I’ve decided to major in the Japanese language, but I am a bit overwhelmed trying to decide which colleges to apply to. I thought you guys might have some insight into which colleges have good programs for majoring in Japanese (or bad ones that I should steer clear of).

Additional info about what kind of school I’m looking for:

— I want to focus on learning the Japanese language. I am not interested in studying other Asian languages, nor do I want to study the Japanese culture/history extensively… my priority is the language.

— I would prefer a small school/program if possible, and a rural/suburban setting rather than urban. I find big places with too many people stressful.

— I live in New York state, USA, so I guess I’m particularly interested in schools in my region.

So yeah, any advice at all about colleges or majoring in Japanese in general? Thanks!

I majored in Linguistics. This field opened many possibilities for me, including teaching languages and translation. As for as I know, there is no major in a language per se. Part of the major concentrates on the culture, the history, the literature, not just the language.

If I had to give you my advice, from my experience, a degree in Japanese — or any other language/literature — does not significantly open up professional opportunities. You can learn Japanese without it. In fact, most people who study or speak Japanese as a second language don’t have a major in it. Japanese will be very useful when you combine it with another type of major, in my opinion.

I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but I thought this was something you should consider.

I’m a high school senior (going to be a college freshman next year), so I don’t have the experience that Alexandre does.

However, I have to disagree slightly with Alexandre. I think you should study what you love. If you’re going to learn Japanese anyway, why not get a major out of it? And I really agree with combining it with another major. Majoring in Japanese isn’t like majoring in Engineering; you should have enough open slots in your schedule to double major or at least get a minor in something if you plan things right. People change majors all the time anyway.

As for choice in college, I have no specific recommendations (sorry!). What I do recommend doing is making a list of all of the schools that offer a Japanese major in the geographic region that you want to be. After that you can narrow it down based on other criteria. I really like the University of Rochester in NY and it has Japanese! Just don’t base your choices solely on the Japanese program. Do you want a small private college, or a big public university? These kinds of things are important too!

Scott, I agree — you must study something you love, something that brings the passion in you. But in the best of worlds, it should also offer you a job and decent living. I can see Japanese as a minor, but I don’t know of many jobs that require a major in Japanese. After all, getting a decent job is the reason most of us go to university.

Thanks for the advice guys; very helpful!!

I know it’s not as lucrative a profession as being a doctor or whatever, but it’s what I love and what I’ve decided to do. I would definitely like to minor in something else though, or major if possible…. I just wonder how much extra work that would be…. well, I’ll definitely have to look into it.

University of Rochester seems nice, I’m going to research that school more. I guess I’ll start by making a list and narrow it down like you said….

Please listen to my advice – I wish someone had given me some when I was making these types of decisions. I have a PhD in Slavic Languages and have never been able to work in my field. I now realize I could have done what I wanted – learned other languages and lived abroad – much more easily and profitably if I had been more practicle about my major(s).

Here is what I know – a major in a foreign language at a 4 year college 1-is not likely to leave you with a working knowledge of that language unless you do overseas study in that country, 2-will not and should not come without cultural studies (you cannot separate language from culture), and 3-will leave you with no job prospects upon graduation (you will have to compete with native speakers who inevitably dominate the field).

Also, there is no such major as a foreign language – the language itself is just a gateway to the rest of the studies – linguistics, literature, culture and politics. If all you want is language, then don’t major in it.

I studied Slavic languages because I loved that, but then couldn’t work in my field and had to switch to teaching ESL. So in the end I never got to do what I love and am fast forgetting the languages I worked so hard to learn. Had I been smarter, I would have majored in TESOL – I could have taken just as many Russian language classes (minus all the politics and literature that I didn’t really like), and worked teaching ESL in Russia, which would have actually paid money instead of costing money, as did all the overseas study I had to do to actually learn Russian.

So think carefully about all your options and what you really want to end up doing, not what you want to do for the next four years. You might get what you want more easily by not majoring in Japanese.

I entirely and whole-heartedly second Yvonne.

Even if you major in something you love and get a job in that field, nothing prevents you from wondering, 10 or 15 years later, what other type of major you could have done, etc. We change, our interests shift, but you only get one go at getting a degree — generally, anyway. At least pick one that will put food on the table…. AND that you love.

I’m also wanting to major in Japanese but I want to have the whole spectrum. i.e. culture, linguistics, history, etc. I’m currently living in Japan because I’m stationed here in the US Navy. This helps although I’m away from my home port quite often. I’m slowly learning new phrases and can use them out in town but it’s very difficult to get on the right path when I’m teaching myself. This is why I want to major in Japanese studies when I get out of the military. I know I don’t need a major in Japanese to be able to get a job in Japan as, say, an English teacher. It’s still quite intriguing. The Navy already taught me a little bit of Mandarin Chinese so I want to stay in the Asian languages. I’m in love with Japan and am so grateful to be able to live here. I’m just not sure what my options could be once I leave the Navy if I want to stay in Japan.

(I really do want to apologize if my rant is incomprehensible…. It’s very late and I’ve had a long weekend spent in Tokyo.)

I mostly agree with Yvonne. I really like how she pointed out how you will need to live in the country where the language is spoken. Most universities require it of their Asian languages, some, a whole year of studies elsewhere. You also aren’t going to be able to separate language and culture, ESPECIALLY with Japanese. To begin with, a study of a language itself is a study of culture.

For a major in Japanese, you’re likely going to spend at least 9 credits in culture and 6-9 credits in literature.

If you want to be a teacher of Japanese at the high school level, you could pull this off. Otherwise, I agree with Alex and I would recommend that with a major such as Japanese, you find an auxiliary area of study to partner with the language and major in it AND Japanese. For example, one of my friends started with a major in Spanish and a minor in economics, but discovered that she would be better able to apply herself if she was in business, so she dual majored in International Business and Spanish. She now has a lucrative job in a country she can use her language.

Like the others, sorry to rain on your parade, but unless you want to teach Japanese, you’re going to need something to go with.

Add on top of this that a rural school isn’t going to have more than a Japanese minor.

I’m going to have to agree with most people here and say that majoring in Japanese may not be the best option. The chances of getting a job in the field are very slim and upon graduating college you’ll be left with no job opportunities. Also as already stated, learning a language requires learning a culture. They shouldn’t be separated (and it’s nearly impossible to do so anyways). My recommendation would be to minor in Japanese and major in something more practical (maybe even something which will help find work in Japan).

I’m not in college yet, but I’ve somewhat narrowed it down to two options for my plans:

1. Major in some area in the medical field and minor in Japanese, and if that fails,
2. Major in business and minor in Japanese

I never really considered majoring because like it was already said, there are few potential jobs you could find (in your native country or in Japan. And especially in my case, I don’t really want to teach English in Japan….or teach at all for that matter lol), and even in those areas it may be difficult to actually find employment. I definitely want to at least minor because I love Japanese and want to get out of it as much as I can in college, and it’ll be easier in terms of traveling. But I can’t really see myself after college having an easy time getting by with just that. I love Japan but I want to pursue a career that I know I will have a broad range of opportunities for me to explore. But Japanese will indeed bolster those efforts. I think even majoring in Japanese and minoring in another field might be iffy, but don’t take my word for it at all lol. Even my Spanish teacher recommends that if we do plan on studying Spanish in college that we minor in Spanish and major in another field.

However, I’m not 100% sure, but as tough as it would be, it might be possible for you to have double major. But again, I’m just a rising high school senior.

Hawaii has the best U.S. Japanese programs – LA is pretty good too, I hear.

Wow…I read every single post and you guys care a great deal about this…Hey guys do you think my plan for studying or as you say “minoring” in japanese langauge and majoring a career in anime production or some sort of animation art class is a good idea?(I want to be an anime artist!)Or try anything as long as it’s in anime=) Should I go for a school out of state?(I want that) Oh! and I want to get a job in anime in Japan and live there for a few years….So the added part of learning the culture is a plus for me.

For those looking to study abroad—which I HIGHLY recommend for anyone studying a language, or not!—these are two programs I am familiar with:

Temple University, Japan: http://www.tuj.ac.jp/about/index.html
TUJ is a 4 year college that offers degree courses in a variety of subjects—meaning you could apply to TUJ and study there for four years! (So it’s not a short-term study abroad program, although that IS an option.)

Japan Center for Michigan Universities: http://www.isp.msu.edu/JCMU/
Don’t let the name fool you! JCMU is for anyone! JCMU offers a variety of study-length options: including 1-yr and 1/2-yr and summer programs. It is a small, residential school—the number of students is limited to about 50 or so, and there is a small residence hall next to the academic building for housing (but there IS a homestay program!!).

I studied at JCMU for a summer—and I truly believe it is what turned Japanese from a hobby into a career for me. After my experience living in Japan, I began to passionately pursue courses that would help me improve my Japanese, or get me over there again. ^_ And now I’ve lived in Japan, and currently am teaching it in a high school!

I hope some eduFirians find the links useful! There are plenty more available! Check with your college/university’s office of study abroad. It really should be a priority for language-learners!

Well, if you’re looking to be an artist, then I would look for schools with strong art programs AND study abroad programs, because I think you’ll be best helped with a study abroad program in Japan, like Katie suggested. I personally know a few people who went to Japan through the JCMU program and deeply enjoyed it — some have already gone back to Japan.

Keep in mind, there’s not a huge anime artist market, so you’ll be helped by knowing Japanese. Still, I would focus first on building your portfolio — maybe talk to a high school art teacher to get some idea of how to build a portfolio for college consideration.

As for location, unless you want to go to a school in and around NYC, I think you’re going to have to explore outside options.

^_ I can’t believe you just named the school I recently looked up!xD TUJ but this JCMU sounds intresting….Gosh I would love to go to a school in Japan and Four years!? I didn’t understand the TUJ website but your little blog explained it all…Thanks Katie!^. And yea I should think about buildin a portfolio and stuff…..Thanks guys!

I’m actually planning to return to school to dual major in linguistics and in Japanese for a teaching degree in that area. Has anyone gone to Eastern Michigan University? I live in Minnesota, and that’s the only college around (and it’s still out of state) that seems to have a nice Japanese program, including a graduate program. Anyone been there?