Getting an MBA in Japan

[erbiumfiber]

There are at least two North American universities that offer MBAs in Japan (taught in English).

There's McGill (Montreal, Canada)

http://www.mcgillmbajapan.com/

There's Temple (Philadelphia, USA)

http://www.tuj.ac.jp/newsite/main/mba/features.html

Both are in Tokyo and feature weekend classes (McGill) and night and weekend classes (Temple).

Does anyone know anyone who has tried one of these programs?

What would a U.S. employer think of a Canadian MBA (as I lean towards McGill with a more convenient location and weekend-only classes).

What would an MBA do for my career? I have no idea. Maybe I'm just bored (being an empty-nester with a kid off at college). Maybe I could become an expert on patent porfolio valuation. Maybe I could ditch patents and try something completely different. Maybe I could waste 4 million yen and two years of my life.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated (even if it's just about the merits- or lack thereof- of getting an MBA). Undergraduate degree is in engineering (materials and mechanical) and I have a J.D. and an LLM (advanced law degree).

If anyone knows of any other programs taught in English (in Tokyo or Yokohama) that would be helpful. Also any other graduate programs taught in English- other than Sophia, I know about those. I wouldn't mind taking some more electrical engineering courses in English (mostly I've only done semiconductor physics- need some more practical stuff). Oh and I need to keep working, what with the yen sucking and the British pound being incredibly strong- paying for university is rather painful right now.

Or maybe I need to move back to the States and get a more challenging job. However, I have worked with so many unpleasant people in the U.S., I'm reluctant to try something new there again...

[mikem]

I just wanted to throw in that you seem to have found everything I had found when I researched this over summer break.

My decision was to either go to a Japanese-only program or to just go back and get the degree in America.

Due to the way these Universities operate your degree will actually be from the "home" school. So the general opinion of your degree should reflect whatever the general opinion of that school's program is as a whole. (I'm talking about MBA rankings here.)

If you did, for whatever reason, want to get a graduate degree from Sophia: All you would have to do is write a thesis and you could easily take nothing but evening classes. (There aren't that many required credits for those who decide to write a thesis.) My roommate is currently in the graduate program persuing the business degree, he started this semester, so I can pick his brain if you'd like.

[erbiumfiber]

Thanks- it looked like everyone applies for the credit-only degree and then you have to find a thesis advisor and be approved to write a thesis. Anyway, that's how it looked on the webpage, may be different in real life.

What's the class schedule like? My work is totally flexible so I could take the odd class during the day and pop in and out of work (and just stay later).

The program is half (about, I think) the cost of an MBA and as I'm paying college tuition for my daughter (to the UK where the pound is wildly strong against the yen) the cheaper price might be worth it to me...they seem to have enough in finance that I could get what I need...and less effort than an MBA...hmm...

How old are the students? MBA students are older (like me!!); not sure how I'd do with a group of 22-year-olds...

[mikem]

Thanks- it looked like everyone applies for the credit-only degree and then you have to find a thesis advisor and be approved to write a thesis. Anyway, that's how it looked on the webpage, may be different in real life.

They really want people to write thesis' right now. At least for the business department. The most gung-ho professor will even push you to get it full published somewhere. (She would likely be your adviser.)


What's the class schedule like? My work is totally flexible so I could take the odd class during the day and pop in and out of work (and just stay later).


Its kind of random I guess. A lot of my roommates classes ended up being really late in the day though. Like the period that starts at 5pm. Some of them are 3 hour block classes. (Each class period is 90 minutes so they are actually two class periods back-to-back.)

I'll bother him about this a bit and get you a better answer. Also, I bet he can find a professor you can talk to.

Getting too and from campus can be a time suck though. I've had to do that before. :)

they seem to have enough in finance that I could get what I need...and less effort than an MBA...hmm...

Less prestige than an MBA? Maybe not for your purpose?


How old are the students? MBA students are older (like me!!); not sure how I'd do with a group of 22-year-olds...

I'll ask my roommate. I'd guess the average is closer to 25. They are still kids, but its really just a mindset. You have a young daughter so I don't think you'd have too many problems fitting in. (Though you might get a lot of that ... "oh God is this what my daughter is doing in the UK?" sort of feeling.)

Besides the campus is filled with young Japanese kids. Once you get over that the graduate students will seem old and mature. :clap:

[erbiumfiber]

Thanks for the input- the class schedule would be the most helpful. It also says you have to spend two years in residence- my guess is that is why they want you to do a thesis- that takes two years- otherwise you just can petition for early graduation after two or three semesters. Doesn't take too long to get 30 credits.

Yeah, it'd be less "value" than an MBA but if I stay in the legal profession, neither is really going to give me a leg up- just might let me change specialties a bit...

But I'd have to take the GMAT and the deadline is November 1st...can't imagine taking a standardized test- it's been so long!! Maybe I should get the book and study on this 3-day weekend...

[mikem]

Thanks for the input- the class schedule would be the most helpful. It also says you have to spend two years in residence- my guess is that is why they want you to do a thesis- that takes two years- otherwise you just can petition for early graduation after two or three semesters. Doesn't take too long to get 30 credits.

The two year thing is a requirement from the Japanese government.

But I'd have to take the GMAT and the deadline is November 1st...can't imagine taking a standardized test- it's been so long!! Maybe I should get the book and study on this 3-day weekend...

Good luck with that. I hear the GMAT sucks!

(Schedule coming soon!)

[erbiumfiber]

Just bought the GMAT book.

If John and Robert and Bill take 9.6 hours to do a job together and Robert and Jill take 14.5 hours to do the same job and Bill takes 20.6 hours to do the job alone, how long does it take Jill to do the job alone?

Etc.

In the ones I hate the most, you have to analyze whether or not enough information is provided to answer the question (and how many of the statements are sufficient to answer the question).

So, it's like math but maybe more like analytical reasoning. There are only so many types of these questions they can ask so it's just a matter of learning how to solve all the possible types of problems. The LSAT was the same way. But it means A LOT of studying (and studying for the JLPT at the same time).

Temple University doesn't require the GMAT if you have a doctorate or a J.D. Hmm...