Diploma policy
The Tokyo High School of Commerce and Tokyo University of Commerce, the predecessors of Hitotsubashi University, were institutions that nurtured not only human resources active in industry, but also outstanding researchers and educators in the fields of commerce and business administration. This tradition, through Graduate School of Commerce established in 1953 and the Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy (ICS) established in 2000, continues to remain cherished this day within School of International Corporate Strategy, Graduate School of Business Administration at Hitotsubashi University, inaugurated in 2018.
The objective of the DBA Program in School of International Corporate Strategy, Graduate School of Business Administration at Hitotsubashi University is to realize world-class high-quality research in the fields of commerce and business administration, and to train researchers who can actively contribute to industry as well as academia.
In order to realize high-quality research of a global standard, we need to cultivate (1) research capabilities with high communication skills that enable students to present creative research results not only to Japan but also to the world, (2) leadership skills that enable students to lead the "knowledge development" in the academic world on a global scale, and (3) a high level of research ethics to contribute to the sound development of the social sciences. In addition, we aim to cultivate insights into the problem consciousness of practitioners and a high awareness of the quality of the practical implications of research.
Our DBA alumni are active as faculty members at universities in Japan and abroad specializing in fields such as management, marketing, accounting, and finance, as senior researchers and consultants at public research institutions, private think tanks, consulting companies, and as managers of companies and start-ups. They are expected to contribute to society as researchers or business practitioners who can indicate genuine approaches to issues that industry faces by drawing insights gained from their own research, or expand the frontiers of knowledge in commerce and business administration by conducting original research based on their professional experiences.
DBA thesis requirement
To complete a DBA thesis project, students are expected to:
a. Present their DBA thesis proposal at Advanced Research Positioning
b. Secure approval from the DBA thesis committee
c. Successfully defend their thesis at the oral examination (DBA thesis defense)
The DBA coursework is designed to provide DBA candidates with a thorough and comprehensive training in methods of social research. The DBA thesis is the culmination of the DBA program in which candidates demonstrate their grasp of the subject matter and their ability to conduct independent research that contribute to expand the knowledge frontiers of human society.
Preparation for the DBA thesis begins with the thesis proposal. The student must first prepare a DBA thesis proposal, and defend the proposal in an oral examination in front of the DBA thesis committee. Successful defense of the proposal signifies that the thesis project is feasible and that it makes a contribution to research.
Candidates who have passed the proposal defense will continue on to conduct their DBA thesis research. Candidates will advance to the DBA thesis defense when the committee determines that they are sufficiently prepared. The successful completion and defense of the DBA thesis signifies that candidates have acquired the necessary skills to express their research work clearly in both written and oral languages.