Three Policies of the Doctoral Program (Graduate School of Letters)

Based on Keio University's Diploma Policy, the following competencies are established as those students should acquire upon completing their program. The goal is to develop individuals who possess these competencies and are able to contribute as leaders to all sectors of society. Additionally, students who fulfill the prescribed requirements established in the curriculum shall be awarded one of the following degrees: Master of Arts in Philosophy, Master of Arts in Aesthetics, Master of Arts in History, Master of Arts in Literature, Master of Arts in Japanese Language Education, or Master of Arts in Library and Information Science.

(1) The ability to acquire comprehensive expertise in one's specialized field, conduct specialized research utilizing appropriate methodologies and the languages required within that discipline, and present the results in one's native language or foreign languages.

(2) The ability to write a master's thesis on a specific topic within one's specialized field, possess comprehensive expertise in areas related to the thesis topic, and contribute to research in that field.

(3) The ability to contribute to society as researchers, educators, and practitioners equipped with advanced literacy and critical analytical skills; capable of contemplating humanity, culture, and society through specialized research, recognizing significant issues and challenges, and engaging in discussions and practices to resolve them.

(4) The ability to recognize the significance of studying the humanities and social sciences within society, and to use appropriate methods to achieve self-set goals and address social issues.

The Graduate School of Letters systematically designs its curriculum to cultivate the qualities and competencies outlined in its Diploma Policy. This curriculum comprises special lecture classes, special lecture-seminar classes, research classes, and other courses deemed appropriate by each department.

With this curriculum design, instruction is delivered through a combination of the following educational methods.

(1) To enable the writing of a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to the field of specialization, students will primarily enroll in courses taught by their academic advisor, who will also provide individual dissertation supervision to cultivate advanced research capabilities.

(2) To cultivate the advanced research capabilities required to master current research trends and challenges within one's field and make an original contribution, small-group seminar courses conducted in students' native language or a foreign language are offered throughout the full duration of the doctoral program, and completion of these courses is a program completion requirement. Targeted guidance is provided to support the presentation of research findings at academic conferences and in scholarly journals.

(3) Study abroad is encouraged through the Graduate School of Letters, the Keio University International Center, and other available channels. Additionally, the Graduate School of Letters offers support for study abroad through dedicated assistance programs.

(4) To enable more flexible course enrollment, particularly for students considering study abroad, all courses will be offered as single-semester courses.

(5) To enable more specialized research within one's field of study, credits earned through formal enrollment at overseas graduate schools may be counted toward program completion requirements, subject to a specified credit limit.

(6) To promote the highly specialized research of later-stage doctoral students, distinguished overseas researchers may be invited to serve as co-supervisors, allowing students to prepare their doctoral dissertations under joint supervision alongside their primary academic advisor, a faculty member of the Graduate School of Letters.

Learning outcomes related to the defined competency objectives are evaluated under the university-wide assessment framework. In addition to subject-specific grading standards, evaluations incorporate a mix of quantitative and qualitative indicators—both direct and indirect—such as surveys and questionnaires. Specifically, the following indicators are used: (1) student course evaluations; (2) data on leave of absence and withdrawal.

To obtain a doctoral degree, students must pass the doctoral dissertation eligibility examination prescribed by their department and field, and submit their doctoral dissertation to the Graduate School of Letters Committee for approval. Furthermore, within one year of that submission, the dissertation must be reviewed by the primary and secondary examiners approved by the Graduate School of Letters Committee. Based on the examination report presented to the Committee, the dissertation must receive a passing vote from the Graduate School of Letters Committee members.

Competency Objectives (1): The ability to write a doctoral dissertation in one's specialized research field and, through that dissertation, make an original contribution to the field.

→In special research courses, special research-seminar courses, and individual dissertation supervision, students deepen their scholarly knowledge of their research area in preparation for writing their doctoral dissertation, while cultivating advanced research and academic writing skills.  

Competency Objectives (2): The ability to develop comprehensive and deep expertise in one's field of research, master the latest research trends and challenges, publish findings internationally in one's native language and foreign languages, and make an original contribution to the field.

→In special research courses and special research-seminar courses, students build specialized knowledge and research methods to an advanced level while developing the language skills needed to disseminate their research findings.  

Competency Objectives (3): The ability to gain deep insight into humanity, culture, and society through specialized research; identify significant issues and challenges; and conduct advanced research to address them—making novel contributions to society as researchers, educators, and practitioners equipped with advanced literacy and critical analytical skills.

→By combining special research courses, special research-seminar courses, and—depending on the department—courses involving experiments or fieldwork, students cultivate the ability to independently define research and learning objectives and achieve them to an advanced standard.  

Competency Objectives (4): The ability to recognize the significance of studying the humanities and social sciences within society, and to use appropriate methods to achieve self-set goals and address social issues.

→Students may take special research courses, special research-seminar courses, and—depending on their department—courses involving experiments or fieldwork, in combination. They may also enroll in courses offered by other graduate schools and affiliated research institutes within Keio University, as well as courses offered by graduate schools with which the Graduate School of Letters has established partnerships. This provides opportunities to deepen their understanding of the humanities more broadly.  

(1) Applicants possess advanced specialized knowledge in their research field and related disciplines.

(2) Applicants are able to independently conceive and articulate a concrete, original research plan grounded in their master's-level research and oriented toward a doctoral dissertation.

(3) Applicants possess analytical reading skills to accurately and critically engage with materials in multiple languages, as well as the ability to write with scholarly rigor.

(4) Applicants have given serious and concrete thought to their future careers as researchers, educators, or practitioners following completion of the doctoral program.

In order to admit a wide range of applicants, selection will be conducted through a general entrance examination.

(1) General Entrance Examination

Selection is based on examinations in three subjects—specialized subjects, designated language subjects, and elective language subjects—and oral examinations, requiring high academic ability appropriate for the Graduate School of Letters. However, some departments and fields do not include language courses, and others do not include designated or elective language courses.