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Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below for responses to commonly asked questions. If you have further questions, please contact the Japanese Studies Program through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).

JAPN Enrollment

How do I know which JAPN course I should take?

If you have never studied Japanese before and are new to the language, please enroll in JAPN-010A: First Year Japanese I which is offered in the fall quarter.

If you have studied Japanese in any way, take a placement test.

I took AP Japanese in high school. Which JAPN course should I take?

AP credit does not give you a pass to enroll in a certain JAPN course. Please take a placement test.

I took articulated Japanese language courses at a community college. Why can I not enroll in the next level JAPN course?

Even if the Japanese courses you took at a community college are articulated, please take a placement test so our faculty can best assist you.

I speak Japanese a little at home, but I can barely read or write. Can I enroll in JAPN 10A?

No, you must take a placement test.

I have reached the maximum unit limitation, but I would like to continue to learn Japanese. Can I take a JAPN course?

Yes, please submit your enrollment request via TEA in TSS. Consult with your college advisor if you have any questions or concerns.

I’m not a UCSD student. Can I enroll in a JAPN course?

Yes, please contact UC San Diego Extended Studies about the Concurrent Enrollment Program.

The JAPN course I want to take is full and has a waitlist. What are the chances of me getting in?

If you are not among the first few students on the waitlist, move to an available section to secure your seat.

I’m waitlisted for a JAPN course. What should I do?

Move to an available section to secure your seat.

Major & Minor

I would like to minor in Japanese Studies. How do I declare it?

Go to 'Specialization Request and Review App' in TSS (formerly known as Minor Tool). 

For more information, visit the Japanese Studies Minor page.

I would like to double major in Japanese Studies. What should I do?

  1. Consult with your college and current major advisors to see if your schedule allows you to declare a second major.
  2. Review the Japanese Studies major requirements and How to Declare Double Major.
  3. Fill out the required forms.

Submit your questions via VAC or schedule a 1-on-1 academic advising appointment online.

Study Abroad

I’m a Japanese Studies major/minor and would like to study abroad in Japan. What should I do?

  1. Contact the Study Abroad Office and collect information.
  2. Once you have an idea of which program and school you’d like to select, schedule an appointment online with the Japanese Studies Program Coordinator to go over your academic plan together.

Find more information on our Study Abroad page. 

I’m NOT a Japanese Studies major/minor and would like to study abroad in Japan. What should I do?

Contact the Study Abroad Office.

I need to fill out the application form from the Study Abroad Office. What should I do?

Schedule an appointment online with the Japanese Studies Program Coordinator. Please see contact information and advising hours.

Could you tell me which study abroad courses are eligible for Japanese Studies?

We are unable to preview any study abroad courses, and you must petition them upon completion if you would like to use them for your major/minor requirements.

Remember to select upper division courses that focus on Japan-related topics, take the courses for a letter grade, and save all the course work and materials for petitioning.

See our Study Abroad page for more information.

I am studying abroad in Japan and want to continue my Japanese language studies after returning to UCSD. What should I do?

I studied abroad in Japan and would like to submit petitions to use the courses for my Japanese Studies major/minor, other major, and/or GE requirement. What should I do?

See our How to Petition Courses page for detailed instructions.

Be sure to wait until your study abroad transcripts are in your degree audit so that you can include all the study abroad course information on the form.

Courses

What is taught in each JAPN sequence?

Please read the objectives of each course.

Where/how do I find Japanese Studies non-language courses?

See our Course Offerings to find out which UD non-language courses are offered each quarter.

I would like to take JAPN 199 and use it as an UD non-language course towards my major/minor. What should I do?

I am a Japanese Studies major and would like to take JAPN 196A/B. What should I do?

Please see the instructions for the Directed Honors Thesis Program (JAPN 196A-B).