GRIPS’ goal is to foster policy professionals who
・have the ability to examine existing policy issues, conduct in-depth policy analyses, and provide practical solutions for policy-making;
・wish to become highly skilled specialists or researchers of policy studies or policy-making leaders working in international organizations, governments in individual countries, and other areas.
Admissions Policy
GRIPS accepts
・students with good potential and willingness to acquire the ability to analyze policy issues from an academic perspective.
・mid-career policy professionals who will play key roles in shaping the policy of their country as well as those who wish to become researchers.
・students from around the world.
・students with various backgrounds regardless of their undergraduate major.
Curriculum Policy
Owing to its outstanding faculty with a large diversity of backgrounds and specialist knowledge, GRIPS strives to maintain a research and educational environment that conforms to international standards. In its diverse and international environment, GRIPS offers a systematic curriculum to help students pursue their policy studies and engage in meaningful interaction and cooperation.
The curriculum is organized on the basis of the degree programs offered by the school and it promotes both breadth and depth of knowledge. Students develop general policy-related knowledge through a set of courses that are required or recommended by their individual programs; they also acquire specialist knowledge by taking school-wide courses from the following five strands: politics-related subjects, economics-related subjects, policy-studies-related subjects, program-specific subjects, and professional communication-related subjects. Each program features a comprehensive curriculum that is not restricted to one particular subject but that incorporates subjects from all five strands. All degree programs are regularly reviewed for appropriateness in response to the developments in policy and public administration theory and practice that result from social change.
We offer an intensive curriculum throughout the year so that students can acquire a high-quality graduate degree in a short period of time. To that end, we use a four-term system consisting of two longer terms and two shorter terms, and offer small-group courses tailored to students’ needs. Course evaluation is norm-referenced to ensure the distribution of students across certain grade point average (GPA) thresholds and students are assessed relative to one another.
To accommodate students from both Japan and other countries, we offer two enrollment options, in April and October. We offer a large number of courses in English which enables students to complete their studies entirely in English.
Degree-Granting Policy
GRIPS aims to contribute to the development and advancement of democratic governance in Japan and other countries throughout the world through innovative policy research and education and to cultivate policy professionals who will provide leadership in the promotion of democratic governance. In order to foster such professionals, GRIPS has a wide range of degree programs, which are offered directly by the Institute. These programs reflect the developments in policy and administrative studies resulting from social change.
In addition to specializing in fields such as politics or economics, students receive advanced training in broader policy studies in their chosen degree programs. At the end of their academic study, students complete a policy project reflecting their chosen policy research topic. Students who have completed all the required coursework and have fulfilled all other requirements for their degree are awarded a diploma and are expected to play an active role in their countries as well as on the international stage in the future.
Policies by Program Course
Master’s Programs
- Young Leaders Program
- One-year Master’s Program of Public Policy (MP1)
- Two-year Master’s Program of Public Policy (MP2)
- Macroeconomic Policy Program (One Year Program)
- Macroeconomic Policy Program (Two Year Program)
- Public Finance Program
- Economics, Planning and Public Policy Program
- Disaster Management Policy Program
- Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program
5-Year Ph.D. Program
3-Year Ph.D. Programs
