1. Three courses that aim for sound theory and outstanding practical ability

The Graduate School of Education (hereinafter “the Graduate School”) provides a sound theoretical foundation in specialized fields related to child development, education, and childcare, and trains specialists who are equipped with outstanding practical skills in the working environments of education and childcare at schools, kindergartens, nursery schools, welfare facilities, etc.

2. Degrees, licenses, and qualifications that can be earned

Degrees that can be earned

• Master’s degree (Education)

Licenses and qualifications that can be earned

• Specialized Elementary School Teacher’s License
• Specialized Kindergarten Teacher’s License

• A Category 1 license for the each is a requirement.
• Courses offered by the Faculty of Education can be audited free of charge using the credited auditors program.
  (Special needs school teacher’s license subjects are included.)
  Please contact us for details.

The following licenses can be earned by acquiring the required credits as a credited auditor of the Faculty of Education while enrolled in the Graduate School. Contact the Department of Academic Affairs to apply.

• Category 1 Elementary School Teacher’s License
• Category 1 Kindergarten Teacher’s License
• Category 1 Special Needs School Teacher’s License (Intellectual, Physical, Infirm)

3. A practical research environment made possible by Nakamura Gakuen Group

The Graduate School has organized the following curriculum and has established a learning policy for acquisition of the qualities and capabilities set forth in the Diploma Policy.

1. As a framework for learning, the Graduate School has established three courses: the Educational Studies Course, the Childcare/Curriculum Development and Research Course, and the Clinical Education Course.
2. The curriculum of each course takes as its base the acquisition of highly specialized knowledge in its field. Graduate students select one of the three courses and engage in studies based in the specialized field of the course, with broader study ensured by auditing other courses as well.
3. The central point of study at the Graduate School is the writing of a Master’s thesis. This seeks to cultivate high-level capability to engage in research. “Research Methodology” and “Special Research” are compulsory subjects for writing the Master’s thesis. Academic advisors oversee “Special Research,” in which specific guidance for writing the Master’s thesis is given. Evaluation of the Master’s thesis is performed in accordance with the “Evaluation Criteria for Theses in Graduate School of Education.”
4. Most classes in the Graduate School of Education are conducted in small-group format, to promote active class participation through discussions among faculty members and graduate students.
5. In collaboration with the kindergarten, nursery school, and Development Support Center attached to the University, the Graduate School cultivates problem-solving capabilities suited to on-site practice of nursery care and development support.

4. Attentive small-group instruction programs

The Graduate School confers a Master’s degree (Education) on persons recognized as possessing qualities and capabilities as follows.

1. Persons who have acquired capabilities to conduct advanced research in specialized fields including education, subject education, childcare, developmental psychology, educational psychology, and child welfare
2. Persons who are able to act as leaders in solving problems related to education and childcare at sites of practical work (schools, kindergartens, nursery schools, welfare facilities, etc.)

• Admission fees and tuition fees (Japanese Version Only)
• Graduate school scholarship/Special research fund (Japanese Version Only)
• Admission support for experienced working adults (Japanese Version Only)
• Long-term study program (Japanese Version Only)

Admission Policy

The Graduate School accepts persons who possess qualities, capabilities, and ambitions as follows.

1. Persons who possess the academic foundation required for study in the Graduate School
2. Persons who possess a strong sense of purpose and enthusiasm for studying at the Graduate School
3. Persons who possess the desire to make use of their acquired specialized knowledge, practical skills, and research capabilities in roles as specialized professionals after finishing studies at the Graduate School

The Graduate School comprehensively evaluates these qualities, capabilities, and ambitions through document screening, written examinations, and interviews.

Curriculum Policy

The Graduate School organizes the following curriculum and establishes a learning policy for acquisition of the qualities and capabilities set forth in the Diploma Policy.

1. As a framework for learning, the Graduate School establishes three courses: the Educational Studies Course, the Childcare/Curriculum Development and Research Course, and the Clinical Education Course.
2. The curriculum of each course takes as its base the acquisition of highly specialized knowledge in its field. Graduate students select one of the three courses and engage in studies based in the specialized field of the course, with broader study ensured by auditing other courses as well.
3. The central point of graduate school study is the writing of a Master’s thesis. This seeks to cultivate high-level capability to engage in research. “Research Methodology” and “Special Research” are compulsory subjects for writing the Master’s thesis. Academic advisors oversee “Special Research,” in which specific guidance for writing the Master’s thesis is given. Evaluation of the Master’s thesis is performed in accordance with the “Evaluation Criteria for Theses in Graduate School of Education.”
4. Most classes in the Graduate School of Education are conducted in small-group format, to promote active class participation through discussions among faculty members and graduate students.
5. In collaboration with the kindergarten, nursery school, and Development Support Center attached to the University, the Graduate School cultivates problem-solving capabilities suited to on-site practice of nursery care and development support.

Diploma Policy

The Graduate School confers a Master’s degree (Education) on persons recognized as possessing qualities and capabilities as follows.

1. Persons who have acquired a wide range of specialized knowledge related to theories, systems, history, social conditions, guidance, support, etc. concerning education and childcare
2. Persons who have acquired the problem-solving abilities to aptly pose verifiable questions concerning issues in education and childcare, to consider and design appropriate methods for deriving solutions, and to carry out those methods and arrive at optimal solutions
3. Persons who have acquired the research capabilities to apply and utilize the aforementioned knowledge and problem-solving abilities in research projects involving education, childcare, and related fields
4. Persons who possess independence and a proactive character and who have acquired the ability to collaborate with others to solve problems and undertake research, summarize findings, and communicate the findings understandably to others
5. Persons who have acquired the sense of ethics and values appropriate to specialized professionals engaged in education, childcare, and related fields