Master of Science in Human Development

The Graduate School of Human Development offers a Master’s course, within the Department of Human Development.

At present, the circumstances surrounding a child’s upbringing appear to be far from rosy, and what has been called the “child development crisis” is being universally aggravated.

Therefore, this department is committed to investigating possible scientific solutions to this crisis - which is manifested in all aspects of a child’s life. The syllabus is therefore built on the disciplines of pedagogy, psychology, curriculum research and development, and child-care and education. This program is furthermore geared towards engendering experts who possess the research capability and practical skills to analyze in detail and to hypothesize on potential answers to daily confronted issues.

In addition, this department is particularly focusing on the area of recurrent education, and so is cultivating the advanced specialists who can actively contribute to regional communities. Research is conducted in cooperation with institutions, such as elementary schools, kindergartens, nursery schools, child-raising support centers, consultation centers, and non-profit organizations.

The curriculum comprises of subjects that are related to welfare, and on two central themes built on the disciplines mentioned above - these themes being the theories of human development, and the method of how to support human development.

In addition, some subjects which are essential to obtaining a qualification to become a clinical developmental psychologist, have been introduced into the syllabus.

Moreover, all collaborated educational research is conducted at the Department’s “Lifespan development research center”.

Thus, the department’s carefully organized curriculum assists students in acquiring the knowledge to help address the “Child development crisis”, from a number of different angles.

Aichi Prefectural University can trace its origins back to Aichi Prefectural Women’s Special College, which was founded in 1947. It was established following the end of the Second World War when the residents of Aichi Prefecture wanted to recover from a period of confusion. This Women’s Special College was composed of only two departments: the Department of Japanese Literature and the Department of English Literature. At some time after that, the Special College was reorganized into the Women’s Junior College. Then, in 1957, Aichi Prefectural Women’s College, which offered a four-year course, was opened. Both of these colleges, as prestigious institutes of women’s higher education in the Chubu region, were committed to promoting competent individuals. Nine years later, in 1966, Aichi Prefectural University, a co-educational institution, was established. At that time, the university was organized into three schools (the School of Literature, the School of Foreign Studies, and the School of Foreign Studies II), and nine departments.

In 1998, the campus was relocated from Nagoya city to the hilly eastern district of Nagakute, and the facilities were modernized. As a result, the School of Information Science and Technology was founded as the university’s first school of science courses - with the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology being launched, the following year. Also during this period of modernizing, the Graduate School of International Studies opened its doors, and the facilities at the departments of both the School of Literature and the School of Foreign Studies were expanded and improved. Since then, Aichi Prefectural University has been producing professionals to play a vital role in their specialized fields. This is based on our educational philosophy which aims to advance globalization, informatization, social welfare, and the society of lifelong learning. Furthermore, the university, being a public institution, also desires to contribute to regional development.