Japanese National Honor Society College Chapter

What Is the JNHS?

The Japanese National Honor Society – College Chapter (JNHS–CC) recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence in the study of the Japanese language. The American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) is pleased to assist teachers with a way to recognize their outstanding students, to maintain high standards in Japanese language education, and to promote activities that give students ways to use their language skills on their campuses and in their communities.

Students who are nominated for membership receive Certificates of Excellence and red-and-white cords to wear at graduation, and are recognized on the AATJ website and in its newsletter.

Teachers can personalize this press release to announce their students’ awards to school and district administrators or the local press.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, 379 students were honored with induction into the JNHS.

APPLICATIONS FOR JNHS MEMBERSHIP ARE ACCEPTED IN THE FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS.

Academic criteria for student membership in JNHS–CC are as follows:

• For students at 4-year institutions: completion of 5 semester- or 7 quarter- courses of Japanese language study (or their equivalent) at the college undergraduate level. All 5 semester courses or 7 quarter courses must be language study taken for a grade (as opposed to audit or pass-fail). Transfer credits from post-secondary institutions other than the institution from which the student will receive the undergraduate degree may count toward these credit requirements up to a maximum of 2 semester courses or 3 quarter courses (or their equivalent);
• For students at 2-year colleges: completion of 3 semester- or 5 quarter- courses of Japanese language study (or their equivalent) at the college undergraduate level. These courses must be taken at the same institution, and must be language study taken for a grade (as opposed to audit or pass-fail);
• a GPA of 3.5 in Japanese language courses; and
• an overall GPA of 3.0.

Four-year college students should be nominated for membership when they are in the last semester/quarter before graduating. Students at 2-year colleges should be nominated for membership when they are in the fourth semester or sixth quarter of Japanese language study.

In order to form a chapter of JNHS–CC and nominate students for membership and recognition, instructors must be members for the current year of AATJ. Sponsoring instructors then file an application together with a list of students and the applicable fee: a $25 chapter fee per academic year, and $20 per nominated student. The fee includes postage and handling. Please apply by filling out the form below.

Download a flyer *in Japanese* with more details about JNHS-CC

Download a flyer in English with more details about JNHS-CC

Once the application has been received, a packet including certificates for the students who are to be honored, red and white cords that can be worn at graduation ceremonies, and suggested guidelines for a recognition ceremony will be sent to the instructor.

Please allow at least four weeks for the processing of certificates.