GRADUATE Program

Degree Awarding Policy (Diploma Policy)

　This program awards degrees to students who have systematically studied informatics, acquired the skills obtainable from a curriculum that is provided primarily by the program, and possess abilities as an independent researcher. "Independent researcher" here refers to one who can not only set advanced problems in his one's own field of research by oneself, resolve the problems by proposing methods and implementing them and independently implement all processes necessary for research, but also, who possesses the ability to make new and advanced contributions in the field by applying his or her own research skills and knowledge and also by identifying and acquiring other necessary skills and knowledge to overcome important challenges towards achieving an advanced information society.

　At the same time, the program graduate will have a broad and systematic understanding of informatics as well as advanced expertise in their own specialties, and also possess sufficient skills to comprehend, discuss, and express oneself in order to be successful as a highly intelligent resource in the international community, such as the ability to communicate on one's research in English.

Doctoral dissertation screening criteria

　The program grants degrees to those who have extensive knowledge as well as advanced and specialized research skills in informatics. A person seeking to receive a degree must pass the doctoral dissertation screening and final exam. The screening criteria for the doctoral dissertations are as follows.

(1) The dissertation's author has personally set an advanced problem within his one's own field of research by oneself.

(2) The dissertation makes a sufficient academic contribution to that field of research through the resolution of the set problem.

(3) The dissertation is the product of independently conducted research.

(4) The dissertation is a paper that was newly prepared as a doctoral dissertation; however, it may include previously published papers, etc.

(5) The dissertation is based on works that were published in academic journals or other media that have a review process or something recognized as being equivalent to them.

(6) The dissertation is not identical to or does not contain the same contents as a dissertation for which a doctoral degree has already been awarded.

Doctoral degree

A doctoral degree is granted by SOKENDAI if a student:
(1) has been in a Program of SOKENDAI for specified number of years or more, has acquired the required number of credits or more, has received the required supervision, and then passed doctoral thesis examinations (Doctor (Katei-Hakase))
or
(2) has applied for examination of his/her doctoral thesis without being in a Program of SOKENDAI and has passed the examination (Doctor by dissertation (Ronbun-Hakase)). Enrolled students should aim to obtain a doctoral degree by the first method (1) (Doctor (Katei-Hakase)).

For details, please refer to following pages.

1. Apply to Doctor (Katei-Hakase)
   https://www.soken.ac.jp/en/education/degree/doctor/
2. Apply to Doctor by dissertation (Ronbun-Hakase)
   https://www.soken.ac.jp/en/education/degree/ronpaku/

Master's degree

SOKENDAI does not offer any master's program; therefore, in principal, no master's degree is awarded. However, students who have registered in the Five-year Doctoral Program and who are permitted to withdraw from SOKENDAI and have satisfied all of the below the requirements may be awarded a master's degree.

• Enrollment in a School of SOKENDAI for two years or more
• Earning at least 30 credits as prescribed
• Having undergone the necessary research supervision, successful examination of a master's thesis or specific research project and successful completion of a final examination

For more details, please contact Office of Informatics Program.