Graduate School of Health Sciences (Doctor's Course)

Admission Policy

The Graduate School of Health Sciences (Doctoral Program) seeks to develop individuals who embody the following competencies:

For the cultivation of researchers and educators with the capability to independently research educational programs, equipment, and technological advancements related to health, medical care, and welfare, we define the following Profile of Prospective Students.

Students should have specialized ability that can be deeply integrated, with foundational research skills, along with a sensibility to understand the essence of people and things (Liberal Arts Ability). Students should also be able to lead problem-solving discussions with a variety of stakeholders (Communication Ability), and have a strong ethical stance coupled with logical and multifaceted inquiry ability to advance the establishment of health promotion science. We welcome such individuals, who can deepen their own knowledge from a wide range of learning and lead future health and medical teams, both domestically and internationally.

Abilities Expected of Prospective Students

【Implementation Ability】Implementation ability is the ability to define, understand the differences, and guide the solution of issues in the practice, education, research, and human resources development of health sciences.

In the face of larger challenges in these practices, students will be able to understand the differences and take the initiative to act towards a resolution.

【Inquiry Ability】Inquiry Ability is the ability to discern the essence of issues in the practice, education, research, and human resource development of health sciences.

Through multifaceted deliberation of the issues that have arisen in the field of health sciences, students will be able to apply their specialized abilities to fulfill their goals.
Student will learn to logically explain the essence of these issues to individuals from other specialty areas in a way that can be understood easily.

【Communication Ability】Communication ability is the ability to discuss and collaborate with various stakeholders.

Students will be able to engage in smooth communication that recognizes and embraces diverse cultures and values.
Students will be able to hold meaningful discussions aimed at mutually beneficial relationships with various stakeholders.

【Specialized Ability】Specialized ability is the ability to integrate the knowledge and skills of each student’s specialized area.

Students' will be able to integrate and utilize their specialized knowledge and skills of health and medical care, related fields, and the fundamental abilities for research.

【Liberal Arts Ability】Liberal Arts ability is the ability to gain wisdom from broad and deep learning.

With a high ethical sense, students will be able to reflect on their own actions, along with information and data they process. It is possible to look at societal changes both domestically and internationally, and judge the value of things from various perspectives. Through wider and deeper learning, students will be able to connect these changes to their own growth and understanding.
The desired skills for each course are detailed below.

Advanced Nursing Research Course

【Implementation Ability】
In confronting more significant challenges in the practice, education, research, and talent development of nursing and health sciences, students will be able to understand various differences and take the initiative in finding solutions.
【Inquiry Ability】
After identifying the challenges in nursing and health sciences through multifaceted examination, students will be able to utilize specialized ability from various perspectives to delve into their essence. Additionally, students will be able to logically explain the essence of these challenges in a way that individuals from other specialty areas can understand.
【Communication Ability】
Students will be able to facilitate smooth communication that acknowledges and mutually enhances diverse cultures and values. Moreover, students will be able to engage in discussions aimed at fostering reciprocal relationships with various stakeholders and handle discussions with others in English.
【Specialized Ability】
In the student’s area of expertise, they will be able to integrate and utilize the knowledge, skills, and foundational research abilities of nursing and health sciences and related fields.
【Liberal Arts Ability】
With a high ethical sense, students will be able to scrutinize their own actions and the information and data they handle. They can observe societal changes at home and abroad and judge the value of things from various perspectives. They can also foster their own growth through extensive and deep learning.

Radiological Technology / Advanced Research course

【Implementation Ability】
In facing more significant challenges in the practice, education, research, and talent development of radiological technology, students will be able to understand the differences and take the initiative in finding solutions.
【Inquiry Ability】
After identifying the challenges in radiological technology through multifaceted examination, students will be able to use their specialized skills from a variety of perspectives. Furthermore, students will be able to logically explain the essence of these challenges in a way that individuals from other specialty areas can understand.
【Communication Ability】
Students will be able to facilitate smooth communication that acknowledges and embraces diverse cultures and values. They can also engage in discussions aimed at fostering reciprocal relationships with various stakeholders and handle discussions with others in English.
【Specialized Ability】
In their area of expertise, students will be able to integrate and utilize the knowledge, skills, and foundational research abilities of radio technology science and related fields.
【Liberal Arts Ability】
With a high ethical sense, students will be able to scrutinize their own actions, as well as the information and data they handle. They can observe societal changes at home and abroad, and judge the value of things from various perspectives. They can also foster their own growth through extensive and deep learning.

Medical Laboratory Science / Advanced Research Course

【Implementation Ability】
This is the ability to understand various differences and take proactive action towards addressing broader issues in the practice, education, research, and human resource development of medical laboratory sciences.
【Inquiry Ability】
This is the ability to delve into the essence of specialized issues in medical laboratory sciences through multi-faceted examination and from various viewpoints. It is also the capability to logically explain the essence of the problem in a way that individuals from other specializations can comprehend.
【Communication Ability】
This is the ability to engage in smooth communication that recognizes and embraces diverse cultures and values. It is the ability to have a dialogue aimed at building mutually beneficial relationships with various stakeholders. This ability builds competence in handling discussions in English.
【Specialized Ability】
This is the ability to integrate and apply knowledge, skills, and fundamental research abilities from medical laboratory sciences and related fields.
【Liberal Arts Ability】
This is the ability to reflect on one's actions, information, and data with a high sense of ethics. Students will be able to observe societal changes at home and abroad, while making judgements from multiple perspectives. Students will also be able to connect wider and deeper learning to their own personal growth.

Medical Sonographer Course (Integrated Master's and Doctoral Program)

【Implementation Ability】
This is the ability to understand various differences and take proactive action towards addressing broader issues in the practice, education, research, and human resource development of ultrasonic diagnosis.
【Inquiry Ability】
This is the ability to delve into the essence of the specialized issues in ultrasonic diagnosis, through multi-faceted examination and from various viewpoints.
【Communication Ability】
This is the ability to engage in smooth communication that recognizes and embraces diverse cultures and values. It is the ability to have a dialogue aimed at building mutually beneficial relationships with various stakeholders.
【Specialized Ability】
This is the ability to integrate and apply knowledge, skills, and fundamental research abilities from medical laboratory sciences and related fields. Students will be able to gain fundamental knowledge and skills in ultrasonic measurements and be capable of performing ultrasonic measurement routines. They will also improve the English skills necessary for their study.
【Liberal Arts Ability】
This is the ability to reflect on one's actions, information, and data with a high sense of ethics. Students will be able to observe societal changes at home and abroad, while making judgements from multiple perspectives. Students will also be able to connect wider and deeper learning to their own personal growth.

Genome Medicine and Medical Science Course

【Inquiry Ability】
This is the ability to delve into the essence of the specialized issues in genomic medicine, through multi-faceted examination and from various viewpoints. It is also the ability to logically explain the essence of the problem in a way that individuals from other specializations can comprehend.

【Communication Ability】
This is the ability to engage in smooth communication that recognizes and embraces diverse cultures and values. It is the ability to have a dialogue aimed at building mutually beneficial relationships with various stakeholders.

【Specialized Ability】
This is the ability to integrate and apply specialized knowledge, skills, and fundamental research abilities from medical laboratory sciences and related fields. Students will be able to receive certification related to genetics or obtain equivalent abilities. They will also improve the English skills necessary for their study.

【Liberal Arts Ability】
This is the ability to reflect on one's actions, information, and data with a high sense of ethics. Students will be able to observe societal changes at home and abroad, while making judgements from multiple perspectives. Students will also be able to connect wider and deeper learning to their own personal growth.

Screening Policy of the Graduate School of Health Sciences (Doctor's Course)

To secure a broad and diverse range of talents, we will conduct several types of admissions, such as the General Entrance Examination, Examination for Working Professionals, Special Entrance Examination for International Students, Selection of Progressing Students, and Special Entrance Examination for Foreign Students who have completed the O-NECUS Program (Okayama University-North East China Universities platform, Graduate Student Exchange Program).

Screening Method of the Graduate School of Health Sciences (Doctor's Course)

We will evaluate various elements such as language proficiency and thesis writing ability required for studying in the graduate school, either by written examination, oral examination (interview), document review, or a combination of these.

Screening Process

(1) General Entrance Examination: This is an examination for those who wish to advance to graduate school, requiring document review and academic tests (written and oral examinations). In the document review, multiple professors will comprehensively verify the expertise, research achievements, and career plans acquired by the time of examination. The written test will use English assignments in the field of health and medical sciences to comprehensively evaluate not only language proficiency but also understanding of logical structure, and Japanese language skills. In the oral examination, multiple professors will comprehensively evaluate knowledge on specialized subjects, comprehension, career plan, English proficiency, and thesis writing ability.

(2) Examination for Working Professionals: This is an examination for applicants who are employed at the time of application and will continue in that status after admission, requiring document review and academic tests (written and oral examinations). In the document review, multiple professors will comprehensively verify the expertise, research achievements, and career plans acquired by the time of examination. The written test will use English assignments in the field of health and medical sciences to comprehensively evaluate not only language proficiency but also understanding of logical structure, and Japanese language skills. In the oral examination, multiple professors will comprehensively evaluate knowledge on specialized subjects, comprehension, career plan as a working professional, English proficiency, and thesis writing ability.

(3) Special Entrance Examination for International Students: This is an examination for applicants who do not have Japanese nationality, requiring document review and oral examination. In the document review and oral examination, multiple professors will comprehensively evaluate language proficiency, expertise, career plan, and cross-cultural adaptability necessary for study, which have been acquired by the time of examination.

(4) Selection of Progressing Students: This is a selection for those who are expected to complete the Master's or Doctoral program at Okayama University Graduate School by March of the year following the examination, requiring document review and oral examination. In the document review and oral examination, multiple professors will comprehensively evaluate the research content carried out in the Doctoral program, career plan, specialized knowledge, and English proficiency.

(5) Special Entrance Examination for Foreign Students who have completed the O-NECUS Program: This is an examination for those who have completed the O-NECUS Program (Okayama University-North East China Universities platform, Graduate Student Exchange Program), requiring document review. In the document review, multiple professors will comprehensively verify the language proficiency, expertise, research content during the O-NECUS study period, and economic conditions necessary for study, which have been acquired by the time of examination.

Prior to Enrollment

Please aim to improve your English skills, especially reading comprehension.
It is expected that you will deepen your knowledge necessary for data collection, processing, and analysis, such as statistics, mathematical and data science. It is necessary to further improve your scientific thinking ability by continuing to explore the events and issues at hand.