1. Frequently Asked Questions

GSAM

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Completion Requirements

Q.
What is the maximum credit registration limit per semester?
A.

Master’s students can register for up to 22 credits per semester.

Q.
Do I receive credit for all seminars? Do credits from all seminars count toward the credits required for program completion?
A.

Yes. Students will receive credits for all seminar subjects they pass. Any credits earned from seminars will count toward the credits required for program completion.

Q.
Can I change my major? Can I change my Division?
A.

Yes, students are allowed to change their Division (within the same major) or major (only within the GSA program).
As these changes affect program completion requirements, the applications must be submitted during a student's first semester.
Note: Usually, a Division/major change also requires a Supervisor change, so students are expected to also submit a Supervisor change application.

Change in Major・Division (GSAM)

Seminars

Q.
Who is my seminar supervisor? When is my seminar class?
A.

Every newly enrolled student is assigned an individual supervisor from their affiliated Division within one month of the start of classes.
The exact days and times of the seminars are decided between supervisors and students. Please contact your supervisor for details.

Q.
Can I change my supervisor?
A.

Yes. Students must submit the designated application form by the final day of classes in the 2nd quarter of the semester. If the application is approved, your supervisor will change from the next semester. Students are required to find their own replacement supervisor and receive approval from both their current and new supervisors. Please refer to the Graduate School website for details.

Plan for Research Supervision

Q.
Is there a designated form for the Plan for Research Supervision?
A.

Yes, please download it from the Graduate School website.

Q.
I could not get my supervisor’s signature. Can I still submit the Plan for Research Supervision?
A.

If you are unable to get your supervisor’s signature, you can submit an email from them confirming their writing of the Plan for Research Supervision. Please consult with the Academic Office in advance.

Joint Research Presentations

Q.
What should I do if I am not available to present at my assigned time?
A.

The presentation schedule is usually set by the Division at the beginning of each semester. If you are not available at your designated time due to unavoidable circumstances, please consult with your supervisor and the Division Head in advance, and notify the Academic Office.

Q.
I was not assigned to present but I want to give my presentation now. What can I do?
A.

Usually, presenters are decided by the Division at the beginning of every semester. Please consult with your supervisor and the Division Head to see if it is possible to present at this time.

Q.
When should I give my Joint Research Presentation?
A.

All students must present at a Joint Research Presentation at least once in order to be able to submit their Master's Thesis/Research Report for examination. Students should consult with their supervisors to discuss when they should present their research.

Research Proposal

Q.
Where can I find the designated application form?
A.

The application form is available for download from the Graduate School website.

Q.
I could not get my supervisor’s signature. Can I still submit my application?
A.

If you are unable to get your supervisor’s signature, you can submit an email from them confirming their approval instead. Please consult with the Academic Office in advance.

Q.
My research topic/type of paper may change in the future. Is that ok?
A.

Yes. Students can change the research topic/type of paper after submitting their Research Proposal. However, please consult with your supervisor before changing your topic or type of paper.

Master’s Thesis/Research Report Examination

Q.
What are the differences between a Master’s Thesis and a Research Report? Which one should I write?
A.

There are many differences between a Master’s Thesis and a Research Report. A Research Report only provides a summary or report of research done by others, while a Master’s Thesis contributes something to the body of literature independent of the research done by others. Students interested in pursuing further research in a doctoral program or as a professional researcher are recommended to write a Master’s Thesis because the process of will introduce you to skills and methodology for doing research. Students who plan to pursue professional or non-research-oriented careers might find the information gathering process of a Research Report more suitable. Students should read the characteristics of both types consult with their supervisor to decide which best suits their purpose. Please refer to the Graduate School website for details.

Q.
Where and how should I submit my Master’s Thesis / Research Report?
A.

You must submit a soft copy of the Master's Thesis / Research Report to the Academic Office via Moodle.

Q.
I cannot submit my Master’s Thesis / Research Report on time. Can I submit it later?
A.

No. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

Q.
Can I know the name of my examiner?
A.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide any information related to examiners’ identity if the examiner chose to remain anonymous.

Q.
I received a fail result for my Master’s Thesis / Research Report. What are my options?
A.

Students who did not pass the Master’s Thesis / Research Report examination may continue working on revising their Master’s Thesis / Research Report to submit it for examination again or may choose to leave the program. If you have any concerns please consult with the Academic Office.

Q.
I received a pass result for my Master’s Thesis / Research Report but could not complete the required credits. What are my options?
A.

Students who were not able to graduate due to insufficient credits can choose to stay enrolled in the program until they are able to do so (up to 8 semesters). Please note that scholarships do not apply for enrollment longer than 4 semesters and you will be billed tuition for every semester of extension.

Q.
What format should I use when writing my Master’s Thesis / Research Report?
A.

All Master’s Theses and Research Reports should follow the APA style. Sample formatting guidelines can be found on the Graduate School website.

Q.
When should I decide whether to write a Master’s Thesis or a Research Report?
A.

Writing a Master’s Thesis or a Research Report requires different research approaches so it is recommended to decide the type of research around the time you are writing your Research Proposal. However, changes can be made any time before the submission of the Notification of Intent to Submit a Master's Thesis/Research Report in your final semester. Please make sure that you consult with your supervisor in advance for any changes you want to make.

Q.
What is the benchmark for the Turnitin similarity percentage for my final Master’s Thesis / Research Report?
A.

Currently, GSA does not have an exact benchmark for the Turnitin similarity reports. Please make sure that you constantly consult with your supervisor and receive guidance on how to interpret the similarity reports.
Please understand that the similarity index does not necessarily mean that the Master’s Thesis / Research Report is plagiarized / contains no plagiarized material. Students should strive to avoid any kind of plagiarism.

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