The Graduate School of Kyoto Women’s University opened in 1966 and has since carried out a considerable amount of significant research work. 2015 saw the establishment of the Graduate school of Law. These courses aim to improve graduate education at Kyoto Women’s University.
In a world where women play increasingly important roles in society, we are required to have highly specialized knowledge and skills in every field of human endeavor. Unlimited possibilities await students who successfully complete their research programs in our Graduate Schools.

There are three research fields—Japanese literature, Japanese linguistics, and Chinese classics—in which students choose their own issues of interest to research. Students acquire a high level of research capabilities while collaborating in other research fields. The graduates look to work in the field of education or related fields in Japan or other countries.

Master's Course Studies
Japanese Literature
Students study a wide range of literature from different periods, including ancient, medieval, early modern, and modern literature.
Japanese Language
Students consider the various questions and problems surrounding the Japanese language and Japanese language history.
Classical Chinese
Students read, interpret, and gain the ability to interpret Chinese literary texts that have had such a large impact on Japanese literature, as well as Chinese literary texts written in Japan.

In the doctoral course, students continue with more advanced research in the three fields studied in the master's course. The aim is to provide students with the wide perspectives and research capabilities needed to approach issues with fresh eyes and open minds. Graduates look to work with research groups in their field of academia or as educators.

Doctoral Course Studies
Japanese Literature
Students are given a systematic overview of the respective fields of ancient, medieval, early modern, and modern literature, and are provided faculty-led lectures where they can learn about different research in related fields.
Japanese Language
In both historical research and contemporary language study, there are countless fascinating unsolved questions and problems.  We aim to instill in students a broad perspective to thoroughly investigate any given topic.
Classical Chinese
Classical Chinese, including Japanese poems written in Chinese, is a field with numerous topics and a great deal of future potential. Looking towards the organic connections between Chinese literature and Japanese literature written in Chinese, research guidance is conducted from a broad perspective.

Under the guidance of their professors, students acquire up-to-date knowledge in fields such as British and American literature, English linguistics, and English-language education. They also read English-language documents to be able to properly understand, compare, and appreciate them. Students take tutorials for guidance in writing their master's thesis in English. Graduates can continue to the doctoral course, or begin working as high school teachers or as English-language specialists in private industry.

Master`s Course Studies

Along with systematically implementing specialty education in the fields of English literature and English studies, we have prepared a class curriculum that relates broadly to English-speaking countries as well as serving to familiarize students with the interpretation of specialist literature and the production of a thesis in English.  At the same time as they learn the fundamentals of being a researcher, we aim to cultivate sufficient language ability and analytical skills to deal with the global information society as junior and senior high school teachers and professionals involved in international exchange.

In the doctoral course, students build on research skills acquired in the master's course and work towards their doctoral degree under expert guidance from their professors. By acquiring the latest methodology while at the same time keeping up with international standards and current issues in research fields, students will graduate with the ability to take the initiative wherever they work as researchers or educators. Graduates look to become university instructors or researchers in their chosen field.

Doctoral Course Studies

We aim to acquire more advanced and broader knowledge and research methods about British and American languages ​​and cultures and to cultivate talented people who will bridge the gap between Japanese society and the Anglo-American cultural sphere from a comprehensive perspective.
In recent years, under the sudden changes that have occurred in the fields of social, cultural, and linguistic research centered in the West, it is not experts in the traditional narrow sense, but leaders of research based on pluralistic viewpoints and flexible, bold ideas that are required. In response to these requirements, intending to establish various investigation and research on language phenomena as a medium of society and culture, and establishing a method of advanced analysis and interpretation of literature, which is a product of culture and a bearer of responsibility, we have established a research area for English studies, English literature, and American literature.

Students investigate issues of their choice in the three research fields of Japanese history, Eastern history, and Western history. Kyoto's rich history provides a unique opportunity for extensive hands-on research. Through mutual, comparative research in the three fields, students gain multiple perspectives and a global viewpoint as they acquire a high level of research capabilities. The graduates look to make the most of their new expertise in history by working in education, research, and other culture-related occupations.

Master's Course Studies

We have established three fields of research: Japanese history, East Asian history, and Western history. Students will deepen their understanding of each of these fields, and will also aim to investigate interdisciplinary history in a general way.   By adding courses in Western history to the courses in Japanese and East Asian history, with a global perspective instead of a perspective that focuses only on Japan and Asia, we are responding to the demands of this era of integration and the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of scholarship in the humanities and social sciences.

Students in the doctoral course continue with more advanced research based on their findings in the master's course. Students make the most effective use of the wealth of literature and documents available at this university to widen and deepen their perspective and to boost their interdisciplinary knowledge, while also acquiring the research skills and academic knowledge needed to work in the research field or other specialized fields. The graduates look to make the most of their newly acquired expertise in history by working in education, research, and other culture-related occupations.

Doctoral Course Studies

We have established three fields of research — Japanese history, East Asian history, and Western history — and we aim to cultivate the rich scholarship and research ability necessary for students to engage in advanced professional work and research positions.  For this reason, our doors are open not only to people who, after they have completed the first half of their doctoral program, aspire to become independent researchers; we also welcome people who aspire to become specialized professionals who have acquired advanced specialized knowledge and education in history, and people who want to earn the title of Ph.D. 
In the second half of the doctoral program, students will further deepen the research they conducted up to this point and will set as their final goal the production of a doctoral dissertation  For this reason, after entering school, students will receive guidance from their faculty advisor on setting their research subject, submitting their research plan, and establishing the prospects for completing their dissertation.   During this time, students will receive advice not only from their faculty advisor but also from faculty in different fields of research. Students will also be given opportunities to present the results of their research.

This course aims to carry out a comprehensive and detailed study of education. Students identify and analyze important issues, building new forms of knowledge in the process. To this end, students conduct specialized research in various disciplines of pedagogy, considering school education, home education, and continuing education. Students acquire the skills needed to perform highly specialized jobs and to become true professionals. The graduates look to utilize their knowledge by working in school education or education-related research.

Master's Course Studies

Our country's educational sphere is getting more and more diverse and individualized, and we are adapting to new subjects that were not recognized until now. Based on the present condition, we are aiming to make education as individualized and comprehensive as possible. We hope that by removal and analysis of those problems we will be able to cultivate abilities that create new expertise.
Specifically, ① in addition to various fields of research and education included in the education sphere, such as home and social education, ② in correspondence with today's enhancement of instructor training, we perform education and training to boost technical ability in a curriculum education.
Also, we offer chances for currently working instructors to be reeducated at graduate schools, allowing them to obtain specialized licenses, and are striving for the training of instructors that allows them to fulfill their role of leadership in school education.

The doctoral course is made up of the two disciplines of pedagogy and psychology. In both disciplines, students build on and integrate the knowledge, understanding, skills, and communicative abilities gained during the master's course. This gives them state-of-the-art knowledge in their field and the advanced research capabilities needed to conduct independent studies, thus enabling them to become researchers with a passion for education. Graduates look to work as educators or researchers in higher education or at research institutes.

Doctoral Course Studies

We are creating areas of study for both education and psychology, and are planning to rear researchers with outstanding research capabilities and brimming with scholarly ambition.
Field of Education
Going along with the examination and construction of the analysis of the educational phenomenon and theories based on the educational phenomenon, we are specifically promoting research regarding fields such as educational philosophy, comparison to international education, school administration, and educational methods.
Field of Psychology
By taking charge of the fundamental objectives of pre-doctorate course work such as psychology and/or clinical psychology, and by promoting higher-level research, we are boosting the scholarship and research abilities required to engage in technical affairs and promoting research activities to aid in the acquisition of a degree.

This course is made up of two disciplines: psychology and clinical psychology. In the psychology discipline, students boost their expertise in psychological theories, techniques, and research methods, as well as acquire academic knowledge and specialized knowledge in psychology helpful for contributing to the betterment of society. This will allow them to become researchers, teachers, and other professionals with a high level of psychological expertise. In the clinical psychology discipline, students take the exam to qualify to be certified clinical psychologists and grow to become clinical psychology professionals with a high level of specialized knowledge and overall academic knowledge, as well as advanced thinking skills and a high level of ethics. Graduates look to work as specialists in school education, psychology professions, higher education, or research institutes.

Master's Course Studies
Psychology Field
We aim to help students acquire advanced psychological expertise that is useful in society and develop practical abilities.
We conduct training for professions in psychology and those who seek to continue to the later doctoral curriculum and attain a doctorate (education). Additionally, for students who have a type one certification in kindergarten and elementary school education, we conduct specialized training for educators and those in the education profession who have a psychology specialization.
Clinical Psychology Field
We offer enhanced practical education for those seeking clinical psychologist certification.  As a type 1 school in the clinical psychologist certification exam eligibility requirements, we offer the curriculum prescribed by the Foundation of the Japanese Certification Board for Clinical Psychologists with a focus on subject areas related to clinical psychology. Just as in the Psychology Field, we also train students as psychology researchers who can continue to the later doctoral curriculum and attain a doctorate (education).

This course aims to explore intellectually the four domains of expression: language and literature, music, visual arts and design, and physical movement and dance. Students choose one of these domains in which they attempt to develop their technical skills and knowledge as a specialty. The interdisciplinary approach with a critical perspective toward the field of human behavior as it relates to artistic expression will promote their creativity and a deep understanding of society and culture while contributing to a broad education. Graduates work in a range of fields related to art and culture, for example, in education from the pre-school to the university levels or at specialized education institutes.

Master's Course Studies

We aim to provide an education that equips students with practical abilities and a high level of expert knowledge in the field of psychology; skills that will prove useful upon graduation. The education is structured to train students for a professional job in psychology or to advance to the later parts of a doctoral course in pursuit of a Ph.D. We also provide a unique educational opportunity for students who hold a license to teach kindergarten or grade school, designed for teachers and educators who have expertise in psychology.

This major is made up of the three disciplines of child development, childhood health, and childhood culture. Students conduct scientific research to acquire specialized knowledge in children's mental and physical development, health, lives, and culture. They also learn methods and theories of developmental support and child-raising and acquire the specialized forms of expression needed to lead children's cultural activities. In the process, students become professionals or researchers that support the healthy growth and lives of children. The graduates look to work in fields including education, public welfare, medicine, and child development.

Master's course studies

Consideration has been taken to allow various approaches to specialist content related to supporting child-rearing, with the establishment of three fields: child development studies, child health studies, and child culture studies.
Field of child development studies
From a perspective of developmental psychology, we will focus our studies on children's social and personality development and the relationship between parent and child. Furthermore, we will deepen our understanding of various modern and clinical issues, including support for children and their families and childcare support, while researching various development problems, such as maladjustment and developmental disorders.
Field of child health studies
From the perspectives of both medicine and health studies, we will deepen our understanding of various issues that pertain to raising children to be physically and psychologically healthy. The main studies currently being conducted pertain to the promotion of clinical trials for children, support for children with illnesses, and clinical assessment of children at high risk due to problems like perinatal abnormalities or preterm birth. Research using mice and collaborative clinical research (with facilities for ill children and facilities for people with psychological or physical disabilities, etc.) are also possible.
Field of child culture studies
Through both actual practice and literature and surveys from many different perspectives, we are researching cultural issues that affect children, such as expressive activities or cultural assets and cultural facilities for children. Starting with literary criticism of children's literature and picture books, we study issues of marketing to children and media franchising in children's culture and life history. Additionally, through actual practice, we deepen our understanding of the physical expressive activities and music and modeling included in children's play that cultivates their sensitivity.

We have four research areas: food science, nutrition, food hygiene, and cooking science. Students can study practical knowledge and principles of experiments in each area to obtain an ability to solve actual food and health problems in our society. After acquiring a Master's degree in food nutrition and research, students will be expected to become highly professional dietitians, educators, or researchers in the academic or industrial society.

Master's Course Studies

In recent years, considerable progress has been achieved in food technology, with various functional foods and genetically modified foods being developed and commercialized. On the other hand, endocrine disruptors and the effect on the body of food contamination due to residual agricultural chemicals are increasingly recognized as major issues. Solutions to various problems surrounding food, including the rise in lifestyle diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, as well as food allergies, are also a pressing issue.
In an increasingly complicated 21st century society, it is likely that our eating habits and food environment will change even more, and that it will become increasingly difficult to distinguish between what is "good" or "bad" for our bodies. What is required for a deeper qualitative understanding of dietary issues, based on accurate scientific knowledge without spreading false information, for the ability to analyze comprehensively, and for the improvement of individual QOL (quality of life), are people with leadership qualities as dietary specialists.
This major is divided into 4 fields of research: food science, nutritional science, food hygienic, and cooking science. In each field, you will study trends in specialized research, and the principles of experiments and investigations, while putting into practice training and research that uses the latest experimental techniques and technologies, improving your basic knowledge at the same time.
Practical nutritional management research related to prevention and improvement of lifestyle diseases and so on will also be held in clinical settings.

Made up of the three disciplines of crafts and design, apparel design, and space design, this major provides students with the opportunity to conduct integrated research across all three disciplines. The “crafts and design” discipline covers learning and research in areas such as art, design, and crafts, the “apparel design” discipline focuses on the creation of healthy and comfortable clothing and fashion design, and “space design” includes architectural planning, the history of architecture, and interior design. Students grow into researchers and professionals who possess highly specialized skills and creative capabilities based on a solid, comprehensive foundation in living environment design.
Graduates look to contribute to fields related to design, art, apparel, architecture, and interior design. They go on to work as professionals in public organizations, private companies, or as independent specialists.

Master`s Course Studies

In this major, we have established three fields of research, "Study of Modeling Design", "Study of Apparel Modeling" and "Study of Spatial Modeling" to increase the degree of specialization.
Study of Modeling Design
Humans have modeled various things to enrich their lives.  We aim to analyze and consider environmental models from several perspectives including the historical perspective of cultural history, the philosophical perspective of aesthetics, and the structural perspective of the actual design.
Study of Apparel Modeling
The clothing environment is the most familiar environment to humans. We will use apparel as an object of education and research, and create a healthy and comfortable clothing life. By acquiring systematic knowledge of apparel from its materials to products, we aim to nurture a more advanced, interdisciplinary, and comprehensive mind.
Study of Spatial Modeling
We will be teaching architecture with an emphasis on architectural functions such as building planning and regional planning, and historical design such as architectural design and architectural history. While having architectural education as a base, we advance research and education by specializing further in each field of architectural planning, indoor planning, architectural history.

Declining birth rates, an aging population in industrialized countries, and increasing populations in developing countries are affecting all facets of society. The result is increased demands to protect the rights of both users and providers of public welfare systems and the need for a global focus on societal problems such as poverty. In the Living and Welfare Management major, studies are rooted in the life sciences related to the basic needs of food, clothing, and housing, and students gain an understanding of these social demands as they grow to become researchers and professionals capable of responding to current issues.
The graduates look to work in public welfare and nursing care or health-related science fields.

Master`s Course Studies

Depopulation is occurring rapidly in Japan as a result of low birth rates and an aging population. The number of single-person households now exceeds those of nuclear families, with many single-person households consisting of individuals with disabilities or the elderly. These conditions have led to an increase in lifestyle impairments, and have brought about many social issues, including an increase in individuals with dementia and elderly people who require care, social security fluctuations, and crimes targeting the elderly and disabled. In addition, the role played by social welfare services is rapidly increasing, while the improvement of residential services has become an important issue. Welfare and caregiver jobs that extend beyond national borders are also anticipated as globalization brings about an exchange of people.
With society growing further complex, and lifestyles changing, the importance of social welfare that provides technological and other means of lifestyle support is being recognized. Demands for infrastructural and environmental livelihood support will only continue to grow.
The Life and Welfare Studies Major is a new discipline that intends to integrate household management, caregiving, medicine, and social welfare to design infrastructure for living that responds to societal needs.
Furthermore, the provision of high-quality assistance that takes into consideration the rights of both providers and recipients of welfare services is sought. The creation of a welfare safety net that can support the current generation is founded on this academic philosophy.

In the two research areas of food nutrition and life design, we are deepening our expertise and developing a highly specialized study. We train educators, researchers, and instructors that perform in a wide range of professions related to the creation of  living environments. After acquiring a doctor’s degree, graduates will play active roles in exploring food and living environments in life science fields.

Doctoral Course Studies

Courses are divided into two research areas: food nutritionology, and life modeling. The two research areas are aimed at organizing under a common theme of living environment the study of home economics by trying to combine education and research. After enrollment, we will deepen research with specialized expertise in each area, but in particular, we have set up "Special Life Environment Studies 1, 2, and 3" as common courses tailored to the purpose of majors. And consideration is taken to integrate the study of the living environment from a brand new perspective.
Food Nutritionology Field
In the field of food nutritionology, we research food and nutrition such as measurement of chemical substances contaminating the living environment around us, evaluation of safety, approaches to prevent or mitigate lifestyle diseases, and relationships between functions and structures of nutritional components (proteins, fats, etc).
Life Design Field
In the field of ​​life design, we will research with a focus on 3 environmental aspects-formative design, apparel, and space - as well as their physical, chemical, ergonomic, psychological, and planning implications and their artistic, cultural, and historical value.

Through cross-disciplinary studies encompassing social sciences such as political science, economics, law, and sociology, as well as the humanities and natural sciences, this major provides the opportunity for research towards resolving a range of issues. These issues include environmental protection, declining birth rates, and aging populations, the revitalization of local communities, civic social action, gender equality, multicultural societies, international cooperation, and fostering peace. The goal is to turn out graduates with the practical skills to work either on the global or local stage in helping create a public sphere geared to equal participation by all citizens. Graduates will use their extensive range of academic knowledge and research skills to work as researchers or as professionals in fields including public policy, social welfare, environmental policy, international aid, regional aid, and civic action.

Master's Course Studies
Nurturing Practical Human Resources That Think Globally and Thrive in the Region
The major in Public Sphere Studies at the graduate school of Contemporary Society involves research aimed toward resolving environmental issues, issues with the falling birth rate and the aging population, revitalization of regional societies, development of civic activities, the formation of societies with gender equality, formation of a multicultural society, the promotion of international cooperation and peacebuilding, and other issues faced by modern society and information science, to nurture practical human resources that think globally and thrive in the region, which in other words represents practical human resources that contribute to the creation of a public sphere where citizens participate.

Research Area Related to the "Public Sphere"

• Human/Culture
• Family/Community
• International/Politics/Administration
• Economy/Management
• Information/Environment

Doctoral Course Studies
Training female specialists with executive ability
The objective of this graduate school is to train specialist female human resources that have high-level research experience and excellent executive ability, based on the viewpoint that proactively utilizing the female perspective and vitality is essential in seeing the future of the world and the earth through regional daily life, to overcome a variety of issues.
"Modern Society Studies" Surpassing the Framework of Individual Sciences
We aim to comprehensively understand the various complexly intertwined issues that face the world in the 21st century and resolve them by surpassing the usual framework of specialized individual sciences.

Characteristics of the Education Program
Empowerment of Females Who Bring Forth a New Era
The objective of the major in Public Sphere Creation is to nurture research abilities and the executive ability for females to independently create a public sphere as professionals, citizen activists, or regional inhabitants. We also provide education and research programs to achieve this goal.
Consideration of Adults
By applying the special provision of the 14th article of the Graduate School Standards for Establishment, we offer an environment that also allows adults to pursue their studies.
Doctoral Program First Semester
When enrolling, one of the three research areas (social norms and culture, international community, regional communities) will be selected, specified fields of study, including special research involving teaching advisers or assistant teaching advisers in the area, will be systematically completed to deepen knowledge, and instruction will be provided toward completion of a dissertation. Additionally, public research presentations will be held so that instruction can be provided from all faculty members of the graduate school.
Also, investigative analysis relevant to the field will be done and information analysis, data analysis, text mining, and other techniques will be researched, to nurture practical abilities. The structure for instructors will involve a small number of dedicated educators. 26 varied faculty members will instruct the graduate students, who have a quota of 12 members.
Doctoral Program Second Semester
Completion of the coursework for the second semester of the doctoral program requires selecting one of the three research areas (social norms and culture, international community, regional communities), receiving research instruction from teaching advisers or assistant teaching advisers in the area, and systematically completing the course units in the specified field. The coursework that must be completed includes project exercises managed by the advising professor or assistant teaching adviser. Project exercises will involve joint research and fieldwork with external research institutions relating to the theme of the doctoral dissertation, under the guidance of the advising professor or assistant teaching adviser.

Three Educational Objectives

1. Abide by the university's motto, which is also the philosophy of legal education.
2. With the acquisition of the basic knowledge dispensed in the Faculty of Law as a prerequisite, acquire profound academic knowledge from a range of viewpoints, and cultivate excellent skills to work in careers for which a high level of expertise is required.
3. To acquire a high level of hands-on legal knowledge and thought processes, deepen and expand viewpoints regarding gender roles, and foster an understanding of human rights based on globally accepted standards for today's society.

The fundamental point of the first objective is that "all life should be treated with equal respect", a point common to the fundamental philosophy of modern law, which is "human dignity". The second and third objectives aim for two forms of empowerment. Specifically, the second empowers the student herself through the acquisition of specialized legal knowledge at the doctoral level. The third aims to contribute to empowering people in society particularly women, by making students aware of the central issues of  gender equality and turning them into agents of support who can use their specialized legal knowledge based on global human rights standards. Women's empowerment is a process in which women have the right to live a life based on their own decisions and thus put their true talents to work in society. This graduate school pursues the realization of these two forms of empowerment through its educational objectives.

Master's course studies

With gender viewpoints based on international human rights standards as a foundation, this course aims to cultivate experts who are proactive in work and who engage in legal issues with a high level of professional knowledge. The curriculum system takes various forms, tailored to the distinct fields of local government administration, corporate law, international organizations, and paralegal fields to ensure the student has a high level of specialized knowledge in his or her field. This is a research course where basic legal knowledge which will assist in one's studies is required. In addition, we are looking for those with a strong interest in understanding the concept of human rights as a foundation of gender opinions and as a universal benchmark across countries.
One of the objectives of this research program is to engage in the further education of working adults in society in legal subjects coming under the three fields of public law, corporate law, and Gender and the Law. With a lesson structure that is open to working adults who are looking for career advancement through higher education alongside their current occupation, we are carrying out a selection at the university entrance exam with favor given to working adults who take the experience of interacting with society and writing a research plan seriously.

Our research and mentoring system

Small group teaching that stresses practice-based education
We are equipped with teaching staff with rich experience in their realm of legal practice, in each of the fields. Through concurrent theory work and industry shadowing under the tutoring of our specialized teaching staff and legal practitioners, our program offers the opportunity to combine theory with practice. In addition, we boast a high teacher—student ratio where 13 specialized teaching staff are available for every 5 students. Besides the practice where a teaching staff is appointed as a mentor in charge of every student, the teaching staff of related subjects also offer individual-based guidance aiming at deepening the specialization of each student's research studies.
Prospective students should note that they may also take on legal practice internships at legal offices, international NGOs, and private corporations with ties to our school. By undertaking actual legal practice, you will be able to add to what you've learned in your course study and nurture the practical abilities of logical thinking, inquiring, and devising solutions to legal issues.
A part-time coursework structure in consideration of those with occupational commitments
The faculty is introducing a part-time Master's degree where the maximum number of years taken to complete the degree is lifted. This is restricted to applicants who are employed and are hence unable to cope with the intensiveness of full-time courses. In addition, we provide sixth-period lecture slots in the evenings (18:10~) of working days as well as weekend lectures on a provisional basis, targeted to the part-time students. We hope to create an environment where prospective students who are holding an occupation will be able to enroll easily.
Our Research Environment
Prospective students should note that research exchange programs are offered with the Ewha Womans University (Seoul) and Korean Women's Development Institute (national agency). In addition, our graduate research library is equipped with personal desks, computers, and bookshelves. It is an environment furnished with an archive of scholastic articles in each specialized field allowing you to focus on your research.

Potential Career Paths

The routes of advancement as a graduate from our program are but not restricted to the following: public officials at departments after acquiring highly specialized knowledge, international organizations, and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) and NPOs (Non-Profit Organizations) actively engaging in the provision of legal assistance with specialized knowledge in gender rights, paralegal counselors appointed to support legal agencies and foreign affairs agencies at legal offices, consultant for M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions), consultant on intellectual property law, and employment in corporations in the legal business.

Diagram of program overview and potential career paths