For students interested in studying Japanese, the Center for Language Education and Research provides multiple tracks and levels of Japanese language courses according to students’ needs and linguistic backgrounds. 

The regular track offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses where 100-minute classes meet four or five times per week. This track aims to focus on developing communicative competence through extensive practice by integrating four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students enroll in 4 credits of Japanese and take an additional 2–4 elective courses, taught in English.

The intensive track, which offers four-level intensive courses at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels, is designed for students whose main purpose of coming to Japan is to mainly study Japanese. Students enroll in 8 credits of Japanese (16 hours of class time per week), and 1–2 elective courses. 

English-taught courses are available in business and economics, science and technology, and environmental studies. See the Course Bulletin (updated each year in March) for more details on specific courses.

You must register for a minimum of 13 credits per term. You receive resident credit for the courses you take, your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. See the Grade & Credit  Conversion Scale for more details. 

Sophia University organizes various types of housing for exchange students. Dormitories are located in different areas of Tokyo and require commuting. The dorms vary in size and type of amenities provided.

Homestays can be organized by a private housing organization in Tokyo.

Program fee

• Academic Year 2021–2022: $13,400
• Academic Year 2022-23:  TBD
• Spring 2023:  TBD

Program fee includes tuition and educational costs, and international health insurance.

Total cost of participation

• Academic year 2021–22

Application Deadlines

• Academic Year 2022-23: February 1, 2022
• Spring 2023:  TBD

If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.

Academic Calendar

Academic Year:  Mid-September - Early August
Spring Semester:  Late March - Early August

Program dates are subject to change. Contact our office or visit the Sophia University academic calendar website for verification of dates before purchasing your airfare.

3.0 GPA

Use your University of Minnesota internet ID and password to log into the Education Abroad application system. Your student account will be charged a $50 application fee.

Apply Now!

Once you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

• Application Essay
• Advising appointment with the Exchange Coordinator

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

Application Review Process

After the application deadline, the GO Minnesota selection committee will review applications and make decisions within 2 weeks. If you are nominated, your name will be submitted to the host university and you will complete their application materials. Upon your official acceptance by the host university, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist, which you will complete to confirm your participation in the program.

Exchange programs can be competitive, especially at Sophia, and we may not be able to place all students who apply. If you are not selected for your first-choice Japanese university, we will place you at your second- or third-choice school. 

If at any point you decide not to continue with the application process, log into the Education Abroad application system and submit a cancellation request.

If the program does not fill, applications will be considered on a rolling admissions basis until the program fills or until the host university deadline. Please contact us to inquire about applying after the deadline.