Graduate School of Human and Social Studies

In the Graduate School of Human and Social Studies, our aim goes beyond simply training professionals at a higher level. Through the opportunity to further develop their specialized knowledge base and skill set in situations that require an increased understanding of hospitality and cooperation, students gain the necessary experience to become leaders in their respective fields. The Master's of Tourism, Master's of Social Welfare, and PhD in Regional Management offer a rich interdisciplinary curriculum which, in addition to providing academic research training, cultivates a better understanding in students the complexity and plurality of issues related to their area of research. We hope that the high level of study that students engage in will develop in them an awareness of these issues and enable students to tackle them in creative and effective ways.

Dean, Katsuhiko Kimura

The International Tourism MA program aims to impact positively on the future of the tourism industry through the acquisition and application of specialized knowledge. Special emphasis is placed on examining how human beings live and interact with each other and society.

The International Tourism MA program offers two fields of specialization: Tourism Development and Tourism Industry. Studies in Tourism Development concern the natural environment, resources, arts and culture, and indigenous cultures. Areas of practical application may include developing the tourism industry, planning, tourist locations, and human resource management. The Tourism Industry specialization centers on economics and tourism management as they relate to the tourism industry in practice. Furthermore, each specialization emphasizes ethical practice with regards to destruction of the environment, resources, and culture which are affected by the growth of tourism worldwide.

Social welfare activities are the interpersonal services that directly relate to service users' daily lives. Hence, an understanding of people and society is the basis for us to act as service providers.

Based on this understanding the Social Work MA is divided into two specializations: Social Work Administration and Planning, and Clinical Social Work. In the field of Social Work Administration and Planning we examine social welfare policy and regional social welfare planning. In the field of Clinical Social Work topics include social welfare management, family and child social welfare, social welfare for the disabled, psychology of the disabled, mental health, and social welfare for the elderly.

The program first examines background information before moving on to case studies. Surveys and discussions of social welfare in practice are then conducted. We take pride in offering small classes and a good student to teacher ratio in a prosperous learning environment.

The Regional Management PhD utilizes theory and skill from the areas of tourism and social welfare in training highly specialized professionals and researchers who are able to benefit the local region through their efforts.

Tourism and social welfare have traditionally been regarded as separate fields. However, what these two disciplines share is the aspiration for a high quality of life and personal experience. These principles allow tourism and social welfare to be united in regional management.

A doctoral adviser will provide support until the completion of the dissertation. Along the way students are required to submit a research proposal, check their research methodology, conduct a field survey, analyze data, and present the finished product at an academic conference. In addition to completing the dissertation students also gain experience as researchers through presenting at various academic conferences.