• Educational Philosophy
• A Message from the President
• Policy
• Academic Organization
• Number of Students & Faculty Members
• Chiyoda Campus guide
• Tama Campus guide
• Facilities

University

■ Policy Concerning Admission of Students (Admission Policy)

Otsuma Women’s University seeks students who have the knowledge, skills, and power of thought, judgement and expression, among others, summarized below, in accordance with the relevant diploma policy and curriculum policy.

Knowledge and skills

Fundamental academic abilities needed to acquire broad, in-depth knowledge and education as well as specialized knowledge and skills, and develop consideration

Thought, judgement and expression

Positive view of life and aspirations for a fruitful, fulfilling future

Self-directed, open-minded and cooperative attitude

1. Strong motivation to refine communication skills and exercise initiative and creativity to solve problems
2. Strong motivation to contribute to the happiness of others and the achievement of a better society

[Revised April 1, 2020.]

■ Policy Concerning Formulation and Implementation of Curriculum (Curriculum Policy)

Otsuma Women’s University offers education according to the following guidelines to meet the objective of the relevant diploma policy.

1. Establish common core courses to provide comprehensive character education aimed at enabling students to acquire broad, in-depth knowledge and education
2. Provide specialized courses to equip students with specific knowledge and skills required to play a central role in society as a specialized professional
3. Provide small-group and individual interactive instruction courses aimed at enabling students to build problem-solving skills while exercising their initiative and creativity and to develop individual self-determination through engaging in mutual support with others
4. Provide diverse language education courses to enable students to improve communication skills and cultivate an international mindset

[Revised March 4, 2020; effective from AY 2021.]

■ Policy Concerning Certification for Graduation (Diploma Policy)

The mission of Otsuma Women’s University is to cultivate truly independent women who continue learning and working. To fulfill this mission, the University awards Bachelor’s degrees to students who have acquired the following abilities and obtained the required credits, and certifies their graduation from the University.

1. Ability to acquire broad, in-depth knowledge and education to be able to have an overall understanding of society, identify new issues facing the 21st century society which is undergoing major environmental changes, and work to solve the issues while exercising their initiative and creativity
2. Ability to develop individual self-determination through engaging in mutual support with others, and proactively utilize acquired knowledge and skills while demonstrating their social awareness
3. Ability to exercise communication skills in a globalized society to carve out their own path toward the future
4. Ability to play a central leadership role in social organizations, using specialized knowledge and skills acquired through attending lectures, practices and seminars as well as thesis writing and other academic activities provided in the relevant faculty, department and course

[Revised March 4, 2020; effective from AY 2021.]

Junior College Division

■ Policy Concerning Admission of Students (Admission Policy)

Otsuma Women’s University Junior College Division seeks students who have the knowledge, skills, and power of thought, judgement and expression, among others, summarized below, in accordance with the relevant diploma policy and curriculum policy.

Knowledge and skills

1. Fundamental academic abilities and skills in courses included in the Japanese high school curriculum
2. A level of knowledge required to adequately understand classes, and skills to effectively engage in learning activities provided in the Junior College Division’s curriculum

Thought, judgement and expression

Abilities to have a constant awareness of issues, set tasks independently, and think logically, as well as skills to express themselves effectively

Self-directed, open-minded and cooperative attitude

Strong motivation to engage in communication with a diversity of people and to build a self-directed life toward the future and address challenges to achieve their goals

[Revised February 6, 2024]

■ Policy Concerning Formulation and Implementation of Curriculum (Curriculum Policy)

Otsuma Women’s University Junior College Division offers education according to the following guidelines to meet the objective of the relevant diploma policy.

Educational content

1. Provide education in the overall studies related to lifestyles, such as clothing, food and housing, while covering food and nutrition and business skills

Education method

1. Offer lectures and seminars to raise the level of specialization, and offer laboratory work and practices incorporating active learning methods to solidify academic achievements

Academic achievement evaluation method

1. Confirm comprehensive academic achievements based on acquired qualifications, external certification exam results, and GPA scores, in addition to regular means of evaluation (regular examinations, essays)

[Revised February 6, 2024; effective from AY 2025]

■ Policy Concerning Certification for Graduation (Diploma Policy)

Otsuma Women’s University Junior College Division awards associate degrees to students who have acquired the abilities and fulfilled the requirements summarized below and obtained the required credits, and certifies their graduation from the University’s Junior College Division.

1. A broad range of advanced knowledge in the overall field of studies related to human living and food and nutrition
2. Thinking ability that enables a constant awareness of issues, individual task setting and appropriate judgement for solving problems
3. Mindset valued at Otsuma: the ability to listen to the opinions of others and express theirs sincerely at the same time
4. Academic abilities required to acquire qualifications and skills needed to achieve superior scores for qualification examinations

[Revised February 6, 2024; effective from AY 2025]

Graduate School

■ Policy Concerning Admission of Students (Admission Policy)

Otsuma Women’s University Graduate School seeks diverse students who have a strong motivation to contribute to their field of specialization as well as society at large while further developing the knowledge and skills they have acquired, with an emphasis on unique research themes and diversity in background. The following are the key academic and career interests of the students sought by each course.

1. Studies in Human Life Sciences: keen interest in pursuing practical research on issues concerning people’s lifestyles, such as the environment, clothing, food, housing, behavior, child-rearing, psychology, and health, with the drive to acquire high-level professional skills through engaging in research activities
2. Studies in Language and Culture: keen interest in pursuing profound research in language and culture, looking at self-development and making a contribution to society
3. Studies in Contemporary Society: keen interest in learning about social issues in a stepwise manner from basic to specialized levels, with a focus on two groups of topics: contemporary concerns, specifically in regard to aging, care-giving, lack of self-confidence, violence, and gender; and information and communications systems as well as their historical development
4. Studies in Clinical Psychology: keen interest in becoming a clinical psychology professional specializing in assistance, intervention and research for various clinical needs and issues, based on the student’s solid social skills with demonstrating empathetic understanding and logical thought, which are essential qualities for applicants

[Revised June 2, 2020; effective from AY 2021.]

■ Policy Concerning Formulation and Implementation of Curriculum (Curriculum Policy)

Otsuma Women’s University Graduate School offers a high level of theoretical, specialized, and practical education and research programs covering the overall field of studies related to human living and culture with a broad perspective and from an interdisciplinary and comprehensive point of view, for the purpose of cultivating capabilities to become a social leader in the 21st century society where the importance of social capital is increasing. To serve the above goal, the Graduate School of Studies in Human Culture provides the following four courses: Studies in Human Life Sciences (Master’s, Doctorate); Studies in Language and Culture (Master’s, Doctorate); Studies in Contemporary Society (Master’s program); and Studies in Clinical Psychology (Master’s). The curriculum for each course is designed in accordance with the following guidelines.

1. The Master’s program provides education and research guidance that allows students to develop their achievements from the Bachelor’s program to broaden their capabilities, cultivate profound scholarship and character, learn new specialized knowledge and skills while exercising critical thinking skills, and build research capacities and high-level professional skills in their field of specialization.
2. The Doctorate program provides education and research guidance that allows students to develop their achievements from the Master’s program to further develop their capabilities, work sincerely on broad-ranging issues related to human living and culture while demonstrating advanced specialized knowledge and skills, and produce results from autonomous research activities.
3. In line with the above guidelines, specific curriculum plans for each course are created in reference to the following guide.

*For more details on item 3 above, please refer to the related page using the links below.

• Studies in Human Life Sciences（Japanese only）
• Studies in Language and Culture（Japanese only）
• Studies in Contemporary Society（Japanese only）
• Studies in Clinical Psychology（Japanese only）
4. Across all courses, education and research guidance are provided from a broad, cross-disciplinary and comprehensive perspective to enable students to proactively contribute to social and research activities without being constrained by existing frameworks of knowledge.
5. In providing research guidance, research plans and research guidance plans are created based on advice from the academic advisor and assistant academic advisor in order to offer extensive organizational and collaborative guidance toward degree acquisition.

[Revised June 2, 2020; effective from AY 2021.]

■ Policy Concerning Certification for Graduation (Diploma Policy)

Otsuma Women’s University Graduate School seeks to develop the capabilities needed to pursue research in the overall field of studies related to human living and culture with a broad perspective and from an interdisciplinary, comprehensive point of view, and contribute to future social and research activities. To serve this goal, the School awards the Master’s and Doctorate degrees to students who have acquired the skills and abilities described below for each program.

1. A Master’s degree will be awarded to those who have broad, in-depth knowledge and skills related to their field of specialization, and have acquired superior abilities to play a leadership role in the 21st century society.
2. A Doctorate degree will be awarded to those who have the capabilities to engage in research activities autonomously in their field of specialization, and have acquired superior abilities to play a central leadership role in the 21st century society.
3. To qualify for the Master’s or Doctorate degrees, students must complete credits required over the enrollment period of time specified for each program, and pass the review of Master’s or Doctorate theses and final examinations.

[Revised June 2, 2020; effective from AY 2021.]