1) Required courses
It is important to have excellent thinking, leadership, and communication skills as a researcher and scientist in order to integrate the five core areas of public health and to acquire the abilities as a manager and leader who can respond appropriately and promptly as a leader of an implementing organization that conducts practice, education, and research. Therefore, regardless of the field of specialization chosen, the following compulsory subjects will be provided as common subjects: “Advanced Leadership and Management,” “Basic Epidemiology,” “Basic Biostatistics,” “Advanced Health Behavioral Science,” “Advanced Health Policy and Medical Management,” “Advanced Occupational and Environmental Health,” and “Advanced Public Health Ethics. In consideration of non-medical entrants, elective course of “Advanced Basic and Clinical Medicine” are provided.
(2) Specialized Courses (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Epidemiology and biostatistics are the two basic sciences of scientific empirical research. In the doctoral course, we aim to develop human resources who can conduct biostatistical analysis according to the appropriate epidemiological research design and construct evidence as change agents. It is important to have knowledge and skills in the field of public health under technical science, to think as a researcher and scientist, to have excellent leadership skills, and to have good communication skills such as negotiation skills.
In this specialization, the following educational objectives are set.
To be able to explain the appropriate epidemiological study design and risk indicators for data used in medical research, and to explain how to acquire data and the limitations of research.
To be able to explain the basics and applications of epidemiological methodologies and statistics in medical research.
To be able to apply statistical analysis software to actual data, analyze the data based on statistical models, and explain the results of the analysis.
To be able to critically examine epidemiological research designs, statistical research methods, and limitations, including survey research methods and paper writing, in medical research papers and in practice.
To be able to apply epidemiological designs in medical research, to apply statistical analysis methods, and to solve problems in collaboration with experts.
(3) Specialized Courses (Occupational and Environmental Health)
The educational content of the doctoral course emphasizes case studies due to the practical nature of the field of environmental and occupational health, and in considering actual cases and how to deal with them, it is important to have knowledge and skills in the field of public health, to think as a researcher and scientist, to have excellent leadership skills, and to have high communication skills in negotiations.
In this specialization, the following educational objectives are set.
To be able to explain overseas trends, national laws and policies, and local government implementation in environmental health.
To be able to measure environmental exposure factors and apply the results to legislation and projects.
To be able to design occupational health activities based on evidence from epidemiological studies, etc.
To be able to design occupational health activities based on evidence from epidemiological studies.
To be able to provide occupational health services as a manager in actual workplaces.
Understand the principles of ergonomics, chemistry, toxicology, etc., and be able to select and propose methods of risk assessment and risk management for a healthy environment.
(4) Specialized Courses (Health Policy and Medical Management)
As Japan’s population structure and economic environment change, the problem of ever-increasing medical costs and the review of health care systems such as social security systems are urgent issues.
In addition, health care policy has a significant role to play in terms of crisis management, such as dealing with emerging and reemerging infectious diseases and disasters. Internationally, the aging of the population and the epidemiological shift in the structure of diseases are currently occurring, and international organizations are taking the lead in addressing the aging society and non-communicable diseases. Among social issues, health and medical policies that directly affect people’s lives and livelihoods must be accountable to the public.
In such cases, there is a high expectation for the contribution of academia to contribute to social change by demonstrating facts with data and logically verifying policies. In the field of healthcare management, it is required to improve the quality of healthcare while increasing the efficiency of management, effectively utilizing clinical data, and ensuring medical safety, along with knowledge of healthcare economics and healthcare management.
In order to achieve this, the ability to analyze various medical and management information and the ability to explain to multiple industries are required.
The following are the educational objectives of this specilization.
To understand and explain theories and models of public health policy and the basic concept of evidence-based policy making, and to be able to propose policies to solve problems.
To be able to apply economic thinking to public health.
To be able to apply scientific efficiency measurement methods to public health policy.
To be able to propose practical solutions to local health and medical issues and to solve problems in collaboration with stakeholders.
To be able to work as a practitioner who is familiar with international health issues.
Research Practicum
The purpose of Research Practicum is to “achieve specific results on public health issues, such as improving and solving actual healthcare problems and improving people’s health standards, and to acquire the competencies to achieve these results as well as the ability to write a dissertation.
In other words, the main focus of this course is to evaluate whether the applicant meets the competency level prior to applying for the degree.
Specifically, in line with the competency-based education and problem-solving approach, students receive continuous guidance from their research advisors during their period of study, and are evaluated prior to the dissertation review through the plan review, interim report meeting, and final review by the internal review committee established in the Graduate School.
In this doctoral course, there are three fields of study: “Research Practicum in Epidemiology and Biostatistics,” ” Research Practicum in Occupational and Environmental Health,” and ” Research Practicum in Health Policy and Medical Administration,” and students are required to select a special study in one of these fields (field-specific course).
