The Japanese major offers students a range of courses and activities that enhance students' intercultural and transcultural competencies. With the completion of the four basic years of the language, students will be prepared to handle various types of colloquial Japanese. Students in the major pursue advanced studies in Japanese language or literature. It is also possible to combine an interest in Japan with a degree in business, engineering, history, or international studies.
Before declaring the major, students are urged to begin coursework early, ideally in the freshman or sophomore year. If, however, this is not possible, summer courses at UW–Madison or elsewhere are available which speed the student's progress. Those who have previous Japanese study experience may enter advanced courses on the basis of placement tests.
Study Abroad in Japan
Students may receive residence credit for study abroad through a variety of programs sponsored by the department. Please contact International Academic Programs for details.
Students may also receive credit, or gain experience, through various internship opportunities abroad. Please contact International Internship Programs for details.
How to Get in
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | None |
| GPA requirements to get in | None |
| Credits required to get in | None |
| Other | None |
Students declared in the Japanese Professional Communication certificate may not be declared in the Japanese major at the same time. Students who do wish to declare the Japanese major must first cancel their declaration in the Japanese Professional Communication certificate.
Placement Exam
The Asian Languages and Cultures department offers placement exams for students with prior language study or experience as a speaker of Japanese. For more information, see the department’s website.
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. Some courses satisfy more than one L&S degree requirement (visit College of Letters & Science: Requirements for details).
This major can be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Communication | Complete both:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Complete both:
|
| Ethnic Studies | one 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation |
| Language | Complete either:
|
| L&S Breadth: Humanities | Complete 12 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation, which must include at least 6 credits with the Literature designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Social Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Social Science designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Natural Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Natural Science, Biological Science, or Physical Science designations, which must include both:
|
| Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Coursework | at least 108 credits |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work | at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | at least 120 credits |
| UW-Madison Experience |
|
| Quality of Work |
|
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their School/College to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese Language Requisites | ||
| First Semester Japanese (complete one): | 4 | |
| First Semester Japanese | ||
| First Semester Elementary Japanese and Second Semester Elementary Japanese | ||
| Followed by (complete all): | ||
| ASIALANG 104 | Second Semester Japanese | 4 |
| ASIALANG 203 | Third Semester Japanese | 4 |
| ASIALANG 204 | Fourth Semester Japanese | 4 |
| Required Japanese Language Course | ||
| ASIALANG 303 | Fifth Semester Japanese | 4 |
| Advanced Japanese Language Courses (complete 3 courses from the options below): | 9 | |
| Classical Japanese | ||
| Advanced Japanese: Solidifying the Foundations | ||
| Japanese Conversation | ||
| Business Japanese Communication | ||
| Advanced Readings in Japanese | ||
| Advanced Japanese through Audio-Visual Media | ||
| Japanese Studies Courses | ||
| Introductory Course (complete one): | 3 | |
| Introduction to East Asian History: Japan | ||
| Japanese Popular Culture | ||
| Introduction to East Asian Civilizations | ||
| Manga | ||
| Anime | ||
| Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation | ||
| Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation | ||
| Intermediate Courses (complete 3 courses from the options below): | 9 | |
| Gender, Work, and Family in East Asia | ||
| Lovers, Warriors and Monks: Survey of Japanese Literature | ||
| Early Modern Japanese Literature | ||
| Modern Japanese Literature | ||
| Japanese Ghost Stories | ||
| Language in Japanese Society | ||
| Love and Politics: The Tale of Genji | ||
| Haiku | ||
| Study Abroad in Japanese Topics | ||
| Manga | ||
| Anime | ||
| Food in Asia, Asia in Food | ||
| Introduction to Japanese Linguistics | ||
| Teaching of Japanese | ||
| Samurai: History and Image | ||
| Pearl Harbor & Hiroshima: Japan, the US & The Crisis in Asia | ||
| Classical Japanese | ||
| Introduction to the Anthropology of Japan | ||
| Capstone Course (complete one): | 3 | |
| Readings in Early Modern Japanese Literature | ||
| Readings in Modern Japanese Literature | ||
| Readings in Classical Japanese Literature | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Total Credits | 44 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all major courses
- 2.000 GPA in 15 upper-level major credits, in residence
- 15 credits in the major, taken on campus
Upper-level major courses in the major:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAN 300 | Topics in Asian Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN 301 | Social Science Topics in Asian Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN 310 | Introduction to Comics and Graphic Novels: Theory, History, Method | 3 |
| ASIAN/SOC 334 | Gender, Work, and Family in East Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN 353 | Lovers, Warriors and Monks: Survey of Japanese Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 354 | Early Modern Japanese Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 355 | Modern Japanese Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 360 | Topics in Asian Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 357 | Japanese Ghost Stories | 3 |
| ASIAN 358 | Language in Japanese Society | 3 |
| ASIAN 361 | Love and Politics: The Tale of Genji | 3 |
| ASIAN 367 | Haiku | 3 |
| ASIAN 373 | Study Abroad in Japanese Topics | 1-6 |
| ASIAN 376 | Manga | 3 |
| ASIAN 378 | Anime | 3 |
| ASIAN 388 | Food in Asia, Asia in Food | 3 |
| ASIAN 433 | Topics in East Asian Visual Cultures | 3 |
| ASIAN 434 | Introduction to Japanese Linguistics | 3 |
| ASIAN 435 | Teaching of Japanese | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 454 | Samurai: History and Image | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 456 | Pearl Harbor & Hiroshima: Japan, the US & The Crisis in Asia | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 505 | The Perfectible Body in Religions, Medicines, and Politics | 3 |
| ASIAN 533 | Readings in Early Modern Japanese Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 563 | Readings in Modern Japanese Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 573 | Readings in Classical Japanese Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 630 | Proseminar: Studies in Cultures of Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN 681 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| ASIAN 682 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| ASIAN 691 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| ASIAN 692 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| ASIAN 698 | Directed Study | 2-3 |
| ASIAN 699 | Directed Study | 2-3 |
| ASIALANG 303 | Fifth Semester Japanese | 4 |
| ASIALANG 313 | Classical Japanese | 3 |
| ASIALANG 376 | Japanese Conversation | 3 |
| ASIALANG 377 | Business Japanese Communication | 3 |
| ASIALANG 375 | Advanced Japanese: Solidifying the Foundations | 3 |
| ASIALANG 451 | Advanced Readings in Japanese | 3 |
| ASIALANG 452 | Advanced Japanese through Audio-Visual Media | 3 |
| ASIALANG 475 | Advanced Topics in Asian Translation | 3 |
| ASIALANG 480 | Advanced Topics in Asian Language | 3 |
| ANTHRO 357 | Introduction to the Anthropology of Japan | 3-4 |
| ART HIST 575 | Proseminar in Japanese Art | 3 |
| LITTRANS 373 | Topics in Japanese Literature | 3 |
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the Major in consultation with the undergraduate advisor.
Honors in the Major Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.300 GPA for all courses accepted in the major
- Complete the following coursework, with a grade of B or better:
- Either ASIAN 699 or another Capstone course (see list above) of 3–4 credits (excluding ASIAN 681 or ASIAN 682 or ASIAN 692) with the professor under whose guidance a student intends to write a thesis. This course must be taken before ASIAN 681.
- Students who complete ASIAN 699 for the Capstone requirement will follow the department procedure for obtaining consent to enroll in a Senior Honors Thesis supervised by the faculty. Students must contact the undergraduate advisor for this major to initiate this process.
- A two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in ASIAN 681 and ASIAN 682, for a total of 6 credits.
- Either ASIAN 699 or another Capstone course (see list above) of 3–4 credits (excluding ASIAN 681 or ASIAN 682 or ASIAN 692) with the professor under whose guidance a student intends to write a thesis. This course must be taken before ASIAN 681.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the content and cultural context of written texts and video materials with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of comprehension to different texts and purposes, and using appropriate reference sources selectively.
- Spontaneously exchange ideas about various topics with relative ease.
- State and support one’s own opinion while acknowledging others’ viewpoints.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the importance of pragmatic, sociolinguistic, and rhetorical features of the target language.
- Conduct library and/or internet-based research on topics relating to their particular interests and special fields of expertise, collecting and selecting relevant information using English and target language source materials.
- Synthesize and critically evaluate source materials in both English and the target language.
- Present (orally or in written language) their experiences and their introspection on these experiences in a coherent and effective manner.
- Demonstrate cultural awareness across historical epochs.
- Produce effective academic writing in English.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ASIALANG 103 | 4 | ASIALANG 104 | 4 |
| ASIAN 100 | 3-4 | ASIAN/ASIAN AM/HISTORY 246 (meets Ethnic Studies requirement) | 4 |
| Communication A | 3 | Quantitative Reasoning A | 3-4 |
| Biological Science Breadth | 3 | Science Breadth | 3-4 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ASIALANG 203 | 4 | ASIALANG 204 or 104 | 4 |
| Or students continue with: | ASIAN/RELIG ST 236 (Communication B) | 3 | |
| ASIAN 253 (Humanities Breadth) | 3 | ||
| ASIAN/HISTORY/POLI SCI 255 (Social Science Breadth) | 3-4 | ASIAN 355 (Literature Breadth) | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 3-4 | Physical Science Breadth | 3-4 |
| Humanities Elective | 4 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ASIALANG 303 or 203 | 4 | ASIALANG 377 | 3 |
| ASIAN 376 | 3 | ASIAN 699 | 2-3 |
| ASIAN 367 (Literature Breadth) | 3 | Science Breadth | 3 |
| ASIAN 373 | 1-6 | Elective | 3-8 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 454 | 3-4 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ASIALANG 303 (if not yet completed) | 4 | ASIALANG 475 (Japanese topic only) | 3 |
| ASIAN 434 | 3 | ASIAN/HISTORY 456 | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 563 | 3 | ASIAN 692 | 3 |
| ASIAN 691 | 3 | Elective | 3-4 |
| Electives | 3-8 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Declare or Cancel This Program
Please follow the process described on the Asian Languages and Cultures website.
Advising
Seeing your advisor is very important for choosing courses that fit your interests and graduating on schedule. Many students also try to complete more than one major or certificate, and discussing how you might be able to reach this goal is another primary role of your major advisor. Advisors can speak to you about course content, which courses fit best with your interest areas, and what kinds of courses might work best with your learning style. Any and all of these discussions can occur during your advising appointment.
The advisor is happy to meet with students as they explore the degree options, prepare for study abroad, or advance through their four-year plans. Schedule an appointment in Starfish.
Exploring Classes before Declaring
Students interested in the Japanese major can start exploring through any of these courses. The courses in these lists are open to first-year/freshmen students and have no prerequisites.
Students may declare the Japanese major at any time. Those students who have studied an Asian language prior to coming to UW–Madison will have to take a placement test for a language offered during the academic year to determine the best class to enroll in on campus.
Interested in the Japanese major? Try these courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAN 100 | Gateway to Asia: Special Topics | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 104 | Introduction to East Asian History: Japan | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 236 | Asia Enchanted: Ghosts, Gods, and Monsters | 3 |
| ASIAN 253 | Japanese Popular Culture | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY/POLI SCI 255 | Introduction to East Asian Civilizations | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS 231 | Manga | 3 |
| LITTRANS 232 | Anime | 3 |
| LITTRANS 263 | Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS 264 | Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS 373 | Topics in Japanese Literature | 3 |
| The language courses below are open to first-year/freshman students and have no prerequisites: | ||
| ASIALANG 103 | First Semester Japanese | 4 |
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students
Resources and Scholarships
Department Scholarships
The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures has various scholarships to support meritorious students in our programs. Application information and deadlines.
Cameron G. Keith Memorial Scholarship
This award is given annually to two undergraduate students studying Japanese. This award is announced during the fall semester, and eligible students may apply. The criteria are: declared in the Japanese major, junior or senior standing, cumulative GPA of 3.500 or higher, currently taking Japanese classes, and plan to go into a Japanese-related profession. Cameron G. Keith was an East Asian Studies and Economics studies major at UW–Madison who studied abroad in Japan, and later in Nepal. In his memory, the Keith family established these funds in honor of his interest in the region.
Other Campus Resources
Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
East Asian Studies FLAS Coordinator: Laurie Dennis, Assistant Director, ldennis@wisc.edu, 325 Ingraham Hall
FLAS fellowships are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by UW–Madison's National Resource Centers to assist students in acquiring foreign language and either area or international studies competencies. FLAS awards are only available for specific languages and are contingent on federal funding. Please direct any questions to the FLAS Coordinator of your chosen language.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Applications by students in professional fields are encouraged. Preference will be given to applicants with a high level of academic ability and with previous language training. Academic Year and Summer FLAS awards are two separate competitions requiring two separate and complete applications.
Wisconsin Scholarship Hub
This is the primary portal for applicants, current students, and everyone looking for scholarship opportunities on campus.
Undergraduate Academic Awards Office
We help UW–Madison undergraduates and recent graduates pursue nationally competitive scholarships and campus-wide awards for research, service, and leadership — activities at the heart of the Wisconsin Experience. We can help you:
- Find scholarship opportunities that match your goals and interests
- Navigate the scholarship application process
- Review scholarship essays
- Prepare for national scholarship interviews
Contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss which opportunities are right for you.
National Scholarships
Boren Scholarships
Campus Representative: Undergraduates with questions should contact Matt Geisler, Associate Director of International Academic Programs
These scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. (Full list of preferred countries) Additionally, all programs must include formal study of an appropriate foreign language. (Full list of preferred languages).
Critical Language Scholarship Program
Campus Representative: Mark Lilleleht, Assistant Director for Awards at awards@iris.wisc.edu
The Critical Language Scholarship Program is part of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is a fully funded overseas intensive language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students. With the goal of broadening the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages and to build relationships between the people of the United States and other countries, the Critical Language Scholarship Program provides opportunities to a diverse range of students from across the United States at every level of language learning. Critical Language Scholarship Program languages are: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu.
The Critical Language Scholarship Program seeks participants with diverse interests, from a wide variety of fields of study, backgrounds, and career paths, with the purpose of representing the full diversity of the United States. Thus, students from all academic disciplines, including business, engineering, law, medicine, science, social sciences, arts, and humanities are encouraged to apply.
Gilman Scholarship Program
Campus Representative: Andy Quackenbush
The Gilman Scholarship Program is an undergraduate grant program for U.S. citizens of limited financial means to enable them to study abroad, thereby internationalizing their outlook and better preparing them to assume significant roles in the increasingly global economy.