Martial arts degree program?

Question

A few documentaries had me thinking about Yong-In university, and the like. It's a pretty new idea in the Americas I'd say, but I think a lot of people are starting to jump on the concept.
What do you think of a martial arts degree program? There's some colleges that already have them. They are sort of hybrid with mat training, and a sort of sports medicine/martial philosophy/history mix. Not a lot of styles currently offered from what I've seen, but do you think they should start opening up, and with more variety? What are the pros and cons, in your opinion?

Answer 1

Hi there

For me its a very bad idea. I have studied martial arts for many years and I'm also a practitioner of Amatsu which is similar to Shiatsu. Yes the two principles of martial arts and Oriental medicine do go hand in had but there is a very good reason as to why they are taught separately from each other.

This to me just sounds like another pointless degree course and is up there with learning how to speak Klingon etc. Don't waste your time with this sort of stuff. If you want to learn martial arts go to an established dojo that has years of experience who have links back to the hombu. If you want to learn Chinese or Japanese medicine again seek out the registered organizations.

But if you want to learn Law, Engineering, IT etc then go to uni and study. Just make sure the degree you pick will put you in a good position financially otherwise there's no point in wasting 3 years of your life.

Best wishes

idai

Answer 2

It is a terrible idea--similar programs for "poetry writing" started cropping up about 50-60 years ago, and the Universities went crazy with that money-making idea. It has also just about ruined American poetry. The sort of people who do well in a University setting, who can network and shmooze, and flatter all the necessary egos in administration, are not at all the same sort of people who make the best poets--and I don't think they would be the best MA teachers, either.

I can see the attraction--and I think MA classes are a great thing in a University, and I'm sure there are some Sifus who would be able to create really great learning programs within the University structure. But as the programs became more popular, I can absolutely guarantee that a lot of unqualified hucksters would be lining up to cash in, and they would be the ones who would by and large suceed in the University system. Think about the criticism of your typical mcdojo--how people get advanced just to retain students. Well, from having taught in Universities, I can assure you that student retention is among their primary concerns--it's why they are even considering a program like this. Ideally an instructor would only advance students at the rate they deserved to be advanced--and that would vary for every student and certainly wouldn't fit into a regimented, three month long academic semester. If this sort of thing ever took place, you would have a tremendous watering down of the martial arts, much worse than what all the mcdojos cause now.

I haven't even touched on academic politics--the entire credentialing thing would become another source of corruption. I can see why some people at first glance would think it sounded really cool, but as somebody who is very familiar both with the realities of academic curriculum and of the impact the universities have had on the other arts they have involved themselves with, I have to say I think it is a bad idea. If you want to be a great martial artist, study with great martial artists and eventually find your own way. Don't go to college for it.

Answer 3

It's apples and oranges, get your apples at the university and oranges from the dojo. What's the point really in getting a "degree" in martial arts other than it's fun to say. When you graduate with your BS of Martial Arts (the pun is intended) what then? Would you instruct others? Create a style of your own? I really just don't see any advantages to this. I doubt your resume will be enhanced inside or outside of the martial arts community by claiming a degree in martial arts. So the university says you studied various subjects including martial arts for four years to earn your degree. That's great but how is that better than someone who studies similar subjects and gets a degree in sports medicine or therapy, etc., etc. and studies martial arts in a dojo dedicated to the particular art. I submit that it is not a good way to do business, find a reputable dojo and hone your skills as a martial artist and your intellect at the university.

Answer 4

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RE:
Martial arts degree program?
A few documentaries had me thinking about Yong-In university, and the like. It's a pretty new idea in the Americas I'd say, but I think a lot of people are starting to jump on the concept.
What do you think of a martial arts degree program? There's some colleges that already have them....

Answer 5

If done properly, it is an awesome idea. Of course, there must be some level of business, accounting, sports med and education courses, but above all else, there must be an accredited Martial Arts program at its core. If you look at Yong-In's program, you will find all of these items. You can graduate with a single Kwan if you so desire, or major in the Olympic discipline, or major in being a ref. There are a few programs opening up in the States, and the ones that I have seen are dedicated majors. By that, you must sign a contract stating that you are sticking with that major at that college while you are there. The only way out is to flunk out or transfer away from the school. Either way, you wont have non-graduates getting any benefit from not completing the course.

Answer 6

Totally agree with Stimson J. Cat!

If you look at the founders of modern martial arts, you'll see that they all went to universities in Tokyo etc., where they studied for degrees in engineering, commerce and the like.

They may very well have chosen to go to "So-and-so University" because of it's reputation for a particular martial art, but the martial arts were the 'games period' of the curriculum, like football/netball is today.

The fact that, consequently, they became more famous for their martial art, than their academic prowess, is because of the direction they took their lives in.

What do I know? I've only been studying martial arts for 30+ years - I'm still a beginner :-)

Answer 7

Count on universities to try and make money off of things people have learned in other ways for thousands of years. It's just a scam to get your money. I feel this will degrade the martial arts, as many people will take the university program just for the credit and without a true committment to martial arts. Not to mention the cost will be prohibitive. Universities should concentrate of "book learning" and get out of the martial arts business. There are plenty of qualified martial arts schools that do the job of teaching martial arts well, and those who are interested can seek them out and save money in the meantime.

Answer 8

Nothing bets a good karate school. Videos cannot teach you proper techniques, breathing, striking and throws. You will be wasting your time and money. There is so much to learn from a good instructor that you will never get from a book or video. Also as some one already pointed out if you know the basics then you must already be a black belt. Do yourself a favor and find a good school.

Answer 9

I believe this is a great idea should have taken place along time ago.