PROSPECTUS 2025

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The Journey to Becoming a Change Agentin Creating Sustainable Futures

The Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures
provides students with a broad
understanding of the world's diversities
and teaches them the practical skills
needed to contribute to building
sustainable futures for others, with others.
The students will learn about sustainability
issues on a global and local scale and will
collaborate with their peers andprofessors both on and oﬀ campus inorder to determine how to achievea sustainable future.

Obtaining a degree is part of the processof becoming a change agent, but it is not
the ultimate objective in life nor in SPSF.
As the circumstances and environment
surrounding problems around the worldcontinue to change, it becomes increasingly
necessary to learn and adapt in order tobuild sustainable futures. To this end, theknowledge and expertise, the understandingof multiple perspectives, and the
problem-solving competency cultivated at
SPSF will form the foundation of thestudents’ lifelong journey.

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Aiming to Build a Sustainable Future
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All Courses Conducted in English

A Pioneer in Global Education in JapanSPSF is designed to develop students’ critical andcreative thinking skills to help them to work in the
global and local environment and ﬁnd solutions to
issues faced by the international community using aninterdisciplinary approach. By interacting and collaborating with students from other majors, students will
understand issues from multiple perspectives. That’s
what makes SPSF so unique!

SPSF aims to create a learning environment free from conﬂicts ofinterest, where students from diverse backgrounds around the world
can discuss their futures and deepen their understanding of eachother’s perspectives. In order to do this, English is used as the common
language in which all participants communicate. With slightly more
limited credits, courses conducted in Japanese are also available for SPSF
students who wish to improve their Japanese-language proﬁciency or for
those who are interested in courses relating to their respective
specialized ﬁelds of study that are oﬀered outside SPSF.

Sophia University now has 70 years of experience inproviding courses in English and developing
programs in which students can obtain credits
solely in English. The knowledge obtained throughthe many years of experience is utilized in thedevelopment of SPSF.

All Nine Faculties on One Campus

Oﬀering Bachelor’s Degrees
in Specialized Fields of StudySPSF students can study under the common core theme "sustainable
futures" together with students from other disciplines to further theirunderstanding of the theme and to obtain a bachelor's degree in one ofseven disciplines when they graduate.

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Interdisciplinary Approach

Sophia University has a compact footprint that brings
together all faculties on a single campus. It allows SPSF tocoordinate discipline-based courses seamlessly across six
departments and oﬀer an interdisciplinary learning
environment at the same time.

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SPSF: A New Learning Environment
to Create Sustainable FuturesCI

SPSF SOPHIA PROGRAM FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURESSPSF EXPLAINED

Learning on & oﬀ Campus
Students will have opportunities for internships, ﬁeld
research, and other initiatives that foster practicallearning in Japan and abroad. A variety of other opportunities such as study-abroad programs at aﬃliateduniversities, internships abroad, and international ﬁeld
studies are also oﬀered.

Message fromSPSF PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Creating a sustainable future is not a responsibility to bedelegated to others, but rather a challenge we must tackle
together. SPSF acknowledges the interdependence insustainability and adopts an interdisciplinary approach thatspans various ﬁelds in the social
sciences, encompassing nature,society, and our future. We also
oﬀer global internships, clubs, andextracurricular activities dedicated topromoting sustainability. Let's shapea sustainable future together!

Professor

Dr. Hideki MARUYAMA2CURRICULUMYOUR FOUR YEARS at SPSF
YEAR 1
AutumnYEAR 2SpringAutumnYEAR 3
Spring

Theme-based

Academic Skills
Academic Writing 1

Academic Skills

Academic Presentations

Specialized
Educationof the selected ﬁeldsof study

SPSF SOPHIA PROGRAM FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

Dept. Info P. 5–10

SpringAutumnSpring

Theme-basedFirst-Year Lecture in/about SF

SPSF
Common Core

Autumn

THE THEMEBASEDCOURSESYEAR 4

Third-Year Seminar for SF

Academic Skills

Academic Writing 2First-Year Lecture in/about Sustainable Futures

Academic Skills

This lecture course is required for all SPSF ﬁrst-year students. The six departments provide lectures related to each discipline of sustainability, while the
SPSF coordinator shares the latest studies on sustainability and develops thelecture content from each department. Students learn about issues related to
the various disciplines and engage in discussions that connect this broad
content through the all-encompassing perspective of sustainability. The course
deals with the basics of sustainability study and academic discipline in order towork towards sustainable futures.

Critical Thinking & Discussion

Courses oﬀered by Dept. of Economics

Bachelor’s thesis

Courses oﬀered by Dept. of Education

Bachelor’s thesis

Courses oﬀered by Dept. of Global Studies

Bachelor’s thesis

Interdisciplinary Learning

Courses oﬀered by Dept. of Journalism

Bachelor’s thesis

Courses oﬀered by Dept. of Management

Bachelor’s thesis

Courses oﬀered by Dept. of Sociology

Bachelor’s thesis

Foreign language courses taught in English

GeneralStudies

Lectures andseminars for
Sustainable Futures.

This seminar course is also required to integrate the contents of various
lessons the SPSF students have learned. Students bring their knowledge
and skills to collaborate in addressing global and local issues related tosustainable futures. The seminar will be based on PBL style and potentiallyoﬀer oﬀ-campus programs such as internships, study tours abroad, andonline lessons. The students set their groups for common selective issues
about sustainability and develop a solution after researching and analyzing
the backgrounds and structures of the issues.

Compulsory & elective courses including foreign language courses taught in JapaneseInternships
Study Abroad

OthersThird-Year Seminar for Sustainable Futures

Social Engagement Programs
Oﬀ-Campus Programs / Life Events
Other activities may need the extra semester(s) to graduation.

“SPSF Common Core” The Required Courses for All SPSF Students.
Impression

ACADEMICSKILLSA s all of these compulsory classes are conducted in small classes (about 10

Impression

people), I personally enjoyed that I was able to connect more not only withpeers but also with the professor. I feel like college can be full of classes witheven hundreds of students where your distance from your professor can makeit diﬃcult to seek help when needed. In contrast, the Academic courses weremore personalized and easy to keep on track as there were often times when
professors would talk to you one-on-one which really helped.
The Department of Management

GENERALSTUDIESThe General Studies courses provide a balance in class format compared tothe small-sized SPSF classes, allowing me to meet and exchange opinions withstudents from Japanese departments too. I have enjoyed taking 'Mixed Roots
Identity and Transnational Identity' by Professor Rooks since it gave me an
opportunity and space to rethink and embrace my cultural identity. 'Cultural
Revitalization and Community Building' by Professor Mizutani, has also
opened my eyes on communities I was ignorant about.

Usaburo MENDENHALLThe Department of Sociology

A mong the General Studies courses, I loved the class 'Philosophy of the
Human Person' taught by Professor Haidar. Despite being online during the
pandemic, this course was very interesting as it introduced me to the world ofPhilosophy through its easy-to-follow lectures and readings. Sometimes, I
would ponder topics such as moral dilemmas and human freedom for days.

I get quite nervous standing and presenting in front of other people, so thisdeﬁnitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. These classes give the basics ofwhat will be used throughout university life. Academic writing was especially
important considering we have to write a lot of reports and cite sources.
The Department of Journalism Maya YAMADA

3Sana HORIKAWA

The Department of Economics

Prakash SAPKOTA

4

DEPARTMENTS
DEPT. OF

DEPT. OFDo you want to learn how economics can be used to provide insight into
real-world, social and economic phenomena, as well as enhance logicalthinking skills? Join us at the Department of Economics, where we teach you
basic and advanced economic concepts, such as macroeconomics, microeconomics, and sustainable development. You will also apply your analyticalskills to examine various issues associated with developing sustainable
societies in a range of settings. You will have the opportunity to take courses
in other Sophia University Departments and develop knowledge of otherareas where economic concepts can be applied. Our courses feature smallclass sizes to promote active discussion between students and lecturers. We
welcome self-motivated applicants who are interested in improving theirunderstanding of the socio-economic issues occurring in modern society.

CURRICULUMAs of AY2024

First-year

Second-year

SPSF SOPHIA PROGRAM FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

Specialized Educat ion

Introduction to Microeconomics

As of AY2024

First-year

Second-year

Introduction to Statistics

Research, Discipline, and Other Major Core (Compulsory Electives); Environmental and Natural Resource Economics,
Poverty in the Global Economy, Economics of Social Policy, Global Development Goals, Bachelor ’s Thesis, etc.

Compulsory

Introduction to Comparative Education

Research in Education

Comparative Education in Asia

Bachelor’s Thesis/
Bachelor’s Graduation ProjectInternational Education
Education and International Development
Curriculum and Instruction
Special Topics in Education 1-5

Elect ives

SPSF Fundamentals
Interdisciplinary Learning

General Studies

Refer to page 3 and 4.

Refer to page 3 and 4.

Language

Economics is the study of how individuals, businesses, and governments makeI n the words of our students: “education is at the core of many sustainability
issues”; “education is the foundation for achieving sustainability by spreading its
importance to society”. Education is key to sustainable futures. Quality education(SDG 4) is central to all the other SDGs. It is through education that we can nurture
minds, hearts, and hands for sustainable futures.

choices about the use of scarce resources. Sustainability is therefore an importantconsideration in the economic analysis of societal challenges such as inequality,
globalization, environmental problems or ﬁnancial instability. Our interdisciplinary
approach allows students to acquire a broader view on these issues and to think
about sustainability from an integrated perspective.

Associate Professor

Dr. Matthias SCHLEGL

Associate Professor

I think that the Economics program within SPSF provides a unique opportunity to
specialise in economics at a high level, which is an option at only a select number ofother English-medium undergraduate courses in Japan. Speciﬁcally, the Economics
program within SPSF provides the chance to study at a internationally competitive
level, with highly demanding seminar courses to prepare students for entrance tointernational graduate programs.
The Department of Economics

5

Undergraduate Seminar in Education 1-4

SPSF Research Methods

Interdisciplinary Learning

Language

Fourth-year

Introduction to Educational Studies

Introduction to Data Analysis

General Studies

Third-year
Refer to page 3 and 4.

SPSF Common Core

Introduction to Macroeconomics

Elect ives

The Education major at the Department of Education explores educationand human development from international and interdisciplinary perspectives. You will take three core courses on Comparative Education, International Education, and Education and International Development, and threefoundations courses on Curriculum and Instruction, Philosophy of Education, and Sociology of Education. The major prepares future educators,
researchers, and global citizens who can create education for sustainable
futures that respects human dignity. We look forward to welcoming you to
our program.

CURRICULUM

Fourth-year

Refer to page 3 and 4.

SPSF Common Core

Compulsory

Third-year

EDUCATION

Specialized Educat ion

ECONOMICS

Keita Robert Hooker YOSHIKAWA

Dr. Maria MANZONI n the SPSF curriculum, many of the courses are conducted in smaller classes, therefore we
often have the opportunity to have critical discussions with our classmates. During our
discussions, I enjoy exchanging opinions with others of diﬀerent perspectives, backgrounds,
and academic interests. The discussion with students among the 6 SPSF departments has
been a great chance for me to widen my viewpoint and understanding.
The Department of Education

Mana UEDA

6

DEPT. OF

GLOBAL STUDIES

DEPT. OFThe Faculty of Global Studies (FGS) oﬀers a unique opportunity forstudents to study both International Relations and Area Studies, enablingthem to develop an interdisciplinary perspective on pressing global issues.
Majoring either in International Relations or Area Studies in their thirdyear, students engage in small-sized classes and seminars and learn
through lively group discussions. The ﬂexible curriculum allows students to
explore other departments, learn foreign languages, and study abroad.
Students broaden their horizons and develop skills for their future careers.
Join FGS and become part of a community dedicated to making a positive
impact on society both in Japan and worldwide.

CURRICULUMAs of AY2024

First-year

Second-year

Third-year

Introduction to Global Studies

First-year

Bachelor’s Thesis

Compulsory

Specialized Educat ion

Compulsory Introduction to International Relations

Specialized Educat ion

As of AY2024

Second-year

Introduction to Area Studies
200 level Global Studies (GS), International Relations (IR), Area Studies (AS)
Major & Minor 300-400 level (IR/AS)
Seminar 1 & 2

Communication 1

Seminar 2

International Communication 1-2
Mass Media1-2, Reporting English1-3, Ethics of Mass
Communication1-2, etc.

Elect ives

Language (Japanese / Chinese / French / Spanish)

Interdisciplinary Learning
General Studies

Refer to page 3 and 4.

Language

S PSF enriches students' learning experience by fostering diverse perspectives. Engaging

T he Department of Journalism focuses on sustainable futures. To achieve the SDGs, weneed to share facts and ideas across contexts. We will learn about journalism and media
communication and their roles in addressing environmental and social issues. This
program aims to develop students’ skills and abilities for sustainable futures.

discussions highlight the complexities of global goals and tailoring solutions to local
contexts, considering diverse histories, cultures, and social systems. SPSF sparks aprofound interest in sustainable development issues intricately woven into our daily lives,
empowering students to make meaningful contributions in our ever-evolving world.

Dr. Ayako KOBAYASHI

Associate Professor

after two years of study, the diversity and inclusive environment have created a unique academic
atmosphere in the department, which helped us work on several problems globally, such as the
cross-cultural communication cases. Through multiple cultural considerations, we found more possible
solutions and perspectives on the topic of global warming, sustainable journalism, and world peace cases.
Also, the globalization process made most social problems more complicated. Still, when conducting theteam discussion with students from all over the world, we found more possibilities and opportunities.

departments, realizing other interests I did not have before. The ﬁrst-year lecture on
SPSF was one of the ﬁrst ways I have gotten an idea of other departments to develop anunderstanding and extend my interests from the course. I am also hopeful for the futureof this program to oﬀer more variety of courses, as new departments are being introduced to the program.
The Department of Global Studies

Dr. Tomoki KUNIEDAAt ﬁrst, I thought that I couldn't ﬁt in well because of the language and cultural diﬀerences, however

I believe the department oﬀers various areas which gave me an insight into other7

Bachelor’s Thesis

Introduction to Global Media, Media Research, Global Media Program, etc.

Refer to page 3 and 4.

Associate Professor

Seminar 3

Seminar 4

Interdisciplinary Learning

Language

Fourth-year

Seminar1 (Media Research)

Other Core Category2 courses, FGS Electives, FLA courses, FFS courses, CLER courses etc.

General Studies

Third-year
Refer to page 3 and 4.

SPSF Common Core

Academic Skills for Global Studies

Elect ives

Journalism is a major that examines the impact of media and communication on our world and future. The Department of Journalism's Sophia
Program for Sustainable Futures oﬀers a unique program that emphasizes
the role of journalists and media organizations in shaping a better tomorrow. Students will acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills injournalism and communication while addressing real-world issues related
to sustainable futures. Through seminars and a graduation dissertation,
students will also develop their critical thinking and analytical abilities. If
you have a passion for journalism and sustainability, we invite you to join
our program.

CURRICULUM

Fourth-year

Refer to page 3 and 4.

SPSF Common Core

JOURNALISM

Yuto TOYOSHIMAThe Department of Journalism

Jialin YANG

8

DEPT. OF

MANAGEMENT

DEPT. OFBusiness plays a vital role in tackling contemporary societal challenges bydeveloping innovative business models. Our mission is to nurture aspiring
leaders who can make rational decisions and catalyze transformative
shifts in organizations and communities. Students sharpen their evidence-based critical and analytical thinking skills through our specialized
curriculum across areas such as accounting, entrepreneurship, marketing,organization, and strategy. Foreign language and cross-departmental
courses, as well as study abroad programs enhance students’ transdisciplinary and global communication skills. We welcome applicants to join us
in identifying problems and ﬁnding solutions to create a sustainable futureas the next generation of business leaders.

CURRICULUMAs of AY2024

First-year

Second-year

Second-year

Methodology; Challenging Frontline Issues in Global Business, etc.
General; Principles of Account ing, Principles of Management, Principles of Marketing, etc.
Specialized; Consumer Behavior, Financial Accounting, Strategic Management, Global Branding,Research Seminar in Management, Bachelor’s Thesis, etc.

Compulsory

Elect ives

Principles of Sociology

Sociological Theory1&2

First Year Seminar in Sociology

Qualitative Methods in Sociology

Quantitative Methods in Sociology
Sociological

Introduction to Statistics

General Studies

Refer to page 3 and 4.

Language

Sociology is a thematically broad discipline. It has strong overlaps with otherdisciplines like economics, education, journalism, and global studies. Within SPSF,
you can also take courses from these other disciplines. This will help you gain adeeper understanding of the highly complex issues we are facing today and is a clear
asset in identifying ways of moving towards sustainable futures. This is somethingthat is unique to SPSF.

S tudents in the SPSF management course will learn the theories and frameworks

to identify challenges facing sustainability in our society. I believe that studying
in our department will provide students with valuable knowledge, giving them
opportunities to think about solutions for social issues through the lens ofbusiness and management.
Associate Professor

Dr. Taku TOGAWA

Professor

various career paths. As a high school student, I remember feeling uncertain about myfuture career. However, taking management courses like marketing, accounting,economics, and entrepreneurship allowed me to try out diﬀerent subjects and gain clarity
about my goals and interest.
The Department of Management

Dr. Carola HOMMERICH

The interdisciplinary courses held by the SPSF program are helpful in providing opportunities to holistically approach the topic of Sustainability. By gaining new perspectives fromcourses of diﬀerent ﬁelds and through discussions with peers from diverse backgrounds,
the SPSF program encourages students to critically analyze the possibilities as well as thechallenges we face in attaining a sustainable future which I believe is something of vital
importance in current society.

Management, being a wide-ranging ﬁeld, oﬀers students the opportunity to explore

9

Advanced Seminar in Sociology

Interdisciplinary Learning

Refer to page 3 and 4.

Language

Fourth-year

Environmental Sociology, Contemporary Social Problems, Social Change in Postwar Japan, Sociology of Families, Sociology of Globalization,
Sociology of Happiness, Work and Employment in Japan, Special Topics in Sociology 1-2, Bachelor ’s Thesis, etc.

Interdisciplinary Learning
General Studies

Third-year
Refer to page 3 and 4.

SPSF Common Core

Specialized Educat ion

Specialized Educat ion

As of AY2024

First-year

Introduction to Management

Elect ives

Sociology is the study of how social surroundings inﬂuence and areinﬂuenced by human behavior and consciousness. Sociologists criticallyquestion social reality to understand and improve social phenomena.
Sociology covers all aspects of life, from personal relationships to global
issues. Our curriculum aims to foster intellectual curiosity and criticalinterest in human society. By teaching students how to analyze andcomprehend our complex world with sociological theory and methodology,
we help students understand the various dimensions of modern society as
well as their relation to social structure and change. This enables ourstudents to develop skills to propose solutions for an inclusive and sustainable society.

CURRICULUM

Fourth-year

Refer to page 3 and 4.

SPSF Common Core

Compulsory

Third-year

SOCIOLOGY

Usaburo MENDENHALLThe Department of Sociology

Riki KOGURE

10

Surrounded by residents from diverse nationalities andupbringings, I was able to learn and experience diﬀerent
cultures beyond the university environment through dorm
events such as the welcome event, summer festival,
cultural night etc. At the dorm, I am
also currently a Living Group Leader(LGL) as I wanted to be a small partin forming an enjoyable living
experience where residents connect
with one another and engage in
diﬀerent activities together.

11

Sana HORIKAWA

Tigha MITSUHASHIThe Department of Education

The Department of Sociology

L iving in Arrupe dorm with 6 otherpeople has been fun yet also a learning
experience. I have been able to grow mycommunity and create a diﬀerent kindof connection with my dorm mates, who
are always there to welcome me home.
Being with other Sophia students andseeing their lifestyles and cultural
practices at a personal level every day, I
have been able to truly learn more not
only about others, but also myself.

The Sophia Edagawa
Men's Dormitory is quite
unique compared to otherdormitories as the student
life is more independent.
For individuals who wantto grow, and develop asense of independence,
the Sophia Edagawa Men's
Dormitory is a great place
to start.

2

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SPSF SOPHIA PROGRAM FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

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I’m currently part of the table tennis
club at Sophia, and I am currently taking
the role of vice captain at the time ofwriting. Table tennis being a sport thatanyone can enjoy at any age, developing
your skills in it can be worthwhile andfun. For me personally, being part of theclub has helped me grow as a person andI enjoy every moment of it.

Br

336 partner
universities
from63 countries/regions

e xic o )the school event planning and organizing
circle, “nexnect”. Our circle organizes
several school events throughout the year,
but our most popular events will be
Yukata Day (held in July), and Autumn
Freshman Week (October). I enjoy seeing
students and staﬀ participating and having
fun in the events organized by nexnect,
and this circle has been a great place forme to develop my teamwork skills.

The Department of Education

xembourg)(Lu

Tigha MITSUHASHII am currently the vice representative ofFind Out More

as of July 1, 2024

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The Department of EducationofI participate in KASA sustainability which
is a club that promotes sustainability on
campus. KASA sustainability engages in a
number of projects on campus such ascomposting and the operation of an
on-campus garden. These activities arevery rewarding as I can engage withstudents from diverse backgrounds
including those who are
in graduate anddoctoral programs at
Sophia. Together, we
work toward developing a more sustainable
university environment.

U n i v e rsit yMana UEDA

Keita Robert Hooker
YOSHIKAWA
The Department of Economics

STUDY ABROAD(MSTUDENTS’ LIFE at SOPHIA U

ad

N a cio n alAu

STUDY ABROAD DESTINATIONSAUSTRALIA

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
The University of Melbourne
The University of Sydney

CANADA

McGill University
University of British Columbia

CHINA

The University of Hong Kong*CZECH REPUBLICCharles University, Faculty of Arts
Anglo-American University

FINLAND

Aalto University School of Business

FRANCEESSEC Business School
Universite Paris-Dauphine

SWEDEN

University of Gothenburg

U.K.

The University of Edinburgh
University of Bristol
University of Leeds
University of London the School of Oriental
and African Studies (SOAS)

U.S.A.

Saint Joseph's University
The University of Notre Dame du Lac
University of Colorado Boulder
The New School
The University of Texas at Austin
University of Miami

Hong Kong*: Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China

Hana SAEKI
The Department of Global Studies

How was your study abroad?
Studying abroad in Canada helped me recognize my interests in
multiculturalism and how salad societies work by allowing
inclusive open discussions, empowering and accepting diﬀerent
communities, and overcoming challenges together. It helped
me notice and share diﬀerences between Japan and Canada to
my friends while learning my own strengths and capabilities!

●

Message for prospective students
Studying abroad can be intimidating.
However, everything you experience
will make you far more conﬁdent,
resilient, open to new perspectives,and prepared for anything in the
future. If exploring and connectingwith people all around the world issomething you want to try, thenstudying abroad is the perfectopportunity!

●

12

GRADUATION RESEARCHSPSF FACTS and FIGURESThe first SPSF cohorts are expecting their graduation AY2024 in autumn.
Nineteen students completed the thesis/project in 2024!
Q: What is your thesis theme?

Framing Climate Change in Japan:
How Government Ministries andClimate Justice Activists
Shape Climate Change Discourses

Enrollment:
September (Autumn semester)

Degree (B.A.):
Journalism (Dept. of Journalism)
Education (Dept. of Education)
Sociology (Dept. of Sociology)
Economics (Dept. of Economics)
Management (Dept. of Management)International Relations (Dept. of Global Studies)
Area Studies (Dept. of Global Studies)

Establishment: In 2020*

Tigha MITSUHASHI

Department of Global Studies

Department of Education

Jukus and their Effects on
Students’ Attitudes towards
Mainstream Schooling: A Case Study in Tokyo
Q: How does your thesis/topic relate to sustainable futures?

SPSF SOPHIA PROGRAM FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

Structure:
Undergraduate Program, Six Departments: Economics,
Education, Global Studies, Journalism, Management, Sociology* Initial student enrollment was in 2020 in the four
departments: Economics, Education, Global Studies, andSociology. The two departments, Journalism andManagement, began accepting students every year insuccession the following academic year.

Mana SHORT

Mana: Environmental discourses deeply inﬂuence our understanding of and response tosustainability challenges like the climate crisis. Some narratives dominate while others are
marginalized. My thesis critiques the hegemonic framings of climate change shaped by government and corporate actors, which often promote market-based solutions and neoliberal agendas.
By highlighting alternative visions and counter-discourses from civil society actors, my study
emphasizes the importance of justice, fairness, and equity when creating sustainable futures.

Program Name:
Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures (SPSF)

Tigha: Education is related to sustainable
futures as we take part in it to makepositive changes for future generations. Jukus, inparticular, can lead to inequalities in economic, social, and cultural capital. Research ineducation can help bridge the gap caused by it.

FIGURES as of MAY, 2024
Total Enrollment

170

Students

JOURNALISM

16

Tigha: The whole process of researchingfor and writing the graduation thesis is alengthy and challenging experience. However,
due to SPSF’s small class size and close
communication between classmates andprofessors, we can receive very useful feedback
for which I am grateful. In addition, SPSF’s
interdisciplinary approach has helped a lot inmy thesis as I was able to use a combination offrameworks from both sociology and education.

53

SOCIOLOGY

Enrollment by
Department

17

Heteronormativity as Lived Experiences of
Gay Undergraduate Students in Japan

13

Students

ECONOMICS

32

Students

Nationality (Non-Japanese)
15

Tigha: University is a place wherea wide range of experiences ispossible. So don’t be afraid to try new
things whether they be hobbies, clubs,
or classes. You only have one life anduniversity may become the last chance
to have the freedom to explore thehorizon of possibilities. Anyhow, goodluck to your future endeavors.

14

12 12

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SIA

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35 %

*Only some titles are shown.

Perceptions of University Academics on
the Outcomes and Future Directions of
MEXT's English Education Policies

Digital Transformation Analysis forJapanese Rural Revitalization

The Signiﬁcance of the US Housing Market
for the 2008/2009 Financial Crisis

Geographic
Diversity

65 %

stu

dy

Determinants of Environmental Literacy
and its Relationship to Pro-environmental
Behaviors among Youth in Thailand

11

d e n ts' r e g

Overseas High Schooland Int’l School

1

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Total Matriculated by Academic Year

2023
2022

stu

Fighting Misogyny with Hate: Observing
Digital Activism of Women-led Anti LGBTQCountermovements in Japan

SIA

2021

of

How Does the Societal Perception of
Disability Shape Support Measures? A
Comparative Study of Japan and Nicaragua

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Public School Funding Gaps in America:
Mapping the Relationship Between Home
Price and High School Student Outcomesin King County, Washington

EDUCATION

Students

based

The Conﬂuence of Human Rights andArtiﬁcial Intelligence (AI) in Smart Cities

Students

30

SPSF STUDENTS'

THESIS / PROJECT TITLES

22

Students

MANAGEMENT

Q: Write your short message to prospective students.
Mana: What I appreciate most about SPSF is
that it gave me a focused framework for mylearning that enabled me to deep dive into a wide
range of sustainability issues. While specializing in aparticular ﬁeld, you still have the freedom to explore
other areas in an interdisciplinary way. There arealso many opportunities outside the classroom toengage in creative projects, making Sophia astimulating environment to be in.

Students

GLOBAL STUDIES

Q: Overall, what SPSF experiences, both positive and challenging,
do you want to share with other students?
Mana: SPSF has expanded and deepened myunderstanding of today's complex challenges, equipping me to think more systemically andwork more collaboratively. The small class sizes
have allowed for personalized hands-on learningand the opportunity to build close connections
with professors and peers. I’m grateful for how
this program has nurtured my skills in a range ofareas, including critical thinking, problem-solving,collaboration, creativity, empathy, and leadership.

SPSF FAQ

ion

2020

47
47
51
37

Students

Students

Students

Q: Is the SPSF’s enrollment intended for Japanese highschool graduates or overseas high school andinternational school graduates (includinginternational students)?
A: Both are possible. The program starts in autumn
semester, which makes it easier for international
students, returnees, and students frominternational / overseas schools to enroll. Of
course, graduates of Japanese high schools are also
welcome to enroll.
Q: What languages can SPSF students learn?
A: SPSF is a program entirely taught in English, not a
program studying English as a foreign language. For
languages other than English, students can takelanguage courses oﬀered in English (e.g., Japaneseand Chinese) and language courses oﬀered inJapanese (e.g., German and Korean). There are 21
languages students can study.
Q: What is the diﬀerence between SPSF and theFaculty of Liberal Arts (FLA)?
A: At the SPSF, students focus on the majors in theirown department. Students take major courses intheir department from the ﬁrst to the fourth year.
At the same time, students take SPSF common core
courses in which students from six departments
study together, such as courses on the theme of'Sustainable Futures' and Academic Skills in English,
and also take courses in the disciplines of the otherdepartments of the SPSF.
Meanwhile, the FLA oﬀers a liberal arts curriculum,
which provides students with an academic
foundation and intellectual orientation before theychoose a disciplinary major. The ﬁrst year of study
in the FLA is devoted to basic education, including
the Core Program, General Studies courses, andlanguage. From the second year onwards, the FLA
curriculum requires students to choose a majorfrom three ﬁelds (Comparative Culture,
International Business and Economics, and Social
Studies). The degree awarded is a Bachelor of Arts
in Liberal Arts. The SPSF and FLA thus havesigniﬁcant diﬀerences in curriculum and degrees.
Q: Can I take classes which are taught in Japanese in
the same department?
A: Yes, it is possible. Sophia oﬀers a broad range of
specialized courses which are taught in Japanese,
which SPSF students can also take. However, please
note that up to 24 credits of courses taught inJapanese count towards graduation requirements.
Please make sure to plan your course of study
carefully in consultation with your department
advisor, considering the graduation requirements.

Students

14

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Various types of scholarships and ﬁnancial aids are available.

Applications accepted at the time ofadmission application●

New Student Scholarship
We oﬀer either 1/3, 1/2, or full tuition reduction for the ﬁrst year.

●

Adachi Scholarship for international students fromSoutheast Asia and Africa
We oﬀer the full tuition and education
enhancement fee reduction for the ﬁrst year.

Other ﬁnancial aid programs:[ Applications accepted after entrance ]https://piloti.sophia.ac.jp/eng/scholarships1/scholraship_e0005/

https://piloti.sophia.ac.jp/eng/housing/In the Heart of Tokyo

The area around the campus has long been a hotspot of Japanesepolitics, economy, and culture. It is a place where you can feel the
dynamism of the global city of Tokyo and enjoy a rich culturalexperience that oﬀers easy access to a variety of historical sites
and cultural institutions such as museums, theaters, and libraries.

Shinjuku

Ueno

YotsuyaTokyo

JR CHUO Line

Shibuya
Shinagawa

HanedaSophia University Admissions Oﬃce
7-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8554, JapanEMAIL : admission-u-co@sophia.ac.jp TEL : +81-3-3238-4018

www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/

FIND OUT MORE ON SPSF OFFICIAL WEB
Sophia SPSF Academics

For First-year Students
Acceptance decisions are made on the basis of
SAT/ACT/IB Diploma/GCE A Level scores (grades),TOEFL/IELTS scores, oﬃcial high school transcripts,
an essay, and two recommendation letters.
For Transfer Students (Third-year)
Those who are expected to complete at least two
full academic years or more of university/college
education as full-time students can apply to SPSF*
as transfer students**.
* Departments:
Economics, Education, Global Studies, and Sociology.
** They must complete at least two years of study in residence inorder to receive a Sophia University degree.

First-year Students

Sophia University has several oﬀ-campus
dormitories and oﬀers aﬃliated housing options.

MANOTE LineJR YA

DOCUMENT SCREENING

Application Period[ First Period ]November 13 – December 6

HOUSING SUPPORT●REGULARADMISSIONS[][ Second Period ] March 12 – April 2First-year Students

Transfer Students

https://adm.sophia.ac.jp/eng/admissions/ug_p/en_ug/spsf/

TUITION[

FOR REFERENCE, AS OF AY2024 ]First year: ¥1,584,650
https://piloti.sophia.ac.jp/eng/tuition/gakuhi_undergraduate/