F.A.Q – School of Education

A１：What can I study in the School of Education?: In the School of Education, students will learn about various issues concerning the formation of the human character and human development. Most people tend to associate “education” with children. The School of Education offers courses regarding human development throughout their life, ranging from issues regarding children and infants, to adolescents, adulthood, and even the elderly. The School of Education can be described as place of opportunity to learn comprehensively regarding the science of human development.
A２：What kind of departments are there in the School of Education?: There are no departments in the School of Education. However, we offer two “fields” instead of departments. Students can choose from either 1) Educational Studies or 2) Educational Psychology Studies.
A３：What can I study at Educational Studies?: Educational Studies will introduce students to the principles of education, as well as its purpose, content, method, and system. Students can also learn about the processes and conditions of human development. Educational Studies is further divided into two courses, which are “International Education Culture Course” and “Education Society Program Course”.
A４：What can I study at Educational Psychology Studies?: Educational Psychology Studies offers classes on human development and consciousness, knowledge and learning, human character and adaptation, development impairments and mental/physical disorders., Educational Psychology Studies is further divided into two courses, which are “Human Development Course” and “Clinical Psychology Course”.
A５：What can I study in the International Education Culture Course?: This course offers classes on educational theories from the United States and Asian nations, education systems, administration and reformation. Students will conduct comparative research on international educational situations, as well as research on international understanding, cross-cultural understanding, and ethnic conflicts. Further research is conducted from the perspective of philosophy, computer science and anthropology in order to fundamentally consider what education is meant to be. Students will learn about various educational problems in the current era of internationalization.
A６：What can I study in the Education in Society Program Course?: What do you learn about in the Education in Society Program Course?
A７：What can I study in the Human Development Course?: In the Human Development Course, students will utilize various perspectives to conduct comprehensive research on how interacting with other human beings affects the individual in establishing his/her own purpose, mentality, actions and interactions. The Human Development Course deals with realistic issues and conducts fundamental research regarding human development. With various psychological perspectives and knowledge acquired through such research, this course aims to train students to become specialized human resources that can manage various issues arising from our fluctuating society.
A８：What can I study in Clinical Psychology?: Living in a complex and advanced industrial society, people encounter various problems in their everyday lives, which lead to experiencing stress, distrust, friction, and psychological conflict. In recent years various misbehaviors such as domestic violence, school violence, truancy, delinquency and crime have increased. On the other hand, there has also been an increasing number of children who suffer from development difficulties—namely autism.
The Clinical Psychology Course enables students to expand their understanding of people with such difficulties. Students will also learn important methodologies in assisting patients and managing problematic situations through theoretical and practical research.
A９：What are the differences between the Clinical Psychology Course at the School of Education and the Psychology Course at the Faculty of Literature?: In the Faculty of Literature’s Psychology Course, students will primarily conduct research regarding the values, exercise, and mentality in adults. The School of Education’s Educational Psychology Studies Course consists of eight branches, which are Educational Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Human Behavior Psychology, Counseling, Clinical Development Psychology, Lifetime Development, and Development Consultation. Psychological research is not limited to children’s growth into adulthood, human development, and adaption but also researches diagnosing physical impairments in children, providing medical treatment, and synthetic scientific research.
A10：Can I study a course outside my chosen field?: Of course you can. When students enter their second year, they will choose to progress into Education Studies or Educational Psychology Studies and will decide which courses they take within each of these fields. Students will focus their studies on courses available within their chosen field; however, students are allowed to take classes for credit in another field (some special courses may be exempt).
A11：How are classes in the School of Education held?: Classes are held in a variety of ways that include lectures, seminars, experiments and investigations. In seminars will not be limited to reading Japanese documents and will be required to read international documents as well. Once students decide on their research topic, all seminar students will research their topic.
A12：How different is the School of Education at Kyushu University compared to Teacher Training Faculties offered at other universities?: There are two types of schools of education at Japanese National Universities. The schools of education either have the purpose of training teachers or to conduct research and education for the study of education studies and educational psychology studies. The Kyushu University School of Education falls under the latter category. Similar to Tokyo University and Kyoto University, this school’s purpose is to conduct research in education and educational psychology studies.
A13：Is it possible to acquire a teaching license in order to become a teacher?: Yes, it is. Classes to prepare students in acquiring their teaching license can be taken for credit. Students are able to acquire a teaching license for Junior High School (Social Studies) and High School (Humanities and Citizenship). Please see Lesson features and the four year course system for details.
A14：What do I study in my first year?: By the first semester of second year, students will have received a broad education and acquired knowledge regarding humanities, social studies, natural sciences, language study and physical education. Simultaneously, the curriculum is structured to allow students to take specialized class in education or educational psychology. Please see Lesson features and the four year course system for details.
A15：When can I start taking classes in my major?: From the second semester of second year, students begin studying more specialized subjects. In the School of Education’s education studies there are 17 specialized subjects and 15 specialized subjects in educational psychology. Students may choose which subjects they study. (For the structure of each year’s lectures, please see Lesson features and the four year course system.For details on the classes within each field, please see the Education Studies and Educational Psychology Studies pages, respectively.)
A16：Can I choose a major on my own?: As a third year student, students will decide which specialized field they wish to study. Students are generally free to decide what he/she decides to specialize in. There are regulations, however, for students take a balanced number of classes in both fields should he/she wish to study both education and educational psychology studies.
A17：What is a graduation thesis?: The School of Education requires all students to write a graduation thesis. Professors will provide guidance for students in deciding a topic, and the graduation thesis must be written by correlating various gathered documents, investigations, and theories. By writing the graduation thesis, students will learn to study on their own through theoretical thinking, independent study systems, and problem solving. The ability to acquire knowledge will lay the foundations for student’s future lives as they enter society. In such a way, the graduation thesis is a wonderful compilation of your studies at university.
The graduation thesis is an intellectual challenge for students. Student who are driven to undertake such intellectual challenges are welcome in the School of Education.