Overview

The National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya (NIFS Kanoya) has implemented the Joint Master’s Program in International Development and Peace through Sport since fiscal year 2015 as part of efforts to establish a joint degree program with the University of Tsukuba, in collaboration with the Japan Sport Council (JSC). The program is offered through the Master’s Program in Physical Education at the Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, and the Graduate School of Physical Education at NIFS Kanoya. In fiscal year 2016, the joint degree program was officially launched.

This innovative program specializes in sport and international development and aims to cultivate professionals who possess a broad understanding of the role of sport in promoting social development.

Five Distinctive Features of the Program

1. Development of globally competent professionals through an English-medium curriculum, enabling graduates to contribute to development and peacebuilding through sport, grounded in both theoretical and practical knowledge of sport, physical education, and health
2. Extensive experiential learning opportunities, including four weeks of on-the-job practice (OJP) in the student’s home country and sixteen weeks of OJP overseas
3. Delivery of coursework and research guidance via a remote lecture system, taking advantage of the unique strengths of the University of Tsukuba, NIFS Kanoya, and the Japan Sport Council (JSC)
4. Collaboration with faculty and researchers from leading international institutions in countries such as the UK, Norway, and Canada to organize symposia and seminars, share academic resources, and build essential international networks for SDP (Sport for Development and Peace) and IDS (International Development through Sport)
5. Establishment of professional networks supporting OJP and human resource development, involving university faculty as well as directors and professionals from international organizations, including United Nations agencies, government institutions, International Federations (IFs), National Federations (NFs), NGOs, and NPOs

Diploma Policy

A Master’s degree in International Development and Peace through Sport will be conferred upon students who, in accordance with the Graduate School Regulations of the University of Tsukuba and NIFS Kanoya, successfully complete the program and are certified through the final examination as possessing the following competencies.

1. Comprehensive knowledge and analytical ability in international affairs, policy, and global development issues, accompanied by a strong sense of mission
2. A global outlook and leadership abilities applicable in real-world contexts
3. Foundational expertise and practical proficiency in sport, physical education, and health sciences
4. Effective communication and management skills essential for international development initiatives

Curriculum Policy

To ensure that students acquire the specialized competencies required for the degree, the program provides core courses along with related courses that build foundational knowledge, broaden academic perspectives, and strengthen transferable skills.

Policy on Curriculum Design

Lecture-based Courses (Minimum 14 credits)

• Foundation Courses（e.g., Sport and International Development I, Olympic Movement Studies, Sport Management, Sport, Culture and Society, Health Promotion, Advanced Coaching Education, Research Methodology）
  ・Develop foundational knowledge that supports the acquisition of specialized competencies.
• Applied Courses（e.g., Sport and International Development II, Business Management, Project Management）
  ・Cultivate global perspectives, leadership skills, specialized expertise in sport, physical education, and health, as well as communication and management skills necessary for international engagement.
• Related Courses（e.g., Introduction to Development Studies, Public Policy for Social Development, International Politics, Development Economics in Asia）
  ・Provide knowledge and analytical skills relevant to international affairs, policy-making, and global issues.

Seminar-based Courses (10–12 credits)

• On-campus Seminars
  Students choose one of five thematic areas—Sport for Development and Peace; Sport for Education and Youth Development; Sport and Gender, Race, and Ethnicity; Health and Environment; Adapted Sport and Elderly Care—based on their research interests. These seminars develop specialized knowledge, global perspectives, and leadership skills.
• Off-campus Seminars（ e.g., JSC Seminars, JSC Projects, Overseas University Seminars, International Conferences and Seminars）
  These opportunities further enhance students’ global perspectives and leadership abilities.

Practice-based Courses (6–8 credits)

• Students complete four weeks of domestic OJP and sixteen weeks of overseas OJP to gain the practical knowledge and skills needed to apply their competencies in professional settings.

Career Path Development

This program integrates the strengths of the University of Tsukuba and NIFS Kanoya and, in collaboration with the Japan Sport Council (JSC), combines lectures, seminars, and practical training in a framework directly connected to career development.

　Students participate in JSC initiatives such as JSC Seminars and JSC Projects. JSC serves as a domestic OJP institution (four weeks) and provides information and networks for overseas OJP (sixteen weeks).
　The Overseas OJP is a core component supporting students’ career development. In addition to the long-term volunteer program of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the program is carried out through partnerships with international NGOs, IFs, NFs, universities, and other organizations.

Learning Methods and Processes

• Supervisory Structure: One primary supervisor and two co-supervisors (including at least one from an institution other than the student’s home university)
• First Year: Enrollment in project-based seminars within the selected thematic area
• Late First Year – Second Year: Overseas OJP (sixteen weeks)
• Second Year: Enrollment in research projects
• Second Year Key Milestones:
  ・Mid-term presentation (October)
  ・Submission of thesis or designated report topic (November)
  ・Submission of thesis or report (January)
  ・Final examination (January)

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Student achievement is assessed comprehensively from admission through program completion, taking into account course enrollment, instructional methods, and supervisory structures.

• Lecture Courses: Written and oral examinations evaluate both specialized knowledge and foundational competencies.
• Seminar Courses: Specialized knowledge is assessed through written and oral examinations. For off-campus components, global perspectives and leadership skills are evaluated through progress reviews and interviews involving faculty from both universities, JSC representatives, and on-site supervisors.
• Practical Courses: Competencies demonstrated during domestic and overseas OJP are assessed through progress reviews and interviews.
• Career Path Development: Students’ global perspectives, leadership skills, expertise in sport, physical education, and health, and communication and management abilities are evaluated through reviews and interviews conducted jointly with faculty, JSC representatives, and partner institutions.

Curriculum

　Joint Master’s Program in International Development and Peace through Sport Offered jointly by the Graduate School of Physical Education, the program aims to cultivate professionals who demonstrate the following core competencies:

1. An international outlook; knowledge of international development and peacebuilding; understanding of diverse cultures and histories; and a strong sense of mission and values that support autonomy, growth, change, and social development
2. The ability to maintain a multifaceted global perspective while maintaining strong goal orientation
3. Comprehensive knowledge of sport, physical education, and health, alongside competency in policy formation and business management
4. Skills in communication, coaching, management, and analysis

The curriculum is organized into three components—lectures, seminars, and practical training—to achieve the following objectives:

1. Fostering comprehensive knowledge and analytical ability in international affairs, policy, and global development issues, accompanied by a strong sense of mission
2. Acquisition of a global outlook and leadership abilities applicable in real-world context
3. Enhancement of foundational expertise and practical proficiency in sport, physical education, and health sciences
4. Enhancement of effective communication and management skills essential for international development initiatives

Research Areas of Faculty Members

• スポーツ国際開発学共同専攻担当教員のあいさつ　※The data is provided only in Japanese.
• Research Areas of Faculty Members

Course Requirements and Syllabi

• 令和7年度修士課程スポーツ国際開発学共同専攻履修要項　※The data is provided only in Japanese.
• Syllabi for the 2025 Academic Year

Submission Forms　※The data is provided only in Japanese.

• 研究題目届（WORD、PDF）
• 学位論文題目届 (別紙様式第1号)（WORD、PDF）
• 学位論文題目変更届 (別紙様式第2号)（WORD、PDF）
• 学位論文変更届 (別紙様式第8号)（WORD、PDF）

Documents Required for Theses and Dissertations

• 学位論文審査願（別紙様式第3号）(WORD、PDF）
• 学位論文概要（別紙様式第4号）（WORD、PDF）

Relevant Regulations　※The data is provided only in Japanese.

• 鹿屋体育大学学則
• 鹿屋体育大学大学院体育学研究科履修規程
• 鹿屋体育大学学位規則
• 鹿屋体育大学学位細則
• 鹿屋体育大学学位論文等作成要領
• 鹿屋体育大学修士課程の提出条件に関する申合せ
• スポーツ国際開発学共同専攻修士論文・特定課題レポート審査基準
• 長期にわたる教育課程の履修に関する規程
• 学生の成績等への異議申立てに関する申合せ