Messages from Chair of Disability Sciences DP

The Disability Science Degree Program was launched in April 2020 as a degree program of the Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba.
Disability science is an interdisciplinary field of study that encompasses all areas of disability.
Currently, faculty members specializing in various fields such as medicine, physiology, psychology, special needs education, and disability welfare are collaborating to conduct research and education in this unique department among graduate schools in Japan.
The history of disability science research at the University of Tsukuba can be traced back to 1903, when the Tokyo School for the Blind and Mute (now the University of Tsukuba’s Special Needs School for the Visually Impaired and Special Needs School for the Deaf) established a teacher training department as a beginning of research and teacher training in education for the blind and hearing impaired, and 1908, when the Tokyo Higher Normal School The establishment of special classes at the elementary school attached to the Tokyo Higher Normal School (currently the University of Tsukuba Elementary School) in 1908, which was the beginning of the exploration of education for the intellectually handicapped and the training of teachers.
In 1951, the Department of Special Education in the Faculty of Education at Tokyo University of Education, Japan’s first specialized university department, was established, and graduate education began in 1953.
From 1966 (Showa 41), the Department of Limb/Trunk Education was added, and in 1968 (Showa 43), a doctoral program in Special Education was established.
Later, with the development of the University of Tsukuba as a comprehensive research university, disability science became an interdisciplinary academic field that included a variety of basic and applied research on all stages of the lives of people with disabilities, while expanding its scope to include early education and rehabilitation, transition support after graduation, and lifestyle support.
The Disability Science Degree Program provides a research-guided, instruction-focused education with the following objectives
To train researchers who can conduct advanced research on various issues related to disabilities and provide leading education in the field of disability science from a global perspective.
To develop highly competent professionals who can be leaders at home and abroad.
In the Master’s Program, we expect to enroll individuals who aspire to contribute to lifelong educational and welfare support, public administration, and international cooperation related to disabilities, and who are willing to work in this field as researchers and high-level professionals.
We welcome all of you who have majored in fields other than disability science.
In the latter half of the program, we expect you to have knowledge and research skills related to disability science, have a strong interest in cutting-edge research at home and abroad, and aspire to become researchers and professionals with high research skills in the fields of education, welfare, clinical care, administration, international cooperation, etc. related to disability in the future.

I look forward to working with all of you to help the growing network of faculty, students, and alumni of the Disability Science Degree Program form a center for disability science research and practice, and to contribute to the development of this discipline and society.

1 Apr. 2024
Chair of Disability Sciences Degree Program
Hiroki YONEDA

The Doctoral Program in Disability Sciences is designed to facilitate research on various disability-related practical issues, as well as to develop human resources such as researchers and educators who can perform and provide advanced research and education on the disability sciences, as well as professionals with high-level expertise who can perform and provide research, education and instruction. Faculty members with a wide range of expertise in the disability sciences, from fundamental theory to practice, help train researchers and high-level professionals with future-oriented knowledge who can work actively on the international stage for the benefit of society.

Academic degrees
Doctoral Degree (Disability Sciences)

Program Content

The Doctoral Program in Disability Sciences includes Disability Science Research Practice Methods as an essential common subject, providing students studying disability sciences with the opportunity to learn teaching methods under the supervision of faculty members. Research Investigation on Visual Impairment and Blindness, Research Investigation on Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Research Investigation on Intellectual, Developmental, and Behavioral Disabilities, Research Investigation on Physical Disabilities and Health Impairments, Research Investigation on Speech and Language Disorders, Research Investigation on Welfare for Persons with Disabilities Disability Sciences and Research Investigation on Principle of Disabilities, provide advanced education in respective disabilities and fields.

In addition, the program provides education and guidance through classes and research in the following two areas, based on the future aims of the students; and students can develop their doctoral thesis with the following perspectives in mind.

• Basic Disability Sciences … This is designed to develop interdisciplinary researchers and educators based on disability types; specifically, those who can perform and provide advanced research and leading education in the disability sciences field, and scholars who can lead and support advanced research in the disability sciences and modern issues, as well as researchers with doctoral degrees (university faculty members, research institute members, etc.).
• Disability Support … This is designed to develop high-level professionals with practical research ability, who can flexibly address such modern issues as people with disabilities, the elderly, etc.; specifically, those who can perform and provide research, education or instruction in the field of education, welfare or rehabilitation, etc.; with superior capability in addressing disability-related issues; and with outstanding research capability.

Thesis support

An instruction and support system consisting of one main instructor and two sub-instructors is available for each student, to aid in the development and acquisition of the doctoral degree.