Educational/Research Objectives and Policies - Division of Economics (Correspondence Education)

Educational and Research Objectives

Designed for working adults, the Correspondence Education in the Division of Economics aims to nurture individuals with advanced judgment capability and practical skills, who can analyze economic issues encountered in the real world from both theoretical and empirical perspectives, having studied the areas of economic policy that they are interested in through correspondence education.

Policies

Diploma Policy

Based on the educational and research objectives of the Program, the Division of Economics administers a final examination to students who have completed the curriculum established by the division, earned the required number of credits, and submitted a master’s thesis (task-oriented research report), and confers a “Master’s Degree (in Economics)” on students who have fulfilled the completion requirements to ensure that students acquire the following four qualities:

Knowledge for understanding issues encountered in the real world from an economic perspective
Advanced intellectual judgment capability for performing economic analyses of various issues from both theoretical and empirical perspectives using the economic knowledge acquired
Practical skills for appropriately conveying to third parties the validity of elicitation processes used to derive one’s solutions to issues and the effectiveness of those solutions
Ability to understand and analyze trends in economic society logically and from various perspectives based on an economic way of thinking, and the ability and enthusiasm to apply the educational achievements acquired in the Division of Economics to fulfill one’s social role

Curriculum Policy

Many of the students in the Division of Economics, through their experiences in society, have already identified a very specific theme or problem that they wish to address. In order to deepen this as research and achieve results, it is essential to relearn economic theory and analysis methods from fundamental content. We have established a curriculum that enables students to achieve the goals set out in the Diploma Policy (for approving graduation and conferring degrees) through a two-year course of study, even if their knowledge of economics is insufficient when they enter the school. Moreover, our long-term study system, for students who find it difficult to balance work and study, helps to maintain and enhance students’ motivation to learn and creates an environment in which students can successfully complete their research project.

We provide opportunities for students to receive research guidance and accomplishment having reached a common understanding with their research supervisor through the preparation of research guidance plans, which students submit at the beginning of each academic year. In addition, we administer questionnaire surveys during each semester, at the end of each semester, and to students who have completed the course. Information on all research guidance plans and the aggregate results of these questionnaire surveys is systematically shared through the Division of Economics Committee, and through this process the curriculum is optimized through self-inspection and evaluation of the educational outcomes for individual courses and the curriculum as a whole.

1. Educational Content
Year 1
We offer Basic Microeconomics and Basic Macroeconomics courses, which support students who do not have sufficient knowledge of economics through introductory education to help them learn more efficiently in the related applied courses.
In Quantitative Analysis Practice, we provide instruction to help students, particularly those who need to use statistical data processing and analysis skills in their future research, acquire the ability to analyze information.

Through lecture courses (Advanced Study A and B) and seminar courses (Advanced Seminar I and II) conducted by the respective research supervisors, we help students acquire the basic knowledge and skills needed to conduct research over the two years of the program and encourage them to conduct research based on a concrete plan. We have also established a course model, based on the mutual cooperation among course teachers, which provides students with the knowledge and analysis methods in the related fields that are necessary for each research theme. The course model is used in course guidance with the research supervisor, which allows students to learn in an efficient and systematic manner and select courses that match their interests.

Year 2
Learning centers on seminar courses (Advanced Seminar I and II) conducted by the respective research supervisors. In these courses, students further deepen the research they have conducted in the first-year seminar courses and receive guidance designed to help them achieve the learning outcomes needed to fulfill the requirements of the Diploma Policy.

2. Educational Methods
The educational methods of the courses in the two-year program are basically the same, regardless of whether the course is a lecture or seminar course. In all courses, students present issues, submit assignments, and the course teacher provides feedback through online correspondence using methods such as email. In addition, some courses include instruction based on interactive communication that makes use of the internet environment.

3. Evaluation of Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes of each course are evaluated according to the methods and standards of assessment stipulated in the syllabus of each course, including submission of assignments during the semester. In addition, students who have earned the specified credits and submitted a master’s thesis (task-oriented research report) undergo screening and a final examination (oral examination), and program completion is approved, and a degree conferred, following deliberations in the faculty.

Admission Policy

The Division of Economics seeks students with the following qualities who can be expected to meet the requirements of the Division of Economics Diploma Policy (for approving program completion and conferring degrees), which are based on the school philosophy of the university, through the two-year program of study:

Clear goal of acquiring advanced judgment capability and practical skills for addressing economic problems in the real world as a working adult
Strong interest in economic issues actually encountered as a working adult
Basic ability for studying at graduate school

With the above students in mind, our selection process consists of document screening (stage one) and an interview (stage two).