The Three Policies of the Graduate School of Media and Governance (Doctoral Programs)

Our doctoral program aims to train researchers, educators, and academic leaders who will have a creative vision for social systems and technologies, acquire expertise and practical problem-solving skills, and respond to a diverse range of issues. Graduate students will apply their research findings to the realm of media and governance through developing highly specialized research, ideological frameworks, and new methodologies, to produce new academic fields that combine knowledge from diverse academic fields of study. All of these goals are rooted in the diploma policy outlined by Keio University as an institution. The doctoral degree will be awarded to students who have fulfilled the curriculum requirements.

Objective (1): Students should be proactive in identifying issues and finding subsequent solutions

This skill will be honed by students taking initiative in all stages of their personal research projects, addressing issues as they arise, whether during early conceptualization, planning, or final implementation.

Objective (2): Students should be proficient in skills and expertise related to their area of study

The Graduate School of Media and Governance requires students to invest in core research fields, honing advanced knowledge and skills by focusing on a range of topics including "International Strategy," "Language, Culture, and Communication," "Social Innovation, Management, and Organizations," "Policy Design," "Methodologies in Policy Management Studies," "Advanced Information Systems," "Advanced Design Studies," "Systems Biology," "Environmental Design," and "Human Environment."

Objective (3): Students should be able to conduct interdisciplinary research

Students must broaden their academic horizons by incorporating cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives while also maintaining a deeper understanding of their core research area. They will network with other scholars to accomplish this, working together to develop multifaceted approaches that envision practical research applications to solve a complex range of issues.

Objective (4): Students should be world-class innovators and communicators

This program equips students with the skills needed to make an impact on the world stage, requiring them to conceptualize, plan, and implement their personal projects while communicating their findings accurately and effectively.

Objective (5): Students should be models of jitsugaku

Jitsugaku is one of the founding principles at Keio University that emphasizes the tenets of empirical science through reason, observation, and verification. Students must embody this in their own research, discovering problems as they confront the realities around them, and committing themselves to finding solutions that they can implement in society.  

Objective (6): Students should be working to pioneer new fields of study

Students will learn how to cultivate and pioneer new fields that are able to address global and regional issues, newly emerging dilemmas, and increasingly complex contemporary problems while still maintaining their primary academic area of focus.

Objective (7): Students should be able to foster and educate the next generation of researchers

This program requires its students to gain skills to nurture and educate the next generation of researchers so that they will be equipped with expertise, sound judgment, and originality.

The curriculum for the Graduate School of Media and Governance (Ph.D. in Media and Governance) consists of independent research courses and special courses that are designed to help students demonstrate their competencies specified in the diploma policy.

Students will complete curriculum requirements through a combination of pedagogical frameworks, such as applied research, fieldwork, internships, and project-based learning.

The academic outcomes for the curriculum in our doctoral program are evaluated for each course using the standards stipulated by Keio University's assessment policy. In addition, students must fulfill supplementary requirements to become a doctoral candidate, gaining teaching experience and submitting a dissertation proposal on top of academic requirements to compose an original syllabus, fulfill international research aptitude requirements, and enroll in skill-building courses.

Students who have completed these requirements will receive instruction and support from multiple academic advisors as they write their doctoral dissertation. They will be awarded their degree after passing their doctoral dissertation defense and final examinations.

Objective (1): Proactivity

By receiving guidance on their doctoral dissertation, students will learn to identify issues related to their research and find appropriate solution. They must hone their problem-solving skills as they work with their colleagues and advisors to complete their proposals, write their dissertation, and implement their ideas into the real world.

Objective (2): Expertise

Students will develop research skills by taking skill building courses offered in their field.In addition, students will receive supervision and advice on how to work on their research and doctoral dissertation from their research advisory group which consists both of faculty members in the Graduate School of Media and Governance and outside researchers. These opportunities will help grow the student's expertise and hone their research skills.  

Objective (3): Interdisciplinary Skills

Students will have opportunities to consult with faculty members who are not in their research advisory group as they prepare to give presentations, including their dissertation proposal and defense.This helps them gain multifaceted perspectives when they confront challenges.

Objective (4): Innovation and Communication

Students must present at an international conference during their studies to showcase their findings to the global academic community. By fulfilling the international research aptitude requirements, students will acquire language and communication skills that will serve them well on the international stage.

Objective (5): jitsugaku

Students will learn how to identify problems, test hypotheses, and implement solutions through their work by taking independent research courses taught by their main research advisor, as well as by conducting their own fieldwork and experiments.

Objective (6): Pioneering New Fields

Doctoral students must draft an original syllabus proposal that outlines their research focus, providing a creative outlet that transcends traditional lecture courses. Through this experience, students will cultivate the ability to pioneer new academic domains without losing the depth of their main field of study.

Objective (7): Teaching and Mentorship

Students are given ample opportunities to teach courses, practice pedagogical skills, put together educational content, and give lectures as an independent instructor. This will draw out and cultivate a student's abilities as an educator.

(1) Ambition to make an impact on society by applying research findings in real-world contexts in addition to achieving academic accolades or contributing to academic conferences

(2) Awareness of social issues and the desire to address these problems using an interdisciplinary lens in research and practical initiatives

In order to attract a wide range of applicants described above, screenings will be conducted in the following categories: (1) applicants from within Japan, (2) applicants from abroad, (3) applicants in Japan with working experience, and (4) applicants from abroad with working experience. Entrance examinations are held twice a year. Students can choose to enroll in either April or September. This is to enable a diverse community of students to enroll and allow build on each other's strengths.

(1) Applicants from within Japan

Applicants living in Japan who have completed or are expected to complete a master's program are eligible to apply for this category. Students must pass the document screening process and then undergo an interview to be admitted into the program.

(2) Applicants from abroad

Applicants living abroad who have completed or are expected to complete a master's program are eligible to apply under this category. They must discuss their research plan with a graduate school committee member who belongs to the applicant's desired program and receive informal consent to be their research supervisor. Admission decisions will be made based on a holistic review of an applicant's qualifications such as their academic achievements, motivation for research, and research skills. These will be ascertained through their application materials and the record of communication between the applicant and the graduate school committee member.

(3) Applicants in Japan with working experience

Applicants living in Japan who have completed or are expected to complete a master's program and have been working at a private organization, government office, or research and educational institution at least five years at the time of enrollment in the doctoral program. If applicants pass the document screening, the committee will then interview candidates to determine whether they will be admitted.

(4) Applicants from abroad with working experience

Applicants living abroad who have completed or are expected to complete a master's program and have been working at a private organization, government office, or research and educational institution for at least five years at the time of enrollment in the doctoral program. Applicants must discuss their research plan with a graduate school committee member who belongs to the applicant's desired program and receive informal consent to be their research supervisor.

Admission decisions will be made based on a holistic review of an applicant's qualifications such as their academic achievements, motivation for research, and research skills. These will be ascertained through their application materials and the record of communication between the applicant and the graduate school committee member.