Program Overview

Program Overview

The Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo offers a doctoral program that aims to nurture highly skilled researchers in law and politics and economics. The program focuses on International Finance and Development, International Security, and Science and Technology as areas where social demands are particularly strong and where there is a need for close international partnership.

Program Description

Purpose

The doctoral program has launched from AY2016, with the main research areas being International Finance and Development, International Security, and Science and Technology. The program aims to foster cross-cutting, multidisciplinary, and practical skills for policy-making.

Social Demands

Globalization and major changes in the global environment are presenting modern society with increasingly diverse and complex challenges. Dealing with these challenges demands an advanced skillset—the ability to identify quickly and accurately the key issues amidst complex phenomena, to apply sophisticated research skills to establish the relevant questions, and to synthesize expert knowledge from various fields to create a set of options for solutions.

Expectations for Students

Responding to these social demands, the doctoral program trains students in the advanced research skills necessary to develop original questions from their research, construct and assess potential solutions that synthesize expert knowledge from various disciplines, and move these solutions quickly into practice with an international perspective, communicating with diverse stakeholders.

Key Features

• The Program can be completed entirely in English
• 20 credits and doctoral thesis, 3-year program
• Degree to Confer: Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy
• Annual Intake: 8 places
• Admission Requirements include:
  • a) Master’s thesis or its equivalent
  • b) Foundation of specialized knowledge of either Law and Politics or Economics at master’s level is required to begin the program
• 3 Research Areas:
  • “International Security”
  • “International Finance and Development”
  • “Science and Technology Policy”

Career

Past Placements

• University of Battambang / Lecturer
• 東京大学東洋文化研究所/特任研究員 (Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia / Project Researcher)
• 内閣府/総合職 (Cabinet Office, Government of Japan / Career-track Position)
• Japan Digital University
• Sasakawa Peace Foundation
• Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
• The University of Tokyo
• Temple University Japan Campus
• 一般社団法人CRD協会 (Credit Risk Database)
• Capital University of Economics and Business（首都経済貿易大学）/Assistant Professor
• 名古屋大学 (Nagoya University)
• Regional Office of Asia and Pacific, Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) / Economist
• Hitotsubashi University
• CGIAR
• Reserve Bank of India
• AMRO (ASEAN +3 Macroeconomic Research Office)/Economist

Curriculum

The doctoral program curriculum is designed to provide students with advanced research skills and knowledge in their chosen field of study.

Admissions

The admissions process for the doctoral program is competitive, with a limited number of places available each year. Applicants must meet the admission requirements, which include a Master’s thesis or its equivalent, and a foundation of specialized knowledge of either Law and Politics or Economics at master’s level.

Education

The Graduate School of Public Policy offers a range of educational programs, including:

• Master’s course
• Doctoral course
• Graduate Research Students Program
• Courses
• Executive programs
• University-wide program
• Internship
• Education FAQ

Research

The Graduate School of Public Policy is committed to research excellence, with a focus on:

• Research units・Research projects
• Social cooperation programs
• Endowed chairs
• Research outputs
• GraSPP Blog
• GraSPP seminars

Current Students

The Graduate School of Public Policy provides support and resources for current students, including:

• Student bulletin board
• Courses & grading
• Payment and exemption of admission / tuition fees
• School life
• Certificates
• International students
• For students going abroad
• GraSPP logo usage

International

The Graduate School of Public Policy has a strong international focus, with:

• Double degree & Exchange program
• GPPN
• Annual Conferences