Educational methods/completion requirements/thesis presentation session

Educational methods in graduate schools

Education in graduate schools is provided through classes of courses and advising on completing a degree thesis (hereafter referred to as “research advising”).

Flow of completion of the master’s program

Master’s program (Standard length of study: 2 years)

Determine academic supervisors. (→Click here for system for research advising.)

Receive advice on which courses to take in accordance with the content of your research.

Earn 30 or more credits from "Research Advising" and "Lectures and Seminars" in 2 years.

Complete the courses and acquire credits in accordance with the completion requirements and the course requirements stipulated by each Graduate School Course.

(Click here for information on completion requirements and course requirements stipulated by each Graduate School Course.) 

*Confirm the content of research guidance in the “outline of research advising” stipulated by each graduate school.

Submit a master’s degree thesis (a research paper).

Click here for submission requirements and review criteria for a master’s degree thesis 

Oral examination (final examination)

Master’ s degree diploma will be awarded.



■ Flow of completion of the Doctoral program

Doctoral program (Standard length of study: 3 years)


Determine academic supervisors. (→Click here for system for research advising.)

Receive advice on which courses to take in accordance with the content of your research.

Complete the courses and acquire credits in accordance with the completion requirements and the course requirements stipulated by each Graduate School Course in 3 years.

(Click here for information on completion requirements and course requirements stipulated by each Graduate School Course.)

*Confirm the content of research guidance in the “outline of research advising” stipulated by each graduate school.

Submit a doctoral degree thesis.

Click here for submission requirements and review criteria for a doctoral degree thesis.

Review and final examination

Doctoral degree diploma will be awarded.

Completion requirements

Master’s program

  1. A master’s degree is awarded to those who have been enrolled in the master’s program for 2 or more years; have earned 30 or more credits; and have passed the review of a master’s degree thesis or research achievements on a specific subject (hereafter referred to as “research paper”) according to the purposes of the relevant graduate school and the final examination after receiving necessary research advising. However, students who have achieved outstanding results are allowed to complete their course of study after being enrolled in the program for at least 1 year.

【Completion requirements for a “research paper”】

      1. In Graduate School of Letters, Courses of English Language and Literature / Education / International Culture and Communication Studies; Graduate School of Sociology, Course of Sociology; Graduate School of Law (students enrolled in the Civil Service course only), Courses of Private Law / Public Law; Graduate School of Business Administration (students enrolled in the Concentration in SME Consultant Certification only); Graduate School of Economics, Courses of Business, Accounting and Finance / Public- Private Partnership; Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Course of Architecture; Graduate School of Global and Regional Studies, Course of Global Innovation Studies; Graduate School of Life Sciences; Graduate School of Human Life Design, Courses of Human Care and Support / Health Care and Sports / Human Environment Design; Graduate School of Welfare Society Design, Course of Human Centered Life Design, the minimum number of credits required for completion is 30 credits.

      2. In Graduate Schools of Global and Regional Studies (only for students enrolled in or before AY 2019), Graduate School of International Tourism Management, completion of the program based on the research paper applies only to adult students and the minimum number of credits required for completion is 32 credits.

      3. In Graduate School of Sociology, Course of System for Welfare Society; the minimum number of credits required for completion is 36 credits.

  1. Since the courses required for completion of the master’s program vary according to each graduate school and course, carefully check the “Credits and other completion requirements” and the “Course requirements” provided in each course curriculum.

Doctoral program

A doctoral degree is awarded to those who have been enrolled in the graduate school of the university for 3 or more years (2 or more years who have completed Law School), and have passed the review of a doctoral degree thesis and the final examination after receiving necessary research advising. However, students who have achieved outstanding results are allowed to complete their course of study after being enrolled in the program 1 or more years (3 or more years, including an enrollment period in the master's program or a professional degree program, in the case of persons who have completed any of such programs after enrollment for 1 or more years but less than 2 years) in the graduate school of the university.

Thesis presentation session

Some courses hold thesis presentation sessions. Students should confirm with their academic supervisor and the chair of the course whether thesis presentation sessions will be held.