弘前大学医学部保健学科・大学院保健学研究科

Since the turn of the 21st century, Japan’s healthcare environment has undergone large changes, such as dramatic developments in life sciences and the associated advancements in medicine. Another example is the change to Japan’s society and disease structure resulting from the nation’s rapidly declining birthrate and aging population. Such changes have heightened people’s awareness for the maintenance and enhancement of health. In order to provide flexible solutions to these new challenges, the academic field of health sciences is faced with the urgent need to develop professionals who are highly educated, have a rich sense of humanity and advanced, specialized knowledge.

For meeting such social needs, Hirosaki University established the School of Health Sciences in October 2000, the Master’s Course in Health Sciences under the Graduate School of Medicine in April 2005, and the Doctoral Course under the Graduate School of Health Sciences in April 2007.

Relationship between Master’s (Pre-Doctoral) and Doctoral Courses

The academic discipline of health sciences explores human health while regarding humans as physically, mentally and socially holistic entities. The fundamental principle of Hirosaki University School of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences (Master’s and Doctoral Courses) is to contribute to the improvement of human health and welfare by sharing the results and findings of our health sciences education and research with society.

The objective of the Master’s Course is to create and accumulate intellectual properties by further developing on undergraduate education and carrying out health sciences education and research. We also aim to develop allied health professionals who can display leadership and fulfill directional roles in practical settings.

The objective of the Doctoral Course is to develop educators and researchers with comprehensive academic knowledge, highly specialized abilities, and sound morality who will be able to independently carry forward creative and interdisciplinary research for the maintenance and enhancement of human health and for the improvement of quality of life (QOL).

■Health Sciences (Master Course)

1. Development of professionals who have advanced, specialized knowledge and technology

Students will attain advanced, specialized knowledge and technology that will enable them to construct theories, practically implement these theories, and develop new technologies.

2. Development of professionals who have management and practical skills required to take leading roles in the workplace

Students will become capable of interdisciplinary professional collaboration to facilitate team care medicine, and take leading roles with new perspectives and strategies..

3. Skill development for community healthcare professionals

4. Our admission policies encourage enrolment by working healthcare professionals. By building on their professional experience, these students will go on to contribute to the enhancement and improvement of community health, medicine and welfare. Development of educators and researchers

We expect many graduates of this Master’s Course will proceed into doctoral courses, and strive to develop high quality educators and researchers who are capable of exploring new fields of research.

■Health Sciences (Doctoral Course)

1. Skill development for researchers

Students will gain experience and confidence as they practically apply interdisciplinary research related to health sciences across various areas of specialization, pursue evidence and communicate globally.

2. Development of educators

Students will gain confidence teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, and gain experience practically implementing health education based on scientific methodology in the community.

3. Development of leaders who have advanced, specialized knowledge and technology

Students will attain advanced, specialized knowledge and technology and utilize these assets in a leadership capacity to select issues, carry out research, and contribute solutions.

4. Skill development for community health activity promotion

Students will become capable of educating, directing, and supporting key leaders in community health activities.