Japanese at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The programme builds functional Japanese proficiency, cultural literacy and knowledge of Japan through proficiency-oriented teaching that emphasizes speaking, listening, reading, writing and cultural and communicative competence.

Faculty: College of Arts and Letters | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Language study in speaking, listening, reading and writing together with Japanese culture.

Career pathways

Graduates work as translators, cultural diplomacy programme coordinators, programme managers, Japanese instructors and foreign service officers, with employers including the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme and the Government of Japan.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Michigan State University first-year applicants (all majors): no minimum GPA or test score is set and admission is competitive; ACT/SAT is optional. Middle 50% of enrolled first-year students (Fall 2026): high school GPA 3.5 to 4.0, ACT composite 25 to 31, SAT total 1100 to 1320. Recommended high school courses: 4 years English, 3 years mathematics (2 algebra, 1 geometry), 3 years social studies, 2 years science, 2 years of one world language. Early action and maximum scholarship consideration deadline: November 1.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Most first-year students enter in the fall semester. Admission to other semesters may be limited or not available at all.

Transfer applicants can apply for fall (August start), spring (January start) and summer (May start) semesters. International transfer students are not eligible for summer admission.

First-year early action deadline is Nov. 1 (non-binding), with an admission decision by Jan. 15 and the acceptance fee due by May 1. Regular admission has a Feb. 1 priority deadline (decision by Mar. 31) and a final application deadline of Apr. 1, with rolling decisions after Feb. 1. MSU is test optional: applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

The first-year application fee is $75 (or an application fee waiver if eligible). First-year applicants can apply through the MSU application or the Coalition application with Scoir. The application for fall 2027 opens in August.

International first-year applicants have the same deadlines: early action Nov. 1, priority Feb. 1, final Apr. 1, acceptance fee by May 1.

Transfer application deadlines: fall April 1, spring open until capacity is reached, summer March 1. International transfer applicants for fall have a March 1 deadline and must pay the acceptance fee by April 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/first-year

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