Master's Program in English Communication

The goal of the School of Foreign Studies is to provide students with an advanced level of understanding and expertise in one of four research areas and to give them a solid framework for a future career in their chosen field.

The school offers a two-year interdisciplinary master's program in foreign studies that can be tailor-made to meet students' career goals. Classes usually take place in the evening for students who work during the day; however, scheduling is flexible and can be changed to accommodate the needs of individual students. Registered foreign students are eligible for student visas.

The curriculum is flexible and students may select courses from any of the four subject areas: international business communication, international cooperation, British and American area studies, or English teaching and linguistics. Courses in the research area of international business communication include International Business A・B, Studies on Business Models, Studies on Gender and Career Development, Intercultural Communication A・B, and Digital Communication A・B. Courses in the area of international cooperation include International Cooperation Policy Studies, Human Development Studies, Development, and Gender Studies, Studies on Civil Society Movements, Theory and Practice of International Organizations, International Cultural Cooperation, and Fieldwork Program / International Cooperation Studies A・B. Courses we offer for British and American area studies are American Studies I (Politics/Society) A・B, American Studies II (Literature/Culture) A・B, British Studies I (History/Society) A・B, British Studies II (Literature/Culture) A・B, Anglo-American Diplomacy A・B, Fieldwork on Anglo-American Cultures A (U.S.A.), and Fieldwork on Anglo-American Cultures B (U.K.). Courses in the area of English teaching and linguistics include Second Language Acquisition A・B, English Education A・B, English Syntax A・B, and English Pragmatics A・B.

Assessment is by coursework and thesis. Students are assigned one thesis advisor and one sub-advisor, allowing for an interdisciplinary approach to the student's desired specialty. Students are encouraged to carry out field research or to study abroad in order to gain hands-on knowledge in their chosen field.

The program is suitable for candidates interested in acquiring expertise in the fields of international business communication, international cooperation, area studies, or English teaching and linguistics and who seek globally-focused careers in both the private and not-for-profit sectors.

The history of Bunkyo Gakuen's dates back to 1924 when our founder, Ishiko Shimada, established an academy with the objective of "providing women with the skills to become independent."

Since that time our founder's initial spirit has been handed down through generations of Bunkyo Gakuen students. Throughout the changing times the University's principles of independence and co-existance have remained steadfast as we work to educate capable young people.

In 1947 the Bunkyo Gakuen Girls' Junior High School was established, and since that time the educational functions and institutions of Bunkyo Gakuen have continued to develop, with the establishment of the Institute of Medical Technology for Women in 1959, the establishment of the Women's College in 1964, and the establishment of the Faculty of Business Administration in 1991.

During the late 1990s, Bunkyo Gakuin University began to develop and expand its offerings in other areas of learning. In 1996 the Lifetime Learning Center was opened for non-full-time students. In 1997 the Faculty of Human Studies was opened and the Graduate Division of the University was established. The Faculty of Foreign Studies was added in 2001.

In 2004 Bunkyo Gakuen marked the 80th anniversary since its establishment and to commemorate this occasion in April 2005 all undergraduate faculties and courses were made co-educational. In April 2006 the Faculty of Health Science Technology, which aims to nurture the healthcare professionals of tomorrow, was established. The Bunkyo Gakuin two year College also became co-ed during this year. The University continues to seek further development and improvement.