The MA Program in International Relations has three specializations.Students focus on one area of specialization, but at the same time can take courses in all three areas. By using a broad-based, multiperspective approach to understanding and analyzing the momentous changes taking place in the Asia-Pacific region, graduates of the Program will be well prepared to take on the region's challenges and opportunities in a wide range of professional capacities.

Therefore, students in the MA Program can design the core of their own study according to their interest, experience, and specialization. For example, a student who already possesses specialized knowledge of the language or the political/economical situation of a particular area or country is recommended to acquire various new analytical tools in the Program in addition to deepening his/her knowledge of that area/country. In contrast, students familiar with economic analysis tools, etc, are able to study the situations and languages of an area or a country using these tools.

The aim of the MA Program of the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies is to develop professionals who will play an active role in the international society that includes the Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, while we seek new graduates who are sensitive to the problems that concern the future of the region, we also welcome applications from candidates with working experience who are aiming to achieve a higher level of activity in international society.

The MA Program in International Relations has three specializations. Students? focus on one area of specialization, but at the same time can take courses? in all three areas.By using a broad-based, multi-perspective approach to understanding and analyzing the momentous changes taking place in the Asia-Pacific region, graduates of the Program will be well-prepared to take on the region's challenges and opportunities in a wide range of professional capacities.

Area Studies

Contemporary China and International Relations
Japanese Economic Development and Asia
Japan in Asia
Political Society and Culture in Southeast Asia
East Asian Politics and Society in the Age of Globalization
East Asia and USA

International Relations

International Co-operation in the APEC Region and Laws
International Relations in the Asia-Pacific Region
International Cooperation in Asia Pacific Region
Chinese Economies and Asia

International Society

Economic Development and Infrastructure
International Cooperation (Development Anthropology)
Environment and Sutainable Development
Development-Its Implications on Human Rights and Peace
Everyday Life in the Asia-Pacific
Globalization and Cultural Transformation in Asian Societies
Educational Development in Developing Countries and International Cooperation

The Program in International Relations offers a curriculum that includes? "Core courses," "Advanced courses," and "Project? research." Students may also take some courses, which are offered? for the MBA and MOT Program of the Waseda Business School within the same? research institute.

Core courses offered for Master's Degree Programs

Core courses are designed to help the students attain basic knowledge and? skills necessary for completing their research projects. Given the nature? of these basic courses, students are recommended to complete the courses? as soon as possible after entrance.

Advanced courses

Advanced Courses are designed mainly to provide effective scholarly training? in the acquisition of knowledge and its professional application, and to? enhance students' abilities to develop project research and prepare a master's theses. Japan studies in this curriculum aim to promote an understanding? of Japan through multiple approaches, in order to meet the needs of students from? abroad. Special Topics offer the students current information on various? themes, which are selected by the faculty. Experts and researchers outside? the university are often invited to deliver lectures to the students.

Project Research

Project research aims to elevate students’ problem-solving skills by providing them with practical experience through participation in research projects, which are organized by the faculty of the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University (WIAPS). The educational activities in the field of project research center on problem identification and problem-solving skills in connection with the concerns that are affecting society today. This curriculum is conducted through the Triangle Method, an educational system that promotes close organic relationships among the faculty members of the institute, graduate school students, and experts from business firms and public organizations.
In the courses of study, the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies organizes a research project for each of the topics to promote advanced-level joint research among researchers inside and outside the Institute and with the experts. The judging committee of WIAPS and the guideline committee of the university from various projects select the research topics. These projects include Contracted Research, Field Research and Joint Research, and are proposed by a wide range of back-up groups from various fields of the society. Upon guidance from the faculty, graduate school students will master and cultivate the knowledge and professional skills necessary for academic research, which ultimately will help them to complete their master's theses. In addition, the students are expected to improve their problem identification and problem-solving skills through this scholarly training. Project research is conducted through seminars as well as research guidance. Fieldwork and internships at corporations or other organizations are also included in this curriculum.

Non-credit courses

Non-credit courses are designed to train students in additional skills such as computing, academic writing and language that are required for research activities. These course credits are not counted in the completion requirement.

With the development of information and telecommunication services, integration and globalization have marched ahead in areas ranging from politics and economy to social activities. Consequently, in the information and telecommunication fields, demand for information and telecommunication specialists, multimedia content creators utilizing information and telecommunication technology, policy-makers dealing with international standardization, information and telecommunication analysts and consultants, and e-commerce specialists, is continuously on the rise. The development of human resources in this field is urgently required. The shortage of human resources is serious, with the problem being particularly acute in Asia. Therefore, to expand and develop into the future, competent specialists are greatly sought after. By many companies.

Majors	Degrees (Field of Specialization)
International Studies	Ph.D. in International Studies
	M.A. in International Relations