Graduate School of Political ScienceWaseda University

You need to consider GSPS Committee meeting schedule for your process of doctoral degree disseration.

AY2021　GSPS Committee meeting schedule

Please apply for the establishment of a “Dissertation Guidance Committee” during the prescribed period after consulting fully with your main advisor from about 1 year after the “Qualifying Examination” or “Basic Knowledge Examination” (refer to “6. Dissertation Submission Entitlement System”) (at the earliest, an application can be made in the 1^st semester of the 2^nd year of the doctoral program). The “Dissertation Guidance Committee” is composed of the judges of the “Dissertation Concept Examination”, which is explained below, and provides ongoing guidance on the preparation of the doctoral dissertation after the passing of the exam. The “Dissertation Guidance Committee” is composed of a main advisor and two sub-advisors. The main advisor of the “Dissertation Guidance Committee” is the main advisor at the time of the application for the establishment of a “Dissertation Guidance Committee.” One of the sub-advisors must be a faculty member of the course (cases of the Journalism course or Global Political Economy course) or research area (case of the Political Science course). However, this shall not apply if the main advisor has judged that the selection of a sub-advisor from another course or research area is necessary due to the content of research. The other sub-advisor must be selected from outside of this Graduate School (not including faculty members of this Graduate School who have taken mandatory retirement). However, the appointment of a faculty member of this Graduate School who has taken mandatory retirement as a sub-advisor will be recognized if the Dissertation Guidance Committee has judged that it is necessary from a specialized knowledge perspective.

Typical composition of a Dissertation Guidance Committee

Main advisor 1 person (the main advisor up to the application for the establishment of a Dissertation Guidance Committee

Sub-advisor 1 person (main area or course of affiliation) *A faculty member from another area or course is also possible depending on the case

Sub-advisor 1 person (outside the Graduate School) * A faculty member of this Graduate School who has taken mandatory retirement is also possible depending on the case

In order to complete the doctoral program, a student must be enrolled in the doctoral program for at least 3 years, submit a doctoral dissertation after receiving the prescribed research guidance and the dissertation must pass a dissertation review. However, enrollment for longer than 6 years is not possible. On the Political Science course, in principle, in addition to the requirements above, the taking of specialist research subjects is also required in accordance with the policy below.

Taking of specialist research subjects (only Political Science course)

Students must take the specialist research subjects required in accordance with the guidance of the main advisor for the knowledge, etc., that the student lacks in light of the student’s research theme and the content of prior studies as compulsory elective subjects and must obtain at least 6 credits. When selecting the courses, we advise taking them as follows matched to the history of the doctoral program student at this Graduate School.

1)       Students who have progressed from the master’s program of this Graduate School without changing area

Acquire at least 6 credits in the subjects that the main advisor has judged to be necessary for each student and provided guidance on, such as specialist research subjects, etc., in another area that the student wants to make a sub-area of the “Qualifying Examination.”

* If the subjects have already been taken on the master’s program, the student will be exempted.

2)       Students who have changed areas when progressing from the master’s program of this Graduate School

Acquire at least 6 credits in combination with the subjects that the main advisor has judged to be necessary for each student and provided guidance on, such as specialist research subjects in the area that the student wants to make their main area or specialist research subjects, etc., in another area that the student wants to make a sub-area of the “Qualifying Examination.”

* If the subjects have already been taken on the master’s program, the student will be exempted.

3)       Students who have progressed from courses other than the courses of the master’s program of this Graduate School

Acquire at least 6 credits in combination with the subjects that the main advisor has judged to be necessary for each student and provided guidance on, such as specialist research subjects in the main area and / or specialist research subjects, etc., in another area that the student wants to make a sub-area of the “Qualifying Examination.”