Message from the Dean

Naoki Odanaka
Dean Naoki Odanaka

Global mindset, Data analysis skills, and a Spirit of challenge

As we enter the 21st century, various problems have erupted in the world. For example, the development of information and communication technology has made the Internet an indispensable part of our lives, but it has also brought about some adverse effects, such as the flaming in the social network, the market monopolization and invasion of privacy by GAFA (Google, Amazon, Meta [ex-Facebook] and Apple), and manipulation of public opinion through fake news. Artificial intelligence research is accelerating, but there are now calls for the possibility of “artificial intelligence replacing human being, resulting in mass unemployment of the latter.” Global warming, the result of the massive use of fossil fuels that make our daily lives comfortable, has also brought about unprecedented weather conditions. The development of biotechnology has the potential to solve the world’s food problems, but it also raises various ethical issues.

In the 21st century, you will have to face these issues and search for solutions.

In order to find these solutions, you must not just rely on the knowledge available on the Internet, etc., but must use your own brain to think through these issues based on that knowledge. We believe that this requires three frames of mind: a global mindset, the ability to analyze data, and a spirit of challenge.

The Faculty of Economics at Tohoku University is committed to providing education that integrates economics and management research, education in collaboration with the graduate school (courses that enable students to obtain bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years), small-group education (seminars), international education (promotion of study abroad and active acceptance of international students), and emphasis on data science education (introduction of science-related entrance exams), etc., to help students achieve the three aforementioned goals.

The Graduate School of Economics and Management is set for those who seek advanced knowledge beyond the undergraduate level. There we have a course for master’s degree named Global Program of Economics and Management (GPEM), where all the classes are given in English. For those who wish to become certified public accountants, we offer an Accounting School, a branch of the Graduate School, which boasts one of the highest passing rates for the CPA examination among accounting schools in Japan.

Economics and management research are the disciplines that consider “what the true wealth is.” Bothe the Faculty of Economics and the Graduate School of Economics and Management at Tohoku University are trying to provide you with opportunities to acquire the long-term insight and universal judgment necessary to achieve this. We invite you to join us in thinking about “what the true wealth is” and seeking solutions to the various problems we face.

Organization

Organization

Faculty of Economics

Diploma Policy

If a student is recognized to have attended during the time prescribed in the regulations of the Tohoku University Faculty of Economics, to have attained the academic achievements listed below acquired broad and deep specialized knowledge of economy, an ability to explore problems, and an international perspective, through the study of General Education and specialized subjects that the Faculty holds as the educational philosophy and goals, and to have earned the designated credits, the Faculty certifies graduation and confers the degree of Bachelor (Economics) upon the student.

  1. To acquire fundamental knowledge on economics and management based on wide-ranging education, and to be able to consider historical contexts and conduct theoretical as well as empirical analyses of social phenomena.
  2. To understand the backgrounds and contexts of social issues and apply the knowledge of economics and management to find solutions for such issues.
  3. To gain an interest in global issues and develop communication skills necessary for interactions with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds through international exchanges, and take relevant initiatives from the international perspective.

Curriculum Policy

The Tohoku University Faculty of Economics aims to develop leading human resources who have a broad and deep specialized knowledge of economy, an ability to explore problems, and an international perspective through an integrated education of economics and management, small-group seminars, and cooperative education with the Graduate School. To realize that educational philosophy, the Faculty designs the curriculum in line with the following policies.

  1. To arrange subjects to learn fundamental knowledge of economics and management in the first year and the second year.
  2. To arrange subjects to learn more specialized and applied knowledge of economics and management in the third year and thereafter. Furthermore, to cooperate with graduate education by enabling students to take part in the subjects offered at the Graduate School.
  3. To have seminar subjects (seminars) in the third year and the fourth year to cultivate an ability to explore problems. From the perspective of valuing small-class education, seminar subjects are to be compulsory. Furthermore, students are required to compose papers in seminar subjects in their fourth year.
  4. From the standpoint of aiming at integrated education of economics and management, to require students to study basic subjects extensively in both fields and recognize them as the credits required for graduation irrespective of the departments to which students belong.
  5. To make use of small-class education, cooperative education with the Graduate School, and internships to cultivate leadership qualities.
  6. To develop a study-abroad program and give academic credit for subjects completed as international students to broaden students’ horizons internationally.
  7. Student achievements will be determined by a comprehensive evaluation according to the learning objectives attained and assessment methods as described in the syllabus of each subject.

Graduate School of Economics and Management

Diploma Policy of Master’s Program

The Tohoku University Graduate School of Economics and Management confers the degree of Master (Economics or Management) upon students who have earned the designated credits while attending for the prescribed period of time, submitted a master’s thesis, etc. after having received necessary research guidance and having passed the screening and final examinations, and having achieved the following goals.

  1. To have a broad perspective, to be equipped with expertise in economics and management, and to possess an ability to accomplish original research in the specialized fields of economics and business administration or an ability to engage in highly specialized occupations. At the same time, to have acquired the ability to identify, explore, and solve problems independently, in addition to the ability to disseminate results.
  2. To have acquired a research capability to make intellectual contributions to solve social and economic problems in the 21st century that the school holds as its philosophy and goals of graduate education, or an ability to become leaders in society with a high level of vocational skills, and to be able to contribute to the development of society with a high standard of ethics and responsibility.
  3. To have cultivated leadership with a cross-cultural exchange capability, an international perspective and an ability to take action through international exchanges, and to be able to make use of leadership skills in the dissemination of research results aimed at international standards or in highly specialized occupations.

Admission Policy of Master’s Program

This department offers two courses: the Economics and Management Research Course, and the Global Program in Economics and Management (GPEM). Each course has the screening categories below. Non-Japanese applicants for the Economics and Management Research Course must have adequate Japanese language proficiency. Applicants for GPEM must have the ability to work in international settings. Examination methods differ depending on the screening category. All categories require applicants to meet specified standards for admission according to the examination method.

General screening

Applicants having adequate English language proficiency and specialized knowledge of economics or business administration will be selected. Examinations are conducted in writing, orally, and based on the submitted documents. The applicants’ specialized knowledge is an important criterion.

Screening for working adults

Working adults having vocational capabilities and knowledge of specialized fields will be selected. Examinations are conducted orally and are based on submitted documents. The applicants’ specialized knowledge and research aptitudes are important criteria.

Screening for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Economics at Tohoku University

Graduate candidates in the Faculty of Economics at Tohoku University who demonstrate high academic performance and who have a clear purpose for studying at the graduate school will be selected. Examinations are conducted orally and are based on submitted documents. The applicants’ specialized knowledge and the propriety of their research plans are important criteria.

Foreign student screening

Only non-Japanese applicants are accepted for GPEM. Applicants having high English language proficiency and high basic academic skills at the undergraduate level will be selected. Examinations are conducted based on submitted documents. The applicants’ basic academic skills are important criteria.

Double degree program student screening for the University of Paderborn

Applicants are accepted only for GPEM. Students in the master’s program in the Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Paderborn will be selected. Examinations are conducted based on submitted documents. The applicants’ specialized knowledge is an important criterion.

Applicants are recommended to acquire specialized knowledge, research skills, and international perspectives at the undergraduate level before admission.

Diploma Policy of Doctoral Program

The Tohoku University Graduate School of Economics and Management confers the doctoral degree (Ph. D in Economics or Ph. D in Management) upon students who have earned the designated credits while attending for the prescribed period of time, submitted a doctoral thesis, after having received necessary research guidance and having passed the screening and final examinations, and having achieved the following goals.

  1. To have rich knowledge, to be equipped with a high level of expertise in economics and management, and to possess an ability to accomplish and teach original research independently in the specialized fields of economics and management or an outstanding ability to engage in highly specialized occupations.
  2. To have acquired research capabilities sufficient to make intellectual contributions to solve social and economic problems in the 21st century that the school holds as its philosophy and goals of graduate education, or an ability to become society’s leaders with a high level of vocational skills, and to be able to contribute to the development of society and scholarship with unique ideas and a high standard of ethics and responsibility.
  3. To have cultivated leadership with a high level of cross-cultural exchange capability, an international perspective and an ability to take action through international exchanges, and to be able to make use of leadership skills in the dissemination of international-standard research results and the advancement of studies in Japan and abroad or to act as leaders in their areas of responsibility in highly specialized occupations.

Admission Policy of Doctoral Program

While the course is not divided into categories, the GPEM doctoral program is offered. The screening categories below are available. In all categories, applicants having high English language proficiency, specialized knowledge of the relevant fields, and research aptitude will be selected. Research skills will be important criteria. Examination methods vary depending on the screening category. All categories require applicants to meet specified standards for admission according to the examination method.

General screening for transferred students

Examinations are conducted orally and are based on submitted documents.

Screening for working adults transferring from another university

Working adults who have research achievements are eligible to apply in this category. Examinations are conducted orally and are based on submitted documents.

Screening for foreign students transferring from another university

Only the GPEM doctoral program is available. Examinations are conducted based on submitted documents.

Continuation to the 3-year doctoral curriculum

Students in the master’s program of the Graduate School of Economics and Management at Tohoku University, or a master’s program or professional degree program at Tohoku University, are eligible to apply in this category. Examinations are conducted orally and are based on submitted documents.
Applicants are recommended to acquire specialized knowledge, skills for conducting research and demonstrating results, international perspectives, and the ability to act at the graduate level (for a master’s degree) before admission.

Accounting School

Diploma Policy

Tohoku University Accounting School confers the degree of Master of Accountancy upon students who have earned the designated credits while attending for the prescribed period of time, and who have achieved the following goals.

  1. To have acquired not only specialized knowledge in the field of accounting but also knowledge in its related fields, and to have profound knowledge, advanced analytical ability and outstanding pragmatic skills to play roles as accounting professions for which a high level of specialization is required.
  2. To have been equipped with a high standard of professional ethics necessary for accounting professions and to be able to contribute to the development of society.
  3. To be able to pursue studies continuously to deepen their own education and specialization, and to have an international perspective in addition to communication skills.

Admission Policy

This department offers the Certified Public Accountant Course, Accounting Research Course, and Business Accounting Course. The screening categories below are available. The written examination tests applicants’ commercial knowledge and understanding of undergraduate-level accounting. The oral examination tests their research aptitudes and understanding of educational principles. Examination methods vary depending on the screening category. All categories require applicants to meet specified standards for admission according to the examination method.

General screening

Examinations are conducted in writing (for all courses) and orally (for the Accounting Research Course and Business Accounting Course). The applicants’ basic academic skills in accounting are important criteria for the Certified Public Accountant Course, and research aptitudes are important criteria for the Accounting Research Course and Business Accounting Course.

Screening for juniors

Junior students demonstrating academic excellence are eligible to take this examination. Examination methods and criteria are the same as those for general screening.

Screening for undergraduate students of the Faculty of Economics at Tohoku University

Graduate candidates in the Faculty of Economics at Tohoku University who demonstrate high academic performance and who have a clear purpose for going to the graduate school will be selected. Examinations are conducted orally and are based on submitted documents. Research aptitudes and understanding of the educational principles of Tohoku University are important criteria.

Screening based on self-recommendation

This category is available only for the Accounting Research Course and Business Accounting Course. Applicants such as working adults, non-Japanese people, and students from other departments having broad backgrounds are eligible to take these examinations. Examinations are conducted orally and are based on the documents submitted. The applicants’ research aptitudes are important criteria.

Applicants are recommended to acquire undergraduate level accounting knowledge before admission.

Admissions