Feature
As a professional graduate school with degree-granting authority, AIU places a great deal of emphasis on practicality in its courses with special attention to theoretical and academic features. Conducted interactively, classes involve discussions that elicit students’ opinions on various subjects. Depending on the chosen subject area, students are required to take specialized courses in English Language Teaching Practices, Japanese Language Teaching Practices, or Global Communication Practices. All students learn theory in the classroom and then apply it in the real world through internships and teaching practice, thus deepening their theoretical knowledge and its process to application. In order to achieve a successful integration of both the theoretical and practical aspects of courses, the curriculum features the following five program characteristics, and a unique system is provided to meet various needs with students from different backgrounds.
1. Advanced Professional Education in English
All lectures, seminars and practice in the school except for Japanese Language Teaching Practices are conducted in English with the goal of advancing students to a high level of English performance. For native speakers of English, of course, this is a skill “in hand” they bring to the program.
2. Development of Education with a Close Link between Theory and Practice
With the acquisition of theories related to actual work situations in mind, classes are conducted with a focus on issues that students may encounter in their respective workplaces. Faculty members enrich classes with their experience as prominent leaders in language education, international media, and journalism.
3. Common Courses in Global Communication Practice
In addition to courses that deal with basic theories and knowledge of international society and culture in each program, common courses are offered to acquire practical global communication skills.
4. Refresher Courses for Working Adults
The importance of new knowledge, information, and technology has been increasing exponentially as a foundation of activity in every sector of society. This situation requires a readjustment of the knowledge and skills needed for each profession. We offer recurrent education for experienced students through specialized course work where knowledge and practice are systematically integrated.
Each program provides a unique curriculum that is designed to enhance students’ expertise depending on their needs.
5. GPA: Grading System for Global Higher Education
Our graduate school has adopted the GPA system and a strict grading policy to ensure a high quality of education. The criteria of assessment are described along with the teaching methods and course schedule on each syllabus. At the time of program completion, students must satisfy the GPA requirement of 3.00 or above, as well as credit requirements.
April and September Matriculations and Pre-Graduate Student System
The ELT and GCP programs of the AIU Graduate School allow new students to start in April or September, while JLT students are accepted in September only. Students are eligible to participate in the “Pre-Graduate Student System.” Participation in this system allows students to take advantage of their time before official enrollment, and helps to lighten future course workload by allowing students to take courses or conducting Gap Year Activities*. Gap Year activity needs to be proposed and approved in advance. Non-Japanese citizens who wish to be pre-graduate students must obtain proper visas issued by the Government of Japan by April 1 of their matriculation year.
Japanese Language Teaching Practices
The system is applicable to students admitted during the Fall or Winter Screenings. Pre-graduate students can choose to either take up to 2 courses (6 credits) at AIU’s Graduate School during Spring Semester or conduct Gap Year Activities. Gap Year Activities may include teaching Japanese at institutions in Japan and overseas.
English Language Teaching Practices and Global Communication Practices
Students who start as degree-seeking students in September and admitted during the Fall or Winter Screenings are eligible to conduct Gap Year Activities if their proposal for the activities is examined and approved by the university.
*Gap Year Activities
Participants of Gap Year Activities must register for “GCS610 Professional Experience Reflection (3 credits)” which requires reflecting on and examining professional experiences to write academic papers.