Admission Quota
[Admission Capacity: 80]
Requirements for Completion of the Master’s Program
Enrolled in Master’s Program for 2 years or more (maximum of 4 years).
Has successfully obtained more than 32 credits in relevant courses.
Must successfully pass the Master’s Thesis Defense and the Final Examination
The degree received is a Master of Arts in Business and Commerce [M.A. (Business and Commerce)]. The required number of credits for graduation is 32 , and at least 4 seminar courses (8 credits or more) must be taken.
In addition, students must be enrolled in the master’s program at the Graduate School of Business and Commerce for at least two years, and must pass a thesis defense and final examination.
Please refer to “Regulations on Master’s Thesis Defenses” (excerpt) below for the criteria for the master’s thesis defense.
Regulations on Master’s Thesis Defenses (excerpt)
The criteria and methods for the defense of master’s theses at the Keio University Graduate School of Business and Commerce are defined as follows.
1. Thesis Defense Criteria
Master’s theses will be evaluated based on the following considerations.
(1) Is the thesis clearly expressed and logically structured?
(2) Are the results of previous research in the relevant field sufficiently taken into consideration, and is the academic position of the thesis’ subject and results clear?
(3) Does the thesis meet the formatting requirements for an academic paper?
(4) Is the student able to respond appropriately to questions in the final examination?
Research Guidance Schedule
First Year
April–June: Assignment of academic advisor, consultation on courses, selection of research topic, guidance from academic advisor on preparation of a research plan, presentation of research plan in seminar class
July–September: Execution of research plan
October–December: Mid-term report in seminar class
January–March: Research progress reviewed by academic advisor and changes to research plan discussed
Second Year
April–June: Execution of research plan, mid-term report in seminar class
July–September: Execution of research plan, guidance from academic advisor on writing thesis
October–December: Submission of master’s thesis title following consultation with academic advisor, determination of primary and secondary examiners, report on research results in seminar class
January–March: Submission of master’s thesis, final examination (thesis defense)
An academic advisor assigned at the time of admission will guide students through the writing of their master’s thesis.
When taking courses, students are encouraged to take a wide range of courses, not only those taught by their academic advisor, and to actively seek guidance from other faculty members.
The above is the standard research guidance schedule for the two-year master’s program. For more details, please consult with your academic advisor immediately after admission.
Number of Degrees Conferred
2022 academic year: 15 in total
2023 academic year: 9 in total
2024 academic year: 20 in total
Examples of Master’s Thesis Topics
Competition Patterns and Business Results - Focusing on Product Strategy within the Framework of Dynamic Competition
Promoting the Open Innovation of Japanese Manufacturers Overseas: Focusing on the Inner Workings of an Organization that is Engaged in New Product Development
Robustness and Flexibility of the Budget and the Performance Management System: A Study Based on the Loose Coupling Theory
Considering the Bipolarization of the Regional Labor Market: The Employment Substitution Effect in the IT Industry and Employment in Regional Areas
Transfer Pricing in the 21st Century: A Review of Transfer Pricing Rules and Guidelines in Namibia