In 1979, the first post graduate school for humanities in Kagoshima University was established with the Graduate School of Law. This was followed in 1986 with the establishment of the Graduate School of Humanities. These two were then combined in 1998, which led to the formation of the current Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences. This newly formed graduate school consisted of four sperate majors, Law, Economics and Social Systems, Humanistic-Environmental Cultural Science, and International Cultural Sciences. This was followed by the introduction of the PhD Regional Area Policy major in 2003. Presently, the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences consists of 4 MA courses and 1 PhD program that are producing graduates with high-level research and educational skills, who make an active contribution to society.

At the heart of any graduate school, and what sets it apart from undergraduate studies, is research. New research builds upon prior results and provides solutions and new ways of looking at the various issues that exist in society today. It is not enough to just simply learn knowledge, but it is important to gain the ability to go out and look at an issue in society and gain firsthand knowledge and understanding through personal research and investigation, which will guide you to your own solutions. Today’s modern society is complex and awash with different ethics and values. Therefore, there are times when it will be difficult to address different issues by only following traditional/conventional ways of study. In these cases, we must find new approaches that go beyond the existing ways of thinking to find ways to solve our problems. The path of new discovery will be lined with difficulty and tough times, however, the contribution to society people can make through continued research, leads to a great sense of accomplishment.

The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences staff consist of a group of teachers with expert knowledge across all fields of study. They use their experience and expertise to guide and support graduate students through their research projects. For those aspiring to conduct research in the fields of humanities and social sciences, please take that first step and come join us here in our institution.

The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences was established in 1998 through the merger of Kagoshima University’s existing Graduate School of Law, Economics and Social Systems (established in 1979) and Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (established in 1986), which was undertaken to facilitate continued development. Currently, the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences comprises four MA courses (Law, Economic and Social Systems, Humanistic-Environmental Cultural Science, and International Cultural Sciences), and one PhD program (Social Sciences). Within the PhD program, there are three courses of study: Regional Policy, Cultural Policy, and Islands Policy.

Besides undertaking high-level research and education in each individual specialist field, the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences also undertakes practically-oriented research in close collaboration with local communities, with a particular focus on project-based research. In addition, we have adopted a proactive approach to the enrollment of mature students, by implementing a system that combines daytime and evening classes, and we provide classes on outlying islands through the Amami Access Centre (which opened on Amami-Oshima Island in 2004, followed by the establishment of a branch campus on Tokunoshima Island in 2007). Through initiatives such as these, we are proactively meeting the needs of adult learners who wish to take a Master’s degree or PhD.

The Regional Management Research Center was established with the aim of contributing towards the development of management in the local community. The Centre’s objectives are not limited to strengthening business management in the community; the focus has been expanded to include supporting local government administration, and developing solutions for the various problems that affect Southern Kyushu.

Another objective of the Amami Access Centre is to provide support for Graduate School education in relation to the humanities and social sciences.

For information on the Regional Management Research Center please use the following link to Kagoshima University’s English Homepage

http://www.leh.kagoshima-u.ac.jp/rmrc/

For information about international exchange activities and partner institutions, please visit the Kagoshima University home page.

https://www.kagoshima-u.ac.jp/en/international_coorperation_projects/