Educational Support System: Four majors linked to undergraduate education
(1) Majors continued from colleges
The Graduate School of Human and Socio-Environmental Studies is affiliated with four schools within the College of Human and Social Sciences.
As a result, it offers programs that build upon the specialized fields of the undergraduate schools, providing a seamless transition for students.
(2) Adoption of the program method
The Division of Humanities has adopted a program-based system rather than a course-based system.
This enables students to choose paths that align with their diverse career goals and areas of specialization.
(3) Promoting interdisciplinarity
To develop highly specialized professionals from an interdisciplinary perspective, we provide a flexible education system that accommodates the characteristics of each major and individual research theme.
Students are encouraged to actively take courses offered by other majors.
(4) Quarter system (four semesters)
The Graduate School divides both the first and second semesters into two quarters, operating under a quarter system.
This structure allows students to earn credits in shorter academic periods.
(5) Short-term (one-year) enrollment system
The Divisions of Economics and Regional Development Studies offer programs that allow students to complete a degree in one year while continuing to work.
(6) Long-term enrollment system
We offer a long-term enrollment system for individuals balancing work, household responsibilities, childcare, nursing care, or other commitments, enabling them to earn a degree at their own pace.
(7) Special provisions for working adults (Article 14 of the Standards for the Establishment of Graduate Schools)
We have established a system to provide classes or research guidance for working adults during evenings or at other specified times when there is a special educational need.
(8) Long-term, problem-based internships
The Division of Regional Development Studies offers an “assignment-based long-term internship” in which students spend extended periods in a region, working to address local issues.
(9) Internationalization initiatives
As part of the University’s internationalization efforts, one program completion requirement is, in principle, achieving a designated score on an external English proficiency test.
We continually work to improve the English proficiency of graduate students, offering support such as examination fee subsidies and the administration of various campus-based tests.
(10) Research support and scholarships
To support graduate students’ research activities, the Graduate School provides a fixed amount to each student for necessary materials and travel expenses for academic conference presentations.
Additionally, a competitive research funding system is available, under which one-year research proposals are reviewed and awarded funding.