What would a master’s degree do for my employment opportunities?

10 comments

1. Masters and some publications for university teaching, teaching credential for international school teacher.

   I have my masters but no publications, so I can’t even apply to any university jobs which sucks.

   But it helped me land a really nice job at a private high school for girls by direct hire and I really like it there. Salary is 300,000¥ a month

2. >If I were to then return to Japan, what kind of employment opportunities
   and salary could I be eligible for? Would my best bet be to teach at a
   university?

   ​

   You may find some contract work at low level universities. The tenured jobs want a PhD these days.

3. So much crap advice on these forums.

   I have an MA and have found plenty of work in primary, secondary and tertiary education in Japan without publications and make over 7 million a year (doing multiple jobs). I work hard (7 days a week during term) but still get a month and a half off in summer, couple of weeks off in winter and only work weekends in Feb/March.

   Honestly mate, if you want to get into teaching, I would say do a Master of Education in Australia and stay there. Teachers in Australia start on about $70k and make over $100k after 8-9 years in the job. Plus you’ll get an amazing pension.

   If you’re dead set on Japan then yes! Having an MA really helps. And it is harder but far from impossible to get uni work without publications. If you can land that first uni gig, then start publishing and do your PhD during your 5 years at your first job.

   Also, learn Japanese! Unis are really looking for people with JLPTN2 or higher.

   Don’t listen to these idiots here who don’t know what they’re talking about.

   I will reiterate though, if you want a long and successful career where you’ll be well paid, then get into secondary education in Australia.

4. Most universities (Ministry of Education guidelines?) require a M.A., 3 publications/presentations, and 1 year of university teaching experience. There often is some flexibility, but these are the basic requirements. Most schools bin applications that don’t meet these, as they get so many. If a school really wants you but you lack the publications, they may let you publish in their own academic journal within a specific time frame, usually a year from hiring. The 2nd year hiring is then conditional upon completing the publications. There are exceptions, but they aren’t very common. Applying for a job where a teacher has left mid term is when the rules go out the window for the time being. Better jobs will require more, plus some Japanese ability.

5. PhD. Best bet.However, with a PhD and publications, you are better off teaching English in Hong Kong universities as an Asst Prof which offer the salary of associate professor in Japan. I kid you not.

   MA to teach in HK private /international schools – same as the above.

   Unless you really really love Japan that much. If not… teach in Australia. If you itch for Asia – teach in HK or Macau as another option.

6. Lots of bad advice, indeed, being given to you by people who got their MAs and somehow weren’t able to find jobs with a substantial gain in earnings. Almost as bad as the newbies who want Interac interview tips.

   With an MA and publications you’re in the running for non tenured university jobs. Tenure’s possible if you have an impressive research background otherwise you’ll need a PhD. That’s about it. Fewer career options compared to back home, probably.

7. I taught here from age 22 (now 45). I really wanted to avoid further study but at age 27 did CELTA (very practical and useful) then from about age 30 did a Master’s via distance. It took a while as we had two kid in the interim. Just after finishing I got a full time job in private girls high school that paid over double my previous salary (where I was teaching a bit plus doing administrative work). I had no school experience previously.

   All that said, I got the job about 70-800% based on contacts. I interviewed fine, had good qualifications, but without that initial in I wouldn’t have even heard about the job.

   A friend of mine turned a distance Masters (through Liverpool) into a permanent job at a decent university. He did it part time while working in Japan. He has Level 1 on the JLPT.

   I’m more of a 2.

8. So many people saying you NEED a PhD for a tenured position. Not true! Go look on jrec. There are tenured positions going that require only an MA.

   Of course, a PhD would be a great advantage, but if you are strong in other areas (other qualifications, research, language skills, work experience) then you would certainly be considered.

9. If I were you (I am Australian myself), an MA in Australia is going to cost you money too. I think MEds are now cost-dependent on disciplines – they changed the HECS or HELPwhatevertheycallitnow rules.

   You might as well apply for MEXT scholarship (looks pretty on the CV) and study something English in Japan – that way you will build your networks around to stay in Japan for the job opportunities. Tsukuba does have some programs (master in international education), Soka‘s TESOL and I think Sophia or Temple (but those are less likely to secure a Mext) .

10. Traditional teaching is a dying profession globally. Get out of it while you can.