Research Guidance
The Graduate School of Economics aims to foster “economics experts” capable of analyzing and thinking deeply about economic phenomena regardless of the era or circumstances. To achieve this, the master’s program curriculum is structured to facilitate:
Acquisition of the fundamentals and broad perspectives of economic theory appropriate to an “economics expert,” equipped with the knowledge needed to apprehend the cutting edge of economic research.
Production of a master’s thesis through specialist study of a field of deep interest and profound learning on a chosen theme.
After entering the master’s program, students will choose a supervising professor and proceed with their research under that professor’s guidance. The provisional subject and examiners (one chief examiner and two auxiliary examiners) for the master’s thesis will be decided by July in the second year of studies (January for students enrolling in September). In addition, a thesis proposal defense will be conducted in November (or April) to confirm whether the students’ research capacities have advanced to the level required to author a master’s thesis. Thesis reviews conclude after successfully passing the thesis proposal defense and submitting a completed master’s thesis by January (or June), which then passes the thesis review and is successfully defended in the final interview.
<Schedule>
First Year Level
- April (September for students enrolling in September): Enrollment
- May–June (October): Selection of supervising professor
Second Year Level
- April (September): Advancement to the 2nd year level
- July (January-February): Submission of provisional thesis title and abstract
- October–November(March-April): Preliminary examination of master’s thesis
- January(June): Submission of master’s thesis, abstract and application documents for master’s degree
- February–March(July-September): Thesis defense interview / Completion
<Schedule (Early Completion)>
The Graduate School of Economics offers Early Completion System that allows students to complete their program in one year. The schedule for those who applied for this system is as follows.
1st Year (Early Completion)
- April(September): Enrollment / Application for Early Completion System / Transfer of credits obtained through “Taking Graduate School Courses Prior to Entering Graduate School at Keio” (*)
- May–June(October): Selection of supervising professor
- July(January-February): Submission of provisional thesis title and abstract
- October–November(March-April): Preliminary examination of master’s thesis
- January(June): Submission of master’s thesis, abstract and application documents for master’s degree
- February–March(July-September）: Thesis defense interview / Completion
*For those who graduated from the faculty of economics, Keio University, credits obtained in their fourth year level using “Taking Graduate School Courses Prior to Entering Graduate School at Keio” system may be transferred to the credits for their master’s program.