In our Bachelor of Arts in Japanese, students develop language proficiency and critical thinking skills that are indispensable for a variety of career paths: linguistic proficiency to communicate effectively in informal and formal situations in a global environment, cultural awareness and intercultural competence, and appreciation of diversity both in the context of their home culture and globally. Additionally, the Japanese program and the World Languages and Literatures Department offer many international cultural experiences on campus and in the community throughout the school year that immerse students in the Japanese language and culture.
Co-curricular Opportunities: We have a very active Japanese Club that plans and organizes events such as the Flower Viewing Party in spring. Japanese exchange students from our partner schools in Japan regularly participate in club activities. The club collaborates with the Japanese School of Greater Cincinnati that is housed on NKU’s campus to promote Japanese cultural events during International Education Week at NKU.
The club also offers leadership opportunities on their executive board. Japanese majors and minors can also join the Phi Sigma Iota international foreign language honor society. Phi Sigma Iota recognizes outstanding accomplishment in the study of foreign language, literature, and culture. PSI offers local and national leadership opportunities, publication opportunities in The Forum, and scholarship funding for study abroad and graduate school. There are approximately 250 chapters of Phi Sigma Iota at institutions of higher learning in the US, Mexico, and France.
Study Abroad: Our Japanese majors and minors benefit from the partnerships that NKU has with Gifu University, Musashi University and Nanzan University in Japan, as well as NKU’s participation in KIIS (Kentucky Institute for International Study), a non-profit faculty-led study abroad consortium of colleges and universities in Kentucky and surrounding states. We also offer funding for study abroad through the Foreign Language Award for International Study (FLAIS). Since it was established in 2005, FLAIS has awarded nearly $40,000 to over 100 language majors and minors to support study abroad experiences. FLAIS is entirely funded by donations from faculty, staff, alumni and community members.
Career Explorations: Students gain practical skills and knowledge in our professions-oriented classes that include Introduction to Translation, Business Japanese, and Japanese for the Professions. We also invite our alumni and working professionals in various careers to speak with current students about job opportunities for language majors.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
September 2025
College of Arts and Sciences
Steely Library, Suite 410,
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS,
Kentucky,
41099, United States
Students should have completed secondary school coursework and any appropriate examination (if applicable).
English proficiency required for admission can be satisfied by any one of the following:
An official and satisfactory score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) taken within the last two years. The minimum TOEFL scores to be considered for admission are a 500 on the paper-based exam or a 61 on the internet-based (iBT) exam.
Documentation of having satisfactorily completed freshman-level English composition at an American regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. and an overall acceptable GPA. Non-native speakers of English may still be asked to take the TOEFL if it has been several years since taking the English courses or if the student has returned to his or her home country for several years since taking the course.
A satisfactory score on the verbal portion of the ACT or SAT taken within the last two years. The minimum scores to be considered for admission are an ACT of 18 or SAT of 430 (through 3/15/16) or 25 (effective 3/16/16).
An official and satisfactory score from the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) taken within the last two years. The minimum IELTS scores to be considered for admission must include a cumulative band of 5.5 and sub-scores in reading and writing of 5.0 or better.
Successful completion of NKU’s American English Language Program with at least an 80% in each AELP class.
Priority deadline: For Fall Semester: April 15; Spring Semester: October 15
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
NKU has a focus on undergraduate research and experiential learning, and graduates develop versatile skill sets in preparation for employment.