The Three Policies of the Faculty of Policy Management

Based on the diploma policy outlined by Keio University, we aim to train leaders who shape the future by thinking and acting autonomously, equipped with the mindset, knowledge, and skills to identify policy issues within complex social phenomena and to formulate effective policies in response. Students who have fulfilled the prescribed curriculum requirements will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Policy Management.

Objective (1): Acquire jissenchi (practical knowledge)

Students will acquire the ability to think for themselves and take initiative to shape the future, grounded in the spirit of jitsugaku--a founding principle at Keio University that emphasizes the tenets of empirical science through reason, observation, and verification.  

Objective (2): Demonstrate a problem-solving mindset through action

Students will acquire the ability not only to address obvious issues but also to uncover hidden ones and implement subsequent solutions.

Objective (3): Acquire a comprehensive understanding of multidisciplinary expertise

Students will hone their skills to navigate an increasingly uncertain society by acquiring: i) abilities in the fields of language, data science, IT, and wellness and ii) the capacity to understand, reorganize, and apply existing knowledge across the diverse fields offered by the faculty--international strategy, policy design, language, culture, and communication, methodologies in policy management studies, and social innovation, management, and organizations.

Objective (4): Demonstrate skills to generate innovative ideas and approaches

Students will acquire the ability not only to apply existing methods but also to think beyond them and create new ones.

Objective (5): Collaborate with diverse actors

Students will acquire and demonstrate a strong drive to communicate with diverse actors, collaborate across roles, and effectively communicate ideas and outcomes.

The Faculty of Policy Management has systematically structured its curriculum to cultivate the competencies outlined in its diploma policy based on the following subjects: fundamental subjects (introductory subjects, subjects of language communication, subjects of data science, fundamentals of information technology, wellness subjects, and interdisciplinary subjects), advanced subjects, research seminars, and special subjects.

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

Evaluation of learning outcomes will be based on the grading system for each course.

The academic outcomes for our faculty's curriculum are evaluated in each course according to the standards stipulated by Keio University's assessment policy. In addition, the evaluation uses both quantitative and qualitative, as well as direct and indirect indicators, such as questionnaires and surveys.

Objective (1): Practical knowledge (jissenchi)  

Introductory subjects teach students to cultivate the spirit of jitsugaku (practical learning), which is essential for their learning and research activities, and to acquire methodologies to become professionals in problem-solving. This lays the foundation of learning in our faculty.  

Objective (2): A proactive mindset for identifying and solving problems

Our curriculum equips students with a grounding that enables them to identify and solve problems, and to approach issues from multiple perspectives through the following subjects: i) subjects pertaining to language communication that cultivate proficiency, communicative competence, and intercultural competence in multiple languages, ii) subjects pertaining to data science that teach data analysis skills and foster the ability to support data-driven decision-making in policy formation, iii) fundamentals of information technology that equip students with the skills to collect and analyze information needed for research and making policy suggestions, and iv) wellness subjects that extend beyond physical health to support holistic self-development.

Objective (3): A comprehensive understanding of multidisciplinary expertise

Advanced subjects and special subjects equip students with specialized knowledge and skills in research fields such as international strategy, policy design, language, culture, and communication, methodologies in policy management studies, and social innovation, management, and organizations. This will help them gain disciplinary expertise while also cultivating the practical ability to integrate and apply their knowledge and skills across disciplines to solve complex problems.

Objective (4): Innovation

In interdisciplinary, advanced, and special subjects--where diverse academic fields are integrated to create a cross-disciplinary learning experience--students learn to think beyond existing frameworks, develop novel ideas and approaches, and propose innovative solutions.

Objective (5): Collaboration

Research seminars and special subjects allow students to engage in learning and research activities in groups composed of peers from diverse backgrounds. This offers them ample opportunities to develop a strong drive to communicate with diverse actors and collaborate across roles, enabling them to acquire practical problem-solving skills.

(1) An ambition to acquire problem-solving skills grounded in a solid understanding of the faculty's philosophy of jissenchi (practical knowledge) and the curriculum built on it  

(2) A passion for achieving higher levels of self-realization by building on the basic academic skills acquired through high school and other educational programs, while utilizing all resources at SFC, including its educational environment and systems

(3) A strong awareness of social change and a dedication to solving challenges facing humanity

To attract a wide range of applicants described above, particularly, those with the potential to become leaders in shaping a global society, screenings will be conducted in the following categories: (1) Spring and Summer/Fall AO (self-recommended) screenings, (2) general entrance examination, (3) Winter AO screenings for international students, (4) admissions for international students, and (5) admissions for Japanese returnees.

(1) Spring and Summer/Fall AO Screenings

In the document screening (first screening), basic academic skills, knowledge, skills, critical and creative thinking, decision-making ability, communication skills, ambition, as well as achievements beyond academics will be evaluated. In the interview (second screening), applicants will be reviewed holistically in accordance with the "desired qualities in potential students" above.

(2) General Entrance Examination

Written exams (language, math, and information) will be administered to evaluate an applicant's basic academic skills. In addition, an essay writing examination will be administered to evaluate their comprehensive abilities, such as reading comprehension, creativity, logical reasoning, and expression.

(3) Winter AO Screenings for International Students

Admission decisions will be made based on a holistic review of each applicant, considering the "desired qualities in potential students" noted above and their potential to excel in a global environment upon completing the GIGA (English-based BA) program.

(4) Admissions for International Students

The first round of screening will be based on application documents. Each application will be reviewed from multiple perspectives, including the abilities, skills, and basic academic skills the applicant has acquired through their education abroad. The second round of screening will be based on an interview, where applicants will be reviewed holistically with regard to their character and aptitude as potential students at the university.

(5) Admissions for Japanese Returnees

The first round of screening will be based on application documents. Each applicant will be reviewed from multiple perspectives, including their abilities, skills, and basic academic skills acquired through their education abroad. The essay writing examination will be administered as the second round of screening to holistically review an applicant's qualifications such as creativity, logical reasoning, and expression.