POLICY

Human Resource Development Goals

The Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies aims to cultivate human resources who will contribute to the sustainable development of and coexistence in the Asia Pacific region. These individuals will possess specialized knowledge in administration, environment and development economics and have practical problem-solving skills required for the development of the Asia Pacific region.

Three Policies

Diploma Policy

To accomplish the educational objectives stipulated in the Graduate School of Management Graduate School Regulations, the Graduate School of Management has defined graduation requirements as well as the following four learning outcomes to be achieved by the time of graduation.

(Graduation Requirements)

• Students are required to enroll for the designated period and to complete at least 44 credits in accordance with the following course registration requirements.
• Complete 6 credits of Analytical Foundations Subjects, 18 credits of Core Business Fundamentals Subjects, 2 credits of Capstone Subjects, at least 8 credits of Elective Subjects, and 6 credits of Seminars. However, Optional Subjects are not included in the number of credits required for completion.
• Complete seminar subjects and produce a research project that meets the requirements and expectations set forth by the Graduate School of Management.
• Detailed course registration requirements shall be stipulated in the Graduate School of Management Graduate School Regulations.

Learning Outcomes

1.BUSINESS ETHICS & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

• 1-a. To recognize and reflect upon complex issues on ethics and social responsibility with multi-sided understanding of global business-society relations.
• 1-b. To evaluate ethical and socially responsible implications of contemporary business issues

2.ADVANCED MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• 2-a. To demonstrate an understanding of advanced management knowledge and business concepts in a specialized field.
• 2-b. To apply advanced analytical tools (qualitative and/or quantitative) to examine business problems.
• 2-c. To integrate functional knowledge for developing sustainable business solutions.
• 2-d. To demonstrate an advanced level of communication skills in writing, oral presentation, and negotiation in business settings.

3.CREATIVITY & INNOVATION

• 3-a. To identify the opportunities and challenges of innovation in a business setting.
• 3-b. To design creative and innovative solutions in business and/or research projects.

4.GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

• 4-a. To demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the complexity and interconnectedness of businesses, economies, and societies of the globalized world.
• 4-b. To diagnose problems and identify opportunities for sustainable development from an Asia Pacific perspective.

5.MULTICULTURALISM, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

• 5-a. To apply theories of effective leadership and team development to promote diversity and inclusion.
• 5-b. To demonstrate ability to leverage diversity and work productively in teams.

Curriculum Design Policy

(Subject Placement)

• The curriculum is divided into Analytical Foundation Subjects, Core Business Fundamentals Subjects, Capstone Subjects, Elective Subjects, Seminar Subjects, Core Related Subjects, Experiential Learning Subjects, and Optional Subjects, and is designed for two years.
• Analytical Foundation Subjects are designed for mastering the skills needed by APU Graduate Students.
• Core Business Fundamentals Subjects are designed for acquiring the knowledge needed by APU Graduate Students.
• Capstone Subjects are designed for mastering and deepening the systematic understanding of the theme through studies and discussions.
• Optional Subjects are designed for acquiring the knowledge needed to deepen their research in each of the four specializations: Japanese Management, Accounting and Finance, Marketing and Management,and Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Operations Management.
• Seminar Subjects are designed for developing the knowledge and skills in their research field of interest.
• Core Related Subjects are designed for acquiring valuable knowledge and experiences through courses, not specific to a particular field of research.
• Optional Subjects are designed for learning the Japanese language. Experiential Learning Subjects are designed for students to develop their business knowledge and skills through practical and experiential learning.

(Curriculum Map)

*Curriculum Map (or Curriculum Alignment Matrices) is available on the APU Website.
Curriculum Map

Curriculum Implementation Policy

(Subject Offerings)

• Subjects listed in the Graduate School of Management Graduate School Regulations with the exception of the Optional Subjects are offered in English.
• All subjects are offered in the semester, day, and period which allows students to take full advantage of structured learning.

(Subject Operation)

• All subjects are operated in compliance with the Standards for Establishment of Universities and the University Regulations. In addition, based on the methods applied in the subject, factors such as the educational outcomes and necessary studies outside of the class hours are also taken into account.
• Each subject is operated in accordance with the Curriculum Map and each syllabus is designed to guide students in achieving the Learning Goals and Learning Objectives set for the subject.
• All subjects are aimed at achieving Multi-cultural Cooperative Learning by taking full advantage of APU's multicultural environment and education and encouraging interactive collaboration between International and Domestic students.
• Instructors are required to comply with guidelines related to the subject operation including administration ofClass Evaluation Surveys, response to Grade Inquiries,and holding Make-up Classes.

Graduate Schools

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) welcomes students who will uphold the university’s basic ideals of Freedom, Peace, and Humanity, International Mutual Understanding, and the Future Shape of the Asia Pacific Region. These students should also be ready to acknowledge and understand differences in cultures and values, engage actively in an international campus community, and contribute to mutual learning.

• New graduate school students must possess the following attributes and abilities in order to engage in this kind of learning:
• (1) Specialized knowledge and global perspective required to pursue advanced studies in one’s graduate school and division
• (2) Analytical skills, perceptiveness, and aptitude to solve real-world problems
• (3) Requisite English language proficiency for research and study
• (4) Desire to contribute to and make full use of a multicultural collaborative learning environment

Graduate School of Management

• (1) High-level interest in solving the management issues faced by companies and other organizations within a global society
• (2) Ability to contribute innovative ideas to the sustainable development of the Asia Pacific region and the world as a whole, as a well-rounded manager and inclusive leader with a deep sense of social responsibility
• (3) Analytical skills, perceptiveness, and problem-solving ability acquired through at least three years of workplace experience

Common to all Graduate Schools

In order to admit graduate students compatible with APU’s learning environment, research plans, assessment tests, interviews, academic transcripts, and other materials will be used in a multi-faceted evaluation of the aforementioned knowledge, attributes, skills, and intentions.