A simple question: Is it possible to obtain a Ph.D. track graduate degree (M.A.) here in taiwan while studying in english (my chinese sucks). If so, where?
thanks…
Justin,
That would depend on what u want to study. Please be a bit more specific. There are many programs (MBA’s/sciences) that use mainly English teaching materials and accept an MA thesis written in English as well. Maybe u should look into distance learning programs instead.
Greg
Thanks for the reply Greg. I have a couple of BA’s from Canuckland and I want to get an MA now, mostly so that I don’t feel like my brain is steadily leaking out my ears after doing 10 months in your friendly neighborhood buxiban. Although I’m pretty flexible as to discipline, it’d have to be something more literary than say an MBA or an M.Sc, given that this is my background and faculty of interest and all. I’m one of those left-handed creative types…
I’m looking at distance learning as we speak. I just thought, “hey, what about Taiwan? Maybe there’s something here,” you know?..
Justin,
Well, it’s probably too late for u to apply for this coming school year. First, I’d say learn Mandarin! You won’t regret it. Memorizing characters will keep your brain busy for a while.
Second, u can look at this program on Taiwan Studies at National Cheng-chi U.:
css.nccu.edu.tw/imts/
Personally I think the program is overpriced, but it’s totally in English. Please not that it’s regulation in Taiwan that all MA students must complete a thesis… kind of a pain! 
(ok, so I’m lazy! haha!)
If u want to do humanities with Western lit, you might have some options here, as the instructors would want all papers in English anyway. If u want to do Chinese humanities, it would be more difficult, as many instructors have poor English.
Maybe u can get into a distrance learning program that would let u take summer courses as well. If your boss is flexible, u could leave Taiwan during the summer to work on the MA. 
It would be a great way to see more of the world.
Yeah, i’d love to HAVE an MBA, but I sure don’t want to study for one. so boring.
Greg
J.,
By the way, I’m a south paw too!
G
Try here,
[quote=“Justin”]A simple question: Is it possible to obtain a Ph.D. track graduate degree (M.A.) here in Taiwan while studying in English (my Chinese sucks). If so, where?
thanks…[/quote]
Yes. In fact, you can do the PHD in English. You can get an MA in Taiwan studies at National Cheng Chih U, or an MBA in International Business at NCKU. Both of those can lead to PHDs. MA programs in many universities are now in Englihs, as the govenrment is pushing them in that direction. Further, now is THE TIME. The government provides all sorts of subsidies, free tuition, etc. Go for it! You won’t regret it. One of my closest friends did the PHD here, in business, and found that it is saleable, and has no regrets.
Michael
Thanks for the information. The program at National Chengchi sounds interesting, the faculty and curriculum look credible, but you’re right Greg, it’s EXPENSIVE! I’ve found on-line grad programs in the US at half that price! While some others in the UK have been half that again.
Interesting program for all that. If, as Vorkosigan said, some of that hefty tab can be footed by others, then it seems more viable. I wouldn’t want to study Chinese because it’s just memorization and for me that’s BORING! (ha, I’m lazy too!), just like my job. I’d much rather research and write an MA thesis. That’s the main reason why I’d like to study in grad school. To do something interesting, you know? I’m hesitant to study English in Taiwan simply because given the subject matter, a degree from an English country would be far more credible.
Actually, if I had my way I’d go for a Ph.D. in Chinese history and phlosophy entirely in English with Taiwanese professors. But I think that’s going to be too much to ask.
Good work digging up that info…if anybody knows any more…much appreciated.
Justin,
In order to get a ph.d. in Chinese lit, history, etc., you have to pass a proficiency test for both Chinese AND Japanese (at least in most American universities… u guessed it! I’m an American… please don’t hold it against me–I didn’t vote for that bastard!). In the old days, u also had to pass a proficiency exam for a European language too. Luckily that requirement has pretty much been abolished. At NTU, the history the MA program does not require Japanese any longer (or so i’ve heard), but the Ph.D. program does. Also, it’s expected that your thesis to be written in Chinese, not to mention all the classwork as well. It will take u at last 3 years in Taiwan, but more likely longer than 4, which isn’t unusual. Therefore, it’s probably not worth it. You’re time and money would be better spent making/saving money so u can go to grad school outside of Taiwan or at least studying something slightly more useful. You can probably get a degree in journalism at NTU without a ton of hassels (the MA thesis for journalism can be written in English from what i hear).
In the meantime, study Mandarin. It’s not boring!
Luckily, as well, u don’t want to study Korean history, which would probably require u to learn Korean, Chinese and Japanese. hehehe
Try this: get a ph.d. in victorian literature, focusing on travel diaries, missionary writings, and the foreign press in China at the time. You could also do missionary history, which I found fascinating, despite my aversion to organized religion.
Greg
Hi Greg, yeah i know that for most advanced study in the humanities, you need language proficiency in the area studied. Makes sense. How else could you study primary source material and all that? Can you imagine studying say, ancient Greek philosophy without being able to read the ancient texts firsthand? So much for your credibility not to mention the credibility of your degree. Fair enough.
As for being a yank, whatever! That bum in the Oval office sure is making things difficult for you guys though. I’d take Clinton and his “extracurricular” activities anyday over Mr. G.W. death-and-destruction there. But I’m just some southpaw ex-Canajun “liberal” after all! 
Greg said: “Also, it’s expected that your thesis to be written in Chinese, not to mention all the classwork as well.”
Yeah, that’s what I expected based on the small amount of cursory research I’ve done. Again, what can you expect? This is Taiwan after all, right? I agree with your opinion that it’d be better to spend your time in Taiwan MAKING money, while studying part-time in a distance learning grad program overseas. Taiwan’s a great place to earn dough, so why forfeit that? I’ve found a few accredited grad programs in the US and the UK that look interesting, and/or useful and/or both. Some even DON’T have any residency requirements believe it or not. And your choices just keep getting better and better every month it seems.
It looks like the programs at NTU are all basically in chinese with a smattering of english courses here and there. I snipped this off their website:
[b]Courses in English
The main language of instruction in NTU is Chinese, but there are some courses taught in English every semester. NTU does not offer courses in English in all departments. Students will find more courses in English in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Department of Political Science, Department of International Business, and Department of Law.[/b]
They’re talking courses, not programs. So basically, the only NTU program in english available to non-chinese speakers would seem to be English Lit. And imo, that would be better studied online at say the University of London or somewhere similar if you want to continue on to a doctorate. However, your missionary lit. idea is brilliant! An excellent way to do it in english, while keeping the subject matter local.
You’re right. One should study Manadarin here…it just makes sense. But damn if it doesn’t sound excruciatingly robotic! Ba Pa Ma Fa Da Ta Na…(yawn) 
. My mind just doesn’t work like that. I failed French in University and I was a fluent speaker going in!! I thought, “French=an easy breezy elective” Sure I could speak, but studying for grammar tests was impossible…It was like “I know I have a test tomorrow but it’s high time I washed the ceilings in this place.” lol.
Where’s the cheapest place to get an online MA that’s in English?
The Uk from what I’ve seen. Australia might be cheaper, I haven’t really looked “down under” though…
I wouldn’t write off a MA program here before I investigated the scholarship or financial support options. Check with your embassy/representative office as well as the MOFA and MOEducation…A living, breathing foreign student in an MA program, who manages to keep an 85 average (or is it 75? I’m not sure) will be pretty much given NT$20,000 a month for the life of his studies (after the first year – you need a full year’s grades to prove you’re worthy). I know people who’ve stretched an MA to 8 full years (the maximum legal allowance) and drawn the scholarship the whole time, and were working to boot. Not that I’m saying that’s necessarily the way to go, but if you got a few good scholarships lined up, it might be cheap. The ROC government has essentially paid all my tuition for my second MA, plus a little walking-around money. Not enough to live on exclusively, but then where in the US would you ever find an MA that gives ANY money to a foreigner?
Justin,
Ironlady does have a point, if you’re a foreigner, there’s a good chance that you can get a scholarship starting your second year. In fact ,from what I’ve seen, if you’re a Westerner (especially a whitie like me), you’re almost guaranteed a scholarship (assuming that your grades are ok). If you check that program at National Cheng-chi U., there are two types of scholarships available, either one of which would more than cover your tuition expenses.
You’ll find a ton of Victorian era literature on China written by missionaries, travellers, sorjouners, businessmen and their wives. (Pearl Buck wrote how many novels?!) Right now it’s a very hot topic. Please note though, I’ve found a lot of scholarship written by scholars who do not understand Chinese to be lacking. It’s amazing what can get published out there.
You’re in Taiwan and have a great opportunity to learn Chinese. You may not have that in the future. Once you become a full-time phd candidate, your time will be precious! Also, a solid grasp of Chinese could get you either into a better Ph.D. program or better funding from the uni. I know that learning Chinese from a traditional teacher in Taiwan is like seeing a dentist, but after a while you can just learn on your own, especially if you can get a language exchange partner (don’t use your friends all the time, they’ll just get annoyed!). While you’re in Taiwan, you have opportunities all around you to increase your understanding… watch tv, listen to radio talk shows (these helped me a lot!), glancing at a newspaper, chatting with friends, etc. Again, you may not have these opportunities in the future.
There are other scholarships available to Ph.D. candidates and professors from the West who want to study in Taiwan. You can check with the Center for Chinese Studies (ccs.ncl.edu.tw) or the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange (I think that’s the name) for more info. If I were someone committed to getting a Ph.D., I’d study hard now (especially Chinese!) to try to get into a better university program and receive better funding. You can always come back here and teach part-time while working on your thesis (but if u get a scholarship, you wouldn’t need to!). Focus now. Don’t be like me! I’ve been here 10 years and feel that I’m too old to get a phd now. oops! (ok ok, there are other reasons for me not to pursue one at this point, but u get the picture)
Greg
Ironlady’s right. I got a scholarship for Chiaotung, and I hadn’t even expected it. Mine’s for their MBA program. I was a little hesitant, but so far the professors and students have been great.
I once met an American guy who said he was doing an MA in English literature at Providence University in Taichung.
That struck me as a little odd.
Surely it’s considerably easier for a native English speaker to complete an MA in English literature in Taiwan than in English-speaking countries?
Heck, there are enough Chinese students in the US doing Chinese Literature or (gasp!) Comparative Literature using Chinese Lit as one of their areas…
If I was an employer and I saw that a job applicant had an MA in Eng. lit. from Taiwan I would question the validity of the qualification. A native English speaker would clearly have an advantage over his/her classmates whose first language was not English.
Still, I’m assuming here that he’s doing it to improve his job prospects.