INI
Academic Degrees - INI
The Japanese academic degree system is a credential framework granted by higher education institutions such as universities and graduate schools to individuals who complete specific educational programs under the School Education Act. In addition to the three-tier structure of bachelor's (4-year university), master's (graduate school), and doctoral (highest degree) degrees, various other degrees exist including associate degrees and professional degrees. Professional degrees emphasize education that bridges theory and practice, with types including Juris Doctor (professional) from law schools and Master of Education (professional) from teacher training graduate schools. These degrees are positioned within international educational frameworks and contribute to quality assurance in Japanese higher education.
[item.bachelor]
code=L6
slug=bachelor
name=Bachelor's Degree
description=A degree awarded to those who complete a 4-year university program.
category=undergraduate
credits=124 credits or more
duration=4 years (6 years for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy)
level=6
[item.master]
code=L7
slug=master
name=Master's Degree
description=A degree awarded to those who complete a master's program at graduate school.
category=graduate
credits=30 credits or more
duration=2 years
level=7
[item.professional-master]
code=L7-P
slug=professional-master
name=Master's Degree (Professional)
description=A professional degree awarded to those who complete a professional graduate school.
category=professional
credits=30 credits or more
duration=2 years
level=7
[item.juris-doctor]
code=L7-JD
slug=juris-doctor
name=Juris Doctor (Professional)
description=A professional degree awarded to those who complete a law school.
category=professional
credits=93 credits or more
duration=3 years (2 years for those with prior legal education)
level=7
[item.master-of-education-professional]
code=L7-ED
slug=master-of-education-professional
name=Master of Education (Professional)
description=A professional degree awarded to those who complete a teacher training graduate school.
category=professional
credits=45 credits or more
duration=2 years
level=7
[item.doctor]
code=L8
slug=doctor
name=Doctoral Degree
description=The highest degree awarded to those who complete a doctoral program at graduate school.
category=graduate
credits=30 credits or more (including master's credits)
duration=5 years (4 years for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine)
level=8
[item.associate-degree]
code=L5
slug=associate-degree
name=Associate Degree
description=A degree awarded to those who complete a junior college.
category=undergraduate
credits=
duration=2 or 3 years
level=5
[item.advanced-diploma]
code=L5-SD
slug=advanced-diploma
name=Advanced Diploma
description=A title awarded to those who complete a specialized training college program (4+ years).
category=vocational
credits=
duration=4 years or more
level=5
[item.diploma]
code=L5-D
slug=diploma
name=Diploma
description=A title awarded to those who complete a specialized training college program (2+ years).
category=vocational
credits=
duration=2 years or more
level=5