Outline of Graduate Schools

Our lively, broad-minded but specialist education has produced many capable researchers and professionals.

Research into Social Phenomena Unfettered by Ideologies or Orthodoxy

Article 1 of Senshu University's Regulations states This University, through research into social phenomena unfettered by ideologies or orthodoxy, aims to produce young Japanese people who have a critical attitude toward traditional authority and power structures, possess a peaceful character with a respect for human values, and uphold democratic principles. Nowadays, with mature students and overseas students also studying with us, our role is not limited to the nurturing of young Japanese people, but the University's guiding principle remains education based on research into social phenomena unfettered by ideologies or orthodoxy, and the graduate school still strives to provide an education focused on the development of a critical mind.

More than 50 years since the University's present regulations were established in 1949, Senshu University has developed into a multi-disciplinary institution centered on the humanities and social sciences, while at the same time steadily expanding its graduate school system. At present, the graduate schools cover five faculties ― Economics, Law, the Humanities, Business Administration, and Commerce ― and each faculty offers master's and doctoral programs.

The graduate schools have hitherto mostly devoted themselves to producing researchers. Many of these have gone on to become members of the staff of the various departments at Senshu University, engaged in teaching and research, and yet others have taken up positions at other universities. We are extremely proud of the large number of excellent researchers that we have produced, and are committed to continuing this fine tradition.

Seamless System from Undergraduate Courses through High-Level Postgraduate Studies

Senshu University's graduate schools have instituted a series of measures to ensure a close link between undergraduate and postgraduate studies. One such measure is a Teaching Assistant System. Under this system, postgraduate students participate in undergraduate courses supplementing the guidance of the main teacher. As well as being a plus for undergraduate education, this system provides a major fillip to the research activities of postgraduates. In the opposite direction, the Graduate Schools of Economics, Law, Business Administration, and Commerce allow fourth-year undergraduates to gain credits for courses taken at these schools, enabling them to obtain a master degree one year after entering graduate school.

In addition to these arrangements, the Graduate School of Economics, English major in the Graduate School of the Humanities, Graduate School of Business Administration, and Graduate School of Commerce make their graduate-level courses available to fourth-year undergraduates, while all the graduate schools allow people who are not regular postgraduate students to attend classes, including students who study a limited number of subjects, regular and special students who take courses without receiving credits, scholarship students, and research students. The graduate schools of Senshu University are gaining increased attention from those interested in postgraduate education, and we look forward to welcoming them.

Graduate Schools that Study the Problems of the Real World from a Global Standpoint

In addition to upholding their record of nurturing superior researchers, the graduate schools of Senshu University have over the past few years been working hard to respond to the varied demands placed on graduate schools by society. To respond to calls to produce highly-skilled professionals, we have established a system of extensive guidance which caters to the needs of those hoping to take the bar examination, aiming to become licensed tax accountants, certified public accountants or clinical psychologists, and those wishing to acquire certificates to become advanced class teachers at junior and senior high schools.

Another important role for graduate schools is serving the lifelong educational needs of those who have alread