Rikkyo University

Master's program
Our master’s program has two courses: the academic course, for nurturing scholars; and the professional course, for nurturing specialized professionals. Specializations are divided into three fields: management, marketing, and accounting and finance. In each field, students acquire high-level skills and knowledge appropriate to their specialization. Outside of the courses held in the Graduate Program in Business, students can also choose to take specialized subjects from the Graduate Program in International Business (held in English), depending on their English language ability and their desire to do so. To complete the program, students can choose between writing a master’s thesis or a business case study, and they receive detailed guidance from a two-advisor team consisting of a lead and an assistant advisor.

Three specialist fields to acquire high-level skills and knowledge
1. The Management specialization focuses on the management of organizations for harmonizing the interaction between people, business, and society. Specifically, this includes subjects such as Management Theory, Management Systems Theory, Theory of Organizational Behavior, Social Organization Theory, Business Ethics Theory, Strategic Management Theory, and Technology Strategy Theory.
2. The specialization of Marketing emphasizes research into markets and competition. Specifically, this field features subjects such as Marketing Strategy, Logistics Systems, and Statistical Analysis. Through lecture courses, students acquire skills such as investigative, and analytical methods, as well as strategic conceptualization methods needed for marketing research.
3. In the specialization of Accounting and Finance, we provide students with the necessary subjects to gain specialist abilities and knowledge relating to accounting and finance in business administration. Specifically, this includes subjects such as Financial Accounting Theory, Corporate Finance, and Management Accounting Theory.

Two-course system for the master’s program
1. The academic course is for those intending to earn a doctorate. This course provides thorough training during the master' program in the basic abilities that will be needed to become successful scholars. The curriculum is designed with the assumption that students will continue to the doctoral program, but it is also possible to conclude the course after completing the master's program alone.
2. The professional course nurtures talent that can build careers as specialized professionals, by employing their expertise at organizations such as companies, governmental organizations, NPOs, and NGOs. In addition to equipping students with specialized knowledge, we also nurture their ability to apply this knowledge in a practical manner. Students can also obtain a master’s degree by writing a business case study instead of writing a master’s thesis, putting them closer to practical business.

All subjects offered in English
A major advantage of the program is that all subjects are offered in English. The MIB Course features subjects that explore the strategies, challenges and future developments of business in Asia, while the MPMA Course features a range of foundation and applied subjects, from statistics and mathematics to public management and administration. Students learn these subjects in English.

Introduction of double degree program (the MIB Course)
We have introduced a double degree program that allows students to earn a master’s degree in international business at Rikkyo and a master’s degree in business at an overseas partner institution during a two-year period.

Implementing a Case Method Teaching approach (the MIB Course)
Our classes involve becoming immersed into realistic situations faced by management professionals. With small class sizes, we have thorough discussions and debates, and emphasize the role of students as participants trying to deal with the key problems of actual business contexts.

Writing a master's thesis (the MPMA Course)
Submission of a master’s thesis is one of the graduation requirements of the MPMA Course. Students select a research topic, gather and analyze data, and write their thesis with careful guidance by advisors.

The College of Business at Rikkyo University offers a full-time, two-year, Master of International Business (MIB) degree program that is designed to develop our students’ ability to conceptualize, plan, and implement business in diverse and intercultural contexts. The degree has been established in response to industry demand for highly qualified, bilingual graduates with wide ranging international experience and the ability to conceptualize complex business problems. The MIB program has been designed to train students with limited prior professional experience but strong leadership potential, and students who have experience but want to expand their understanding of the theoretical and conceptual issues in global business. This is one of the few programs of its kind in Japan. All courses are taught in English, preparing graduates to achieve their goals and boost their careers in the global market.

The College of Business also offers a two-year program whose primary focus is public management. This new program – the Master of Public Management and Administration (MPMA) Course – was launched in September 2016 and is designed to develop the capacity of students to formulate, manage, and evaluate policies and programs. Students in the MPMA Course are expected to take courses in Public Management, Economics, and Business, in order to build strong theoretical and methodological foundations. In addition, each student is required to complete a master’s thesis; an independent research project in which the student examines a focused research question under the close supervision of faculty members. The primary target of the MPMA Course is mid-career public officers. However, we also welcome students who have no prior experience in the public sector but would like to pursue careers in government or with international organizations in the future, as well as students who seek to advance to PhD programs in Public Management or Economics.