Why does ICU have a program for completing a B.A. and M.A. in five years?

To respond to students' enthusiasm for learning, as well as to the requirements of modern global society, ICU introduced its 5-Year B.A./M.A. Program in 2011. While it usually requires a total of six years of learning--four years at the undergraduate level and two years at the graduate level--to obtain a master's degree, with ICU's 5-year Program, it is possible to obtain both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in a total of five years--four years at the undergraduate level and one year at the graduate level.

ICU has many students who are devoted to their studies and, not satisfied with just four years, want to conduct more in-depth specialist research. On the other hand, they are also keen to make a contribution to society as soon as possible. The ability to obtain their master's degree a year earlier than usual will be a major advantage for these students in the future. In the international community as well, a master's degree can also be a passport to a position in a global company or international organization.

Global society stands upon a foundation of full-fledged knowledge and is seeking human resources that can create new values in society, while viewing knowledge in its entirety, and guide the resolution of problems. These people also need to possess the skills to respond to issues that cannot be dealt with within conventional academic structures. A liberal arts education provides a broad education in the humanities and the social and natural sciences and the opportunity to delve deeper into specialist topics. Society needs professionals with such an education, combined with specialist knowledge, and these are the kind of people that ICU's 5-year Program is designed to cultivate.