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Graduate Schools

The Graduate Schools of International Cooperation Studies, Health Sciences, and Medicine—Meeting the Needs of a Rapidly Advanced, Complex World

 

All the intellectual resources of Kyorin University’s undergraduate faculties are pooled into our three schools of graduate study: the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, the Graduate School of Health Sciences, and the Graduate School of Medicine. All three schools are working hard to nurture topcaliber academics and professionals while disseminating valuable research findings to help solve the many problems of our rapidly advanced, increasingly complex society driven by globalization, technological innovation, and computerization.

Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies

The Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies was established with the aim of applying the Kyorin’s founding spirit—“Pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty”—to the realm of international cooperation. The school’s aim is to nurture experts capable of analyzing and addressing problems in international development and exchange theoretically and empirically, working from a broad, holistic perspective encompassing law, politics, economics, business management, cultural interchange, language, health, and medicine.

Major in International Development (Master’s Program)

• International Politics • International Economics • International Business • Law and Taxation

In this program, students carry out theoretical and empirical studies in each social-science discipline with the aim of identifying effective international development and cooperation policies and strategies with a view to promoting economic development around the world. In this way they not only acquire expertise in their own discipline but also expand their knowledge in related fields and gain professional competencies for the real world.

Major in International Medical Cooperation (Master’s Program)

• International Health Sciences • International Medicine

This program aims to equip students with the knowledge and theoretical foundations essential to international cooperation in the fields of medicine and health care; the ability to conduct research independently; and the knowledge and insight to apply their advanced skills in a real-world context. Faculty members work closely with students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including the humanities and social sciences as well as nursing and other areas of medicine and health care.

Major in Intercultural Studies in Global Communication (Master’s Program)

With the aim to help solve various problems arising in the international community surrounding our nation and in our own increasingly multicultural society due mainly to the lack of mutual understanding of other cultures, languages, and societies, the Major in Intercultural Studies in Global Communication (Master’s Program) of the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies develops researchers and skilled professionals with a specialty in cross-cultural communication, capable of playing leadership roles in this discipline, domestically and internationally, using their deep knowledge and insight guided by theory, practice, and multiple perspectives.

Today’s globalized society is prone to tensions arising among groups at various levels, from nation states to companies and communities where people of different cultural backgrounds come together. These frictions, often caused by miscommunication and cultural differences, generate many challenges our society must address, with the need to balance the interests of different groups being one of them. To deal with these challenges, it is essential to develop expertise in the relevant disciplines and smooth and thorough communication capabilities that ensure effective application of such expertise. In other words, the abilities required today are problem solving skills that involve understanding others, being able to express oneself, creating a mutually beneficial environment, and managing and balancing different opinions and interests. There is a broad consensus that knowledge-based, specialized technical support to help people overcome communication barriers and misunderstandings resulting from linguistic and cultural value differences is consistently important in a variety of settings, not only in the context of the international community but also local communities, businesses, social groups, and even in everyday life scenes as globalization drives our society further towards multiculturalism.

Aiming to respond to the exigencies of modern society, the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies has combined its master’s programs, the Major in International Cultural Exchange and the Major in International Language Communication, to create the Major in Intercultural Studies in Global Communication. The purpose of this new program is to help solve problems arising in the international community and our increasingly multicultural society due mainly to the lack of mutual understanding of other cultures, languages, and societies by developing professionals who possess the attributes of Interculturally Effective Persons (IPEs), which are defined in the program’s human resource development goals and other research and education goals as cross-cultural communication competence, a domestic and global leadership potential, and a capability to apply deep knowledge and insight guided by theory, practice, and multiple perspectives.

[Japanese-Chinese Interpreting and Translation]

This course aims to foster the skills and abilities required to (1) research and develop teaching materials and methods for training international interpreters and translators and those specializing in specific high-demand fields in Japan, such as judicial, government services, medical, and tourism; (2) take on leadership roles as interpreters and translators on the scene and act as advisors or coordinators in multilingual or multicultural settings (e.g. workplaces where Japanese and Chinese citizens work together); and (3) serve as community multicultural education facilitators who assist children and families with roots in other countries, Chinese-speaking countries in particular, maintain and pass on their native language and culture.

[English Communication]

By enabling students to gain greater cultural awareness underpinned by strong English language skills, along with deep knowledge and understanding of effective communication in international society, this course develops international communication scholars and university educators as well as professionals capable of succeeding in such fields as international cooperation, cultural exchange, publishing, and journalism.

In recent years, an increasing number of exchange students from non-Chinese-speaking Asian countries, such as Vietnam, have come to Japan to study their own society in English and Japanese and obtain a master’s degree to advance their career in their home country upon return. This trend is likely to continue given the rapid growth of Japanese companies operating in Vietnam and an increasing number of Vietnamese students studying at Japanese language schools. This course offers such students the knowledge and skills requisite to pursue a career in business or cultural exchange, serving as a bridge between Japan and their home country.

[Japanese Language]

This course aims to develop Japanese studies and Japanese language education scholars, Japanese language teachers to teach in classrooms in Japan and abroad, and staff who can provide linguistic and other support to families with a foreign background at educational institutions, local governments, and international exchange organizations. Providing a profound understanding and broad knowledge in the culture and history of Japan and other countries, the course also prepares students for a creative leadership role in the tourism industry or local development. All students, regardless of their specialty, are able to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to learning, carrying out study and research in their areas of interest and specialty in English, Chinese, and Japanese. This is a distinctive feature of the new program’s training philosophy that carries on the Faculty of Foreign Studies’ objective to train individuals with trilingual language skills (Japanese, Chinese, and English).

Major in Development Studies (Doctoral Program)

• Political Economy and Law • Area Studies and Development Cooperation

The Development Studies program is a doctoral course that combines the scope of the International Development, International Cultural Exchange, International Medical Cooperation, and International Language Communication programs. It is designed for those seeking a higher level of specialized expertise with the aim of making a significant contribution to developing societies through advanced research or careers in international development.

Graduate School of Health Sciences

Through its Health Sciences and Nursing programs, the Graduate School of Health Sciences nurtures high-level researchers and professionals equipped with the depth of knowledge and breadth of vision to make a mark in their chosen area of health care, medicine, nursing, or social welfare. Both programs feature a low student-to-faculty ratio for close communication between students and instructors and encourage wide-ranging study in related fields.

 

Major in Health Sciences (Master’s Program / Doctoral Program)

• Clinical Laboratory Science and Life Science • Health Science • Clinical Engineering
• Paramedic Science • Rehabilitation Science • Radiological Science

The graduate program in Health Sciences is designed for those seeking to further develop the knowledge and skills gained through undergraduate studies or professional experience in various fields of health care and medicine. Those seeking careers in the health-care professions have the opportunity to develop advanced clinical expertise, a wide perspective, and top-notch managerial skills. Those in research and education will learn to analyze health-care issues from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Major in Nursing (Master’s Program / Doctoral Program)

• Science of Fundamental Nursing • Science of Practical Nursing
The graduate program in nursing is designed for individuals seeking to further develop the knowledge and skills gained through undergraduate education or professional experience in order to qualify as nurse specialists (cancer nursing, critical nursing, psychiatric mental health nursing) or professionals in the areas of community health care, infectious disease management, or medical safety, or to build careers as researchers or educators in various nursing specialties.

【Certification Program】

Specialized School Nurse Certificate, Specialized Middle School Teacher Certificate (Health Care),
Specialized High School Teacher Certificate (Health Care)

Note: Individuals with a first-class teacher certification may receive a specialized certification upon successful completion of specified coursework in the master’s program in Health Sciences. Separate enrollment in the teacher-training program is required.

Graduate School of Medicine

The Graduate School of Medicine is an advanced educational unit with dual functions. As a school for graduate studies in the basic sciences, it aims to contribute to new medical advances and train researchers who can make an impact on the evolution of medicine. As a graduate program in clinical medicine, it works to train top-flight physicians possessed of compassion and empathy as well as superior analytical abilities and medical skills. The school provides five post graduate programs.