Academics

Master's Program

Details of the Curriculum

In the master's program, the Programs (research fields) and the Professional Courses specify required courses and the conditions for obtaining
Certificates*. Each Program has its individual focus--some emphasize attending lectures, others focus on research activities such as producing work and reviewing work by others, and some do not require the writing of a master's thesis. While the Programs serve as the platform to explore various research fields, students engage in their day-to-day research activities through Academic Projects and Master Seminars. Academic Projects enable students to pursue advanced research under the guidance of multiple faculty members who share the same research themes and interests. Around 50 Academic Projects are offered to accommodate diverse research themes in advanced fields. Some Projects are conducted in collaboration with various actors, such as research institutions and administrative bodies in Japan and abroad, allowing students to receive comprehensive feedback from multiple perspectives.

In Master Seminars, students conduct research individually or in teams under the supervision of their main research advisor. Our curriculum emphasizes practical research and learning through active participation in various projects, in addition to conventional classroom lectures. Students take part in advanced research led by faculty members, and work on their own themes under the faculty's guidance. The hands-on experience of planning, conducting, and evaluating research prepares them to become researchers and innovators. Students are also encouraged to engage in fieldwork related to their research themes, in Japan and abroad, as well as internships that allow them to apply their research findings in real-world contexts. These activities will be counted for credits toward the degree if students apply for and pass internal screening in advance.

*By fulfilling the requirements set by each Program or Professional Course, students can earn a Program Completion Certificate or a Course Completion Certificate issued under the name of the Dean of the Graduate School of Media and Governance. These certificates, awarded separately from the master's degree, are designed to specifically demonstrate the student's expertise.

Requirements for Completing the Master's Program

Thesis Track

a.Enroll for at least 4 semesters, excluding leaves of absence (waived if students qualify for early degree completion)

b. Acquire at least 30 credits, including 2 credits from MASTER THESIS 1 and 2*

*These credits may not include:

Credits from Optional Subjects
Credits in excess of 16 earned from Project Courses and Master Research Courses (MASTER SEMINAR)
Credits in excess of 10 earned from the combined total of the following:

- Credits earned from courses offered by the Graduate School of Media and Governance before enrollment (8-credit cap)
- Credits earned from other graduate programs at Keio University
- Credits transferred from other universities after enrollment, including those from universities abroad

c. Pass MASTER THESIS 1 (i.e., deliver and pass the interim presentation)

d. Pass MASTER THESIS 2 (i.e., pass the master's thesis defense and the final examination)

Non-Thesis Track

In the non-thesis track, students earn the degree without writing a master's thesis. Students wishing to pursue the non-thesis option should consult with their main research advisor in advance. To complete the program via this option, it is mandatory to take MASTER PROJECT 1 in the semester they deliver their interim presentation,
and MASTER PROJECT 2 in the semester they expect to complete the program. In addition, they must fulfill the following requirements:

a. Enroll for at least 4 semesters, excluding leaves of absence (waived if students qualify for early degree completion)

b. Acquire at least 30 credits, including 2 credits from MASTER PROJECT 1 and 2*
*These credits may not include:

Credits from Optional Subjects
Credits in excess of 16 earned from Project Courses and Master Research Courses (MASTER SEMINAR)
Credits in excess of 10 earned from the combined total of the following:

c. Meet the GPA requirements for courses approved by the academic advisor

d. Pass MASTER PROJECT 1 (i.e., deliver and pass the interim presentation)

e. Pass MASTER PROJECT 2 (i.e., pass the master's project defense* and the final examination)

* At the master's project defense, students must submit a report on the activities carried out and the outcomes achieved through the Project Courses.