The purpose of psychology is to explore the human mind with a scientific approach. To emphasize human dignity and help people live better lives, it is important to accurately grasp the function of one’s own mind, to observe the movements of others’ minds calmly and with care, and to reevaluate contemporary spiritual and social issues. We believe that the foundation for this is to reexamine the relationship between oneself and others by relativizing one’s own values and gaining a deeper understanding of others.
The Department of Psychology aims to cultivate the ability to explore and stay up to date with new knowledge of the “mind” and to nurture individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the human mind.
The Department of Psychology at Sophia University was the first of many universities in Japan to establish a Psychology Clinic and boasts a proven track record of producing a large number of professionals. The department also meets the standards for the national qualification of Certified Public Psychologist and the Foundation of the Japanese Certification Board for Clinical Psychologists’ qualification of Clinical Psychologist, and provides a rich learning environment for clinical practice and research.
The Department of Psychology is also characterized by its proactive education and research in basic psychology using experiments and surveys. In addition to social psychology and developmental psychology, the curriculum includes experiments using rats and measurement of higher brain functions using NIRS (optical topography), enabling students to approach the human mind from a wide range of perspectives.
The program is unique in that students can study both experimental psychology, which uses experiments and surveys to deepen their understanding of how the mind works based on scientific considerations, and clinical psychology, which seeks to understand the various difficulties and problems people face with their minds and how to help them.
In the first year, students learn statistics and data processing methods along with the history and ideological background of psychology. In the second year, they learn data collection, analysis, and interpretation, as well as the relationship between psychology and society, to acquire the foundation for conducting research and exercises. After attending lectures on a variety of specialized fields in the field of psychology, in the third year, students belong to a seminar that matches their interests and begin research. Students will conduct their graduation research on a theme of their own choosing, using the knowledge and data-analysis techniques they have cultivated up to that point.
as of 2026
* Please refer to the syllabus for more information on the courses.
As a preparation for specialized studies in psychology, students learn about the origins of psychology and the basic mechanisms and functions of various mental functions. Students will not only acquire the basics, but also refine their own interest in psychology.
After understanding what scientific thinking is, students will review the nature of researching a topic, research methods and their characteristics in psychology. Students will then learn research methods experientially by organizing and analyzing data using the questionnaire survey method and writing a research paper.
Students are divided into groups to undertake practical psychological experiments, data collection and analysis. In addition, students will deepen their understanding of people in need of psychological support through role-playing and experiences as test subjects, assuming specific support situations.
Students will develop their literature search and presentation skills while considering their connection to society after studying psychology. Interviewing, one of the research methods, will be practiced through interviews with alumni.
Leading experts in various fields of psychology are invited to give in-depth lectures on their areas of expertise.
Research guidance will be provided to students for the writing of their graduation thesis. This may be done individually or in groups.
* There are certain requirements after graduation.Curatorial courses are available.
To use scientific approaches to the human “mind” to comprehend how our own minds work and be able to observe the minds of others with a dispassionate but warm attitude, which are both important capabilities for us to build a better life
To produce graduates equipped with comprehensive outlooks on the human mind and trained to conceptualize the mind in line with contemporary needs
The Department of Psychology sets standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduation as follows. Those who fulfill the graduation requirements shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma.
In accordance with the Diploma Policy, the Department of Psychology constructs its curriculum as follows:
The Department of Psychology seeks students who bear a warm interest in others and value human dignity, and also possess the qualities described below:
Soh AGATSUMA Professor
Masataka HIGUCHI Professor
Sota HIDAKA Professor
Eiko HIROSE Professor
Osamu MATSUDA Professor
Ibuki MOHRI Professor
Kyoko YOKOYAMA Professor
Satoshi YOSHIMURA Professor
Azusa SAITO Associate Professor
Atsuko SAITO Associate Professor
Etsuko SUZUKI Associate Professor
Tomoaki KANO Assistant Professor by Special Appointment
Akiko NAGIRA Assistant Professor by Special Appointment
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