Graduate School of Sociology : Admission Policy

The Major of Sociology’s educational goal is to nurture researchers with highly-specialized knowledge and skills capable of uncovering and investigating various issues hidden in modern society. In order to realize this in close cooperation between the students and the , all incoming students are expected to possess the following qualities as a starting point.

Master’s and Doctoral Programs

1. Applicant Criteria
   1. Demonstrates the fundamental knowledge and skills, reasoning, judgment and expression abilities acquired at the undergraduate level (or master’s level for doctoral programs) and required to engage in high-level research at the Graduate School.
   2. Understands the university’s educational philosophy of “Do for Others”, possesses a keen insight into the various issues arising in present-day society, as well as the ambition and potential to earnestly study more specialized sociology theories, concepts and methods at the Graduate School and contribute to an inclusive society as an educational researcher or high-level specialized professional.
   3. For doctoral programs, in addition to the above, incoming students are expected to possess the following qualities in particular.
      1. Interest in serious issues
         While knowledge can be taught, how it is received and used depends on whether the student possesses a clear interest in relevant issues. Above all, individuals should possess an interest in devoting themselves to resolving serious issues
      2. Strong desire to research
         The specialized knowledge accumulated to date, both in sociology as a whole and individual fields, is vast. The systematic acquisition of this knowledge demands not only significant time and effort, but also the ambition and courage to become an independent sociologist.
      3. Courage of expression
         Graduate school is not a place for merely absorbing existing information. Those who engage with the accumulated knowledge of many predecessors – the expressions of others ― have the right and duty to create their own novel expression. Individuals should possess the courage to present their research results, without fear of standing at the cutting edge of the age
2. Basic Policy for Selection of Students
   Assess whether applicants possess the fundamental abilities, ambition and qualities outlined in “Applicant Criteria” above.
3. Types of Student Selection and Evaluation Methods
   1. Student selection is based on written examinations and interviews, evaluated according to the “Basic Policy for Selection of Students”.
   2. Written examinations focus on assessing the fundamental academic abilities acquired at the undergraduate level (or master’s level for doctoral programs).
      Interviews focus on evaluating the ambition and qualities needed to contribute to society as an educational researcher or high-level specialized professional.

1. Applicant Criteria
   1. Demonstrates the fundamental knowledge and skills, reasoning, judgment and expression abilities acquired at the undergraduate level (or master’s level for doctoral programs) and required to engage in high-level research in social work.
   2. Understands the university’s educational philosophy of “Do for Others”, possesses a keen insight into the various issues arising in present-day society, as well as the ambition and potential to earnestly study more specialized social work theories, concepts and methods at the Graduate School and contribute to an inclusive society as an educational researcher or high-level specialized professional.
   3. For master’s programs, in addition to the above, incoming students are expected to possess the following qualities in particular.
      1. Individuals who possess the ability to engage in systematic and planned academic research in specialized fields related to social work, and demonstrate a deep understanding of all aspects of humanity as well as the development of talent with specialized cognitive and practical skills.
      2. Individuals enrolling as part of recurrent education for social workers should possess the ability to independently engage in study to develop practical work into research.
   4. For doctoral programs, in addition to the above, incoming students are expected to possess the following qualities in particular.
      1. Self-reliant problem resolution
         While abundant knowledge is a prerequisite, the ability to draw on such knowledge in everyday life is important for high-level specialized research; individuals should have a clear idea of their position as a researcher.
      2. Strong research ambitions
         The volume of specialized knowledge accumulated to date in the field of social work is vast. Significant time and effort must be allocated to learning prior research. As researchers in social work, individuals must also strive to analyze current realities in order to cultivate their own novel research areas. Individuals should possess such strong research ambitions.
      3. Proactively present research results
         Graduate school is not a place for merely absorbing existing information.Those who engage with the accumulated knowledge of many predecessors – the expressions of others ― have the right and duty to create their own novel expression. Individuals should possess the courage to present their research results, without fear of standing at the cutting edge of the age
   5. Basic Policy for Selection of Students
      Assess whether applicants possess the fundamental abilities, ambition and qualities outlined in “Applicant Criteria” above.
   6. Types of Student Selection and Evaluation Methods
      1. Student selection is based on written examinations and interviews, evaluated according to the “Basic Policy for Selection of Students”.
      2. Written examinations focus on assessing the fundamental academic abilities acquired at the undergraduate level (or master’s level for doctoral programs).
         Interviews focus on evaluating the ambition and qualities needed to contribute to society as an educational researcher or high-level specialized professional.