Doctoral Dissertations

Procedures to File a Doctoral Degree Dissertation (Program-based Students)

The Waseda University Graduate School of Commerce (GSC) grants a doctoral degree in Commerce to individuals who have 1) spent three years or more in the doctoral program to receive mandatory research guidance AND 2) have passed the doctoral dissertation review and the final examination.
Those who plan to obtain a doctoral degree should be sure to review this page as it describes the procedures related to obtaining a doctoral degree.

[Note] There are two types of doctoral degree reviews: (I) for Curriculum Doctorate and (II) for Dissertation Doctor. Those who are expected to complete the doctoral program review while in school, OR have withdrawn from the school after undergoing six semesters of research guidance (with a passing grade) and are expected to complete the doctoral program review within three years of the withdrawal are the candidates for the Curriculum Doctorate. All others are subject to follow the different procedures for the Dissertation Doctor.
Please note that this page is a guide for the Curriculum Doctorate. If you are a candidate for the Dissertation Doctor, please contact the GSC Office ([email protected]) for the detailed procedures.

[For students who are currently enrolled in the doctoral program]
Students in the doctoral program (including research students) are required to submit a Research Report/Plan and a List of Publications and Research Achievements to the GSC Office at the end of each semester. Students at their first semester of enrollment are required to submit to them with listing basic required information promptly after their enrollment.

I. Doctoral Degree Application Procedures (Schedule, Documents for Submission, Precautions, etc.)

Please review the following documents regarding procedures (schedule, documents for submission, precautions, etc.) for obtaining a doctoral degree.

Informational Documents	Remarks
Dissertation Submittal Guidebook March 10, 2025 Updated.	This document provides information on procedures for obtaining a doctoral degree (schedule, documents for submission, precautions, etc.). Please read this guide first if you are planning to apply for a doctoral degree.
Application Timeline for the Doctoral Degree in Commerce March 10, 2025 Updated.	This document provides information on scheduling related to obtaining a doctoral degree.
Requirements for Submitting a Doctoral Dissertation March 10, 2025 Updated.	This document provides information on dissertation submission requirements for the doctoral degree in Commerce.

II. Application Forms

　Forms required as part of the application process for obtaining a doctoral degree can be downloaded as needed from the list below.

[Application Forms (submission required)]

Form	Submission Timeline	Remarks
Research Ethics Program Completion Report (Application form)	After completion of the program on research ethics.	In principle, you should complete the program by the end of your first semester of enrollment. For more information, please refer to the following document. Acquiring Knowledge of Research Ethics (February 10, 2023)
Request for the Establishment of a Dissertation Advisory Committee	When the student is ready to make a request for the establishment of a dissertation advisory committee.	Students are required to submit the request after completing two semesters of research guidance after admission. Those who have completed two semesters of research guidance during the Spring semester need to submit the request by the end of the last week in July. Those who have completed two semesters of research guidance during the Fall semester need to submit the request by the end of the last week in February. Since two forms are required (one submitted by you, and another submitted by your research supervisor), please ask your research supervisor to prepare the request as well.
Doctoral Dissertation Proposal
Application for Doctoral Degree (Gakui Shinsei-sho)	Upon submission of the doctoral dissertation in Commerce (preliminary examination).	If there is no subtitle, you can leave it blank.
Curriculum Vitae		Please indicate year and month for your academic record. For your employment history, please indicate specific dates.
List of Publications and Research Achievements		If the publication is a portion of a larger work, please indicate the relevant page number(s). Under the thesis section, list the title of the last thesis submitted while enrolled in a master/doctoral degree program prior to entering the Doctor in Commerce program.
Letter of Recommendation		As a rule, please ask your research supervisor to fill out the form. If your research supervisor is expected to retire or leave the university during the period of dissertation review, please list a different GSC faculty member (Steering Committee member) as your recommender. As a note, retired research supervisors are allowed to join examiners as assistant examiners.
Letter of Agreement		Only a faculty member who belongs to the GSC Steering Committee member can sign the form.
Checklist of Prerequisites for Submittal of Dissertation		For currently enrolled students, please ensure that the details on the Certificate of Enrollment match with the List of Publications and Research Achievements that you submit each semester

[Application Forms (submit as needed)]

Form	Submission Timeline	Remarks
Report of Sharing Rate for Co-written Paper	When co-authored papers are counted as part of the application points required for the submission of the doctoral dissertation.	When you are including items such as co-authored papers in the application points, you will need to obtain consent from your co-author(s) regarding the reported ratios representing each author’s contribution . As a note, if points are proportionally divided (equally distributed based on the number of co-authors), the submission of this report is not required.
Consent to make Co-Written Paper a part of Doctoral Degree Dissertation	When the dissertation being submitted includes work which has been co-authored.	―
Correction Confirmation Report	When a doctoral degree dissertation (for the final examination) requires minor corrections afterpassing the Final Examination.	Please indicate on the report where corrections were made, correction details, reasons for the corrections, and reasons for approving the corrections (filled out by the instructor to explain why the corrections were appropriate) and attach it to the report. You will need to obtain approval stamps from the chief examiner, as well as all assistant examiners upon submission.

If you have any other questions, please contact the GSC office ([email protected]).

How to Search Theses

◆ Theses registered with Waseda University Repository

・Theses which are registered with Waseda University Repository can be searched and fully viewed on the Waseda University Repository. To search, proceed from the homepage by clicking on Faculty of Commerce（商学学術院）> Theses（学位論文等）> Doctoral degree (Graduate School of Commerce) （商学研究科） and then clicking on the Title button (entering a search word is optional) to see the list. If you know the title or keywords, it is also possible to search directly from websites such as Google Scholar and CiNii. It usually takes two to three months to register a thesis with Waseda University Repository.
◆ Theses not registered with Waseda University Repository
・Theses not registered with Waseda University Repository can be searched using the WINE system. To learn how to search, click here.
・To access non-registered theses, you must file the appropriate request with the Central Library.

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