MSU Denver and Auraria Campus will be closed Friday, Nov. 8, due to inclement weather.

Kon'nichiwa! Welcome to the Japanese Program!

Reasons to Study Japanese

  • Knowing Japanese can give you an edge. Studying Japanese shows that you have determination, patience, and no hesitation to take on a worthy challenge. You demonstrate that you have a multicultural perspective. Whether it is a resume for a job or an application for a prestigious fellowship, noting that you have studied Japanese will make you a memorable candidate. It will show that you are up to any task that may be put before you.

  • Japanese is not as hard as you think! Part of being a skillful communicator in Japanese means that you can read many non-verbal cues and you will quickly understand how language is not always just spoken or written. Awareness of self and others is a vital part of communication in Japan. Competency in a language such as Japanese means you have the skills to travel the globe.

  • Japan plays an important role in the global economy. Japan is the third-largest economy in the world, and U.S.-Japan economic relations remain strong—with close connections that show how deeply integrated our trade and national-security interests are.

Adapted from: Lead With Languages

We offer a dual language major and a minor in Japanese, elementary, intermediate, conversational Japanese language courses and Japanese culture courses.

Learn more about the Japanese major options, minor and course offerings below:

Japanese Courses

Academic Catalog

Department of World Languages Catalog

World Languages Major Options Explained

Have questions about program options for this language?

Portrait of Alexis Magaña

Contact the World Languages Academic Advisor, Alexis Magaña for more information!

Office Hours – 

Mondays: Plaza 339

9:00 AM-3:00 PM Appointments Only (both in-person and virtual appointments)

3:00 PM-4:00 PM drop-ins (both in-person and virtual appointments)

Tuesdays: Virtual

9:00 AM-3:00 PM Appointments Only (virtual appointments)

3:00 PM-4:00 PM drop-ins (virtual appointments)

Wednesday and Thursday: Central 211E

9:00 AM-3:00 PM Appointments Only (both in-person and virtual appointments)

3:00 PM-4:00 PM drop-ins (both in-person and virtual appointments)

Fridays: Virtual

9:00 AM-3:00 PM Appointments Only (virtual appointments)

3:00 PM-4:00 PM drop-ins (virtual appointments)

 

Schedule an advising appointment through SSC Navigate or contact Alexis by phone or email.

Phone: 303-605-5884

Email: [email protected]

Japanese Language Faculty

Full Time and Affiliate Faculty Members

Photo of Kayoko Moore

Kayoko Moore, M.A.

Instructor of Japanese

[email protected] 303-615-1746 View Directory Profile
Professor Shakely Headshot

Maximilian Shakely

Instructor of Japanese

[email protected] 303-615-1722

Study Abroad

MSU Denver students have studied at the four of the universities below located throughout Japan. University study abroad programs include cultural events and field trips to nearby places. Prerequisite of JPS 2020 is recommended for students who will be taking classes in Japanese.