From Zen and samurai to anime and video games, Japan boasts rich historical and contemporary cultural traditions. Japan has the world’s third largest economy and is a leader in the technology industry, and Japanese is considered a critical language by the National Security Education Program. A certificate in Japanese will open the door to Japan’s fascinating culture and its important position in the global arena.
About the Foreign Language Area Studies - Japanese Certificate
What You'll Learn
Through your coursework, you will learn how to
- Develop competencies and familiarity with the basic Japanese language
- Gain knowledge of Japanese traditions, customs, history, and culture
- Understand how to function appropriately and effectively in Japan
Coursework Examples
In past projects, students have had the opportunity to
- Interview a fluent Japanese speaker about a topic and then present a spoken presentation
- Visit a historical Japanese city and learn about its history, from the early origins to the present
- Create a timeline and annotated bibliography in the class and write a sample press release on a current Japanese topic
Foreign Language Area Studies - Japanese Certificate Requirements
Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.
Required Courses
Japanese Core Courses (6 credits)
- JAPN 111
- JAPN 112
Related Area Studies Courses (12 credits)
Choose from the following courses:
- Any JAPN course(s) (3 Credits)
- ANTH 417
- ASTD 135
- ASTD 284
- ASTD 285
- ASTD 301
- Other courses related to Japanese Studies (3 Credits, ASTD)
- GVPT 453
- HIST 482
- HIST 483
- JAPN 333
- HIST 316N
(Contact your academic advisor for additional approved courses)
Overall Certificate Requirements
- To pursue a certificate program, you must be admitted as a UMGC student.
- All undergraduate certificate coursework must be completed within two years of enrolling in the first certificate course.
- You are responsible for notifying UMGC of your intention to complete certificate work before completion of your last course.
- You can pursue a degree and certificate simultaneously or pursue a degree after completing the certificate, but the application for any certificate completed while in progress toward the degree must be submitted before award of the degree.
- You cannot use the same course toward completion of more than one certificate.
- In cases where the same course is required for two certificates, you must replace that course with an approved substitute for the second certificate.
- No more than half of the total credits for any certificate can be earned through credit by examination, Prior Learning portfolio credit, internship/Workplace Learning credit, or transfer credit from other schools.
- Certificates consisting primarily of upper-level coursework may assume prior study in that area. Check prerequisites for certificate courses.
- Prerequisites for certificate courses can be satisfied by coursework, credit by examination, or Prior Learning portfolio credit.
- At least half of the total credits for any certificate must be earned through graded coursework.
- All required coursework for the certificate must be completed with a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all courses for an undergraduate certificate and B (3.0) in all courses for a graduate certificate.
- Certificate courses cannot be taken pass/fail.
- All graduate certificate requirements must be fulfilled within five consecutive years. Any transfer credits must have been earned within the five-year time frame to be applied toward a graduate certificate.