American University

Program Information

Degree Offered

M.A. - International Affairs;M.A. - International Relations

Format: Campus

Program Description:

DMDP with Ritsumeikan University’ Graduate School of International Relations
How it works:
• After being admitted to SIS, students spend their first academic year on major field requirements. Students will officially apply to Ritsumeikan by submitting an application, proof of Japanese language proficiency, transcripts from first semester at AU, health form, research proposal (in Japanese, 1000 characters, approx. 2 pages) and copy of your passport. At this time students may also submit an application for the Monbusho scholarship. This award grants a monthly stipend and travel expenses.
• Students know in April if they are accepted at Ritsumeikan but won’t know if they received the Monbusho scholarship until June. Monbusho awardees will start at Ritsumeikan in early October.
• Students work closely with advisors (and financial aid, if applicable) to plan what they will register for, and when, while they are away. Students will complete 24 credits at Ritsumekan, including a thesis, and transfer 6 credits from AU for a total of 30 credits. AU will transfer back 15 credit hours to the SIS degree. Students pay AU for tuition.

What you will study:
• There are 4 major areas of concentration: Global Governance (Global Markets and non-proliferation issues), International Cooperation & Development (development and environmental protection), Intercultural Understanding, and Global Cooperation (classes in English).
• Core classes include: International Relations, Global Economy, Development of Economy, International Sociology, Special Studies on Intercultural Understanding among other seminars

University Highlights:
• Ritsumeikan is located in the northwest quadrant of Kyoto, the historic capital city of Japan. Ritsumeikan is surrounded by some of the most beautiful gardens and temples in the city, providing a tranquil setting for learning and research. The school is the home of the Kyoto Museum for World Peace.

Language Requirement: Japanese

Accreditation:

Accreditors Approved by U.S. Secretary of Education: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; A

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: No

Classification: Doctoral/Research Universities - Extensive

Institution Sector: Private not-for-profit

Locale: Large City

Size & Settings: 10,000 - 19,999