Continuing
Education and Distance Learning Resources
Compiled by Gail
Goebel Nakada
There is no excuse
for not pursuing continuing education these days, and being in Japan is certainly
no obstacle. In the bricks and mortar world, Tokyo has a wide variety of English-language
options for undergraduate- and graduate-level studies in a range of fields. Several
schools, such as Temple University or the McGill MBA program, offer flexible evening
and weekend class scheduling for working students. Business and IT executives
can target management training seminars or time management courses at Oak Associates,
AMTGROUP, and Franklin Covey. In the online world, the Web has opened up many
international educational resources to the distance learner through accredited
private or government colleges and universities.
The following resource
guide should jump start students onto the right path. (Note:
Inclusion in this listing does not in any way imply an endorsement for the school
and is for the reader's information only.)
Distance education
-- a few tips Distance learners need self-discipline and self-motivation to succeed.
No one is going to push you to complete an assignment or finish your course.
Distance learning
courses are scattered all over the net. Check carefully whether the school you
are considering is accredited and state- or government-licensed. Some DL websites
will look great until you read the fine print -- or notice the lack thereof. If
"accredited" or "licensed by" is not listed right up front, be suspicious. If
the school has such a certification, they will flaunt it proudly. Do not study
with a non-licensed institution -- it may turn out to be nothing more than an
overpriced fee-based diploma mill.
If you are considering
a US institution, verify their authenticity through the Department of Education
in the school's home state or call the US Department of Education (DOED) in Washington.
You can also check for complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
Here are some
other tips:
* Accreditation/licensing
does not necessarily mean that your course work will be accepted by another university
should you want to transfer. Check with universities to which you might want to
transfer for acceptability.
* Be aware that
some schools have residency requirements which would mean an extended stay at
the school.
* An invaluable
resource book is "Petersen's Guide to Distance Learning," by Petersen's Guides,
available from Amazon.com and in Japan, from the Foreign Buyers Club, tel: 078-857-9001.
The book lists 2000 degrees and programs from 900 accredited public and private
colleges, universities, and private schools in the US and Canada. Another excellent
resource is: John and Maria Bears' "Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees Nontraditionally
(13th Ed)" (ISBN: 0962931241).
Distance
Learning Programs
Regents College
(US)
Regents
is one of the oldest DL universities. It has an impressive list of accreditations
for its varied degree programs. Regents is accredited by the (US) Commission of
Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The
information on their accreditation page will give you a good idea of what to check
for on other sites. They have no residency requirement.
7 Columbia Circle
Albany NY, 12203-5159
www.regents.edu
Southern California
University (US)
The SCU for Professional Studies (SCUPS) offers associate, undergraduate, and
graduate degrees in a wide variety of fields.
1840 East 17th
Street, #240
Santa Ana, CA 92705-8605
Tel: 800-477-2254 or 714-480-0800
Fax: 714-480-0834
www.scups.edu
Frederick Taylor
University (US)
346 Rheem Boulevard, Suite 203
Moraga, CA 94556
Tel: 800-988-4622 or 925-376-0908 Fax: 925-376-0900
www.ftu.edu
admissions@ftu.edu
Western Governors
University (US)
This site enjoys the support of corporate and government agencies -- it's establishment
was initiated by a group of governors from a number of Western states. Despite
all the PR, big sponsors, and competency-based rhetoric, we could find no mention
of accreditation or licensing. Proceed with interest but caution.
www.wgu.edu
Open University
(UK)
Britain's Open University is a public university offering a broad array of classes
and degrees.
Open University
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
United Kingdom
www.open.ac.uk
Open Learning
Australia (Australia)
Australia, too, has an active and well-policed distance learning community. For
a good overview of what schools there are offering, go to the Open Learning Australia
website.
www.ola.edu.au
Distance Learning
Center (Tokyo)
Below is a small sampling of the DLC's affiliates. Log onto their homepage to
access these and several other universities in England and the US.
The Distance Learning
Center
1-4-3, 202 Maruyamadai
Wako Shi, Saitama 351-01
Tel: 048-463-3077 Fax: 048-464-4199
www.distance-learning.org
University of
London (UK)
Offers a Master of Laws (LLM) degree. For information, send a message by e-mail
to: uoflondon@distance-learning.org with your name, telephone number, postal address,
and e-mail address.
Newport Asia
Pacific University (US)
The NAPU Graduate School of Education offers a Master of Science in Teaching English
to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), a Master of Arts in Teaching Japanese
as a Foreign Language (TJFL), and many other TESOL certificate programs. The Graduate
School of Intercultural and International Relations offers a Master of Science
in International Communications.
www.asiapacificu.edu
Leicester University
(UK)
Offers a Master of Science in Finance and Master of Science in Marketing. Examinations
are held at a variety of centers around the world, as well as at the University.
It is also possible for overseas candidates to sit their examinations locally
if special arrangements can be made. Access the DLC website
www.distance-learning.org.
Undergraduate
and Graduate Programs in Tokyo
Huron International
University
HIU offers associate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees. They have relatively
flexible enrollment requirements.
2-13-3 Kamiochiai
Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 161-0034
Tel: 03-3367-4141 Fax: 03-3367-4112
hiuinfo@gol.com
International
Christian University
Located in Mitaka, ICU has an undergraduate liberal arts program and graduate
programs in a variety of fields. Both Japanese and English languages are used
in classes at ICU. Regular students are required to handle both languages. Non-native
Japanese speakers must complete the mandatory Japanese Language Program.
ICU's Division
of International Studies may be of particular interest to women in the field of
international business. It is divided into four areas: International Relations;
International Economics and International Business Administration; International
Communication and Linguistics; and Comparative Society and Culture.
The graduate school
offers Master- and Doctorate-level programs in a variety of areas, including Comparative
Culture and Education.
Admissions Office:
10-2 Osawa 3-chome
Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-8585
Tel: 0422-33-3131 Fax: 0422-33-3488
www.icu.ac.jp
International
University Japan
IUJ offers MBA studies in two areas. The Graduate School of International Relations
focuses on international relations and international development, and the Graduate
School of International Management targets global business and global management.
The two schools work together through cross-registered courses and joint activities.
Before you get too excited, note the location -- two hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen
in Niigata.
IUJ occasionally
features specialized short programs. For example, from September 7-12 last year,
they held a one-week program entitled: Economic Impact of Globalization, Asia
Pacific Business Environment, and Japan. According to the course description,
it was designed for "business people who are involved with the Asia Pacific region."
All lectures were conducted in English and the cost was JPY150,000 per person,
including dorm room fees.
GSIR may also accept
several kinds of non-degree students: research students, commissioned research
students, and special students. Non-degree students may use the University facilities,
including the library and dormitories.
Yamato-machi,
Niigata-ken 949-7277
Tel: 0257-79-1463 Fax: 0257-79-4443 ofcgsim@iuj.ac.jp
www.iuj.ac.jp
McGill University
Japan
McGill's International Business Management MBA Japan Program is offered at Sophia
University. It is a two-year, 60-credit program identical to the one at McGill's
Montreal campus.
McGill MBA Japan
Program
Sophia University
Bldg. #11, Rm. 327
7-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-Ku
Tokyo 102-8554
Tel: (03) 5215 1383 Fax: (03) 5215-1383
mcgill@twics.com
Sophia University
Tokyo
Sophia University holds international courses at the Ichigaya campus, and other
departments are located at the main Yotsuya campus. The international division
features a diverse undergraduate curriculum with special emphasis on Asian cultures,
literature, and politics. It's possible to attend part-time which makes this a
good resource for flex-time working people.
7-1 Kioi-cho,
Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 102
Tel: 03-3238-3111 Fax: 03-3238-3262
Temple University
Japan
The Tokyo branch of the school is located in the Minami Azabu district of central
Tokyo. The academic program comprises an extensive liberal arts curriculum that
includes Japanese language at all levels and upper level Asian studies courses,
a two-year Executive MBA, Masters and Doctorates in education, and MA programs
in economics and law. Temple offers many choices and a wide variety of scheduling
times making it one of the best schools for continuing education here. Last year
they introduced a Communications and Mass Media Major targeting TV production,
journalism, film, and media studies. Their school of continuing education has
a wide offering of courses in business, technology, arts, and culture.
2-8-12 Minami Azabu
Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0047
Tel: 03-5441-9801 Fax: 03-5441-9811
www.tuj.ac.jp
business@tuj.ac.jp (MBA program)
conted@tuj.ac.jp (Continuing education)
Other Resources
If you are looking
to enter a Japanese university or college, go directly to the Association of International
Education of Japan. The AIEJ publishes a Student Guide to Japan and a comprehensive
index of undergraduate and graduate degree programs at Japanese colleges and universities.
Its greatest value, perhaps, is providing addresses and contact numbers for these
institutions. All the information is available on their website. (Note that unless
you are in a special short-term course, you will need to have sufficient Japanese
language skills to follow classes at these universities.)
Association of
International Education of Japan
4-5-29 Komaba, Meguro-ku. Tokyo 153
Tel: 03-5454-5216 Fax: 03-5454-5236
www.aiej.or.jp
Short Term
Courses
A number of Japanese
universities run short term programs -- some independent, some as part of inter-university
exchanges -- generally centering on Japanese or Asian Culture, politics, economics,
etc. The University of Tokyo's short term program AIKOM (Abroad in KOMABA) is
one example. It offers one-year study abroad at the College of Arts and Sciences
at the Komaba campus. All courses in the program are taught in English. A course
in intensive Japanese language is also available.
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku,
Tokyo 113-XXXX
Tel: 03-3812-2111 Fax: 03-5684-4957
The website at
the Association of International Education of Japan (see above) has a very complete
listing of short programs under individual universities.
Specialized
studies
Business Seminars
In Tokyo, Oak Associates, The American Management Association; AmAsia Inc., the
AMT Group, the International Business Management Institute, and Franklin-Covey
all offer specialized courses on management training. Unfortunately, their main
target is company contracts. Oak, AMT, and Franklin-Covey, however, each offer
extremely worthwhile seminars open to individuals or small groups of four or more.
The Advanced
Management Training Group (AMTGROUP) has created a number of successful modules
for their insightful seminars. These include: Management, Leadership Development,
Strategic Planning, Marketing, and Communications, plus Accounting and Finance.
AMT has a Graduate School Preparation service that "guides applicants in selecting
schools, creating resumes and essays, planning for interviews and succeeding in
Master's degree programs."
AMT Group
SS 10 Bldg., A302
Chuo 5-38-13, Nakano-Ku
Tokyo 164-0011
Tel: 03-3384-9884 Fax: 03-3383-1076
www.amt-group.com
info@amt-group.com
Oak Associates
offers their Performance Management programs in two formats: open programs for
individuals, and corporate programs for company groups. Most programs are available
in both formats. The company can also provide individualized programs for special
needs. The training programs emphasize real-world business applications and practice
with feedback. They are targeted to help employees as well as managers, supervisors,
and team leaders improve performance and results. Oak Associates Training programs
include: Business Writing Strategies, Effective Meetings, Successful Negotiating,
Management in International Organizations, and several other practical programs.
Contact Mr. Watanabe for detailed information.
Oak Associates
Aoki Bldg., 3F
4-1-10 Toranomon
Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105-0001
Tel: 5472-7079 Fax: 5472-7076
www.oakassociates.co.jp
training@oakassociates.co.jp
Franklin Covey
features two English-language seminars for individuals. One is based on the popular
book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and the other is their one-day
What Matters Most (formerly TimeQuest) seminar geared to increasing productivity
by aligning daily activities with "what matters most." Call the company for the
next seminar date.
Franklin-Covey
Marumasu Kojimachi Bldg. 6, 7F
3-3 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-Ku
Tokyo 102-0083
Tel: 03-3264-7401 Fax: 03-3264-7407
www.franklincovey.com
Classes in Computing
PTS -- People, Technology, Solutions -- has been in the computer training field
here for seven years. They offer half-day, one-day and two-day workshops in English
on Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Excel 97, Powerpoint
97, Word 97, and more. Prices start at JPY18,000.
PTS
Samon Eleven Bldg. 4F
3-1 Samon-cho
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0017
Tel: 3357-8040 Fax: 3357-9141
www.pts-solutions.com
The Temple University
School of Continuing Education has courses in database design and creation,
desktop publishing, basic Mac skills, networking with Windows NT, producing corporate
publications through Microsoft, Web page design, etc. Each class is 20 hours and
meets once a week either in the evening or on Saturday mornings. Prices range
from JPY38,000 to JPYY70,000.
Contact Temple
at:
Tel: 5441-9801
conted@tuj.ac.jp
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