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2. Degree Programs
3. All-English Graduate Program

Transnational Law and Policy

In 2013, the Department of International and Business Law at Yokohama National University launched a new doctoral program taught entirely in English. The program is designed to provide students with legal knowledge and practical skills needed for careers in international organizations and transnational civil society organizations in various areas of global policy making. We seek motivated students from all over the world who are eager to work in such fields. Graduates of the Doctoral Program in Transnational Law and Policy will be able to conduct leading-edge research and to publish their research at international conferences and in international journals (both academic and policy-oriented). They will also have the opportunity to acquire high-level research skills in various methods of empirical and theoretical analysis so as to enable them to produce policy-oriented papers.

 

Structure of program

Program Requirements

The Doctoral Program in Transnational Law and Policy requires completion of 20 credits or more from the courses offered and the proposal, submission and oral defense of a doctoral dissertation.

(1) Lectures (including prerequisites and Research Practicum): 8 or more credits
- The courses are selected from International and Business Law Lectures and Research Practicum but can also include up to 4 credits of “prerequisite courses” (refer to section e. on page 1).
- “Research Practicum” credits can also be part of the 8 credits, but prerequisites and Research Practicum credits can total no more than 6 credits in all.
- Also, 4 of the 8 credits may be taken from courses offered in other departments of the Graduate School of International Social Sciences (GSISS).
- GSISS Joint Course credits do not count toward the degree.

(2) Seminars: 12 credits
- Seminars Ⅰa,Ⅰb,Ⅱa,Ⅱb offered by the student’s doctoral thesis advisor: 8 or more credits (mandatory)
- Workshop & Fieldwork: 4 or more credits combined. However, no more than 2 credits for Fieldwork will be counted toward the degree.
- Upon the recommendation of the advising committee, students may substitute lectures (one or two 2-credit courses, Research Practicum included) for Workshops (2 or 4 credits).

 

List of Courses:

* FieldworkⅠandⅡmust be taken in pairs.
** The GSISS Joint Courses credits do not count toward the degree.
Note: Up to 4 credits from prerequisite courses (typically offered at the Master’s level) may be taken.

Process for Completion of Degree

During the first year, a student enrolled in October decides which courses to take and creates a research proposal by mid December, which he/she then modifies by the end of March according to the guidance of the advising committee. In addition, he/she undergoes interviews with his/her advising committee as needed.
During the second year, a student presents the first interim progress report (open to all faculty and students of the university) to the advising committee in December in response to the guidance and research results of the previous year. The advising committee considers the report and decides what further guidance is needed.
During the third year, a student presents a second interim progress report (a review of qualifications for writing a dissertation, open to all faculty and students of the university) in October. Based on the results of the report, the advising committee decides whether the student is ready for a dissertation defense.
A student who is assigned a “Pass” grade for their second interim progress report undergoes a preliminary defense (the dissertation report will be open to all faculty and students of the university) in January, and then submits a Ph.D. dissertation in April. The Ph.D. dissertation defense committee (hereinafter “defense committee,” selected at relevant faculty meetings, etc.) reviews the said dissertation and reports the results to the relevant faculty meetings, etc.
After a Ph.D. oral examination is conducted in around June, the committee of the Graduate School determines in July whether to approve the Ph.D. degree (Doctor of International and Business Law, Doctor of Laws or Doctor of Philosophy) for the student’s graduation in September.
[Application for Early Graduation]
A student who meets the following conditions may apply for permission to submit a Ph.D. dissertation with an enrollment period of two years (two-year completion).
1) As a result of the first dissertation interim report, the advising committee determines that the student can submit a Ph.D. dissertation during the same academic year.
2) The advising committee determines that the student can meet the completion requirements in two years after admission to the Ph.D. programs.