Application path · Master's / PhD

Senmon-shoku Graduate School · An Upgrade Path for Working Professionals

Senmon-shoku graduate schools (MBA / MOT / accounting / public policy / law, etc.) are advanced programs created in 2003 to train high-level working professionals, awarding a "○○修士(専門職)" degree. This is a different path from going to Japan full-time on a 留学 student visa: its core audience is people already working in Japan on a work-based residence status. While your main job stays your primary activity, you study alongside it via weekday evenings, weekend intensives, online, or hybrid formats — usually without switching to 留学. Learning is case-driven discussion and project work that brings real career problems into class, not framing a research-history question for a thesis; admission centers on a 志望理由書, work history, essays, and 社会人特別選抜, and a 研究計画書 is not always required. Completion extends your career — internal promotion, a specialist pivot, a job change, or a venture — rather than a first entry into Japan's job market. If you are still abroad and want a full-time move, an English-taught IMBA on the 留学 route fits better.