Outline

The PhD Program in International Studies was established in the academic year 2000 with the goal of creating a leading academic research center focused on area studies, international relations, and international cooperation and policy studies in the Asia-Pacific region. The PhD Program aims to produce graduates who will be active as leading researchers or highly-specialized professionals on the international scene.

Faculty research advisors are able to give instruction and guidance in either Japanese or English, and students have the option of completing their dissertation in either language. Due to the bilingual nature of the PhD Program, the composition of the students is truly multilingual and multicultural.

Doctoral degree candidates are only required to complete and submit their dissertation to earn the PhD degree. No additional coursework is necessary. Candidates may, however, choose to take additional master's-level courses for credit. Those students who do not elect to take additional courses can focus exclusively on their dissertations. Because the program places few scheduling limitations on its doctoral candidates, a large number of students are actually faculty members of other universities, full-time researchers at think tanks, full-time employees of companies, and other professionals with abundant work experience. The doctoral degree candidates also represent a wide diversity of institutions, both in Japan and overseas, from which they received their previous educations.

In AY2010, Waseda University established the Young Research PhD Scholarship program. Those under age thirty who fulfill the conditions are eligible to apply. The scholarship is worth 600,000 JPY per annum.

In a wide variety of ways, the PhD Program in International Studies represents a diverse and open graduate school environment. We welcome all inquiries from those who are interested in joining this unique learning experience.