Educational Policy of The Graduate School of Health Sciences (Master’s Course) (Nursing Research Course)
Fundamental Educational Goals
In the Nursing Research Course, we strive to enhance educational activities, our most essential social contribution. Based on the results of advanced, cutting-edge research, we foster the ability for students to actively participate in the “creation of knowledge.” We support students to develop a rich sense of humanity through close dialogue and discussions with fellow students and faculty members. Our education aims to nurture professionals with high comprehensive abilities and character, who can play a central role in a wide range of fields, primarily in healthcare, both domestically and internationally.
Exemplary Students
Advanced professionals with fundamental research capabilities that can make an international impact through “holistic care” and “team care” for the practice and establishment of health promotion.
The Nursing Research Course is based on the guiding philosophy of “practicing and establishing health promotion.” To achieve this, we set “holistic care” and “team care” as our educational principles. We train advanced professionals, fostering fundamental research abilities that establish professional standards and respond to societal needs.
Specifically, we will foster individuals to develop the following five abilities:
○ Implementation Ability: Practical skills for holistic and advanced healthcare, such as connecting to the global community, leveraging diversity, and problem-solving in nursing.
○ Inquiry Ability: Possessing basic research skills and approaching nursing issues logically and in a multifaceted manner.
○ Communication Ability: Able to collaborate as the core of a health and medical team.
○ Specialized Ability: Capable of integrating advanced knowledge and techniques of nursing, contributing to the improvement of health, medical care, and welfare.
○ Liberal Arts Ability: Able to deepen personal knowledge through a wide range of learning opportunities and by flexibly responding to changes in society and the environment.
Degree Policy
In order to develop exemplary graduates, the Nursing Research Course awards degrees to students who have studied for the prescribed period of time, acquired the following competences, and earned the credits required for graduation.
Abilities acquired: Implementation Ability, Inquiry Ability, Communication Ability, Specialized Ability, Liberal Arts Ability
【Implementation Ability】 For holistic and cutting-edge health and medical care, ability to connect with the global community, leverage diversity, and take lead in addressing the challenges of nursing.
While understanding individual differences, can take initiative to act towards resolving issues in nursing.
Can contribute to health promotion in local and international communities.
Can practice holistic and advanced health and medical care.
【Inquiry Ability】 Basic research abilities and the ability to approach nursing issues logically and multidimensionally.
Using specialized nursing knowledge, can identify issues through multifaceted approaches and discover solutions independently.
Explain the essence of a problem so that people from other professional fields can understand.
【Communication Ability】 Ability to widely collaborate as a core member of a health and medical team.
As a nursing professional, can understand one’s role in team-based medical care.
Through smooth communication, can give and seek help with others across professional fields.
【Specialized Ability】 Ability to integrate advanced knowledge and skills in nursing to contribute to the enhancement of health, medical care, and welfare.
Possess knowledge and techniques regarding nursing research methods.
Can deeply integrate knowledge and skills.
【Liberal Arts Ability】 Competencies, such as the ability to deepen one’s knowledge through a wide range of learning opportunities and by flexibly responding to changes in society and the environment.
Can collect and analyze information and use it appropriately.
Can find direction and plan for one’s and society’s future creation.
Can use broader and deeper learning for personal growth.
Curriculum Policy
To cultivate individuals who have acquired the skills outlined in our Degree Policy, the Nursing Research Course establishes and implements a curriculum based on the following policies and concepts.
Educational Implementation Policy
We implement education that fosters students' ability to continuously learn towards the realization of a sustainable society.
Education principles, methods, and evaluation
Based on autonomous, collaborative, and deep learning pedagogies and prioritizing “what the students have become capable of” over “what was taught,” we provide the following educational content and methods for General Education, Specialized Education, and Language Education respectively.
【General Education】
Aiming to develop basic skills required for all students, we provide practical activities that involve learning with other students, growing, and creating together.
In the Nursing Research Course, we implement an educational program based on our Degree Policy. The standard period of study in the master’s course is two years, and students must earn the required credits stipulated in each sub-program and receive necessary research guidance, and then undergo a thesis review and final exams.
In the first year, in the “Introduction to Degree Program”, we outline the learner-centered education in the degree program, the persona to be cultivated in this sub-program, learning objectives, and learning outcomes. We also provide guidance on research basics so students can learn autonomously about research ethics, intellectual property rights, and information security. In “Leadership and SDGs,” students learn about SDGs, UN organizations, JICA, local community issues, business concepts, fundraising, policy making, innovation, entrepreneurship, etc., as ways of continuous contribution to society and communities throughout life. In the required electives general/core courses “Topics in Health Promotion Science” and “Topics in Medical Bioethics”, students examine and debate various issues and are evaluated through written assignments. In “Risk Management,” they learn from past cases about response methods, enabling them to flexibly respond to social and environmental changes, provide holistic and advanced health care as a core member of the health care team, and become highly specialized professionals who can contribute to the practice of health science and health promotion. In “Topics in Research Methodology,” they learn the latest research methods.
Regarding learning assessment, we clearly specify the criteria and methods for grading class subjects in advance, and rigorously evaluate learning outcomes based on them. For master's theses and specific assignments in the graduate course, we disclose the assessment standards and methods and then conduct assessments based on them. As for the master's thesis, passing a review and defense is required. For the evaluation of the thesis, we organize a review committee composed of at least two members. (If budgetary support is available within the program, researchers from outside the university may be invited to serve on the committee.) The chairperson of the examination committee is selected by the members.
【Specialized Education】
We systematically provide the content of specialized fields for in-depth understanding, and we offer opportunities to integrate or create knowledge from different specialized areas.
In the first year, through interdisciplinary lecture and seminar courses in this program, students will acquire advanced specialized knowledge and skills, thus contributing to the improvement of health, medical care, and welfare. Students will be evaluated through written assignments and presentations. Over the course of two years, the implementation of “Thesis Research” cultivates fundamental research abilities and a spirit of inquiry, nurturing a passion for lifelong learning. In close engagement with faculty, students tackle issues and are supported through the process of compiling their research into a thesis over two years, aiming to improve problem-solving skills and logical thinking while mastering the latest knowledge and techniques in their field. At intermediate stages, evaluations are made through presentations with other graduate students and faculty, ensuring students thoroughly comprehend the issue and their progress.
To foster students with rich liberal arts competencies transcending their specialized fields and to guide students based on their individual needs, we appoint an assistant supervisor in addition to the main supervisor, managing the research process.
For students with no relevant work experience before and during enrollment, participation in “Internship Practice (Master)” is compulsory. We provide opportunities for practical experience in the community to apply the results of their learning.
In the “Nursing Research Course,” which is a course specializing in the training of medical professionals, over two years, students acquire advanced specialized knowledge and skills, basic research abilities, and knowledge and skills outside the specialized field. Experts in each field evaluate knowledge and skills from a clinical perspective.
Through the implementation of such an educational curriculum, we nurture individuals who can provide holistic and advanced health and medical care as a core member a team. Based on rich professional knowledge and skills, they can flexibly respond to changes and issues throughout their lives and contribute to the practice of health promotion.
The educational curriculum, connected to the SDGs, is subject to regular and continuous improvements, implementing the PDCA cycle, from various perspectives such as faculty development, organizational internal evaluation, external evaluation, and analysis of students’ course evaluations.
In terms of assessment, we clearly stipulate the standards and methods for grading course subjects in advance and strictly evaluate learning outcomes based on them.
【Language Education】
We provide education to enhance English skills needed to thrive in a global society.
Presentations on one’s overseas and domestic research as well as international internships and research activities are assessed for credit over a two-year period. We aim to cultivate presentation skills, communication skills, and debate skills, and support the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in English.
Extracurricular Education Policy
We offer various extracurricular opportunities for students to grow beyond what they learn in the classroom.