The minor in Japanese focuses on the mastery of spoken and written Japanese and includes
courses in beginning, intermediate, and advanced Japanese language, as well as content
courses about Japanese culture taught in English, such as Anime and Manga, Japanese
cinema, Japanese literature in translation, and Japanese calligraphy. Students have
the opportunity to study abroad as well, either in semester- or year-long programs
with WCU's partner universities, or through short-term Ģą˝¶ĚĘÓƵfaculty-led summer programs
in Japan.
Where You'll Go
Employers in almost every career field value having bilingual staff members giving
you a variety of job options in the private and public sectors. Another popular, and
in-demand, career is working as a translator or interpreter, a job that can have you
working in the court system, hospitals and a variety of other locations. The Bureau
of Labor Statistics states the average salary for translators and interpreters is
$49,110 (as of 2021) and expects the job field to grow by 20% by the year 2031, which
is much faster than the average growth rate of jobs overall.
Japanese is the national language of Japan, which has the third largest economy in
the world, after the US and China. The ability to converse, read, and write in Japanese,
while very challenging and therefore relatively rare for native speakers of English, opens a world of
opportunities for those wishing to work in Japan, at one of the hundreds of Japanese
companies with subsidiaries in the US, or at American companies doing business with
Japanese partners. Learn more by visiting the College of Arts and Sciences and explore all available programs.
Degree Options
School
College of Arts & Sciences, Department of World Languages & Cultures
Location
Cullowhee Campus
Length
Four-Year (Full Time)
Time to Complete:
120 B.A. - 4 Year Average
Credits:
120 Credit Hours
App Deadline:
Admission through general Ģą˝¶ĚĘÓƵenrollment
School
College of Arts & Sciences, Department of World Languages & Cultures
Location
Cullowhee Campus
Length
Typically completed alongside a major; flexible pacing
Time to Complete:
Varies based on major and course sequencing
Credits:
22 semester credit hours (core + electives)
App Deadline:
No separate application; declare the minor through academic advising
More About Our Japanese Studies Minor
WCU’s Japanese Studies Minor gives students from any major the chance to learn Japanese
language skills and gain deep insight into Japanese culture, history, and society
— equipping them for global opportunities in business, education, service, or intercultural
work. The program combines courses in beginning through advanced Japanese language
with electives that explore Japan through literature, film, art, popular culture,
and contemporary social issues.
Students develop proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking Japanese,
while building cross‑cultural awareness and critical thinking through content courses
on Japanese culture, media, and society. The flexible minor structure makes it possible
to complement any major and tailor course selections to specific interests — from
language mastery to cultural studies.
Through the Japanese Minor, students learn to communicate in Japanese — reading, writing,
listening, speaking — while gaining deep cultural literacy about Japan. Courses explore
historical and contemporary Japan, from traditional art and literature to modern media
and global business contexts.
The program’s design balances rigorous language instruction with cultural and contextual
studies, encouraging students to grow both linguistically and culturally. Whether
you start with no prior Japanese experience or have some background, the minor offers
a pathway to advanced proficiency and deeper cultural understanding.
Opportunities for study abroad, cultural immersion, and elective courses spanning
media, literature, and society, students who complete the minor graduate with not
only language skills but global awareness, intercultural competence, and a versatile
credential valuable across many industries and life paths.
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