Program Overview

Introduction to the Early Completion Program

The Early Completion Program is designed for working individuals with significant research achievements and abilities. This program allows students to complete a doctoral degree in as little as one year, compared to the standard three-year duration.

Program Outline

The program is tailored for working people who have certain research achievements and abilities. Students in this program complete a doctoral dissertation based on their previous research achievements, with guidance from their academic advisor. The University of Tsukuba has implemented an "Achievement Assessment" system, which periodically evaluates students' progress to ensure they meet the required standards.

To Register for the Early Completion Program

To be eligible for the Early Completion Program, students must first pass the entrance examination. After passing, they are required to submit documents for review, including:

• Outline of applicant (CV, specialized area at the school last attended, relationship between current job and desired research area, etc.)
• List of achievements (related to Early Completion Program Selection Requirements)
• Self-evaluation of achievement
• Plan of doctoral dissertation

These documents are used to assess whether the applicant has "certain research achievements." An interview may be conducted if necessary.

Eligible Applicants

This program is aimed at working people who have certain research achievements and abilities. Specifically, those who meet the "Early Completion Program Selection Requirements" set by each doctoral program are eligible to take the Early Completion Program admission review.

What is Achievement Assessment?

The University of Tsukuba regularly assesses student achievement based on the achievement assessment method set by each doctoral program. This is to ensure that students acquire Generic Competences and Degree Program's Competences from the time they enter the university to the time they complete their program. In the Early Completion Program, students are judged to already have certain research achievements and abilities at the admission period, and the degree of achievement in each competence set by each doctoral program is confirmed.

Program Structure and Evaluation

In the case of one doctoral program, the student is assessed at various review stages, including admission, midterm review (within four months of admission), and preliminary review (within eight months of admission), to determine whether the student is at a level appropriate for the doctoral degree. This review will be conducted at least three times, based on the student's self-assessment and evaluation by faculty members for each competence set by the doctoral program.

Research Areas and Degree Programs

The Early Completion Program is available in various degree programs, including:

• Degree Programs in Business Sciences
• Degree Programs in Pure and Applied Sciences
• Degree Programs in Systems and Information Engineering
• Degree Programs in Life and Earth Sciences
• Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation

Each program has its own set of selection requirements and research fields.

Program Completion and Evaluation

If students fail the selection, they will be admitted to the regular three-year doctoral program. However, even in the case of regular enrollment, if the student is recognized as having made outstanding research achievements while enrolled in the program, the Early Completion System can be applied. In this case, it is possible to complete the program in less than three years. The program's quality is ensured through periodic evaluations and assessments.