• Introduction to Kato City
• Summary of HUTE

Introduction to Kato City

Hyogo University of Teacher Education is located in Kato City, which is situated to the northwest of Osaka and Kobe in southern Hyogo prefecture. It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to travel there by car from the metropolitan area of Osaka and Kobe.
Kato City has a population of 39,682 (as of January 2024), and an area of 157.55 km².
The vast Ureshino Heights, formed in the Kakogawa and Tojogawa river basins, along with the Kakogawa river basin, which stretches from western to southern Hyogo, are home to fertile plains.As a result, Kato is a beautiful, quiet town blessed with a mild climate and rich natural surroundings.As a town originally built in 722 to house Saho temple, Kato City has prospered since ancient times and houses a great many cultural assets such as Choko-ji temple, a national treasure. Kato City has been developed as a central city of Hyogo since the establishment of a county office during the Meiji period, which was followed by a courthouse, regional legal affairs bureau, and the prefectural branch office. Kato City is also the home of the Kato International Association, which actively promotes exchanges between international students and the community.

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Summary of HUTE

Summary

The university was established in October, 1978 as an institute with two programs embodying a new concept of education. The Graduate School of Education (Master's Program) provides in-service teachers with opportunities to carry out high-level research on education. On the other hand, the Faculty of School Education (The Teacher Education Program) mainly prepare students to be school teachers. Then in April, 1996, the Joint Graduate School in the Science of School Education (Ph. D. Program) was opened to develop educators with high level research and teaching abilities. Ever since, with the three programs, the university has been striving to be:
1. a "university for teachers" which carries out both theoretical and practical research on education.
2. a" university open to society" in Japan and overseas which promotes school education from a wider perspective,
3. a "university disseminating information" which constantly helps modify and upgrade teaching practices.
In 2008, the university founded the Graduate School of Education for Professional Degree Program.We are a diverse institution that sustains everything from welfare facilities to sports care, not to mention being an institution for education research first and foremost. We also maintain the latest equipment for education research. As of May 2023, our student population was 1,463 (formally registered students), with 306 teaching staff.

Academic Year

The academic year at HUTE normally begins in April and ends the following March. Some classes are run year-around, but classes are usually divided into semesters, lasting through the first semester (April - September) or the second semester (October - March). Students normally enroll in April,but some academic programs permit students to enter at a different time, such as in October.

There are usually three long vacations at HUTE during the academic year: summer break (August 1st to September 30th), winter break (December 25th to January 7th) and spring break (March 17th to April 5th).

Academic Courses

Undergraduate

The Faculty of School Education (The Teacher Education Program) not only spans a wide range of subjects and fundamental knowledge, but also seeks to foster the comprehensive abilities needed as a school teacher.
Those who have studied for four years or more and obtain the required credits to graduate will be awarded a Bachelor of School Education.

Graduate School of Education

The Graduate School of Education consists of the Master's Program and Professional Degree Program.
Our postgraduate course cultivates pioneers in the field of research in educational theory and practice through specialized and general research in the sciences relating primarily to elementary and middle school practical education. We strive to foster the qualities and abilities required of elementary and middle school teachers.
Students who have studied for two years or more, obtained the required credits and research guidance, undergone thesis review, and passed the exam will be awarded the Masters' Degree in School Education or the Degree of Master of Education (professional).

Joint Graduate School (Ph.D.)

The Joint Graduate School (Ph.D.Program) in Science of School Education is operated in association with Joetsu University of Education, Gifu University, Shiga University, Okayama University, and Naruto University of Education.
The programs of the Joint Graduate School consist of education and research organizations that conduct practical research on educational activities and curricula, based on the results of integrating the curricula of the six universities. We aim to foster competent individuals who have highly developed research and leadership skills that are grounded in practice and can contribute to the clear improvement of the quality of teachers in response to the current diversification of education.
The doctoral degree is awarded to those who have studied for at least three years (those with outstanding results may complete a master's degree at the same time), earned the prescribed credits, received research guidance, passed the doctoral candidature examination, and underwent a thesis review after passing the examination.

Research Students

Individuals interested in doing research in a specific field as a research student may be permitted to enroll upon selection. The enrollment period starts at the beginning of the academic year or at the start of each semester.
A research period is between three months to a year, but with permission the research period may be extended to up to two years (three years in the case of the Joint Graduate School) in total. However, each extension is limited to one year.

Students Enrollment of Specific Subjects

Students wishing to take specific courses at the Faculty of School Education and the Graduate School of School Education may enroll as a non-degree student after selection. The enrollment period starts at the beginning of the academic year or at the start of each semester, and the study period is within one year, with semesters counted as units.
However, permission may be granted to extend the period of study up to a total of two years.
Such students must pass the assessment of the course taken in order to receive credit.

Special Auditors

It is possible for students from international universities with an established connection to our university to enroll as special auditors if the appropriate university gives consent. As a general rule, the enrolment period starts at the beginning of the semester.
The auditing period lasts up to one year. At that time, individuals who have the passed the designated exam will receive credit.