Characteristics of this program

This program is one of few doctoral programs in Japan specializing in clinical psychology, and its objective is to train highly specialized professionals and independent researchers in fields related to psychology. In addition, this program has designed classes that allow working adults to earn a doctoral degree while continuing their professional activities.

Curriculum Characteristics and Methods for Taking Classes

The doctoral degree of the program trains researchers who are responsible for progress in academic research in clinical psychology. It also deepens the master’s course education in accordance with the goal of cultivating clinical psychologist leaders. To provide technical specialization, it has opened up six required classes for 12 credits and eight elective classes for 16 credits.
To complete the course, a person must earn a total of eight classes for 16 credits from different subjects; they take six compulsory classes for 12 credits, and two elective classes for 4 credits.

Compulsory subjects
The compulsory subjects consist of the following: “Clinical Psychology Research Methods I and II” to learn the clinical psychology research methodology,” “Clinical Psychology Evaluation and Interview Research I and II” to cultivate clinical research skills through case studies, and “Clinical Psychology Research I and II” that teach the required abilities for publishing research results or theses in journals.

Elective subjects
There are eight elective classes offered for 16 credits; these courses cover basic research areas and on-site research. Thus, students will choose two classes from these that cover both areas.
[Basic research area]
Personality psychology research, developmental psychology research, abnormal psychology research
[On-site research]
Five classes on psychotherapy research (I-V) are being offered under the following titles:
Play therapy, miniature garden therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, integrated psychotherapy, and supervision techniques

Research guidance
When the students are initially admitted, they choose a research advisor from the professors who are in charge of advising research. During their first year, students take the abovementioned compulsory and elective classes based on the advice of the research advisor. They also conduct surveys and experimental research as necessary to write their thesis for graduation.
During the middle of the latter half of their second year, students take a midterm examination. At the same time, they are required to submit their paper on an area of clinical psychology to an academic journal that publishes using a peer review process and have it accepted. If their work is acknowledged in the midterm examination, it becomes the draft of their thesis for submission.
In their third year, the students continue their activities in clinical psychology while carefully working on the areas pointed out in their midterm examination and the reviewed draft. This leads them to complete their doctoral thesis. An oral examination on the thesis that was submitted is then conducted on a designated date.

Degrees

To complete this course, a person must have acquired 16 course subjects stipulated by the program, received the necessary research guidance, and passed the review of their doctoral thesis. The individuals who have satisfied these requirements are awarded a doctorate degree (in psychology).

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