The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Kagoshima University confers degrees on the basis of the principles outlined below, in accordance with Kagoshima University’s degree conferment policy and the Graduate School’s educational objectives.

For MA courses, the Graduate School confers a Master’s degree on those students who have acquired the following capabilities, successfully completed the required units, successfully completed the review of their Master’s thesis etc., and passed the final examination.

1. Acquisition of the ability to undertake basic research involving surveys and analysis based on specialist knowledge in humanities and social sciences fields which has been acquired systematically through fieldwork, research work, etc., while adhering to appropriate research ethics.
2. Acquisition of the ability to contribute towards local community development and the development of the wider international community through the integration of specialist knowledge in the humanities and social sciences with efforts to address practical problems.

So as to cultivate the types of human talent specified in Kagoshima University’s curriculum development and implementation strategy and in the Graduate School’s educational objectives, the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Kagoshima University has formulated, and implements, a systematic curriculum, based on the following principles.

1. For MA courses, in order to enable students to learn specialist knowledge and methods in the humanities and social sciences in a systematic manner, and in accordance with research ethics, we provide seminars, lectures etc, in specialist fields. We also provide teaching in relation to thesis guidance, to enable students to undertake the writing of their Master’s thesis or PhD thesis in a carefully planned manner.
2. For the PhD course, in order to enhance students’ ability to apply specialist humanities and social sciences knowledge to solving practical problems, and to strengthen their understanding of local communities and the wider international community, as well as strengthening their communications skills, we provide classes on project-based research-focusing on fieldwork surveys and guidance with respect to foreign-language academic papers. In addition, in order to further continuing education for mature students, we provide special seminars, etc., and also implement a system of providing both daytime and evening classes, as well as systems for obtaining a degree that do not require the writing of a Master’s thesis.

Educational objectives of the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences
The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences is Kagoshima University’s only graduate school in the field of humanities and social sciences, and aims to cultivate talented individuals who possess a high level of specialist expertise and strong research capabilities in relation to the humanities and social sciences. To this end, the Graduate School has set itself the following educational objectives:

1. To help students to acquire a high level of specialist knowledge and skill in the humanities and social sciences, and to cultivate the ability to identify, explore and solve problems.
2. To help students to develop a high level of research ethics, and to cultivate an attitude towards the conducting of research that seeks to observe objectively.
3. To cultivate in students the ability to make effective use of their specialist knowledge and skills in the humanities and social sciences to contribute towards social and cultural development in the local community.
4. To help students to develop a global world-view, and to cultivate the capabilities that will enable them to make a positive contribution towards the development of the global community.