Graduate SchoolsGraduate School of Human and Social Studies

Message from the Dean

Developing highly specialized professionals and globally competent researchers

Dean,
Tomoko Ochiai

The Graduate School of Human and Social Studies consists of three courses: the Master’s Course in International Tourism, the Master’s Course in Social Work, and the Doctoral Course in Regional Management. Specialists from a broad range of fields are assigned as academic advisors for the courses. Under this structure, we are promoting the development of highly specialized professionals and globally competent researchers who can play active roles as regional leaders. A master’s degree can be obtained in both the Master’s Course in International Tourism and the Master’s Course in Social Work, and a doctoral degree can be obtained in the Doctoral Course in Regional Management.

As a graduate school open to the community, classes are offered after 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, which means that those who work can attend classes after working. The Doctoral Course in Regional Management introduced remote guidance, which allows students to work toward acquiring a doctoral degree while continuing to work; for this reason, many university instructors abroad are enrolled in the course.

Master's Course in International Tourism

Contents of Education and Research

The Master’s Course in International Tourism promotes sustainable tourism development/industry, conducts research to increase its economic benefits, creates a positive economic impact, and produces professionals who shall lead the future of tourism development/industry.

The International Tourism MA program covers studies in tourism development and the tourism industry. The graduate program also includes tourism ethics concerned in both fields, which is to study ethically on the destruction of environment, resources, and local culture due to the popularization of tourism. Furthermore, we carry out research on regional development management to plan and address a new method of regional design.

Each class will be held in small groups, and graduate students will primarily take lectures according to their major. Then, to obtain knowledge and expand their scope of tourism, seminar style “case studies” will be held through research on sites and discussions. Finally, to compile their study, “special classes” will be held to write the master’s thesis.

We will confer the Master of Tourism upon graduation.

Master's Course in Social Work

Contents of Education and Research

The Master’s Course in Social Work focuses on producing professionals with the quality and skills to reach out to the people who are truly in need of social help. We provide programs to understand human life, society, and welfare and to learn the actual conditions and lives of people who need social support.

The Social Work MA program covers studies in social work administration and planning and clinical social work.

Graduate students will primarily take lectures according to their major. Then, case studies and workshops will be held. And finally, to compile their study, special classes will be held to write the master’s thesis.

We will confer the Master of Social Work upon graduation.

Doctoral Course in Regional Management

Contents of Education and Research

The theory and skills of regional management is to plan safe and secure local society and then implement the plan to create and manage a community. The Doctorial Course in Regional Management carries out research on the importance of tourism and social welfare in regional management.

We offer various programs, including special training classes in the theory of regional management, research approach on regional management, and special training classes in local tourism policy and local social welfare policy. A research supervisor will guide students to complete their master’s thesis. Students are required to submit a research proposal, check their research methodology, conduct a field survey, analyze data, make presentations at academic conferences, and gain experience as researchers as they finish their dissertation.

We will confer the Doctor of Philosophy in Regional Management upon graduation.