Under Hokkaido University’s four core principles (Frontier Spirit, Global Perspectives, All-Round Education and Practical Learning), the Graduate School of Health Sciences sets educational objectives to develop human resources with broad knowledge, good judgement and practical skills to deal with the advancement, interdisciplinary expansion and internationalization of science and technology adding to the basic knowledge in health sciences and sophisticated expertise. Having the degree conferment requirements for master’s and doctoral degree programs established with the concrete competence profiles set by the educational objectives, the Graduate School awards master’s and doctoral degrees to those who possess the competence and pass a thesis/dissertation review as well as exams upon completion of required course credits.

Degree Conferment Requirements Applicable to the Students in the Division of Health Sciences

The Division of Health Sciences aims to produce qualified graduates as advanced healthcare professionals, instructors, educators and researchers of the next generation in health sciences as it implements health sciences research through the integration of and collaboration between various disciplines. The Graduate School confers a master’s or a doctoral degree on a student who possesses the following practical skills in compliance with its educational objectives.

Upon completion of the master’s degree program, students are expected to:

• Have up-to-date knowledge and sound understanding of the field of health sciences;
• Possess essential skills for researchers in the field of health sciences to implement research and make an ethical judgement;
• Show a methodical mind requisite in health sciences research;
• Demonstrate the judgement on the validity of research results in the field of health sciences;
• Have the competence to study the significance of research results in the field of health sciences;
• Leverage communication skills to discuss with health sciences researchers and those from other disciplines;
• Exhibit implementation skills which an advanced health science professional ought to have.

Upon completion of the doctoral degree program, students are expected to:

• Have up-to-date knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the field of health sciences;
• Possess advanced essential skills for researchers in the field of health sciences to implement research and make an ethical judgement;
• Show competency to find research issues in the field of health sciences;
• Use insight and a flexible mindset to solve challenging problems in the field of health sciences;
• Demonstrate planning, coordination and leadership skills which are essential to the research and development in health sciences; and
• Leverage communication skills to discuss with health sciences researchers and those from other disciplines in the global community.