Vision for the Graduate School

The Graduate School will introduce a new curriculum by April 2022.

In April 1973, the university established a Graduate School M.A. Program in English Linguistics. In April 1976 the M.A. Program in Language and Cultural Studies was added; in April 1979, the university became the first foreign studies university in Japan to offer doctoral programs (English Linguistics and Language and Cultural Studies).

By April 2022, the Graduate School will introduce a new master’s program curriculum. The five new courses will be as follows: English Linguistics and English Education in the English Linguistics Division; Ibero-American Cultural Studies; Japanese Linguistics and Language Teaching; and Global Communication in the Language and Cultural Studies Division.

Objectives and Educational Goals of Kansai Gaidai University Graduate School

Objectives of the Graduate School

In accordance with the founding principles of Kansai Gaidai University, the Graduate School aims to nurture highly specialized professionals with a well-rounded education that contributes to today’s international community. To this end, we provide education and research in specialized disciplines designed to address the transforming needs of the society based on a fair-minded view of the world.

Educational Goals

To achieve these objectives, the Graduate School aims to nurture individuals equipped with specialized knowledge, research skills, educational grounding, internationality, and practical skills listed below through study of theory and practice in a language and cultural studies curriculum.

Master’s Programs

• Specialized knowledge and research skills
  The program cultivates specialized knowledge and the ability to conduct research independently through education and research on language and culture.
• Well-rounded education
  The program cultivates the ability to discover, investigate, and solve problems proactively, based on an all-rounded education and specialized knowledge.
• High degree of internationality
  The program cultivates the ability to play an active role in the international community supported by advanced linguistic communication skills.
• Practical skills to address social needs
  The program cultivates practical skills supported by specialized knowledge and a well-rounded education to enable students to address the needs of the complex modern society.

Doctoral Programs

• Advanced specialized knowledge and research skills
  The program cultivates advanced specialized knowledge and the ability to conduct research independently through education and research on language and culture.
• Well-rounded education
  The program cultivates the ability to discover, investigate, and solve problems proactively, based on a well-rounded education and advanced specialized knowledge.
• High degree of internationality
  The program cultivates the ability to play an active role in the international community supported by advanced linguistic communication skills.
• Practical skills to address social needs
  The program cultivates practical skills supported by advanced specialized knowledge and a well-rounded education to enable students to address the needs of the complex modern society.

Degrees Awarded

Master’s Programs

• English Linguistics Division
  Admission quota: 15 students
  Degrees: M.A. in English Linguistics/M.A. in English Education
• Language and Cultural Studies Division
  Admission quota: 20 students
  Degrees: M.A. in Language and Cultural Studies/M.A. in Japanese Linguistics/M.A. in Global Communication

Doctoral Programs

• English Linguistics Division
  Admission quota: 3 students
  Degrees: Ph.D in English Linguistics/Ph.D in English Education
• Language and Cultural Studies Division
  Admission quota: 3 students
  Degrees: Ph.D in Linguistics/Ph.D in Language and Cultural Studies/Ph.D in Japanese Linguistics/Ph.D in Cultural Anthropology/Ph.D in Comparative Cultural Studies