The Graduate School of Human Development and Environment goes beyond the scope of current academic fields in an attempt to create new knowledge and practice, and is concerned with human development and the environment in which this development takes place.

Our Students

The aim of the Graduate School of Human Development and Environment is to develop outstanding individuals who are able to participate actively in fundamental, applied, and practical research into human development and the environment in which this development takes place, and who are able to use their specialized knowledge in the field of education. We are therefore particularly interested in receiving applications from students with the following attributes:

• Fundamental knowledge and skills to pursue advanced research
• Awareness and ability to generate new ideas regarding human development and the environment based on a keen sensitivity to issues and in-depth knowledge
• Intellectual capacity to analyze and consider issues from multiple dimensions and perspectives, and systematically to create concepts and theories
• Ability to propose concrete solutions to current issues, and to implement these proposals in real settings

Teaching

Master’s Program

The aim of the master’s program is to develop outstanding individuals who are able to participate actively in fundamental, applied, and practical research into human development and the environment in which this development takes place, and who are able to use their specialized knowledge in the field of education. The program allows each individual student to acquire a broad range of intellectual and practical skills through the range of opportunities offered by the course and through self-development, and provides a supportive approach that considers the needs of the students.

Stacked System of Curriculum

The program, which comprises fundamental subjects (master’s), developing subjects (practical), and related subjects, offers stacked system of curriculum to help students develop specialized skills in their area of research. Skill development, on which there is a strong focus, is part of the practical class syllabus.

Common courses (Human Community Creation)

In common courses (Human Community Creation), students participate in industry-government-academic activities at the Human Community Creation Center “Arch,” and at the Science Café, and these activities help students to develop a mindset focused on human development and human community.

Common courses (Special Research)

Common courses (Special Research) help students to strengthen their core skills through developing essential research methodologies such as literature review, collecting data, and doing fieldwork and action research. Through the common course, students also acquire practical skills in research by doing fieldwork and participating in workshops, projects, and exhibitions. For students who wish to progress to the doctoral program, support is also offered by participating in academic society in the first year and giving presentations at conferences in the second year.

Extended, flexible study (for those who are employed)

In addition to an extended learning program for working students, the course also offers flexible evening and weekend courses (based on article 14 of the university regulations), giving everyone an opportunity to learn.

Developing Soft Skills and Professional Skills

Through participation in and leading various activities in academic and practical areas (research seminars, master’s thesis presentations), students are able to develop soft skills, namely communication skills, negotiating skills, planning abilities, management skills, teamwork, and leadership.

Degrees Offered and Progression to the Doctoral Program

The focus of the master’s program is on the master’s degree (Education), but depending on the research area, students can earn either the master’s degree (Education) in the Education major, or the master’s degree (Science) in the Human Environment major. Furthermore, the students who complete the master’s program and wish to progress to the doctoral program may be able to do so without having to pay tuition for the doctoral program, depending on the selection by the committee.

Doctoral Program

The aim of the Doctoral Program is to develop outstanding individuals who have the ability to participate actively in fundamental, applied, and practical research into human development and the environment in which this development takes place, and to use their specialized knowledge in the field of education. The program allows each individual student to acquire a broad range of intellectual and practical skills through the range of opportunities offered by the course and through self-development, and provides a supportive approach that considers the needs of the students.

Skill Development

The program offers advanced subjects for further skill development.

Common Courses (Special Research)

Common course (Special Research) aims to help students develop an understanding of domestic and international research situations through producing articles and reviews. The program also helps students to acquire greater organizational skills in their research by participating in the planning and running of fieldwork and workshops, research groups, academic societies, and projects.

Systematic Instruction for Preparing the Doctoral Thesis

A number of instructors provide a system of support to assist students in the preparation of the doctoral thesis throughout the five years of the master’s and the doctoral programs (basic thesis, proposal, preparatory thesis, intermediate presentation, and final publication of the thesis).

Training in Practical Education

Students who wish to become professors at a university are able to develop their teaching skills through practice teaching in the Teaching Skills Training Program.

Degrees offered

The focus of the program is on the doctoral degree (Education), but depending on the research field, students can earn either the doctoral degree (Education) in the department of Education and Learning, or the doctoral degree (Science) in the department of Human Environmental Science.