Present Situation and Problems Regarding Full-time Workers' Admission to Part-time Graduate Programs

Abstract

This article aims to clarify the history of admitting those who have a full-time job to part-time graduate programs at university, and to examine how these programs have been organized or prepared especially for full-time workers pursuing a master's degree. Possible problems for them in earning the credits necessary for a degree are caused by not only the system of graduate programs, which offer day and night time classes, but their full-time status at work. Some examples are shown to discuss three major problems: 1) a problem which may occur because of the immature environment in the society for those who intend to get a master's degree, 2) a problem which may occur because of the graduate programs' system or customs which are not flexible enough to adjust themselves to the needs of these people, and 3) a problem which may occur because of the worker's lack of consciousness of themselves as being master's degree candidates.