The master’s course typically takes 2 years for completion. In the guidance session at the beginning of the course, information on classes and course studies in general is provided, and then the students are assigned to advisors. 30 credits or more are necessary in order to attain a master’s degree for which thesis writing is a major requirement. Students work on their theses under the instruction of their advisors. It is also an important training opportunity for them to partake in seminars and conferences with scholars from their specialized field.
Since the academic year 2005, students on the master’s courses have been allowed, after consultation with their supervisors, to carry out a Master Research Project instead of writing a master’s thesis. In a Master Research Project, they are required to research into a pre-set topic, regularly report their progress, and submit a “Report of Master Research Project” at the end of the course.
The master’s course entrance examination is held twice each academic year, in September (the 1st call) and February (the 2nd call), to fill a total of 90 places.
Schedule
| Pre-enrollment | June | Information Session on Graduate Studies (Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo) |
| July- August |
Applications for the master’s course entrance examination (the 1st call) to be received | |
| September | Master’s Course Entrance Examination (the 1st call) to be held | |
| November- December |
Information Session on Graduate Studies (Tokyo, Sapporo) | |
| January | Applications for the master’s course entrance examination (the 2nd call) to be received | |
| February | Master’s Course Entrance Examination (the 2nd call) to be held | |
| Enrollment | April | Enrollment Ceremony and Guidance Session Research topic and the assignment of supervisors to be filed |
| The Final Year | November | Master’s thesis title to be submitted |
| January | Master’s thesis to be submitted | |
| March | Conferral Ceremony (Master’s Degrees) | |