The Graduate School of Economics has enjoyed a history of more than half a century since its founding in 1951. During this period, it has produced many outstanding scholars and highly-trained experts in the fields of economics, business administration, and accounting. It places priority on advising and mentoring students working on their doctoral theses, and has succeeded in increasing the number of doctoral candidates completing degrees successfully. In 2002, it initiated the Global Business Environment Course, a graduate course that accommodates working students by providing classes in the evenings and on Saturdays, as a regular graduate degree program. This illustrates the priority that the university places on fostering highly-trained professionals.
The Graduate Program in Economics offers master's degree and doctoral degree programs in both Economics and Accounting. The graduate school has a diverse and extensive curriculum, that provides a wide range of classes in fields such as economic theory, history, public finance, money and banking, policy, and accounting. It also offers seminars and guidance for thesis writing. In addition, exchanges with other universities are actively encouraged through a credit exchange system that allows students to pursue studies and earn credits in graduate school programs at other Japanese universities. Students also have the option of studying overseas.
Furthermore, the Graduate School of Economics has added two new systems for its entrance examinations since the 2006 academic year. There is a new recommendation system, which paves the way for entrance to the master's degree program through recommendations. The School also now offers, a program whereby Rikkyo students complete a joint undergraduate and master's degree program over a five-year period.
