Master’s (Doctoral) Program in Education
Education, the study of human development, is a comprehensive discipline that examines and gives meaning to all phenomena related to human growth and development from diverse perspectives, including thought, history, sociology, psychology, comparison, practice, and policy. In the Department of Education, faculty members researching eight specialized fields: Philosophy of Education, History of Japanese Education, Educational Methodology, Sociology of Education, School Education, Clinical Sociology of School Education, Comparative and International Education, and International Educational Development conduct research in both theory and practice, while pursuing pedagogy as a real science required in this age of internationalization.
Curriculum
The Master’s Course emphasizes the development and enhancement of basic research qualities according to the graduate student’s field of specialization. In providing guidance, professors pay attention to all eight fields of study so that students do not become biased toward a particular field of study and can acquire research methods from multiple perspectives. In the spring semester of the second year, students make a mid-term presentation of their master’s thesis and receive guidance and advice from all faculty members.
In the doctoral program, students engage in in-depth research in their field of specialization and complete a course doctoral dissertation. For this purpose, a guidance committee is formed to provide guidance in the preparation of the dissertation. We have awarded doctoral degrees to one student in 2009-2011, two in 2012, two in 2014, one in both 2017 and 2018, and one in 2021. Detailed guidance is also provided for presentations at academic conferences. English-language study is also available in the Department of Education.
Granted Degree
- Master’s Program: MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION
- Doctoral Program: DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION
Available Teaching Licenses and Subjects
- Junior High School (Social Studies)
- High School (Specialized; Geography, History, Civics)
※Only Master’s degree program students are eligible to obtain a teaching license. In addition, only subjects for which a Type 1 license has already been obtained or for which the requirements for obtaining a Type 1 license have been met can be obtained.
Program Features
Questioning the Roots of Education
This program actively confronts and explores fundamental, essential issues related to education, philosophical and ideological knowledge from Japan and the West, while also considering our Christian values.
An International Perspective
This program is engaged in research and education from an international perspective, incorporating the experiences of Western, Asian and developing countries regarding the ideological and practical aspects of education in today’s globalized and diverse society.
Bridging Research and Practice
The program aims to bridge research and practice while considering the social significance of pedagogy and its role in today’s society from multiple perspectives.
Ensuring Diversity in Learning Opportunities
This program ensures diversity in learning opportunities by offering courses in English, cross-listing with other graduate schools, and utilizing the United Nations University Commissioned Auditing Student System.
Selected Thesis Topics
- マダガスカルの若者ボランティアの特徴、動機とキャリア形成 ― ローカルNGO TeachFor Madagascarを事例として ―
- 地域の教育構造と私立中学校選択の相互作用 ― 「脱出(Exit)」・「意見表明(Voice)」・「忠誠(Loyalty)」モデルによる検討 ―
- 現代中国におけるゲイ男性のセクシュアル・アイデンティティの構築に関する研究 ― 中学・高校における学校経験に着目して ―
- 中学校の小中学校における学びの創造と教育改革の展開 ― 協同学習(対話教学)のデザインを中心に ―
- 平和で持続可能な社会を構築するためのSocial, Emotional, and Ethical Learning ― 学校教育における社会性と情動の学習と倫理教育の新たな可能性 ―
- 中国における大学生の大学院進学選択に対する動機に関する研究 ― 社会階層の影響に着目して ―
- カント啓蒙概念のうちに見る教育の可能性の研究 ―「 成年状態」の批判哲学的再構築と「抵抗」をめぐって ―
- 1990年代以降のヨーロピアン・シティズンシップ教育の展開 ― イングランドと欧州評議会の政策・カリキュラムを中心に ―
Educational Policies
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Master’s Program
The M. A. program aims to nurture researchers and professionals with broad academic knowledge and advanced research skills in the field of education who can work to resolve issues in contemporary society through education while respecting human dignity.
Upon satisfying the requirements for completion of the program and passing the thesis examination, students will be recognized as having acquired the following knowledge and skills and will be awarded a degree:- Ability to gather information on various social phenomena
- Flexible and multifaceted thinking and analytical skills
- Creativity and empathy cultivated through collaboration with diverse groups of people
- Ability to implement solutions to problems
- Ability to properly conduct research and compile the results into an academic paper.
Doctoral Program
The Ph. D. program aims to nurture researchers with broad academic knowledge and advanced research skills in the field of education who can take leadership in resolving issues in contemporary society through education while respecting human dignity.
Upon satisfying the requirements for completion of the program and passing the thesis examination, students will be recognized as having acquired the following knowledge and skills and will be awarded a degree:- Ability to gather information on various social phenomena
- Flexible and multifaceted thinking and analytical skills
- Creativity and empathy cultivated through collaboration with diverse groups of people
- Ability to take leadership in problem-solving
- Ability to carry out research independently and bring new knowledge to academia and policy/practice
- Ability to summarize research results appropriately and disseminate them widely to society
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Master’s Program
In line with the Diploma Policy, the curriculum of the M. A. program is offered as follows:
- The M. A. curriculum combines lectures, seminars, and research guidance. In “Lectures”, students will gain an understanding of major themes in the relevant areas of education (philosophy of education, history of education, sociology of education, international education, and others). In the “Seminars”, students aim to deepen their understanding through discussions on specific topics and acquire research skills. In addition, students may take courses from other programs within their own graduate school, and also from other graduate schools for up to 8 credits. By taking these courses, students will acquire the ability to gather information on various social phenomena, as well as broad academic knowledge and the ability to think flexibly and analyze from multiple perspectives.
- This program provides diverse learning environments by offering courses in English, cross-listing with other graduate schools, and availing of the United Nations University Commissioned Auditing Program. Furthermore, field experiences and training will be conducted both in Japan and abroad. Students can also gain credits for graduation by studying abroad. Through these activities, students develop their empathy for others, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
- During the course of the program, students will improve their research skills and competencies by receiving individual guidance from their academic advisor and from other faculty members as needed. Students submit an outline of their research in the spring semester of their second year and give an oral presentation at the mid-term progress meeting. Students will enhance the quality of their research papers by obtaining feedback on their research from faculty members of the Graduate Program in Education and other graduate students.
Doctoral Program
In line with the Diploma Policy, the curriculum of the doctoral program is offered as follows:
- Lecture and seminar courses in relevant sub-fields of education will be offered. Students will review the fundamentals of a sub-field and deepen their understanding through small-group discussions on specific topics. In addition, students will improve their research skills and refine their own research plans through these courses.
- Students also take dissertation seminar and research guidance courses to prepare their doctoral dissertation. Throughout the course of study, students receive individual guidance from their supervisors on writing the doctoral dissertation and disseminating research results (submission to academic journals, oral presentations at academic conferences, and so on).
- Additionally, an Advisory Committee consisting of three full-time faculty members is established to provide students with research guidance during their period of study. The members of the committee are chosen in view of the student’s research topic and methodology. This system allows students to proceed with their research and doctoral dissertation while receiving guidance from diverse perspectives. Through these studies, which organically link lectures, seminar courses, and research guidance, students acquire the ability to collect and analyze information in their specialized fields, as well as research skills and competencies to become independent researchers.
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Master’s Program
The program seeks students with the following qualities:
- Students with great respect for human dignity and a strong interest in education that supports human growth and learning and its relationship with the surrounding society.
- Students with thee basic academic skills (including the ability to collect and analyze information from a wide range of sources and to use foreign languages to communicate one’s ideas and research results widely) necessary to carry out their research and are highly motivated to learn. Students with the above interests and qualities are eligible to enter the program regardless of their undergraduate major.
- In addition, we will support the education and research of working teachers and those with social experience by conducting entrance examinations for working adults; international students are also actively accepted.
Doctoral Program
The program seeks students with the following qualities:
- Students with great respect for human dignity and a strong interest in education that supports human growth and learning and its relationship with the surrounding society.
- Students with the basic skills necessary to carry out research in the doctoral program and are highly motivated to learn.
- “Basic ability” includes the ability to collect and analyze information from a wide range of sources and to use foreign languages to communicate one’s ideas and research results to society at large. We accept students with the above interests and qualities, not only those who have completed a master’s from this department, but also those who have completed a master’s course through other graduate schools in Japan and overseas.
Faculty Members
Shinichi AIZAWA Professor
Research Areas | [Sociology of Education,Historical Sociology] Comparative historical sociological study of changes in educational systems and social meanings. How the social meaning of educational background,examinations,educational knowledge,etc. changes as school systems spread in society. Publications: High School for All in East Asia (ed.); A Comparative Sociological Study of Japanese and Taiwanese Upper Secondary Education. |
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Taro KOMATSU Professor
Research Areas | [Education and International Development,Education and Peace/Conflict] Political and sociological research on educational policies and administrative systems in developing countries and post-conflict societies,the relationship between education,social cohesion,and peace,and international educational aid. Publications (research papers): Education and Peace; Integrated Schools and Social Cohesion in Post-Conflict Srebrenica; Second-chance Education in Post-conflict Timor-Leste. |
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Maria MANZON Associate Professor
Research Areas | [Comparative Education] Globally inclusive histories of comparative education,Asian contributions in relation to women’s ways of knowing,parental involvement spirituality and values education. Religion,education and sustainability: comparative perspectives. Publications: Comparative Education: The Construction of a Field; Origins and Traditions in Comparative Education (ed.); Comparing Places. |
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Akira SAKAI Professor
Research Areas | [Clinical Sociology of Education] Social exclusion and inclusion in education such as truancy,school non-attendance,and school dropout. Research on inter-school collaboration to address these social problems. Publications: Children’s Daily Lives: Mind and Body amidst the COVID-19Outbreak (in Japanese); Modern Society and Education (ed.) (in Japanese); Learning to Teach in Two Cultures: Japan and the United States. |
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Miki SUGIMURA Professor
Research Areas | [Comparative Education and International Education] Comparative study of educational policies on social diversification and integration associated with globalization and internationalization,and research on international higher education and educational exchange through international collaboration. Publications: Moving People and Nation-States (ed.),ESD and Civic Education in a Multicultural Society (co-author). |
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Hiroshi SUZUKI Associate Professor
Research Areas | [Philosophy of Education] Educational philosophy research aiming at the construction of the principle of peace education. As globalization progresses,the significance of the idea of peace is re-examined,and the ideal way of peace education for the future is philosophically explored. Book: Research on the Educational Philosophical Significance of Kant’s Critical Philosophy (in Japanese). |
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Masamichi UENO Professor
Research Areas | [Educational Theory and Schooling,Philosophy of Education,History of Educational Thought] Democratic citizenship and education in a global era. School reform,curriculum and the public sphere. Publications: Democratic Education and the Public Sphere; Manabi and Japanese Schooling: Beyond Learning in the Era of Globalisation (ed.); School Reform and Democracy in East Asia (ed.). |
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Masahiro NASU Professor
Research Areas | [School Education (Curriculum and Instruction)] Research on competency-based learning. Based on psychological theories of learning and motivation,I am developing a curriculum and learning guidance method that fully realizes the competencies of children. Publications (in Japanese): “Qualities and Abilities” and the Mechanism of Learning; Wisdom and the Work of Creating the Next Generation of Learning. |
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Katsumi YUKAWA Professor
Research Areas | [History of Education in Japan]: Historical research on early childhood education in Japan.Publication (in Japanese): A Study of The History of The Establishment of Japanese Kindergartens. |
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