Department of Psychology
Department of Psychology
Department of Education and Child Development
Fostering analytical and practical skills rooted in psychology
Emphasizing the relationships between people and society is one of the key features of the Department of Psychology. Students acquire a scientific understanding of the mind’s mechanisms and the ability to respond to any type of person or situation within today’s increasingly complex society – in other words, analytical and practical skills rooted in psychology. The Department seeks students with an interest in the scientific exploration of the mind and a desire to contribute to society through the application of psychological knowledge and research methods.
Department of Psychology
Key Features of the Department of Psychology
Point 01
Career-focused model courses of study
Corporate/ business course of study
- Geared toward students pursuing a career in the corporate sector.
- The focus on communication and problem-solving skills leads to high employment rates.
- Recommended for those pursuing careers in IT, marketing, data analysis, counseling, or human resources.
Civil service/teaching course of study
- Geared toward students aspiring to become psychology professionals in the public sector (family court probation officers, etc.), local government civil servants (at children’s welfare centers or prefectural offices, or serving as police officers, etc.), or junior high or high school teachers.
Psychology professional course of study
- Geared toward students who wish to become licensed psychology professionals, such as licensed psychologists or clinical psychologists.
- Many graduates of this program have gone on to jobs as school counselors, psychologists at medical institutions or child welfare facilities, or educational counselors.
Researcher course of study
- Geared toward students who wish to become university lecturers or researchers at a university or private- or public-sector research institute.
- Many graduates of this program have gone on to graduate study at Meiji Gakuin University and elsewhere.
Point 02
A curriculum that prepares students for national licensure as a psychologist
Students who enroll starting in April 2018 and complete all designated courses during their time as undergraduates, then go on to complete all designated courses in a graduate program or complete a required number of hours of work at a facility designated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare or the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, are eligible to take the national examination to become a licensed psychologist.
Point 03
Psychology-oriented English language education that prepares students for study abroad and international exchange
Classes such as English Readings on Psychology A and B expose students to English-language texts, enabling them to understand cutting-edge international research trends. The Department also offers support for students with a proactive desire to study abroad.
Point 04
A curriculum that equips students with skills through experiments and applied exercises
Students gain practical skills that will assist them in their working life through highly specialized applied exercises. These include conducting experiments using the latest equipment, planning online surveys and questionnaires, drawing up psychological experiment program and experiencing psychological testing for themselves.
Point 05
Enhanced careers education that opens up diverse options for graduates
Students may choose to attend the workshops organized by the Department of Psychology to assist them in seeking employment. The Department also hosts events focused on options for graduate study that are organized by the Shirokane Psychology Association.
Point 06
Intensive, small classes ensure mastery of practical skills
Students begin acquiring the study methods used in psychology in Basic Seminar that begins immediately after enrollment. They continue their study of practical psychology throughout the next four years in small practicums and seminars where they also develop communication and problem-solving skills through lively discussions with faculty and other students.
Program Structure
In the first years, students take the class to learn the basics of psychology and acquire the logical thinking in their small seminars. In their second years, while deepening knowledge through foundational and advanced classes, students learn how to scientifically study the mind. In the third and fourth years, the department offers ten practical classes, students choose an area of focus from five specialized fields. In seminars, students choose a theme and conduct research for a graduation project. By writing a thesis, they develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Topics
Psychology of Perception and Cognition
Students will learn about scientific findings on the mechanisms and functions of human cognition, including information processing from the five senses, attention, and memory. We will aim to understand the fascination and wonder of cognitive functions, which are extremely elaborate and sometimes dumb, and to make use of them in our daily lives.
Professionalism of Licensed Psychologists
We will cover topics including the content of the Certified Psychologist Act, matters a certified psychologist must observe, cooperation with other professions, and supervision. Our goal is for students to understand that a licensed psychologist is expected to have not only knowledge and skills, but also social responsibility.
Educational and School Psychology
Students will learn basic theories and methods for appropriately coping with various problems that arise in schools, such as bullying, truancy, and problems between friends.
