Foreign Languages
Expand your career options in any field by learning Japanese to meet the increasing demand for bilingual employees.
Foreign Languages, Japanese Concentration, B.S./B.A.
The Japanese concentration in the Bachelor of Sciences and Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages is offered through the College of Liberal Arts at MTSU.
The ability to speak and understand another language or languages opens countless doors and expands one's view of the world. Each of our concentrations offers multiple opportunities for immersive study abroad. As one of the world's top economies and exporters of cultural capital, Japan is an integral piece of our increasingly globalized world. Japan is widely recognized as one of the world's chief producers of automobiles, robotics, medical innovation, and a host of other products; it is also known for its unique cultural contributions, including animation, music, philosophy, literature, martial arts, and sport. Learning the Japanese language is the key to accessing Japan's rich cultural legacy.
MTSU's energetic faculty is dedicated to helping students learn Japanese, which in turn will allow them to fully participate in that legacy as well as to become engaged and responsible global citizens. MTSU is one of few universities in Tennessee that offers a degree in Japanese language, which is the gateway to engaging with one of the world's premier economies and dedicated trade partner of the United States.
As of March 2023, there are over 200 Japanese companies in the state of Tennessee such as Nissan, Mitsui and Bridgestone that account for more than 20 billion dollars in direct foreign investment and employ close to 55,000 Tennesseans. Globally Japan is the world's third largest economy, with strong trade connections to the United States.. Students graduating with a degree in Japanese will find many opportunities for employment in Tennessee and beyond.
A major in Foreign Languages with a Japanese concentration consists of 40 semester hours (excluding 1010) and must include at least 20 hours of upper-division work. Before beginning the junior year, the student should file a degree plan with his or her advisor.
News Briefs
Japanese business connections strong in state, nation
MTSU is one of only two universities in Tennessee that offers a degree in Japanese language, which is the gateway to engaging with one of the world's premier economies and dedicated trade partner of the United States. In Tennessee, Japanese companies such as Nissan and Bridgestone account for 62% of direct foreign investment, while globally Japan is the world's third largest economy, with strong trade connections to the United States. In fact, 62 of the Fortune Global 500 companies are based in Japan, many of which invest directly in American business. Students graduating with a degree in Japanese will find many opportunities for employment in Tennessee and beyond. For more information on Japan-Tennessee business relations, please click the following link http://www.nashville.us.emb-japan.go.jp to be redirected to the website for the Japanese Consulate in Nashville.
MTSU students excel in Japan through exchange program
Andrew Witt and Mitchell Plumer joined MTSU's Japanese program at the same time, unaware that they would become fast friends on the same academic track. "Within a year, we were knee-deep in the program. Competing in the Tennessee area speech contest, meeting exchange students at the language table, and preparing for study abroad became our passions," Plumer says. In their junior year, Witt and Plumer participated in MTSU's exchange program with sister schools in Fukuoka and Osaka. "It was life-changing to say the least. We were actually put in upper-intermediate Japanese courses when we got there, thanks to our classes back at MTSU," Witt says. Both students graduated with honors in December 2014. The two became interested in the Japanese Exchange and Teaching program after a career session at the language table, and Plumer earned his first job abroad through JET.
News Briefs
Japanese business connections strong in state, nation
MTSU is one of only two universities in Tennessee that offers a degree in Japanese language, which is the gateway to engaging with one of the world's premier economies and dedicated trade partner of the United States. In Tennessee, Japanese companies such as Nissan and Bridgestone account for 62% of direct foreign investment, while globally Japan is the world's third largest economy, with strong trade connections to the United States. In fact, 62 of the Fortune Global 500 companies are based in Japan, many of which invest directly in American business. Students graduating with a degree in Japanese will find many opportunities for employment in Tennessee and beyond. For more information on Japan-Tennessee business relations, please click the following link http://www.nashville.us.emb-japan.go.jp to be redirected to the website for the Japanese Consulate in Nashville.
MTSU students excel in Japan through exchange program
Andrew Witt and Mitchell Plumer joined MTSU's Japanese program at the same time, unaware that they would become fast friends on the same academic track. "Within a year, we were knee-deep in the program. Competing in the Tennessee area speech contest, meeting exchange students at the language table, and preparing for study abroad became our passions," Plumer says. In their junior year, Witt and Plumer participated in MTSU's exchange program with sister schools in Fukuoka and Osaka. "It was life-changing to say the least. We were actually put in upper-intermediate Japanese courses when we got there, thanks to our classes back at MTSU," Witt says. Both students graduated with honors in December 2014. The two became interested in the Japanese Exchange and Teaching program after a career session at the language table, and Plumer earned his first job abroad through JET.
Foreign Languages, Japanese Concentration, B.S./B.A.
A wide array of employment options await students with a major or minor in Japanese. Employers of MTSU students include Nissan, the Japanese and Exchange Teaching (JET) program, the Japanese consulate, and public schools, to name a few. Career opportunities for Japanese language majors are available in various sectors such as
- Engineering (automotive, electric)
- Government (State Department, FBI/CIA, United Nations)
- Higher education (higher education, JET program)
- Information technology (computer information systems, video games)
- International business
- Journalism
- Translation
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
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