The Three Policies of Major in Education

Based on the Diploma Policy (Policy on Degree Conferral and degree conferral) of Keio University University, the program aims to develop researchers, educators, and specialized professionals by fostering fundamental research capabilities in educational studies and the abilities required for professions demanding expertise. In addition, a Master of Arts in Education [M.A. (Education)] degree will be conferred upon students who have fulfilled the prescribed requirements of the curriculum.

(1): Acquisition of advanced, specialized knowledge in education

(2): Acquisition of specialized techniques to conduct theoretical and empirical research in education

(3): Acquisition of the ability to apply a broad knowledge of education that can be connected to related fields in an interdisciplinary manner

(4): Acquisition of qualities that enable active contribution to society and the international community in the future

To cultivate the qualities and abilities set forth in the "Diploma Policy (Policy on Degree Conferral and degree conferral)," the Graduate School of Human Relations Major in Education (Master's Program) systematically organizes a curriculum composed of seminars, lectures, and practical training in the five fields of philosophy of education, history of education, educational psychology, comparative education, and school education. Additionally, to foster a perspective for examining contemporary educational issues across disciplines, the course "Research on Contemporary Educational Issues," based on the discipline of each field, is established. Furthermore, to ensure opportunities to access the latest international and interdisciplinary research trends, lecture courses by renowned Guest Professor (Part-time) from Japan and abroad are also offered.

Based on this curriculum organization, instruction is delivered through a combination of educational methods, including student presentations and subsequent discussions, flipped learning, practical training, and school and class observations. Furthermore, for students who are in-service teachers and face time constraints due to their employment, learning opportunities are ensured through flexible curriculum implementation, such as offering classes and research supervision during evenings or other specific times or periods, by applying the special provisions of Article 14 of the Standards for the Establishment of Graduate Schools.

Under the framework of an assessment plan for the entire Juku, the learning outcomes for the qualities and competency goals to be acquired through this program's curriculum are evaluated using direct indicators based on the grading criteria established for each course. This is supplemented by quantitative, qualitative, direct, and indirect indicators, including various questionnaires, surveys, and peer evaluations among students.

(1) Acquisition of Advanced Specialized Knowledge in Pedagogy

In lecture courses, students will acquire advanced specialized knowledge of research trends, theories, and methodologies in various fields of pedagogy.

(2) Acquisition of Specialized Techniques for Conducting Theoretical and Empirical Research in Pedagogy

In seminar courses, students will learn methods for collecting and analyzing literature and data, which are essential for conducting research. Through planning, implementing, and analyzing research projects, they will acquire the specialized techniques necessary for making research presentations and completing academic papers.

(3) Acquisition of the Ability to Apply a Broad Range of Knowledge in Pedagogy to Connect with Related Interdisciplinary Fields

In the "Research on Contemporary Educational Issues" courses offered in each field, students will utilize their own research findings and insights to examine and approach contemporary educational issues in a cross-disciplinary manner. This process aims to develop their ability to apply a broad range of knowledge.

(4) Acquisition of Qualities for Future Social and International Success

To ensure opportunities to access cutting-edge research in each field, the program offers lecture courses featuring renowned Guest Professor (Part-time) from Japan and abroad. Through presentations of the latest research findings and discussions, students will acquire the qualities and competencies needed to be active socially and internationally.

(1) Students with foundational specialized academic abilities

(2) Students with a clear awareness of research questions

(3) Students with proficiency in Japanese and foreign languages suitable for conducting academic research

(4) Students (including in-service teachers) who are motivated to engage in recurrent education and research activities as professionals

(5) Students who are motivated to contribute the results of their academic research back to society through careers as researchers or in other highly specialized professions

To admit a wide range of such applicants, selection is conducted through (1) a General Entrance Examination and (2) an Entrance Examination for In-service Teachers.

(1) General Entrance Examination

Applicants' language proficiency (English) and foundational knowledge of psychology will be assessed to determine their suitability for conducting research in the Psychology Program, which has interdisciplinary and international characteristics. A written examination will be conducted as the first-stage screening for this purpose. A second-stage screening, consisting of an oral examination, will be conducted to assess the applicant's awareness of research questions, research plan, and ability to conduct research for their master's program.

Based on the Keio University University's policy for degree conferral and degree conferral (diploma policy), our objective is to cultivate independent researchers, educators, and professionals with outstanding expertise, interdisciplinarity, and internationality in psychology. This is achieved by enabling students to acquire and utilize highly specialized knowledge and techniques in psychology as an empirical science in an interdisciplinary and international manner, and to write a dissertation based on this foundation. In addition, students who fulfill the prescribed requirements set forth in the curriculum will be awarded a Ph.D. in Psychology [Ph.D. (Psychology)] degree.

(1): Acquisition of extremely advanced and practical specialized knowledge in psychology

(2): Acquisition of advanced specialized techniques that enable the implementation of experimental and applied research in psychology

(3): Acquisition of the ability to apply a wide range of knowledge, flexible thinking, and originality that can be connected to peripheral fields in an interdisciplinary manner

(4): Acquisition of advanced expertise and transferable skills that enable future contributions to society and the international community

(5): Acquisition of problem-setting, research planning, and research execution abilities for conducting advanced academic research as an independent researcher

(6): Acquisition of advanced and specialized qualities for cultivating and mentoring future generations of researchers and highly skilled professionals

To cultivate the qualities and abilities set forth in the "Policy for Degree Conferral and degree conferral (Diploma Policy)," the Graduate School of Human Relations Major in Psychology (Ph.D. program) systematically organizes a curriculum. This curriculum is composed of specialized seminar courses in the fields of perception, development, learning, cognition, physiology/neuroscience, and clinical development; specialized research and lecture courses in psychology, biology, neuroscience, psychiatric medical sciences, developmental science, and applied psychology; and developmental clinical practice and special practical course in psychology.

Under this curriculum design, education is implemented by combining various methods. These include active learning centered on specialized seminars and practical course; fieldwork involving on-site observations, surveys, and experiments; Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in specialized research courses; and internships in special practical course.

The assessment of learning outcomes for the competency goals to be acquired through the curriculum of the Major in Psychology in this graduate school is based on the concept of an assessment plan for the entire Juku. It is conducted using direct indicators based on the grading criteria established for each course, as well as quantitative, qualitative, direct, and indirect indicators, including various questionnaires and surveys.

(1): Acquisition of extremely advanced and practical specialized knowledge in psychology

In specialized research and lecture courses, we aim for students to acquire advanced specialized knowledge, ranging from fundamental knowledge and techniques in various fields of psychology to the latest research trends. To address the latest topics and the current state of related academic fields, we focus on imparting specialized knowledge by inviting several renowned researchers from Japan and abroad each year as part-time lecturers and Guest Professor (Part-time).

(2) Acquisition of advanced specialized techniques to conduct experimental and applied research as an independent researcher.

Students will take Advanced Seminars in their respective fields to read and comprehend relevant specialized articles while learning experimental and applied techniques. Similarly, in the "Advanced Experiments in Psychology" course, students will provide experimental instruction to undergraduate students in experimental practicum courses alongside faculty members, reviewing their own fundamental knowledge through this practical experience.

(3) Acquisition of the ability to apply a wide range of interdisciplinary knowledge applicable to related fields, flexible thinking, and originality.

Through courses such as "Advanced Research in Applied Psychology," "Advanced Research in Developmental Science," and "Advanced Practicum in Developmental Clinical Support," as well as special lectures by prominent domestic and international researchers, students will primarily aim to acquire a broad range of knowledge applicable to related fields, the flexible and original thinking and ideation based on it, and the qualities needed to contribute to society.

(4) Acquisition of advanced expertise and transferable skills for future social and international contributions.

In the "Advanced Experiments in Psychology" course, students provide experimental instruction to undergraduates in experimental practicum courses alongside faculty, which functions as a form of "teaching practicum" to develop skills for social contribution. By inviting internationally acclaimed researchers from abroad as part-time lecturers and Guest Professor (Part-time), the program aims for students to acquire specialized knowledge and communication methods for research, such as presentations and discussions. Participation and presentation at international academic conferences are encouraged, and interaction with researchers in their specialized fields is promoted through academic advisor.

(5) Acquisition of skills in problem formulation, research planning, and research execution to conduct advanced academic research as an independent researcher.

In Advanced Seminar courses, students will develop the ability to conduct empirical psychological research by actively engaging in discussions not only about their own academic research but also about the research topics, experimental designs, and implementation of other participating students. The program provides guidance for participation and presentation at domestic and international study groups and academic conferences, including those within the university, aiming for students to refine their own research and master the latest experimental techniques.

(6) Acquisition of advanced and specialized qualities for mentoring and supervising future researchers and advanced professional experts.

In Advanced Seminar courses, through mutual and active discussions on research plans, academic papers, and research presentations by students with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including master's students, participants will not only acquire their own professional skills but also develop the ability to properly understand and critique the research of others. This aims to foster the advanced and specialized capabilities necessary for providing appropriate guidance to the next generation of researchers.

(1) Students who possess fundamental specialized academic knowledge in psychology and the professional ability to conduct research.

(2) Students who have a clear sense of purpose and motivation.

(3) Students who have the Japanese and foreign language proficiency necessary to conduct academic research.

(4) Students who are motivated to engage in research activities as professional experts.

(5) Students who are motivated to contribute the outcomes of their academic research to the international community as researchers or through professions requiring a high degree of expertise.

To broadly accept such applicants, we conduct a selection process through (1) a general entrance examination.

General Entrance Examination

The first-stage screening consists of a written examination to assess language proficiency (English) and fundamental knowledge of education, which are necessary for conducting research activities in Major in Education, part of an independent graduate school with interdisciplinary characteristics. The second-stage screening is an oral examination to evaluate the applicant's research awareness, research plan, and ability to conduct research in the master's program.

Entrance Examination for In-Service Teachers

The first-stage screening consists of a written examination to assess fundamental knowledge of education and the ability to contextualize practical experience as an in-service teacher within an educational framework, which are necessary for conducting research activities in Major in Education, part of an independent graduate school with interdisciplinary characteristics. The second-stage screening is an oral examination to evaluate the applicant's research awareness, research plan, and ability to conduct research in the master's program.