Faculty of Law : Admission Policy

Admission Policy

Based on Meiji Gakuin University’s Policy regarding Admission of New Students, the Faculty of Law has established the following “Policy regarding Admission of New Students” in accordance with its “Policy regarding Graduation & Degree Conferment” and “Policy regarding Curriculum Formulation and Implementation”, reflecting the faculty’s Human Resource Development Aims and Educational Goals.
The Faculty of Law’s Policy regarding Admission of New Students, outlined below, is common to all departments.

  1. Type of Personnel Sought
    Applicants who understand the faculty’s human resource development aims (nurture individuals who possess the specialized knowledge in law and politics, along with the courage to raise their voice concerning issues, to create a fair and equal society that respects the vulnerable) and educational goals (nurture individuals, knowledgeable in law and politics, with the spirit and ambition to contribute to society), and possess the ambition to engage earnestly in study. Specifically, individuals possessing a strong desire to contribute to society with a sense of justice and responsibility (individuals capable of becoming legally-minded citizens in the future).
  2. Basic Policy for Selection of Students
    As a prerequisite for engaging in the Faculty of Law’s curriculum, we select individuals who have attained a sound balance of the fundamental knowledge and skills, reasoning, judgment and expression abilities that are expected outcomes at the senior high school level.
    1. Given that reading comprehension, reasoning, and verbal/written expression are essential abilities for studying law and political science, individuals must possess knowledge and understanding of modern texts, as well as Japanese and Chinese classics in certain cases.
    2. In order to analyze and observe and examine solutions to legal or political issues arising in society and the world, individuals must possess knowledge of world history, Japanese history, politics/economics, ethics and geography.
    3. The development of Japan’s laws and legal and political systems since the Meiji period has often drawn on various foreign laws and systems as a reference, while the recent age of globalization has also increasingly forced Japan to look abroad. As such, prospective students must possess fundamental linguistic skills (reading, listening, speaking, writing), especially in English.
    4. For areas such as legal information processing, environmental law and calculating damages for compensation, individuals must demonstrate fundamental abilities in mathematics and natural sciences.
    Selection is based on comprehensive evaluation of whether an individual has mastered the senior high school-level knowledge, understanding and fundamental abilities listed above, and possesses ambition and interests consistent with the “Type of Personnel Sought’ by the Faculty of Law”.
  3. Types of Student Selection and Evaluation Methods
    The various selection examinations listed below are used to evaluate whether an applicant displays the attributes sought by the faculty and possesses the knowledge, understanding and fundamental abilities under 2 - Basic Policy for Selection of Students above.
    1. In the All-Faculty, A Schedule or Meiji Gakuin Admissions Center entrance examinations, selection is based on general written tests focusing on understanding of subjects studied at the senior high school level.
    2. Selection through the B Schedule entrance examinations focuses on foreign languages, as well as essays on modern texts or lecture comprehension. Specifically, this examines understanding of content and expression of personal opinions based on listening to lectures or reading longer essays related to social science topics. In doing so, these examinations emphasize the ability to discern issues in modern society and demonstrate solutions.
    3. Through special entrance examinations, such as the “Entrance Examination by Recommendation (Designated School)” or “Entrance Examination by Special Recommendation (Affiliated School)”, the faculty selects prospective students who understand the university’s educational philosophy (“Do for Others”) and display the attributes sought by the Faculty of Law (strong desire to contribute to society with a sense of justice and responsibility), via transcripts and interviews based on the recommendation of senior high school principals designated (requested) by the university. Additionally, through the AO entrance exam, the faculty admits applicants capable of contributing to society in various ways. As such, the faculty conducts multifaceted screening based on results in areas such as English, short essays and volunteer activities.

Department of Juridical Studies

Admission Policy

Based on the Faculty of Law Policy regarding Admission of New Students, the Department of Juridical Studies has established the following “Policy regarding Admission of New Students” reflecting its Human Resource Development Aims and Educational Goals.

  1. Type of Personnel Sought
    1. Strong desire to contribute to society 
      Based on Meiji Gakuin University’s educational philosophy of “Do for Others”, the educational goal of the Department of Juridical Studies is to nurture citizens capable of contributing to society in various ways by utilizing legal minds cultivated through study – a sense of justice and fairness, logical reasoning, consideration for others – in order to understand and analyze modern society’s issues from diverse perspectives and help devise solutions.  As such, the Department of Juridical Studies welcomes prospective students with a desire to contribute to society through proactive involvement, independently discovering issues and seeking solutions.
    2. Independent ideas, judgment and action
      Undergoing intense change and diversifying values, modern society needs individuals with a balanced sense of judgment that considers various arguments and factors, as well as the ability to logically assert personal ideas. Given these conditions, the Department of Juridical Studies seeks potential students who always consider matters for themselves and are able to make sensible judgments.
    3.  A sense of purpose
      Legal study has a long history, with current laws and related studies existing as an accumulation of precedents and theories. At the same time, as society changes the law must constantly deal with new issues not previously anticipated. Laws are the rules of society, extending across a broad range of fields. As such, the Department of Juridical Studies expects potential students of law to possess the ambition to tackle social issues and bring a fresh approach to solving problems.
  2. Basic Policy for Selection of Students
    1. Given that law governs various fields extending to all corners of society, the Department of Juridical Studies requires that prospective students study a broad range of subjects at the senior high school level prior to entering university, as a prerequisite for engaging in the department’s curriculum.
    2. In particular, studying legal interpretation after entering university requires the ability to accurately read documents (comprehension) and explain ideas logically (reasoning and expression). As such, a sound proficiency in Japanese is very important, and understanding of contemporary writing is essential. In addition, understanding of classical literature and archaic terms is useful in interpreting the law.
    3. Amid the progress of globalization, the laws that constitute society’s rules are also becoming increasingly globalized. Knowledge of foreign languages is essential for studying globalized laws.
    4. Laws possess their own histories and are inseparable from society. Knowledge of world history, Japanese history, geography, politics/economics and ethics is also useful for understanding these laws.
    5. Logical reasoning is an essential aspect of legal study, and knowledge of mathematics is beneficial.
  3. Types of Student Selection and Evaluation Methods
    The department uses multifaceted methods to select prospective students.
    1. In the All-Faculty or A Schedule entrance examinations, selection is based on general written tests focusing on understanding of subjects studied at the senior high school level. Similarly, selection through the Meiji Gakuin Admissions Center Entrance Examination is also focused on understanding of subjects studied at the senior high school level.
    2. Selection through the B Schedule entrance examination focuses on foreign languages and essays. Specifically, these written examinations involve answering questions on the content of longer essays related to social science topics, with selection focused on discovering the ability to discern issues in modern society and collaborate with others to determine solutions.
    3. Through the “Entrance Examination by Recommendation (Designated School)” or “Entrance Examination by Special Recommendation (Affiliated School), the department selects prospective students, who understand the university’s educational philosophy and display the attributes sought by the Department of Juridical Studies, via transcripts and interviews based on the recommendation of senior high school principals designated (requested) by the university.

Department of Current Legal Studies

Admission Policy

Based on the Faculty of Law Policy regarding Admission of New Students, the Department of Current Legal Studies has established the following “Policy regarding Admission of New Students” in accordance with its “Policy regarding Graduation & Degree Conferment” and “Policy regarding Curriculum Formulation and Implementation”, reflecting the department’s Human Resource Development Aims and Educational Goals.

  1. Type of Personnel Sought
    1. Individuals must demonstrate the fundamental knowledge and skills, reasoning, judgment and expression abilities that are expected outcomes at the senior high school level and necessary to understand and engage in the legal issues of modern society.
    2. Understands the university’s educational philosophy of “Do for Others”; endorses the viewpoint of consumer protection and consideration for others and the environment; possesses an interest in the various issues arising in present-day society, as well as the ambition to earnestly study these issues from the above perspectives.
    3. Possesses a strong ambition to independently contribute to solving problems faced by modern society, including consumer and environmental issues, without being afraid of new challenges.
  2. Basic Policy for Selection of StudentsThrough written examinations and interviews, prospective students are comprehensively assessed and selected based on whether they possess the ability to convey personal ideas logically, along with the fundamental abilities that are expected outcomes at the senior high school level and necessary for studying the legal issues of modern society (law in advanced fields), such as consumer and environmental issues, as well as the ambition and interest to engage in the these issues. Specifically, the department evaluates whether individuals possess the following fundamental academic skills.
    1. Given that reading comprehension, reasoning, and verbal and written expression are essential abilities for studying law, in particular individuals must possess academic ability in Japanese.
    2. Individuals must possess the fundamental academic ability in geography, history, politics and economics that is essential for studying the legal issues of modern society (law in advanced fields).
    3. Given the need to study the legal issues of modern society (law in advanced fields) as a global matter, individuals must possess fundamental academic ability in foreign languages, especially English.
    4. Individuals must possess the fundamental academic ability in mathematics and natural sciences that is essential for studying areas such as information processing and environmental issues.
  3. Types of Student Selection and Evaluation MethodsProspective students may take the All-Faculty Schedule, A Schedule or B Schedule general entrance examinations, or the Meiji Gakuin Admissions Center Entrance Examination. Alternatively, there are special entrance examinations: “AO Entrance Examination by Self-Nomination”, “Entrance Examination by Recommendation (Designated School)” and “Entrance Examination by Special Recommendation (Affiliated School)”.
    1. In All-Faculty, A Schedule or Admissions Center entrance examinations, general written tests evaluate whether applicants possess the fundamental abilities (fundamental academic ability in Japanese and foreign languages, geography, history, politics, economics, mathematics and science) that are expected outcomes at the senior high school level.
    2. The B Schedule entrance examination consists of foreign language tests and written tests focused on essays; by asking applicants to read longer pieces about modern social issues and write essays in response, the examination evaluates whether they possess an interest in such issues, as well as the reasoning, judgment and expression abilities for presenting logical ideas.
    3. The AO Entrance Examination by Self-Nomination involves an initial document screening, followed by a second screening consisting of written examinations and interviews. The document screening evaluates whether the accumulated experience and ability of prospective students (including qualifications, study abroad, extracurricular activities, volunteering and work experience, etc.) are consistent with the “Type of Personnel Sought” by the department. Additionally, written examinations consisting of English and short essay tests evaluate whether applicants possess abilities equivalent to (2) above, particularly in short essay examinations. Finally, interviews comprehensively assess whether applicants possess a curiosity towards the department’s areas of learning, the ambition to independently engage with modern social issues, and expression ability that enables logical communication.
    4. Through the “Entrance Examination by Recommendation (Designated School)” or “Entrance Examination by Special Recommendation (Affiliated School)”, the department selects prospective students who display the attributes it seeks, using transcripts, short essay tests and interviews based on the recommendation of senior high school principals designated (requested) by the university. Short essay tests evaluate whether applicants possess abilities equivalent to (2) above, while interviews comprehensively evaluate whether they possess the same qualities and abilities as in (3) above.

Department of Global Legal Studies

Admission Policy

Based on the Faculty of Law Policy regarding Admission of New Students, the Department of Global Legal Studies has established the following “Policy regarding Admission of New Students” in accordance with its “Policy regarding Graduation & Degree Conferment” and “Policy regarding Curriculum Formulation and Implementation”, reflecting the department’s Human Resource Development Aims and Educational Goals.

  1. Type of Personnel Sought
    1. Demonstrates the fundamental knowledge and skills, reasoning, judgment and expression abilities that are expected outcomes at the senior high school level.
    2. Possesses an interest in the rapidly globalizing political, economic and cultural climate, as well as a strong desire to play an active role internationally as a “global citizen”, utilizing an ability to find legal solutions supported by flexible cross-cultural understanding and practical communication.
    3. Possesses a keen interest and potential ability in English.
  2. Basic Policy for Selection of Students
    The department assesses the following, based on desirable student attributes.
    1. Student selection evaluates the fundamental knowledge and skills, reasoning, judgment and expression abilities that are expected outcomes at the senior high school level.
    2. Assess whether applicants possess the attitude to cope with the curriculum after enrollment.
  3. Types of Student Selection and Evaluation Methods
  4. Student selection involves written and/or interview examinations, evaluated according to the Basic Policy for Selection of Students.

Department of Political Science

Admission Policy

Based on the Faculty of Law Policy regarding Admission of New Students, the Department of Political Science has established the following “Policy regarding Admission of New Students” in accordance with its “Policy regarding Graduation & Degree Conferment” and “Policy regarding Curriculum Formulation and Implementation”, reflecting the department’s Human Resource Development Aims and Educational Goals.

  1. Type of Personnel Sought
    1. Individuals who understand the educational philosophy of “Do for Others”, and possess the intellectual ability to put it into practice. That is, individuals who demonstrate the fundamental knowledge and skills, reasoning, judgment and expression abilities that are expected outcomes at the senior high school level.
    2. Individuals who endorse the Department of Political Science educational philosophy of cultivating “educated political citizens”, and proactively seek social involvement, both during enrollment and following graduation, as members of a dignified civil society. That is, individuals with the ambition to engage and maintain fresh interest in issues concerning world events, regardless of significance or global location.
    3. Individuals who possess the courage to put forth sound arguments as “educated political citizens” and the ability to imagine the conditions of others, and share the hope of leading Japan’s society towards a better future.
  2. Basic Policy for Selection of Students
    Student selection is based on written examinations and interviews, which assess whether applicants possess the fundamental abilities that are expected outcomes at the senior high school level and necessary for studying political science.
    1. Given that reading comprehension, reasoning, and verbal and written expression are essential abilities for studying political science, individuals must possess knowledge and understanding of modern texts, as well as Japanese and Chinese classics in certain cases.
    2. Individuals must possess knowledge in world history, Japanese history, politics and economics, ethics, geography and other subjects essential for analyzing, considering and examining solutions to various issues in domestic and international politics.
    3. As much of the fundamental political science literature is written in foreign languages, English ability is essential for examining the course that Japan and the world should take amid the progress of globalization. As such, prospective students must possess fundamental linguistic skills (reading, listening, speaking, writing), especially in English.
    4. Evaluation focuses on whether individuals possess the senior high school-level knowledge, understanding and fundamental abilities listed above, as well as the drive to engage in a curriculum for cultivating “educated political citizens” after enrolment.
  3. Types of Student Selection and Evaluation Methods
    The various selection examinations listed below are used to evaluate whether applicants display the attributes sought by the department (diverse individuals who will be active in society as educated political citizens) and possess the knowledge, understanding and fundamental abilities under 2 - Basic Policy for Selection of Students above.
    1. In the All-Faculty, A Schedule or Meiji Gakuin Admissions Center entrance examinations, selection is based on general written tests focusing on understanding of subjects studied at the senior high school level.
    2. Selection through the B Schedule entrance examinations focuses on foreign languages and lecture comprehension.
    3. Through special entrance examinations, such as the “Entrance Examination by Recommendation (Designated School)” or “Entrance Examination by Special Recommendation (Affiliated School)”, the department selects prospective students who understand the university’s educational philosophy (“Do for Others”) and display the attributes sought by the Department of Political Science, via transcripts and interviews based on the recommendation of senior high school principals designated (requested) by the university. Through the AO Entrance Examination by Self-Nomination, the department seeks applicants capable of contributing to society and their communities - individuals who possess not merely good school results, but also a rich volunteer activity record.