Major Requirements

Honors Program (JAPN 196A/B)

Students who qualify for honors take a two quarter sequence Japanese Studies 196A-B (Fall and Winter Quarters preferred) of directed study during which they define a research project, carry out the research, and complete an honors thesis. The completed honors thesis will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the student's thesis adviser and one other faculty member appointed by the Japanese Studies Program director. 

All Honors students with a GPA in the major of: 3.5-3.79 will graduate with DISTINCTION, 3.8-3.89 will graduate with HIGH DISTINCTION, 3.9-4.00 will graduate with HIGHEST DISTINCTION.

Requirements

• Junior standing or higher
• A GPA of 3.5 or better in the major
• Overall GPA of 3.2 or better
• Completion of at least four upper-division non-language courses approved by the Program in Japanese Studies.
• Recommendation of a faculty sponsor familiar with the student's work.

How to Enroll

1. Select a faculty member with whom you plan to do research. It is generally advised you seek a professor with whom you have taken courses with.
2. Before meeting with a professor, have a general idea of what topic or issue you would like to research. Many times, students expand on previous papers/assignments.
   Contact the faculty member, and provide them with proof of meeting the GPA and unit requirements for 196A-B* or 199**.
   
   

   *Eligible students must have completed 90 units with at least a 3.2 Overall GPA and 3.5 Major GPA
   **Eligible students must have completed 90 units with at least a 2.5 GPA

3. Once your placement is confirmed, complete an application (196A-B Form), course plan and reading list.
   The course plan is a written statement or outline that highlights how the research will be conducted. This will also include a list of book titles that will be read during the quarter for your research.
4. Submit your honors application, course plan and reading list to the Japanese Studies Office via email (japan@ucsd.edu) for final approval. Applications are due at the end of the 8th week of the quarter prior to which you will be conducting your JAPN 196A-B research commitment. The Director of the Japanese Studies Program will make the approval decision within 2 weeks from the receipt of the form.

How to Declare a Double Major

• UC San Diego Double Major Petition Form
• UC San Diego Academic Planning Worksheet
• How to Declare a Double Major (TritonLink)
• How Upper Division Course May Overlap (TritonLink)

Facts about double majors:

• You can count lower-division courses toward both majors
• Both majors must be completed within 15 quarters if you entered as a freshman, or 9 quarters if you entered as a transfer student
• You can't choose two majors within the School of Engineering or within a single department

1. Make sure you meet the requirements:
   1. To declare a double major, you must:
      • Have completed at least 90 units and no more than 135 units
      • Have at least a 2.50 overall GPA
      • Have completed a majority of the prerequisites for both majors
      • Be able to satisfy the requirements for BOTH majors, including 10 upper-division courses (40 units) unique to each major
      • Be able to complete the 2 majors in no more than 240 units
      • Meet with both departments or programs and your college to discuss your academic plan
2. Complete a Double Major Petition
   1. Fill out the Double Major Petition Form 
   2. Attach the below documents:
      1. The double major worksheet, a quarter-by-quarter planning tool (Academic Planning Worksheet)
      2. A brief statement of purpose (your reason for completing 2 majors)
3. Submit the petition
   1. Submit your petition to the department advisor for each major and obtain their approval signatures. For Japanese Studies, please email your petition form (PDF) and your statement of purpose to japan@ucsd.edu. 
   2. Submit the petition to your college academic advising office
4. Check the status of your petition
   Look in your Degree Audit to confirm that both majors are listed. Allow 5 business days for processing after approval by the college.