Japanese Red Cross College of Nursing

What you'll study

Study focuses on preparing and completing an original doctoral dissertation under primary and secondary research supervisors. In the first and second years students produce a research plan, conduct data collection, analysis and interpretation, and complete the dissertation. Curriculum elements emphasise advanced theoretical knowledge and research methodology required for thesis completion, plus interdisciplinary subjects that broaden perspectives for communicating research and exercising leadership.

• Three broad fields: Fundamental Nursing Science; Applied Nursing Science; Nursing Education and Management.
• Applied Nursing Science is organised into domains covering maternal nursing, pediatric nursing, adult nursing, gerontological nursing, mental health nursing, community nursing, and international/disaster nursing. (Oncology nursing is listed at master’s level.)
• Courses explore advanced research methods, theory, interdisciplinary viewpoints, research communication and leadership skills across specialist domains.

Entry requirements

Admission builds on master’s-level attainment; applicants are expected to possess the abilities acquired in a master’s programme. For submission of a doctoral thesis, applicants must prepare a reference paper: a peer‑reviewed article in which the applicant is first author. For entrants from Reiwa 7 (2025) onwards, that paper must have been published within ten years of the expected year of completion. The reference paper must be ready prior to doctoral thesis submission.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to work as independent researchers and to take on advanced specialist, educational, managerial or leadership roles in nursing. The programme explicitly aims to develop capacities for international and interdisciplinary leadership, supporting careers in academia, research institutions, advanced clinical practice, education and administration.

Scholarships & funding angle

The course page does not list specific funding schemes. Prospective applicants should enquire with the university about available fellowships, scholarships or research grants and explore external funding bodies that support doctoral nursing research.