Asian Languages (Japanese), BA
Studying Japanese opens the door to a variety of new career paths, experiences and opportunities for personal growth, career development and global exploration. Whether you're interested in foreign service, teaching, international business, diplomacy, science and technology, entertainment, or anything in between, knowledge of Japanese can take you anywhere.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
In the Bachelor of Arts program in Asian languages with a concentration in Japanese, you study the language, literature and culture of Japan. You gain a respectable measure of competence in reading and writing Japanese, and you acquire oral and aural skills in the language. You also gain linguistic and cultural competence through the required study of classical Japanese.
In addition, ASU offers summer or yearlong programs to study abroad in Japan.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| SLC 201 Introduction to Linguistics |
| JPN 301 Third-Year Japanese I |
| JPN 302 Third-Year Japanese II |
| JPN 333 Japanese Civilization from the Ice Age to Last Thursday |
| JPN 401 Reading Modern Japanese Texts |
| JPN 414 Introduction to Classical Japanese |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Effectively communicate both orally and in writing in Japanese at a level equivalent to the Intermediate High level described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
- Conduct a research project in the areas of language and/or cultural production.
- Analyze the historical and cultural development of the Japanese language by drawing connections between contemporary Japanese and earlier forms of the language through in-class translation assignments and course projects.
Effectively communicate both orally and in writing in Japanese at a level equivalent to the Intermediate High level described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Study abroad programs are vital when learning the Japanese language. Immersing oneself in the language and culture adds value to the degree and prepares students to take off in an exciting, multicultural career with valuable skills that employers seek, such as heightened cultural competence, adaptability, and critical thinking and communication skills.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural Studies Professor | 2.7% | $85,020 | Learn more |
| Customs Broker | 3.8% | $80,730 | Learn more |
| Lawyer | 4.7% | $159,670 | Learn more |
| Sociologist | 3.8% | $106,030 | Learn more |
| Supply Chain Manager | 6.1% | $107,230 | Learn more |
| Translator | 2.0% | $60,170 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Knowledge of multiple languages and intercultural competencies enhance any occupation and offer graduates many career opportunities. Language-intensive professions include:
- foreign correspondent
- foreign media professional
- foreign service officer
- intelligence officer
- international banking and finance professional
- language, literature or culture teacher
- law and immigration professional
- multilingual administrative professional
- translator or interpreter
- travel professional
Relevant career fields and occupations include:
- advertising, marketing or communications
- airline industry
- film, television or multimedia
- hospitality industry
- intelligence
- international education and study abroad administration
- international law
- lifestyle management
- public relations
- technology industries
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of International Letters and Cultures
|
DH 131
silcadvising@asu.edu
480-965-6281
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
