Message from Dean

The Graduate School of Education High-level School Education Specialization (hereafter referred to as the “Graduate School of Education” ) was established in accordance with the following seven principles:

1. To enhance teacher cultivation through a cycle of theoretical learning and practical application in relation to teaching and the teaching profession.
2. To cultivate teachers who are capable of properly fulfilling their responsibilities in relation to academic supervision, pupil guidance, class management, etc.
3. To establish and strengthen the ideal of a teacher as being someone who continues to learn on a continuing basis.
4. To build new systems for cultivation and training.
5. To provide a framework for in-service training that enables teachers to reflect on their own teaching implementation.
6. To provide a framework for school support that integrates the capabilities of society as a whole.
7. To utilize active learning to enhance teacher quality, and to use the team-based school concept to realize effective collaborative school organization and management.

In line with the principles outlined above, the Graduate School of Education has formulated a curriculum that attaches great importance to hands-on training classes, and which organically integrates all taught classes with individual teaching practice. More specifically, the required classes, which are grouped in five areas (curriculum planning, practical guidance methods, pupil guidance and educational consultation, class and school management, and the relationship between school education and teachers), and the elective classes (organizational management, school research, and advanced guidance methods), are linked with the hands-on, practical training activities. In addition, in line with the special characteristics of Kagoshima Prefecture, students perform teaching practice, not only at the elementary school and junior high school affiliated with Kagoshima University, but also at small schools. It is also possible for students to undertake teaching practice at the special education school affiliated with Kagoshima University. The teaching at the Graduate School of Education focuses not on issues selected by individual graduate students, but rather on the exploration of issues affecting schools and the local community. It is anticipated that, through the learning undertaken at the Graduate School of Education, students will be able to realize an enhancement of their observational abilities and communication skills.