Find your perfect college degree
Japan is one of the most beautiful countries, impacting many societies worldwide. The most popular components of Japanese culture—such as Jpop, karaoke, origami, and sushi—have conquered hearts, especially in the Western world. If you love Japan, its culture, and its language, it’s a great idea to pursue an online Associate of Arts emphasizing Japanese.
With an Associate of Arts in Japanese, students can pursue careers in many industries and fields like medicine, law, government, business, program and system design technology, and more.
Learning a different language teaches and promotes appreciation and respect. By teaching students to contrast the Japanese language with other languages across the world, a Japanese associate degree fosters a positive attitude and reduces prejudice toward other fascinating cultures.
The Lowdown
An online Associate of Arts, Emphasis in Japanese, prepares students to speak, read, and write in the said language. This online degree can prepare you to join the workforce in various fields, such as business, communication, law enforcement, or medicine.
Additionally, it can be a great preparation if you want to proceed to a bachelor’s degree or other higher studies. Most online programs come with language clubs and study abroad opportunities that help students further enhance their Japanese language skills.
Methodology
Considering an Associate of Arts in Japanese online? You must select the best online associate program that meets your academic and career goals! We compiled the leading online Associate of Arts in Japanese degrees offered by prominent colleges and universities across the United States.
Each online program made it to our list owing to these academic features:
- Provides students the option to take the courses online or in combination with in-person instruction,
- Features comprehensive curricula covering conversational Japanese, intermediate-level spoken Japanese, intermediate-level oral communication, and Japanese Culture for students to apply relevant knowledge and interpret intermediate-level informational communication,
- Prepares students for higher education in related fields or a bachelor’s degree,
- Offers study abroad opportunities and other activities that promote connections with others in the field of Japanese language,
- Taught by experienced teachers primarily engaged in the Japanese culture and language,
- Assists online students pursuing a Japanese associate’s degree with financial aid,
- Licensed and accredited by academic agencies to provide online and in-person instruction.
Visit our Methodology page for details on our ranking process.
5 Best Online Colleges with Online Associate of Arts Emphasis in Japanese
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College offers an online Associate in Arts with an Emphasis in Japanese. Students who plan to transfer to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese after two years can use this hybrid course. You can expect to gain many experiences with this associate degree in Japanese. For instance, you’ll get trained to analyze Japanese informational and literary texts. With these skills, you can translate and interpret seamlessly.
You’ll also be taught to speak and write Japanese at intermediate levels, including oral or sign language. You’ll learn to communicate in Japanese at an intermediate level and negotiate meanings, which can be helpful in many settings, especially businesses. You can distinguish the relationships and differences between Japanese linguistic practices and other cultures.
Upon successful completion of this degree, you may be able to find employment in several different occupations and industries. It’s advisable to speak with your academic advisor so you can match your coursework with your career goals.
Here are the courses to take for this associate degree:
- Intermediate Japanese I
- Introduction to the Study of Language
- Natural Sciences Quantitative
- Humanities, Fine Arts & Design
- College Mathematics
Foothill College
The Foothill College online Associate of Arts in Japanese is particularly helpful to numerous Californian industries that conduct business and commerce with Japan. That said, studying Japanese language and culture can be very helpful for many people in diverse business sectors.
Not to mention, electronics and gaming companies are particularly interested in hiring Japanese speakers. It makes a great major or minor for those interested in pursuing graduate studies in business, computers, information technology, law, or electronics.
After graduation from this Associate of Arts degree, it will be possible for the student to communicate with native speakers of Japanese in various situations using the appropriate language and cultures. Japanese language majors are rare at community colleges in the US, but Foothill College is one of the best.
Technology companies are especially interested in hiring Japanese-speaking employees. It is an excellent major or minor for those planning to work in international business. By demonstrating an understanding of Japanese culture, society, and history, the student can discuss differences between cultures and analyze their similarities.
You can expect to take the following courses in this curriculum:
- Elementary Japanese
- Intermediate Japanese
- Intermediate Conversation
- Advanced Conversation
- Honors Composition and Reading
Mesa Community College
Mesa Community College has an online Associate in Arts Emphasis in Japanese degree program. It is a great preparation to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Assessment may allow students to qualify for placement into higher-level Japanese courses or to exempt themselves from taking Japanese courses. To earn a degree with this emphasis, students may need to take courses at more than one of Maricopa Community Colleges.
After graduation, students can speak or write Japanese at an intermediate level. You’ll be able to analyze how Japanese culture and language differ from other cultures and languages. You can communicate in multiple environments and contexts with intermediate-level Japanese. Lastly, you can use the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind acquired in this field to seek career opportunities.
Some of the following courses are included in this associate degree:
- Elementary Japanese
- Introduction to Human Communication
- Social-Behavioral Sciences
- Introduction to Linguistics
- Introduction to Multiculturalism
- Natural Sciences Quantitative
Pasadena City College
The Associate in Arts Degree in Japanese program is available at Pasadena City College. This online degree includes many courses, including language instruction, literature, culture, and civilization. Expect to learn reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Japanese since all four aspects are emphasized through different courses.
Culture and literature are studied in history courses that teach critical thinking and other soft skills helpful in landing a job after graduation. Students learn to appreciate cultural diversity through this associate degree and develop their written and oral communication skills. Knowledge gained from the program will prepare students to pursue careers in teaching, journalism, business, linguistics, fine arts, music, and international relations.
Depending on the university or college, different courses are required for transfer. Students should consult Counseling Services when selecting transfer courses to determine the specific institutions’ specific transfer requirements.
Here are the courses to expect in this associate degree:
- Elementary Japanese
- Intermediate Japanese
- Japanese Civilization
- Japanese Literature in Translation
- Japanese Culture and Society
- Japanese Conversation
Crafton Hills College
An Associate of Arts in Japanese degree is offered at Crafton Hills College. This online associate degree prepares students for careers in international business and other fields that will make them communicate with Japanese. In addition, it is a stepping stone to studying other Asian languages and the foundation for four-year college courses in Japanese languages and cultures. You can also use it to solidify your other plans of pursuing higher education in business, law, or medicine.
In this associate degree online, you’ll learn about the arts, literature, culture, beliefs, and values of Japanese people. You can finally interact in multicultural communities with your Japanese culture and language knowledge. You will also develop an understanding of the interactions and relationships between cultures.
Many of the world’s biggest and most effective businesses are based in Japan, one of the strongest economies in the world. Even if you are only interested in Japanese pop culture, art, history, music, or literature, the Japanese language and culture play huge areas in business, economics, engineering, research, and politics.
As you partake in this program, you can write and speak Japanese at an intermediate to advanced level. You’ll learn about culture, how to appreciate other cultures, and how to interact with them. You can interpret written and spoken Japanese messages from beginning to intermediate levels. Finally, you can use Japanese language and cultural knowledge beyond the classroom in multicultural settings.
Reasons to Study an Associate of Arts in Japanese
Gain an edge in your career by majoring in a foreign language, particularly Japanese—and improve your knowledge of linguistics and translation while at it!
If you decide to major in Japanese, you will benefit from the following:
Travel Purposes
For everyone interested in visiting Japan, learning the Japanese language fundamentals is needed. Even while you don’t have to be proficient, being able to communicate will make getting around a lot simpler. Additionally, the Japanese will respect your efforts to learn their language. Furthermore, even when not traveling to Japan, you will surely meet many Japanese-speaking individuals in other countries or places.
International Career Opportunities
The possibility of finding work abroad is one benefit of studying in Japanese. With these language skills, you can be more exposed to different employment prospects in various industries, including business, computers, education, technology, STEM fields, and healthcare.
Also, having an associate degree in Japanese will give you a second language proficiency or skill many employers seek. Because of your Japanese skills, you may stay ahead of the competition in the job applicant pool.
Good Salary
For workers who speak multiple languages, some firms give better pay. For instance, bilingual sales representatives, marketers, and other client- and customer-facing professionals occasionally make more money than their monolingual counterparts.
Going Into Linguistics
If you want to pursue linguistics, adding the Japanese language first into your language bank seems wise. Studying Japanese can help you understand linguistic intricacies, such as formal and informal language forms and variations. Not to mention, some other languages may hold some similarities with the structures or rules of the Japanese language. This will make you learn other languages easier.
If your professional goals include living and working in Japan or working for an international company where the staff regularly speak Japanese, fluency in the language can be helpful.
What You Can Do with an Associate of Arts in Japanese
A career in Japanese can be kicked off with an online associate’s degree. There are many jobs available to graduates with this degree. The Japanese language can provide many career prospects after you graduate if you pursue it.
Check out some below:
Translator
Using translators, businesses and individuals can read written communications in other languages. Translating into Japanese can help international organizations communicate more effectively. Some companies or firms hire translators, and you can easily apply after graduating from your Associate of Arts in Japanese.
Interpreter
In this globalized world, it’s no longer uncommon for people from different countries to communicate and contact each other. Despite the language differences, interpreters are hired to translate communications for both parties.
These language specialists frequently perform translation services for meetings, reports, businesses, conversations, speeches, and news. Your proficiency in the Japanese language can be put to use in interpretation roles where your abilities will help foster international cooperation and communication.
Flight Attendant
Flight attendants are employed by airlines and are responsible for the comfort of the passengers. On longer flights, they also provide refreshments, snacks, and meals while educating passengers on safety precautions.
A Japanese degree can be an asset if you want a fast-paced career that involves interacting with people from around the world. You never know how helpful the Japanese language could be when your passengers know how to speak this language.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an online Associate of Arts in Japanese degree?
The Associate in Arts in Japanese teaches students to speak Japanese fluently in a variety of settings, including both personal and professional ones. Education requirements vary in this degree, and students emerge as well-prepared professionals for entry-level work.
They can also opt to transfer to four-year colleges or universities and promote equitable learning and achievement.
Is it advisable to pursue higher studies in Japanese?
Some of the biggest corporations in the world are Japanese. Therefore, understanding the language and culture is essential.
That said, it all depends on what your long-term goals are. With postgraduate studies, you can acquire specialist skills, develop advanced research capabilities, and pursue a specific occupation or career pathway. You can even teach the Japanese language yourself! Determine which further study, if any, will benefit your future career before proceeding. The Japanese education system offers many postgraduate programs, from master’s to PhDs.
Key Takeaways
- For many students, getting an Associate of Arts in Japanese degree is the first step towards achieving their goals. Students who spend two years concentrating on a particular subject at a vocational, technical, or community college can move on to better jobs or further education.
- Your bilingual abilities can provide the credentials you need for success in various job disciplines, including business, medicine, law, education, or economics.
- You may do business with Japanese individuals and global corporations, become job-ready in Japan, and gain insight into a proud people with an intriguing history and culture by acquiring an associate degree in Japanese.
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