Graduate School of International Studies: Goal of Fostering of Human Resources / Goal of Education and Three Guidelines

The Graduate School of International Studies seeks to develop professionals possessing multifaceted and international perspectives. Our aim is to cultivate individuals able to contribute to true internationalization in the 21st century, capable of working with international organizations and NPOs and NGOs and support grassroots development, sophisticated and specialized professionals, educators and researchers possessing a high degree of specialization, able to flourish in environments such as UN organizations.

Master’s course

The fostering of sophisticated professionals possessing international perspectives by means of the provision of education centering on Peace Studies, Japan and Asia Studies, and International Community Studies

Doctor’s course

The fostering of sophisticated and specialized professionals able to flourish in international organizations and similar environments, or educators and researchers, who have developed a high level of specialization on the foundation provided by Peace Studies, Japan and Asia Studies, and International Community Studies

Master’s course

Development of both specialization and interdisciplinarity. To realize this goal, the student has taken a total of 16 credits in mandatory subjects (4 credits (2 subjects) from the course of International Studies, 8 credits (4 subjects) from subjects involving research guidance, and 4 credits (2 subjects) from subjects providing research guidance in the form of thesis guidance), and has selected subjects totaling at least 14 credits from other subjects, for a total of at least 30 credits. In addition, the student has formulated a Master’s thesis and it has successfully passed its review.

Doctor’s course

The student has developed abilities enabling advanced research independently, or sophisticated specialization that will enable them to flourish in UN organization or similar environment. In order to realize this goal, the student has taken 4 credits from lecture subjects offered by advising professors, and has taken 8 credits from two years of continuous research guidance, for a total of 12 credits. In addition, the student has formulated a Ph.D. thesis and it has successfully passed its review.

Master’s course

To foster professionals with international perspectives, we offer a total of four study courses, comprising, in addition to the basic course International Studies, three courses enabling students to boldly take up the intellectual challenge of global issues: Japan and Asia Studies, Peace Studies and International Community Studies.

These courses have the following characteristics.

• Systemic guarantee of detailed guidance (we have established almost exactly the same volume of research guidance subjects as lecture classes)
• Systemic guarantee of fundamental studies (in addition to classes providing fundamental exercises in the field of International Studies, under specific conditions students are able to take subjects offered in the undergraduate department in order to reinforce the fundamentals, and credits from these subjects will be viewed as graduate school credits)
• Systemic support for study in practical positions in Japan and overseas (we offer internships and practical subjects involving overseas research, etc.)
• Systematization of research presentation workshops, setting of office hours, etc., to enable students to make contact with and seek advice from academic staff other than their advisors

Doctor’s course

We formulate special research subjects to increase the student’s level of specialization in subjects studied in the Master’s course, creating a system that promotes advanced research and sophisticated thesis writing.

Master’s course

• Individuals with a deep interest in people and society and intellectually enquiring minds
• Individuals who seek to work in specialized positions in environments and organizations with an international scope
• Individuals who desire to conduct research into the direction of society and humanity in a globalizing era

Ph.D. course

• Individuals with a strong motivation to conduct research deeply focused on the future direction of humanity and society
• Individuals who seek to work in positions requiring a high degree of specialization in international organizations or organizations with an international focus
• Individuals who desire to conduct research into the direction of society and humanity in a globalizing era