Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Degree Programs

Degrees offered in the Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies Master’s Programs are as follows.

Structure and Outline of the Master’s Programs in GSA

Master’s Program in Asia Pacific Studies

1) Policy for Curriculum Structure

In light of the educational objectives stipulated in the University Regulations, the Master’s Program in Asia Pacific Studies is composed of two Divisions—International Relations and Society and Culture—each with its own curriculum. Each Division will offer its own Major Subjects, and Analytical Foundation Subjects and Core Subjects on the Asia Pacific Region will be offered jointly with the International Cooperation Policy Major to provide students with basic research skills and knowledge on the Asia Pacific. Meanwhile, students will receive individual research supervision in the Seminars.

a) International Relations (IR)

The International Relations (IR) division is aimed at expanding the students’ empirical knowledge base and sharpening their analytical and theoretical thinking about social, economic, political, and security phenomena in the globalizing world. The courses in this division provide a useful knowledge base for both academic-bound students and practitioner-bound students with an intended career in security, diplomacy, and media. The major courses in this division include international security, international political economy, international law, and conflict resolution and allow students to choose their subfield(s) to focus on toward their paper writing.

b) Society and Culture (SC)

The Asia Pacific is one of the most rapidly developing regions in recent decades. To capture the patterns of social and cultural changes that occurred, the Society and Culture (SC) division is devoted to promote comparative academic research on the region. The students can acquire practical skills in formulating and conducting research using theories and methods developed in sociology, cultural anthropology, or communication and media studies. With knowledge concerning social and cultural backgrounds of the countries in the regions, it enables students to have greater employment opportunities in government, industrial, commercial and academic institutes.

2) Policy for Curriculum Implementation

In their coursework, students will gain a solid understanding of research methods and basic knowledge of the Asia Pacific, upon which they will pursue subjects primarily in their respective divisions. They may also take subjects from the International Cooperation Policy Major and other divisions.
Based on their individual research topics, students will receive research supervision and work on a final written assignment in the seminars.

Master’s Program in International Cooperation Policy (applicable for students enrolled April 2021 onwards)

1) Policy for Curriculum Structure

In light of the educational objectives stipulated in the University Regulations, the Master’s Program in International Cooperation Policy is composed of four Divisions— International Public Administration, Sustainability Science, Tourism and Hospitality and Development Economics —each with its own curriculum.
Each Division will offer its own Major Subjects, and Analytical Foundation Subjects and Core Subjects on the Asia Pacific Region will be offered jointly with the International Cooperation Policy Major to provide students with basic research skills and knowledge on the Asia Pacific. Meanwhile, students will receive individual research supervision in the Seminars.

a) International Public Administration (IPA)

The International Public Administration (IPA) division is aimed at providing knowledge and skills to those who are interested in pursuing an advancing career in national and international governmental organizations in an era of increasing globalization. The study at the division enables students to improve professional and practical skills to manage and evaluate administrative operations and policies in national, regional, and global settings. The major courses in this division relate to international organizations, international cooperation policy, and public administration form the foundation, on which each student can further build more focused study depending on their intended policy fields.

b) Sustainability Science (SS)

Sustainability Science is the application of science for achieving the goals of sustainable development. Sustainability Science is about using science in the analysis, planning and implementation of policies and actions dealing with interactions between the society and nature with a view to creating a sustainable future for all. It involves the scientific understanding of society-nature interactions; linking research with policy and actions; generating new knowledge, tools and techniques; and enhancing scientific and institutional capability for promoting resilience and sustainability. The students are expected to gain holistic perspective, integrative skills, and trans-disciplinary orientation as they engage in analyzing and managing population-resource-technology-institution interactions relevant to particular problems and issues or ecological settings, both man-made and natural ecosystems.

c) Tourism and Hospitality (TH)

Tourism is a fast-growing economic sector that transforms societies and communities in the Asia Pacific region. The Tourism and Hospitality (TH) division looks at various aspects of tourism (both mass tourism and alternative tourism) and its economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts on societies and communities, mostly through the lenses of the human and social sciences. The division also studies the theory and practice of hospitality management as it relates to the tourism, service, and health and welfare industries. The knowledge and academic / professional skills obtained from our division will be useful to a wide variety of employment opportunities, in government service, international organizations, and private corporations, as well as to further study in Master’s and Doctoral programs.

d) Development Economics (DE)

The Development Economics (DE) division is aimed at those who are interested in the socio-economic issues of the developing world. Study in this division enables students to improve their critical and analytical skills in development economics, including industrial development, social development, political development, rural development and poverty alleviation, as well enhancing their professional and practical skills related to international development. This division also aims to enhance the development of research skills in this field for those who are wishing to pursue further study. The knowledge and skills obtained will provide a wide variety of employment opportunities in international organizations, national and local governments, international development agencies, NGOs, and development consultancy firms.

2) Policy for Curriculum Implementation

In their coursework, students will gain a solid understanding of research methods and basic knowledge of the Asia Pacific, upon which they will pursue subjects primarily in their respective divisions. They may also take subjects from the Asia Pacific Studies Major and other divisions.
Based on their individual research topics, students will receive research supervision and work on a final written assignment in the seminars.

Master’s Program in International Cooperation Policy (applicable for students enrolled before April 2021)

Conferral of Degrees

The GSA Faculty Council will review each student’s credit and the results of the Master’s Thesis or Research Report examination. The reviewed results will be presented to the Higher Degrees Committee for approval. Following approval by the Higher Degrees Committee, the president will confer the Master’s Degree.

Rescindment of Degrees

If it is found that a graduate has obtained their degree through improper means, or if the recipient has done anything to damage the University’s reputation, the President may decide to rescind (cancel) a degree previously granted.

Divisions and Programs

Graduate students must belong to one of the following Divisions and should choose their Division at the time of enrollment.

GSAM Majors, Divisions and Programs

International Material Flow Management Program (IMAT)
Please read the information on the following page for details.

IMAT Program