Fields of Specialization and Courses
Master’s Programs
The master’s programs, through a rigorous two-year sequence of studies, equip future leaders with the conceptual framework and specific skills needed for success in economics and business administration. The Graduate School of Economics offers programs in the following two major fields.
Economics
The Economics Program admits 55 students annually; it is ranked as one of the best economics graduate programs in Japan. Students must complete required courses of Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and Economic History, as well as courses relevant to specific fields, and pass their master theses to earn the MA in Economics /Applied Economics degree. Field options include Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Econometrics, Public Economics, Monetary Economics, Labor Economics, International Trade, International Finance, Mathematical Economics, Behavioral Economics, History of Economics, Economic History, and Business History.
Researcher Training Courses
Economics Course (Theoretical and Empirical Economics)
The primary aim of this course is to develop outstanding researchers in the areas of economics. During the first year of the master’s course, students gain foundational knowledge for conducting economic research through basic courses such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. These courses also serve as screening.
Economics Course (Economic and Business History)
To nurture researchers in the fields of economic and business history, specific courses use a unique screening system in the first year of the master’s course, where students take basic subjects like economic history and business history to develop the fundamental skills required for becoming a researcher.
Economics Course (Sustainable Economy Program/International Program)
The Sustainable Economy Program is designed to cultivate global doctoral candidates from English-speaking backgrounds. These candidates are expected to contribute to sustainable economies and are prepared for progression into doctoral programs. We particularly welcome students who are proficient in English and have advanced knowledge in mathematics and/or economics. For those who plan to pursue economic and business history, students with basic historical knowledge are highly encouraged.
If students meet the necessary credit requirements and submit an outstanding master’s thesis in the second year, they can advance to the doctoral program.
Highly Skilled Professionals Training Courses
Applied Economics Course
The main aim of the Applied Economics Course is to develop specialized professionals who possess the necessary skills to analyze economic trends and patterns using the latest economic tools. The demand for such professionals has been increasing due to changes in the global social and economic landscape. Upon completion of this program, students are anticipated to pursue careers in either the business world or public service. Graduates from this program are highly sought after by companies, government agencies, international organizations, and are respected as experts in their field.
Institutional Analysis and Business Case Studies Course
The main objective of this course is to cultivate specialized professionals who can analyze the institutional development and present state of the global economy. To achieve this, students are required to acquire the necessary skills to closely observe institutions through theoretical and statistical approaches, as well as data research, case studies, and international comparisons based on economic and business history approaches. Upon completion of this program, students are anticipated to pursue careers in either the business world or public service.
Although these two courses are primarily intended for advanced professionals, students who change their research goals and aspire to become researchers can qualify for the doctoral course by submitting an excellent master’s thesis and meeting the necessary course requirements. This feature sets our university apart from others and offers students significant flexibility in their career paths.
Business and Management
The Business and Management Program admits 28 students annually. The program aims to educate promising students who wish to prepare themselves for teaching and research careers in academia or for responsible positions in research organizations or business enterprises. The program offers the following four specializations.
Management Research Course
The Management Research is intended to prepare students for careers in research, as well as teaching in the management sciences and related fields of business administration. Students take the required courses of Finance, Operations Research, Marketing Science, Management Information, Risk Management, Financial Engineering, and Statistics. Each student is expected to complete several courses in the management sciences, and receive a passing evaluation of the master thesis to earn a Master of Business Administration or Master of Economics degree.
Business Administration Course
The aim of the Business Administration specialization is to equip future leaders with the conceptual framework and specific skills needed to be successful in business administration. Students take required courses of Accounting, Finance, Management Science, Corporate Investment, and Statistics. Each student must complete several fields in business administration and receive a passing evaluation of the master thesis or research paper to earn the Master of Business Administration degree.
Doctoral Programs
The doctoral programs offer challenging and rigorous academic disciplines, a distinguished and accessible faculty, and a friendly, supportive environment for promising students who wish to prepare themselves for teaching and research careers at universities, or for responsible positions in government, research organizations, or business enterprises. The Graduate School of Economics focuses on the following two major fields.
Economics
The Economics Program admits 20 students annually. The program is ranked as one of the best economics graduate programs in Japan. Students take the required courses of Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and Economic History. Additionally, they are expected to rotate through the economics fields and receive passing evaluations for their Ph.D. theses to earn the Ph.D. in Economics. Field options include Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Econometrics, Public Economics, Monetary Economics, Labor Economics, International Trade, International Finance, Mathematical Economics, Behavioral Economics, History of Economics, Economic History, and Business History. Graduates of the program have obtained positions with universities, Japanese or international governmental agencies, non-governmental or nonprofit organizations, and business enterprises.
Business and Management
The Business and Management Program admits 5 students annually in preparation for research and teaching careers in the management sciences and related fields of business administration. The program equips future leaders with the conceptual framework and specific skills needed to be successful in business administration. Students take the required courses of Accounting, Finance, Operations Research, Marketing Science, Management Information, Risk Management, Corporate Investment, Financial Engineering, and Statistics. Additionally, students must rotate through the various fields and receive passing evaluations for their Ph.D. theses to earn the Ph.D. in Business Administration or Ph.D. in Economics. Graduates of the program have obtained positions with universities and business enterprises.