Doctor’s Program for Language and Culture
In this program students build on the specialized knowledge and broad perspectives gained in the master’s program, and delve deeper into more specific topics by narrowing down their intellectual interests. Students become experts on language and culture equipped to view regional communities from a global perspective and to consider the international society based on an understanding of the characteristics of Japan or a specific geographical region. By providing the opportunity to present research findings, this program also serves as the core for future joint research efforts among exchange students and researchers from Japan and abroad, as well as an information base for alumni and working adults returning to research after taking a break.
Admission Policy
The Doctor’s Program for Language and Culture seeks students with a keen research interest in history, language, and culture, along with the analytical skills and aspirations to become an independent researcher. Applications are welcomed from students who (a) have the potential to use their expertise and practical analytical skills to widely promote culture at home and abroad and thrive in a variety of fields as a next-generation leader; (b) aim to contribute to society as a practitioner or leader of education and strive to improve and develop their skills; and (c) aspire to acquire the ability to engage in advanced research throughout life.
＜Standard criteria for admission＞
?General admission, admission of working adults, international student admission, admission of FWU Master's Program graduates
Admission is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant’s knowledge and abilities, critical thinking skills, good judgement, articulateness, motivation to engage in research, and other factors assessed through written examinations, interview performance, and a review of application materials. The written examinations assess the applicant’s language skills and articulateness essential for conducting research. The interview assesses the applicant’s passion for research in their chosen field, the validity of their research proposal, and academic aptitude and skills, communication skills, and articulateness required to undertake research in their chosen field.
Supervision system
Doctoral students are assigned a primary and secondary supervisor based on their research topic. The secondary supervisor is selected from an adjacent discipline through discussion between the student and the primary supervisor.
Under the guidance of the supervisory team, students prepare a research proposal specifying the dissertation’s topic and other details. Once the proposal is reviewed and approved, students are eligible to submit their dissertation within a three-year time limit.
The primary supervisor oversees the Seminar for Doctoral Research in Language and Culture, and provides guidance and support as work on the dissertation progresses. Concurrently, the secondary supervisor and other instructors who teach related disciplines provide additional academic expertise in the Doctoral Seminar in Language and Culture.
This supervision system is designed to help students gain a cross-disciplinary perspective through the opportunity to receive advice from experts in a variety of branches within the field of language and culture.
Doctor’s Program for Social Sciences
The doctoral program enables students to further develop their research, contribute to the increasingly complex global society as a highly-skilled professional, and play a leading role in a variety of fields of contemporary society on the international scene. The full-time teachers of the social sciences programs are international and diverse, with expertise in research that addresses a variety of issues inherent to the global society. Under the guidance of this academic team, students will explore the challenges facing the global society from multiple perspectives, and gain the practical skills and capabilities needed to respond to these challenges.
Admission Policy
The Doctoral Program for Social Sciences welcomes applications from students who have (a) a strong interest in the workings of the international society and the economic activities of businesses and other organizations, and (b) the motivation to acquire and improve the skills to independently and creatively analyze the increasingly complex challenges facing the international society and the practical capabilities to address those challenges. The ideal candidates are students who have (a) the ambition to use their expertise to succeed internationally as a next-generation leader in a variety of career paths, and (b) the motivation to acquire the necessary advanced expertise to pursue specialized research or a professional career.
＜Standard criteria for admission＞
?General admission, admission of working adults, international student admission, admission of FWU Master's Program graduates
Admission is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant’s knowledge and abilities, critical thinking skills, good judgement, articulateness, motivation to engage in research, and other factors assessed through written examinations, interview performance, and a review of application materials. The written examinations assess the applicant’s language skills and articulateness essential for conducting research. The interview assesses the applicant’s passion for research in their chosen field, the validity of their research proposal, and academic aptitude and skills, communication skills, and articulateness required to undertake research in their chosen field.
Supervision system
Doctoral students are assigned a primary and secondary supervisor based on the research outline submitted at the start of the program. The secondary supervisor is selected from an adjacent discipline through discussion between the student and the primary supervisor.
Under the guidance of the supervisory team, students prepare a research plan specifying the dissertation’s topic and other details. Once the preliminary dissertation is reviewed and approved, students are eligible to submit their main dissertation. The primary supervisor oversees the Seminar for Doctoral Research in Social Sciences, and provides guidance and support as work on the dissertation progresses. Concurrently, the secondary supervisor and other instructors who teach related disciplines provide additional academic expertise in the Graduate Seminar in Social Sciences. This supervision system is designed to help students gain a cross-disciplinary perspective through the opportunity to receive advice from experts of a variety of branches within the field of social sciences.
