The Three Policies of the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program

Based on the Policy on Graduation and degree conferral (Diploma Policy) of Keio University, and in accordance with the founding philosophy of this Juku, the program aims to research and teach academic principles and their applications, to conceptualize approaches to health, medical care, and welfare that contribute to people's health, and to cultivate the deep academic knowledge and outstanding abilities required for advanced practice and management based on scientific methods. Furthermore, the program goes beyond the acquisition of specialized knowledge related to health, medical care, welfare, and sports. It aims to equip students with management skills, including the insight to identify health issues faced by individuals and society; the logical thinking skills to infer the underlying structures and causal relationships of these issues and formulate them as hypotheses; the analytical skills to test these hypotheses in a convincing manner; and the communication skills to share and implement the derived conclusions. The program also aims to foster leadership that can guide society, based on consideration for diversity and multiculturalism and a high sense of professional ethics. Moreover, public health is a practical academic field that aims to maintain and improve the health and well-being of all people. Recognizing the strong demand for professionals who can solve health issues spanning from local to global levels across a wide range of fields—including health, medical care, and personal care—the program aims to cultivate individuals who will take on global health challenges and become leaders in achieving a society of global health and longevity. In addition, a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is conferred upon students who have fulfilled the prescribed requirements set forth in the curriculum.

- Ability to solve public health issues based on data analysis, utilizing knowledge of epidemiology, biostatistics, occupational and environmental health, social and behavioral sciences, and health policy and management.

- Ability to formulate and evaluate evidence-based health policies.

- Fundamental ability to work effectively in the fields of community and global health.

- Ability to analyze matters and phenomena with precision and a broad perspective, free from prejudice, preconceptions, and assumptions.

The Major in Public Health, Sport and Health Sciences (Master of Public Health) at the Graduate School of Health Management systematically organizes a curriculum composed of introductory courses, analytical methods courses, specialized courses, internship-related courses, and special research courses in order to cultivate the qualities and abilities set forth in the "Policy on Graduation and degree conferral (Diploma Policy)." In addition, to ensure the acquisition of the fundamental specialized knowledge and skills of public health, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program designates the following as required courses: Basic Epidemiology, Basic Biostatistics I, Basic Biostatistics II, Public Health Management, Environmental and Occupational Health, Health Behavior Science, and Health Policy and Management.

Based on this curriculum design, education is conducted through a combination of methods, including experiments, practical training, and practicums; fieldwork; presentations; discussions and debates; group work; role-playing; flipped classrooms; PBL (Problem-Based Learning); internships; and research projects.

The assessment of learning outcomes for the competency goals of this curriculum is conducted under the Juku-wide assessment plan. It relies on direct indicators based on the grading criteria for each course, as well as a combination of quantitative, qualitative, direct, and indirect indicators, including credit acquisition status per semester, course evaluation surveys, the master's thesis or research paper, and end-of-program surveys.

- **Introductory Courses:** Recognizing that students with diverse backgrounds and specializations enroll in this interdisciplinary and advanced graduate school, these courses enable them to acquire fundamental knowledge they may lack in the field of public health.

- **Analytical Methods Courses and Graduate School-wide Courses:** These courses cultivate the ability to analyze matters and phenomena with precision and a broad perspective, free from prejudice, preconceptions, and assumptions. Students learn the fundamental theories and practical methods of data analysis and develop the ability to apply their findings to solve public health issues and to formulate and evaluate policies.

- **Specialized Courses:** Students acquire advanced knowledge and skills from the community to the global level in the specialized fields of epidemiology, biostatistics, occupational and environmental health, social and behavioral sciences, and health policy and management.

- **Internship-Related Courses:** Through the synergistic effect of practical training and systematic lectures, these courses develop students' ability to solve public health issues and to engage in policy making and evaluation.

- **Special Research Courses:** Students receive research guidance from their academic advisor and write a master's thesis or a research paper.

(1) Students who understand the objectives of our graduate school and program.

(2) Students who possess the fundamental academic skills necessary for studies at our graduate school.

(3) Students with a strong sense of curiosity for academic inquiry.

(4) Motivated students who are willing to take on challenges to achieve their goals.

(5) Students with the communication skills to listen to the opinions of others and logically express their own thoughts.

(6) Students who wish to advance cutting-edge research in public health and generate new findings.

(7) Students with a desire to contribute to solving public health challenges both in Japan and abroad.

(8) Students who are interested in evidence-based public health policy recommendations and program development.

To admit a wide range of applicants with these qualities, we conduct a selection process through an entrance examination.

Entrance Examination

Applicants who have graduated from a university or are expected to graduate before enrollment are eligible to apply. Selection is based on a comprehensive evaluation of application documents, an essay examination, and an interview.