In this graduate school we teach and conduct research on regional and educational issues and, by exploring new approaches to education, train people who will build the future. Our students acquire a sound understanding of problems, and apply imagination and solid practical skills to the development of bold solutions. Our aim is to develop mid-level leaders in the field of education who understand local educational issues, possess a broad perspective, are skilled at both teaching and management, and are life-long learners, to lead curriculum development and educational reform.
In cooperation with the Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education, we carefully link educational theory with real-world issues that schools face, and give students substantial practical training in schools. We also hold roundtable discussions twice a year aimed at developing solutions to problems and enhancing practical skills through the interplay of theory and practice. Curricula for each course of study are developed in accordance with teaching experience and individuals' particular aims and roles as teachers.
Graduate School of Professional Teacher Education has three courses of study: the Mid-level Leader Training course, the Class Design course, and the Special Needs Education course. In addition to the class "Lesson Design: Theory and Practice," which is required for all students, we offer elective classes such as "Mid-level Leadership: Theory and Practice" in the area of educational reform, and "Lesson Design Theory (for different subjects)", "Design and Delivery of Lessons Using ICT," "Data Processing Theory for Education Practice Research," and "Inclusivity and Understanding Disability Education" in the area of lesson improvement. By developing new courses and ensuring the deepening, development, and advancement of education through back-and-forth between theory and practice, we aim to give our students the qualities and abilities required of teachers in the future.
The Department offers the following three courses of study, designed for students with different career goals and levels of teaching experience: the Mid-level Leader Training course, the Class Design course, and the Special Needs Education course. We develop educators who constantly question and refine their image of the ideal teacher and the role they wish to play in education, and who enhance their teaching skills while accumulating experience in school management, including curriculum design. In other words, we train "mid-level leaders" (including next-generation mid-level leaders) who will lead education in Fukushima Prefecture into the future. As a way to blend theory and practice, we hold conferences about "Practice teaching in schools" and roundtable presentation and debriefing sessions on "Project research." These give students a chance to reflect on their own teaching and research and step up to the next level, building practical research skills that will lead to educational reform and better classes and lessons.
The Mid-level Leader Training course of study is for practicing teachers only. Building on their own teaching and student guidance skills, students gain management experience, learn to lead teams of educators, and acquire the ability to respond to various school management issues that appear at different school levels, grades, and times during the school year.
The Class Design course of study is for young practicing teachers who have started to become aware of various practical challenges in teaching, as well as fresh university graduates who aspire to become teachers with a comprehensive understanding of practical issues in education. In this course, students interact with a wide variety of practicing teachers and upgrade their basic practical teaching skills, with the aim of becoming mid-level educational leaders in the future.
The Special Needs Education course of study is for practicing teachers and fresh university graduates who wish to acquire the high-level teaching skills and school management capabilities needed to become highly-specialized special needs teachers who can successfully deal with the diversity and individuality found among disabled students.