Policies

Policies

Diploma Policy

Master's Course

In the master's course, master's degrees are conferred upon persons who have taught and researched scholarship and its applications based on a foundation of general and specialized education at the undergraduate level; acquired the following in light of the educational and research purposes stipulated by each program; and completed the prescribed curriculum and passed both the thesis defense and the final examination.

  1. Broad and deep scholarship
  2. Ability to conduct research in the program area
  3. Superior ability for assuming positions that require a high degree of specialization

Educational and Research Purposes by Program

Education and Psychology Program

Cultivate people who will investigate various educational conditions for humankind to coexist peacefully and creatively and who will fill leadership roles for the realization thereof both in Japan and abroad in various academic disciplines involving education.

Public Policy and Social Research Program

Cultivate people who will research the social sciences, including public policy, deeply but also broadly and with an interdisciplinary perspective that considers relationships with other areas of study; and who will fill leadership roles where they can exercise their flexible abilities to resolve issues based on their keen analytical and conceptual powers at domestic and international organizations.

Comparative Culture Program

Cultivate people who will deeply and comparatively research a wide variety of cultural phenomena using problem-oriented methods and who will fill leadership roles that combine a liberal arts spirit and a high level of training in the humanities, with foresight and a sense of responsibility.

Natural Sciences Program

Cultivate people who will conduct specialized training and research in various natural science and related disciplines and who will fill leadership roles that understand specialized fields within the context of the natural sciences as a whole and also position the sciences within the context of society.

Doctoral Course

In the doctoral course, doctoral degrees are conferred upon persons who have thoroughly investigated the depths of theories of scholarship and their applications acquired in a master's course; acquired the following for contributing to the development of culture; and completed the prescribed curriculum and passed both the dissertation defense and the final examination.

  1. Ability to independently conduct research as a researcher
  2. High level of research ability necessary for engaging in specialized work and rich scholarship that serves as a foundation therefor

Curriculum Policy

Master's Course

In light of the diploma policy, and in order to foster broad and deep scholarship across the humanities and sciences, the master's course designs its curriculum as follows.

Students take a total of 30 units as follows: at least 1 School-wide Interdisciplinary Course (2 units); at least 2 Foundation Courses (4 units) from their selected program; at least 4 Specialization Courses (8 units) from their selected area of concentration; at least 3 Research Courses (6 units) from their selected program; at least 3 courses (6 units) from among Foundation Courses, Specialization Courses, and Research Courses of their selected program/concentration; and at least 2 School of Arts & Sciences courses (4 units) as electives. In addition to taking courses, students receive research guidance and submit a master's thesis.

  1. The master's course offers a curriculum that enables students to take a mix of courses for deepening specialization and cultivating rich scholarship.
  2. The master's course offers graduate education that maintains specialization in foundation areas and allows development of a wide range of areas, including cutting-edge technology and new areas.
  3. The master' course systematically designs foundation courses, advanced courses, and courses regarding research methods; develops abilities to write academic papers; and provides guidance regarding the master's thesis.
  4. Students mainly take courses during the first year and write the master's thesis during the second year.
  5. Research advisors note changes in advisees' academic performance each term and give appropriate advice in accordance with the situation so that advisees will fulfill graduation requirements.
  6. Research advisors guide students in a manner that enables the students to determine and deepen research topics through individual seminars.

Program Details

Education and Psychology Program

In the Education concentration, students compare internationally and analyze structurally views of human beings and the world that form the basis of education, educational systems and issues of various countries (including developing countries), and basic challenges surrounding curricula and education laws of schools around the world; and explore basic policies regarding education measures for the future. In addition, in the area of educational technology, students research utilization of e-learning, computers, and audiovisual equipment in the teaching and learning process; their effectiveness; and distance learning. In the area of educational communication, students research the characteristics, social functions, and effectiveness of interpersonal communication and mass communication. In the area of educational sociology, students research various characteristics of educational systems, schools, families, communities, social structures, and cultural situations; the structures, functions, and meanings of education; and educational measures. Students also learn about qualitative and quantitative research methods in education research.

In the Psychology concentration, faculty conduct research that views psychology as a broad academic discipline and educate people who will be of service as practitioners based on liberal arts principles. They provide education and research guidance rooted in proven research methods that are international, interdisciplinary, flexible, and rigorous (experimental methods, survey methods, observational methods, etc.). This concentration promotes advanced research based on a viewpoint that encompasses science and humanity. It cultivates people who can conduct research and practice psychology on the ground in order to respond to the societal need to cultivate advanced specialists.

In the Language Education concentration, students first learn linguistics, psychology, and related knowledge in the field of education, which are the basis of the theory and practice of teaching English and Japanese as foreign languages. After acquiring the linguistic knowledge of their target language(s), students engage in research of more concrete academic areas, such as first language acquisition, second language acquisition, teaching of foreign languages, development of educational materials and curricula, bilingual education, and early foreign language education. In addition, as part of learning by doing, students teach English and Japanese language classes and aim to integrate theory and practice.

Public Policy and Social Research Program

In the Politics and International Studies concentration, specifically the Foundation Courses, students learn basic concepts and various theories of public administration, public policy, politics, law, international relations, international law, and international organizations. Based on this foundation, in the Specialization Courses students delve into theoretical research and case studies pertaining to public management, local government, comparative politics & government, political thought, international politics & diplomacy, international public opinion research, and gender & international relations in a cross-disciplinary manner and connect them to policy research.

In the Social and Cultural Analysis concentration, faculty provide guidance regarding methods for empirically researching various social and cultural phenomena using social science or anthropological approaches. Students are expected to learn and apply qualitative or quantitative research methods. They can conduct interdisciplinary research while receiving research guidance from faculty who are specialists in social science and cultural anthropology. As part of their research, students conduct field investigations.

In the Media and Language concentration, students acquire basic research skills in fields of specialization such as social linguistics, communication, and media and also cultivate practical abilities through projects, etc. By establishing Foundation Courses and Specialization Courses in the main fields mentioned above and by actively utilizing courses in other areas of concentration, students' ability to apply their learning in a scholarly and practical manner is heightened.

In the Public Economics concentration, students first learn basic theories of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistical analysis. After students acquire this basic knowledge, faculty provide guidance regarding specialized study and research of economics, business administration, finance, accounting, and related fields of application.

The Peace Studies concentration offers a broad range of courses in the areas of peace, conflict, and security. There are basic courses, in which students learn the general overview of a particular field, as well as more specialized courses. This concentration supposes that graduates will be able to analyze existing or potential conflicts from academic, legal, and diplomatic angles; conduct interviews and literature searches; find relevant information and properly understand it; and work in the areas of peace and security at governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations.

Comparative Culture Program

In the Japanese Culture Studies concentration and the Transcultural Studies concentration, students first take the Foundation Course "Methods in Comparative Culture" (mandatory) and Foundation Courses related to their selected area of concentration in order to further deepen their knowledge of their undergraduate field(s) of study from the standpoint of comparative culture. They then take courses in alignment with their concentration and research theme and aim for correct understanding of issues from a broad point of view. In "Research" courses, faculty provide individual research guidance.

Program-wide Courses exist in order to enable students to learn comparative research methods in alignment with various fundamental and essential cultural constructions that go beyond areas of concentration, become proficient in such methods, and forge an even broader and certain comparative perspective.

Natural Sciences Program

In the Mathematics and Information Science concentration, students distill issues, apply theories, and employ computer science in order to become aware of processes for resolving real issues and at the same time learn their area of concentration. In addition, they cultivate communication skills that enable them to impart that information to non-specialists in both Japanese and English.

This concentration aims to cultivate not only researchers but also persons with the potential to become active in any and all places in society with their problem-solving abilities. Students acquire basic theories and methods of their field of study on top of their undergraduate field(s) of study, expose themselves to cutting-edge research, and actively engage in real issues.

In the Material Science concentration, students conduct experiments and theoretical research. In experimental fields, students aim to acquire basic experimental skills and theoretical understanding of materials from experimental results, and in theoretical fields, they aim to connect and integrate material science, theoretical science, and computer science.

In the Life Science concentration, research is being conducted in three fields: botany, zoology, and microbiology. In addition to these specialized fields, faculty provide guidance regarding scientific ways of thinking and basic research methods.

Doctoral Course

In light of the diploma policy, the doctoral course aims to cultivate people who are equipped with both a high degree of specialization and an interdisciplinary perspective and designs its curriculum as follows.

  1. In "Advanced Research" courses, faculty individually advise students through readings and discussions of text and discussions based on students' study plans.
  2. Faculty provide appropriate guidance and advice regarding preparation of the Annual Study Report.
  3. Faculty push students to delve into topics and data and engage in issues and research for increasing precision so that students can advance to doctoral candidacy.
  4. Faculty provide research guidance for at least 3 academic terms following advancement to doctoral candidacy.
  5. Faculty provide guidance and advice regarding preparation of the Study Plan for Dissertation, taking into consideration the steps until the submission of the dissertation.
  6. Faculty provide appropriate guidance and advice regarding preparation of the Final Draft of a Doctoral Dissertation, taking students' circumstances into consideration.
  7. Faculty provide guidance and advice so that students in principle publish at least one paper related to their dissertation in an external academic journal before submission of the dissertation.
  8. Faculty provide guidance and advice regarding preparation of the dissertation, taking into consideration the points indicated during the evaluation of the final draft.

Admission Policy

International Christian University (ICU) has as its principle "to serve God and humankind"; upholds three commitments: international, Christian, and academic; and puts into practice a liberal arts education that crosses academic boundaries.

In accordance with these three commitments, ICU Graduate School (GS) was established with the purpose of further development in both education and research through research in various fields based on academic knowledge cultivated at the undergraduate level. GS is seeking students equipped with independent research and problem-solving skills in addition to specialized knowledge in order to cultivate leaders with a high degree of specialization who will serve as a bridge between Japan and the world based on a bilingual Japanese and English education.

To accept such students, GS has an admissions system that enrolls students in April and September. By closely reviewing application materials submitted in either Japanese or English (document screening) and conducting thorough interviews, GS evaluates and judges applicants' academic qualities, aptitudes, interests, and enthusiasm from multiple angles.

Master's Course

Education and Psychology Program

The Education and Psychology (EP) program asks students to engage with past research and the doings of those who have come before them from all angles; consolidate their own awareness of issues; and think matters through without easily coming to conclusions. EP accepts students who engage in the quest for and application of knowledge in an interdisciplinary manner; maintain a multifaceted point of view; acquire solid and rich specialized knowledge; and have the motivation to contribute to society through creative proposals. This program aims to cultivate students who respect the awareness of issues of various individuals and who spare no effort to complete unique research that only they can conduct.

Public Policy and Social Research Program

In the Public Policy and Social Research (PPSR) program, it is possible to learn research methods and theoretical thinking from a highly international faculty and deepen one's specialized research through stimulating discussions with students from many countries. PPSR is seeking students who confront misunderstandings and prejudices that occur amidst diverse values; who are motivated to challenge themselves to conduct interdisciplinary research based on a global viewpoint; and who try to pursue their specialized research without being constrained by boundaries and while learning from multiple angles. This program offers many courses in English and also aims to improve communication skills using English.

Comparative Culture Program

The Comparative Culture (CC) program is seeking students who can compare and test existing cultural research in diverse fields from a broad point of view and who can independently deepen their learning and research by crossing existing boundaries such as citizenship and culture. CC cultivates people who elevate the learning obtained via the program to a deep understanding of humankind and who fill leadership roles equipped with both foresight regarding the future of humankind and ethics through the unification of a liberal arts spirit and a high level of training in the humanities.

Natural Sciences Program

The Natural Sciences (NS) program actualizes a superior natural science research environment by taking advantage of the characteristics of small group education and through close communication between faculty and students. In addition, by opening the doors to various graduate schools conducting cutting-edge natural science research and providing an optimal research environment through cooperative relationships with universities and research institutes in Japan and abroad, NS enables students to foster specialized abilities as well as practical English abilities. This program is seeking students who do not stop at attainment of specialized knowledge and skills; who acquire a high level of communication skills; and who try to explore paths in the direction of natural science research through involvement with society and with the possibility of making diverse contributions to society.

Doctoral Course

In order to cultivate leaders with an even higher degree of specialization based on a bilingual Japanese and English education, GS's doctoral course is seeking students who are equipped with independent research and problem-solving abilities; independently conduct research as a researcher; have motivation to acquire the rich scholarship that serves as a foundation therefor; actively participate in scholarly activities off campus, such as conferences; and who spare no effort as a researcher.

PAGE TOP