it can. Who can I approach?

Thanks.

(Edit: You know what the automatic sensor 'beeped' me for? The last name of the author who wrote Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. Apparently its obsence).

[Thiuda]

A few months ago, I mentioned to an acquaintance that I was looking at doing a Ph.D. in Linguistics. He advised me against going abroad to study and instead encouraged me to look into the program at SNU, which, apparently, is very good and internationally recognized - especially in neurolinguistics and cognitive neuroscience (my areas of interest). I did look into the programs on offer and found the secretary answering my queries very helpful. Though in the end I decided against it, you might consider SNU, especially since they offer generous grants and funding. Check out their webpage: http://plaza.snu.ac.kr/~clee/right3.htm

There isn't too much information, so I suggest contacting [email protected] for assistance.

Best of luck.

[ThePoet]

If you cannot leave Korea but would like to work on a Ph.D., there are some distance options. Firstly, most British and Australian have M.Phil/Ph.D. degrees by dissertation in which your residency is very minimal (really they just have you go to the university once a year to make sure you have access to their library.

North American Options are limited as Federal Title IV funding requires a residency period for Ph.D. students, however that residency could be as low as 2 - 6 weeks only and could be completed in the summer.

There are some exceptions to this. There are a few accredited schools that do not require residency for their Ph.D. programs (but also do not qualify for Title IV funding). They are:

Northcentral University (www.ncu.edu) - Business, Education, Psychology in a variety of specializations. I should mention I am working on my Ph.D. here so I do have a personal interest in this school. Having said that, I can tell you that getting a Ph.D. in this school will cost anywhere from $23,000 to $27,000. You can take it as fast as you want as there are no semestered intakes, and the process is really easy to work toward.

Touro University (business)

Athabasca University (www.athabascau.ca) Ed.D. - they are just beginning the Ed.D. in Distance Education, but I took my M.D.E. there and am 100% satisfied!


University of Calgary (www.ucalgary.ca) Ed.D. Educational Technology

It is important to verify regional accreditation in American schools.

For more degree programs, you may want to check out the following two sites that have great self-compiled information about distance programs for Masters or Doctorates:

Jonnie's Distance Learning Page: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Haven/2386/distance.html

Accelerated masters degrees by distance
http://bain4weeks.com/mastermenu.html


Hope this helps!

Poet

[Roch]

[boatdrinks]

Thanks for all the replies... I'm still looking. Some progress has been made, but not much.