Research and Educational Goals
The educational objectives of the Graduate School of Economics, based on the foundational principles of Keio University, are to cultivate individuals with advanced research skills capable of conducting accurate and in-depth analyses of economic phenomena, and who are prepared to contribute not only to academia but also to broader society.
Master’s Program
Diploma Policy
Educational Goals
Based on the diploma policy outlined by Keio University, this program aims to cultivate both researchers capable of conducting accurate and in-depth analyses of economic phenomena, and practitioners equipped to address real-world challenges through their work. Receiving a Master of Arts in Economics includes completing all coursework required for graduation, which involves students acquiring the foundational knowledge and analytical skills needed to perform economics research. In addition, students must write a master’s thesis that demonstrates a sufficient understanding of existing scholarship in their chosen field and presents their original perspectives and analysis. The degree is conferred upon successful completion of the thesis and passing of the thesis review.
Competency Objectives
- Objective one: To gain the skills and abilities researchers need to conduct accurate and in-depth analyses of economic phenomena
- Objective two: To gain the skills and abilities practitioners need to address real-world challenges through their work
Curriculum Policy
Curriculum Design
The curriculum for the Major in Economics at the Graduate School of Economics comprises core program classes, specialized classes, and seminar classes, and is designed to help develop the competencies listed under the school’s diploma policy. The Graduate School offers a systematic curriculum in economics by broadly categorizing the research field into five main areas: (I) Economic Theory, Econometrics, and Statistics; (II) History of Economic Thought and Economic History; (III) Industry, Labor, Institutions, and Policy; (IV) Contemporary and International Economics; and (V) Environmental and Social Studies. The specialized classes are divided between the five areas listed above and ten sub-fields: 1. Economic Theory; 2. Econometrics and Statistics; 3. History of Economic Thought; 4. History of Economics; 5. Industry and Labor; 6. Institutions and Policies; 7. Contemporary Economics; 8. International Economics; 9. Environmental Studies; 10. Social Studies.
Program Delivery
Core classes and specialized classes are conducted in a lecture format, while seminar classes involve student presentations and support for academic and thesis writing. In addition, a number of “joint seminars” are offered, in which multiple instructors work together to supervise and support students. The school also offers four workshops in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and Applied Economics as seminar courses, providing students with opportunities to engage with the latest research presented by scholars from both Japan and abroad.
Evaluation and Grading Criteria
The competency objectives for curricula at the Graduate School of Economics are evaluated for each course according to the standards stipulated by Keio University’s assessment policy. Evaluations use both quantitative and qualitative, as well as direct and indirect indicators, such as questionnaires and surveys.
After entering the master’s program, students will choose a supervising faculty member and conduct research under their guidance. The proposed topic of the student’s master’s thesis, along with their thesis committee (one primary advisor and two secondary readers), must be finalized by July of the student’s second year (or by January for students who enrolled in September). In addition, the student must pass a thesis proposal defense in November (or April) of that year to confirm whether their research meets the level required to write their master’s thesis. After passing the preliminary proposal stage, students must complete and submit their master’s thesis by January (or June), after which they will be evaluated by undergoing a final thesis review and oral defense. The master’s thesis serves as a primary academic milestone within the Graduate School of Economics.
There are two requirements for completing the master’s program as detailed below.
- Requirement one: Students must be enrolled in the master’s program at the Graduate School of Economics for at least two years (or one year under the accelerated program) and earn a minimum of 30 credits. This must include at least 10 credits from specialized courses and at least 8 credits from seminar courses. Of these, at least 20 credits must be earned at Keio University. Students must fulfill all of the requirements for these courses as indicated by the school.
- Requirement two: Students must pass both their thesis review (master’s thesis) and final examinations.
How Courses Reflect the Competency Objectives
The Graduate School of Economics provides diverse opportunities for students to meet its competency objectives of (1) gaining the skills and abilities researchers need to conduct accurate and in-depth analyses of economic phenomena, (2) gaining the skills and abilities practitioners need to address real-world challenges through their work. It does this by offering a systematic curriculum in economics by broadly categorizing the research field into five main areas: (I) Economic Theory, Econometrics, and Statistics; (II) History of Economic Thought and Economic History; (III) Industry, Labor, Institutions, and Policy; (IV) Contemporary and International Economics; and (V) Environmental and Social Studies. Likewise, students are able to attend workshops in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and Applied Economics as seminar courses, providing them a way to engage with the latest research from scholars both in Japan and abroad. Likewise, the program is designed to have students engage in advanced research under the guidance of a supervising faculty member, with the aim of completing a master’s thesis focused on a topic of personal interest and academic significance.
Admissions Policy
Desired Qualities in Potential Students
- Students with a solid foundation in economics at the undergraduate level and the ability to read and engage with academic literature
- Students who showed strong aptitude for research during their undergraduate thesis work
Student Screening Process
In order to admit a wide range of applicants, the Graduate School of Economics administers two general entrance examinations each year: the first in July, and the second in either February or March. This is meant to accommodate different graduation timings in Japan and abroad. Applicants who pass the first round of entrance examinations may choose whether to enroll in September or in April of the following year. Likewise, applicants who pass the second round of entrance examinations may choose whether to enroll in April or September of that year. To make the program more accessible to students who are not native speakers of Japanese, the entrance examinations may also be taken entirely in English.
- First Round Entrance Examinations
Applicants are required to take a written examination in economics (multiple-choice) and participate in an admissions interview. - Second Round Entrance Examinations
Applicants are not required to take a written examination and are instead evaluated based on the thesis submitted with their application and an admissions interview.
Doctoral Program
Diploma Policy
Educational Goals
Based on the diploma policy outlined by Keio University, this program aims to cultivate both researchers capable of conducting accurate and in-depth analyses of economic phenomena, and practitioners equipped to address real-world challenges through their work. To earn a Ph.D. in Economics, students must first pass the dissertation proposal defense during their official period of enrollment. The dissertation proposal defense will ascertain whether a student is conducting advanced research that contributes important new insights to their field of specialization. Note that if the research has been published or is scheduled for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, this proposal defense may be waived. After meeting these requirements, students must submit a dissertation that includes either a peer-reviewed paper or an equivalent body of research. The doctoral degree is awarded upon passing the dissertation review.
Competency Objectives
- Objective one: To gain the skills and abilities researchers need to conduct accurate and in-depth analyses of economic phenomena
- Objective two: To gain the skills and abilities practitioners need to address real-world challenges through their work
- Objective three: To develop the ability to conduct high-level research that contributes new and significant insights to a chosen field of specialization.
Curriculum Policy
Curriculum Design
The curriculum for the Major in Economics at the Graduate School of Economics comprises core program classes, specialized classes, and seminar classes, and is designed to help develop the competencies listed under the school’s diploma policy.
The Graduate School offers a systematic curriculum in economics by broadly categorizing the research field into five main areas: (I) Economic Theory, Econometrics, and Statistics; (II) History of Economic Thought and Economic History; (III) Industry, Labor, Institutions, and Policy; (IV) Contemporary and International Economics; and (V) Environmental and Social Studies. The specialized classes are divided between the five areas listed above and ten sub-fields: 1. Economic Theory; 2. Econometrics and Statistics; 3. History of Economic Thought; 4. History of Economics; 5. Industry and Labor; 6. Institutions and Policies; 7. Contemporary Economics; 8. International Economics; 9. Environmental Studies; 10. Social Studies.
Program Delivery
Core classes and specialized classes are conducted in a lecture format, while seminar classes involve student presentations and support for academic and thesis writing. In addition, a number of “joint seminars” are offered, in which multiple instructors work together to supervise and support students. The school also offers four workshops in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and Applied Economics as seminar courses, providing students with opportunities to engage with the latest research presented by scholars from both Japan and abroad.
In the doctoral program, students enhance their ability to conduct economics research that is highly original and innovative under the guidance of their supervising faculty member.
Evaluation and Grading Criteria
The competency objectives for curricula at the Graduate School of Economics are evaluated for each course according to the standards stipulated by Keio University’s assessment policy. Evaluations use both quantitative and qualitative, as well as direct and indirect indicators, such as questionnaires and surveys.
During the official period of enrollment, students must pass a dissertation proposal defense to confirm that their research meets the standard for contributing original and significant insights to their specialized field. After passing the dissertation proposal defense, each student will work under the supervision of two faculty members to complete their dissertation. Dissertations must include a peer-reviewed paper or equivalent research and are reviewed by a committee consisting of one primary advisor, two secondary reviewers, and two interviewers.
How Educational Content Connects to Competency Objectives
The Graduate School of Economics provides diverse opportunities for students to meet its competency objectives of (1) gaining the skills and abilities researchers need to conduct accurate and in-depth analyses of economic phenomena and (2) gaining the skills and abilities practitioners need to address real-world challenges through their work.This includes a systematic curriculum in economics by broadly categorizing the research field into five main areas: (I) Economic Theory, Econometrics, and Statistics; (II) History of Economic Thought and Economic History; (III) Industry, Labor, Institutions, and Policy; (IV) Contemporary and International Economics; and (V) Environmental and Social Studies.
To meet the competency objective of (3) developing the ability to conduct high-level research that contributes new and significant insights to a chosen field of specialization, the school also offers four workshops in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and Applied Economics as seminar courses, providing students with opportunities to engage with the latest research presented by scholars from both Japan and abroad. Likewise, students enhance their ability to conduct highly-original and innovative economics research under the guidance of their supervising faculty members. Each student has two faculty supervisors assigned to them as dissertation advisors. To ensure that dissertations meet the academic standard of contributing original knowledge to the field of economics, students are required to have their research published in at least one peer-reviewed journal (or be scheduled for publication) as a condition for submitting their dissertations.
Admissions Policy
Desired Qualities in Potential Students
- Students with a solid foundation and extensive experience in economics
- Students who possess the knowledge and research skills necessary to conduct advanced studies in their specialized field of economics.
Student Screening Process
In order to admit a wide range of applicants, the Graduate School of Economics administers two entrance examinations each year: the first in July, and the second in either February or March. This is meant to accommodate different graduation timings in Japan and abroad. Applicants who pass the first round of entrance examinations may choose whether to enroll in September or in April of the following year. Likewise, applicants who pass the second round of entrance examinations may choose whether to enroll in April or September of that year. To make the program more accessible to students who are not native speakers of Japanese, the entrance examinations may also be taken entirely in English. Students who completed their master’s degree at a school other than Keio University are actively encouraged to apply.
- First Round Entrance Examinations
Applicants are required to submit papers for review and undergo an interview. - Second Round Entrance Examinations
Applicants are required to submit papers for review and undergo an interview.
