School of Law (Professional Degree Course)

Admission Policy

The School of Law is seeking individuals who possess the abilities listed below.

Profile of Prospective Students

At the Okayama University Graduate School of Law, we seek students who align with our philosophy of “nurturing legal professionals rooted in and dedicated to the local community” and embody the following characteristics:

・Individuals with a broad interest in social issues
・Individuals with a sense of ethics and justice
・Individuals with logical thinking abilities
・Individuals with Communication Ability
・Individuals striving to acquire systematic legal knowledge and practical legal application abilities suitable for highly specialized legal professionals

Abilities Expected of Prospective Students

【Specialized Ability】
Capable of expressing their thoughts in a logical and persuasive manner

【Implementation Ability】
Capable of confronting a wide range of social issues and taking action towards resolution

【Inquiry Ability】
Capable of independently researching social issues of interest

【Liberal Arts Ability and Insightful Ability】
Capable of maintaining a broad interest in social issues and continuing to learn

【Communication Ability】
Capable of considering diverse opinions in the process of problem-solving

Basic Policy for Student Selection

In order to ensure a diverse student body that aligns with our ideal candidate image, we administer General Admissions for those without prior legal education, General Admissions for those with prior legal education, and Special Admissions for the Legal Course. Additionally, multiple dates are set for the General Admissions.

Method for Student Selection

For each of the above three types of admissions, we combine the following methods to measure the academic ability or aptitude suitable for studying at the School of Law:
1. Document Screening
2. Short Essay Exam
3. Legal Subject Exam
4. Interview Exam
5. Legal Course Performance
The final decision on admission is made at a faculty meeting after discussions in the Admissions Committee.

Screening Process

・General Admissions (for those without prior legal education): In the General Admissions for those without prior legal education (3-year course), admission decisions are made based on a comprehensive assessment of the results of a Short Essay Exam (200 points), and an Interview Exam and Document Screening (100 points). Legal knowledge is not evaluated in this admissions.
・General Admissions (for those with prior legal education): In the General Admissions for those with prior legal education (2-year course), admission decisions are made based on a comprehensive assessment of the results of a Legal Subject Exam (300 points), and an Interview Exam and Document Screening (100 points).
・Special Admissions for the Legal Course: In the Special Admissions for the Legal Course (2-year course and only for those who have completed the Legal Program at Okayama University), admission decisions are made based on a comprehensive assessment of the results of a Legal Course Performance (100 points), and an Interview Exam and Document Screening (100 points).

Each review and exam assesses whether the applicant possesses the following abilities and qualities that align with our desired candidate image.
1. Document Screening: Broad interest in societal issues, intellectual endurance
to withstand education at our school, high learning motivation, sense of ethics and justice required for legal professionals, clarity and strength of the reasons for applying to our school
2. Short Essay Exam: Ability to accurately understand, analyze, and summarize written text; ability to logically think and appropriately explain the content based on the text
3. Legal Subject Exam: Ability to accurately understand and analyze text, accurately grasp and express legal issues, and have basic legal knowledge and understanding that can respond to advanced learning in legal fundamental subjects
4. Interview Exam: Strength of the reasons for applying to our school, interest in social issues, logical thinking ability, Communication Ability, including the ability to appropriately express thought content
5. Legal Course Performance: We evaluate the acquisition status of each ability to accurately understand and analyze text, accurately grasp and express legal issues, and have basic legal knowledge and understanding that can respond to advanced learning in legal fundamental subjects.

Prior to Enrollment

(1) Regardless of the department they graduated from, students are expected to be able to research various issues arising in society, contemplate considering diverse opinions, and logically and persuasively express their own thoughts.
(2) In addition to (1), those with prior legal education are expected to have adequate knowledge in basic legal subjects (Constitution, Civil Law, Commercial Law, Civil Procedure Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure Law).