Program Overview

Introduction to the Graduate School of Public Policy

The Graduate School of Public Policy, known as GraSPP, was established in 2004 as a professional graduate school. GraSPP aims to train students so that they are able to discover issues confronting modern society, to plan public policy and systems to cope with such issues from a global perspective, and to transform students into experts ready to serve as public officials who are capable of communicating and consensus building.

Overview of the Program

Current Japanese society is changing rapidly and making us face issues we have never experienced such as the transformation of industrial structure, the declining birth rate and aging population, the progress of globalization and global environmental issues. In such a time, what is needed is the high-level ability to understand the true nature of confronting issues appropriately and to develop policy with new ideas. Therefore, talented individuals are required with advanced expertise in planning, implementing and evaluating policy, and who have competency in public service both in Japan and abroad.

Curriculum and Education

GraSPP provides students with broad knowledge across the fields of law, politics, economics, and international relations. A high-level education that is interdisciplinary and well-balanced in theory and practice is given to build the fundamental ability for policy planning, implementation, and evaluation so that students can acquire the skills required in practice. At the same time, various novel ideas and schemes are incorporated into the curriculum that makes GraSPP different from traditional graduate school education. Examples are practical learning including lessons by practitioners and lectures and case studies based on actual domestic and international cases.

International Exchange and Partnerships

One of the distinctive features of GraSPP is its active engagement in international exchange. More than half of the GraSPP student body comes from overseas with diverse backgrounds. All courses offered in English - about half of the whole curriculum - are also open to Japanese students. At GraSPP, Japanese and international students who are the future world leaders can meet and build a life-long network, not only within GraSPP but also in the world's leading public policy schools. Currently, GraSPP has double degree programs with nine schools out of 15 partner schools. GraSPP is a member of GPPN, the Global Public Policy Network, which is a partnership between SIPA at Columbia University; the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); Sciences Po, Paris; Hertie School; Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) at the National University of Singapore; GraSPP at the University of Tokyo and FGV-Escola de Administraçao de Empresas de Sao Paulo.

Departments

• Department of Public Policy (professional degree program)
  • Legal Policy Program
  • Public Management Program
  • International Public Policy Program
  • Economic Policy Program
  • Master of Public Policy, International Program (MPP/IP)
• Department of International Public Policy (doctoral program)
  • International Finance and Development
  • International Security
  • Science and Technology Policy

Doctoral Program

In April 2016, GraSPP launched a Doctoral program in public policy. The knowledge and skills needed for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of policy are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex. Moreover, in-depth study at the doctorate level is often times essential for building professional careers in negotiation at international agencies. The aim of the Doctoral program is to foster highly-principled professionals who possess advanced abilities in interdisciplinary research skills and are capable of planning and evaluating solutions that employ their full range of expertise.

Types of Degrees

• Professional degree: Master of Public Policy
• Doctoral degree: PhD in Public Policy

Required Japanese Language Level

In order to take classes offered in Japanese, listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities in Japanese are necessary. However, since courses in MPP/IP and the Doctoral Program are taught in English, proficiency in Japanese is not a prerequisite for these programs.

Application Distribution/Application Periods

• Professional Degree
  • Legal Policy, Public Management, International Public Policy, Economic Policy: Application distribution in April, application period in July
  • MPP/IP: Application distribution in September, application period in November-December
• Doctoral Degree
  • International Public Policy: Application distribution in November, application period in December or April-May

Special Selection for International Applicants

International applicants not applying for the Master of Public Policy, International Program (MPP/IP) are required to complete the same application process as domestic applicants.