MA in International Relations

A Comprehensive International Relations Program with an Asia Pacific Focus

The International Relations program at IUJ is designed to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary understanding of major trends in contemporary international politics, economics, and society. Special emphasis is placed on developments in the Asian Pacific area and on Japan in particular. The Islamic world also receives considerable attention.

The International Relations program has proved extremely useful for people who either work in, or who intend to take up careers in national or regional governments, in international organizations, in business and finance, or in the media. It also offers a valuable stepping stone to those who wish to pursue further studies in a Ph. D. program and enter the academic world.

An Established Tradition

The foundations of the present International Relations program were laid under the guidance of the former Japanese Foreign Minister, Dr Saburo Okita, the first president of IUJ. The program was subsequently developed under the intellectual leadership provided by some of Japan's most distinguished authorities on world politics, international economics, Asian affairs, North America, Europe and the Islamic world. From the beginning, there has been a strong commitment to the cultivation of an open, eclectic, non-doctrinal and humane approach to scholarship and teaching.

Overview

When the International University of Japan was founded in 1982, its mission was to develop future leaders with a high level of specialized theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as understanding and empathy toward the world’s variety of cultures, enhancing their ability to contribute to the global society.

In the 35 years that have passed, more than 4,300 global leaders from about 130 countries have come from our Graduate Schools of International Relations and International Management. On our campus, we have built a unique and global intellectual community, unsurpassed in the world. About 300 students from 50 countries live in the dormitories, study, and research together with our faculty.

In addition, we have developed a rich educational infrastructure to accommodate the information society, and have a strong relationship with the Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM), which, as a leader in the research into an information society, stresses “Chigyo”, the study of knowledge.

IUJ, located in the serene heartland of rural Japan, is an ideal place for young men and women from all parts of the world to gather and to learn from each other and from a talented and diverse international faculty. The Graduate School of International Relations (GSIR) and the Graduate School of International Management (GSIM) present a unique opportunity for IUJ students to deepen their understanding of the policy sciences and area studies, using cutting-edge information and communication technologies. Our well-equipped campus, with its superb Matsushita Library and Information Center (MLIC), allows students to keep pace in this rapidly changing global and technological age. While English is the language of instruction, various levels of Japanese language courses are offered at IUJ so that those who wish to develop their proficiency in Japanese for internships or a professional career where knowledge of the Japanese language is important can do so. At the same time, the Japanese language courses will help overseas students to better understand Japanese culture and will help in their day-to-day cross-cultural communications and exchanges.

Those who wish to pursue professional careers in global business and public organizations will leave IUJ not only with MBA or MA degrees but also with a lifelong personal and professional network throughout the world that will be a huge asset useful throughout your life.

GSIM Earns AACSB* International Accreditation

From February 20, 2018, the Graduate School of International Management (GSIM), IUJ has proudly obtained accreditation from AACSB International, the world’s leading authority on quality assurance of business schools. Please refer to the AACSB General announcement, AACSB’s Newsroom, and the Regional announcement which has been sent to around 100 reporters across our immediate region by AACSB. IUJ has become one of the four AACSB accredited universities in Japan up to date, and the first accredited English-medium university in Japan, offering graduate degree programs.

About GSIM

With its mission to nurture wise individuals for global business and social leadership, GSIM was founded in 1988 under the guidance and collaboration of the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, USA. GSIM was the first US-style business school in Japan and the first MBA program in Japan to teach its courses only in English. Since then, GSIM has built up an international alumni network spanning over 120 countries and regions, and developed its campus into a diverse, multinational, multicultural, multi-ethnic environment comprised of students from around the world. GSIM has developed into a world-recognized business school, ranked among the top 100 business schools of the world (e.g., The Economist Intelligence Unit).

*About AACSB

Founded in 1916 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, USA, AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools, connecting educators, students, and businesses to create the next generation of great leaders. AACSB International is the world’s largest business education alliance.

AACSB accreditation is widely regarded as the highest level of accreditation for business schools, a “hallmark of excellence” in business education, and synonymous with the highest standards of quality. AACSB Accreditation has been earned by less than 5 percent of the world’s business schools.

To learn more about AACSB, please visit www.aacsb