Learn about accredited study abroad programs
Accredited school study abroad
What is accredited school study abroad?
This system allows students to study abroad at a university or higher education institution that has the authority to award degrees and whose educational objectives align with their own, if they cannot achieve their study abroad goals through a partner institution. If the Aoyama Gakuin University recognizes the institution as an "accredited institution," students can then study abroad in a manner similar to that of a partner institution, including credit transfer. Therefore, like partner institution study abroad, the credit transfer system and continuing education system apply, and depending on the year of study abroad, it may be possible to graduate in four years by fulfilling the graduation requirements.
On the other hand, tuition fees must be paid to both the host university and Aoyama Gakuin University. Furthermore, to participate in an accredited study abroad program, applicants must prepare all application documents themselves, requiring approximately 1 to 1.5 years of preparation before departure. For first-semester departures, necessary documents must be prepared by around September of the previous year; for second-semester departures, by around April. Applications must be submitted to the International Center before departure. If you are considering an accredited study abroad program, be sure to contact the International Center in advance.
Duration of study abroad
The academic system used varies depending on the study abroad destination. If your destination uses a semester system (2 terms) or a trimester system (3 terms), you can choose to study abroad for one term (approximately 3 months) or two terms (approximately 8-9 months). However, if your destination uses a quarter system (4 terms), due to the timing of credit recognition at Aoyama Gakuin University after returning, your study abroad period will be limited to three terms (approximately 9-10 months).
Application Guidelines and Application Documents
Common Application Eligibility
The following conditions must be met.
1. You must have been enrolled at Aoyama Gakuin University for at least one year by the time of departure.
2. Undergraduate students must have already earned at least 30 credits per year, and graduate students must have already earned at least 16 credits per year.
3. A GPA of 2.4 or higher, and meeting the GPA requirements of the prospective partner university.
Note) For first-year applicants: The above conditions must be met at the end of the first year.
4. The study abroad destination must be a regular program at a university or higher education institution that has the authority to award degrees.
Note: Community colleges (USA/Canada), TAFE (Australia), foundation courses (UK/Australia), CEGEP (Canada/Quebec), and other junior colleges, vocational schools, university preparation courses, and language schools (ESL) are not included.
5. You must meet the following requirements and the requirements of your desired study abroad destination.
●For studying in an English-speaking country: You must have an IELTS (Academic Module) score of 5.5 or higher, or a TOEFL iBT score of 68 or higher.
Note: Even if you are eligible to enroll under conditions below the above, your application will not be recognized as a study abroad program at an accredited institution of Aoyama Gakuin University.
● If studying abroad in a country other than an English-speaking country: You must meet the requirements of the host university.
6. Obtain the consent of the guarantor.
7. To be in good physical and mental health.
Note: You must undergo the health checkup conducted at the Health Management Center at the beginning of each fiscal year.
Application acceptance and selection
Pre-notification period: Applicants wishing to study at an accredited institution must notify the International Center of their intention through the designated pre-notification form.
Application period: Please check the latest information in the student portal message. *For details on submission location, etc., please refer to the application guidelines.
Provided that you meet both the general application requirements and the requirements of your desired study abroad destination, please submit items 1-8 below by the deadline specified by the International Center.
1. Application form for studying abroad (prescribed form)
2. A written pledge from the individual and their guardian (using the designated form)
*Students and their guardians/parents must use separate seals. Signatures cannot be handed over.
3. If applying in English: A copy of your TOEFL iBT or IELTS (Academic Module) score taken within one year prior to your internal application.
(However, a TOEFL iBT score of 68 or higher, or an IELTS score of 5.5 or higher is required.)
If applying in a second foreign language: A copy of the score report for each language proficiency test taken within one year prior to the application to the university.
If you have not taken a language proficiency test, you can also submit a language proficiency certificate (on the designated form, sealed).
4. Letter of recommendation from a full-time faculty member Aoyama Gakuin University (on the prescribed form, sealed in an envelope)
5. Letter of acceptance from your desired study abroad destination or other documents confirming that you have submitted your application.
— If your desired study abroad destination is not listed in the attached "List of Accredited Study Abroad Destinations," please submit documents 6-8 below. —
(If you are studying abroad at an accredited institution with Aoyama Gakuin University has a partnership, you do not need to submit items 6-8.)
6. Detailed information about the program at your desired study abroad destination.
7. Profile sheet (designated form)
8. Statement of reasons for selecting an accredited school (prescribed form)
Certified School Schedule
| Early departure | |
| Australia, America with the quarter system | |
| <Year before departure> | |
| May - June | Once you have decided where to apply, notify the International Center by the end of July. Prepare application documents such as language proficiency tests, essays, and letters of recommendation |
| July | |
| August | By this time, prepare your application documents. Apply by the deadline for your desired study abroad destination |
| September | Once you receive your admission letter from your desired study abroad institution, apply to the International Center by mid-September.? |
| October | |
| November | Travel preparation: visa application, dormitory arrangements, etc. |
| December | Late to mid-October |
| <Departure year> | |
| January | |
| February | Start studying abroad |
| ▼ | |
| Late departure | |
| Most universities in North America and Europe | |
| <Year before departure> | |
| December - January | Once you have decided where you will apply, notify the International Center by the end of March. Prepare application documents such as language proficiency tests, essays, and letters of recommendation |
| February | By this time, prepare your application documents. Apply by the deadline for your desired study abroad destination |
| March | |
| <Departure year> | |
| April | Once you receive your admission letter from your desired study abroad institution, Apply to the International Center by late April? |
| May | Travel preparation: visa application, dormitory arrangements, etc. |
| June | |
| July | |
| August | Start studying abroad |
| ▼ | |
List of Approved Universities
-
Ireland
Accredited school name
Dublin City University
?Trinity College, Dublin, University of Dublin
?University College Dublin -
America
Certified school name
Allegheny College
?American University
?Appalachian State University
?Arcadia University
Ashland University
?California State University, Chico
?California State University, East Bay
?California State University, Fullerton
?California State University, Long Beach
?California State University, Monterey Bay
?California State University. Northridge
?California State University, Sacramento
Carroll College
?Columbia University
Cornell University
?Duke University
?Hartwick College
?Harvard University (Harvard College)
?Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
?Johns Hopkins University
?Miami University, Oxford Ohio
?Millsaps College
?Minnesota State University, Mankato
?Missouri University of Science and Technology
Montana State University
?New York University
?Pacific Lutheran University
Salem State College
San Jose State University
Seattle Pacific University
Sonoma State University
?St. Michael's College
?State University of New York at Plattsburgh
?Syracuse University
Tennessee Tech University
?University at Albany, State University of New York
University of Arizona
?University of California, Berkeley
?University of California, Irvine
?University of California, Los Angeles
?University of Central Missouri
?University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Delaware
University of Evansville
?University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
University of Iowa
?University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Minnesota
University of Nebraska
?University of North Alabama
?University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
University of Pennsylvania
?University of Pittsburgh
University of Richmond
?University of St. Thomas, Minnesota
University of Utah
Val Paraiso University
?Vanderbilt University
?Youngstown State University -
England
Accredited school name
?Goldsmiths College, University of London
?King's College London, University of London
?London Metropolitan University
?London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
?Queen Mary, University of London
?Royal Holloway, University of London
?University of Birmingham
?University of Bristol
?University of Cambridge
?University of East London
?University of Edinburgh
?University of Essex
?University of Leeds
?University of Manchester
?University of Oxford, New College / Magdalen College
?University of Sussex
?University of Westminster
?University of York -
Italy
Accredited school name
?Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano -
Netherlands
Accredited school name
?Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
?University College Utrecht, Utrecht University -
Australia
Accredited school name
?Griffith University
?University of New South Wales
?University of Queensland
?University of the Sunshine Coast -
Canada
Accredited school name
?McGill University
?Queen's University -
new zealand
Accredited school name
?University of Auckland -
France
Accredited school name
?Université Catholique de l'Ouest
?Université Paul-Valéry-Montpellier III -
Mexico
Accredited school name
?Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
?Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia
*This list is as of June 2024.
*If you are applying to an overseas university not listed above as an accredited study abroad institution, you will also need to submit documents 6 to 8 of the application documents.
About the Study Abroad Support Business
As mentioned above, applicants for accredited study abroad programs must prepare all application procedures themselves. While it is possible to apply directly to the study abroad destination and handle all departure preparations on your own, if this is difficult or you feel unsure, you may want to consult with a study abroad support agency. The agencies listed below are affiliated with Aoyama Gakuin University for accredited study abroad programs.
However, Aoyama Gakuin University assumes no responsibility whatsoever for the program fees, content, or other guidance related to studying abroad provided by the businesses and other entities listed below. All contracts with study abroad support providers and other related matters are the sole responsibility of the individual.
JSAF/Global Academic Education Foundation
It is an organization under the Japan Study Abroad Foundation (JSAF), which mainly handles undergraduate study abroad programs, and aims to enable as many Japanese people as possible to play an active role overseas and contribute to the international community. When selecting partner universities, they place emphasis on 1) the reputation of the world-class universities, 2) the host university's acceptance system, and 3) safety, and have concluded agreements with famous universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, etc.
SAF Study Abroad Foundation
The Study Abroad Foundation (hereinafter referred to as SAF) is a non-profit educational institution approved by the state of Indiana, USA, that organizes an international university network and works to promote student mobility at Asian universities, mainly in Japan, China, and Korea. Since its establishment in 2000, SAF has dispatched more than 8,000 Asian university students to universities in Europe and the United States by promoting a visiting student program that is not based on an exchange agreement with top SAF member universities in North America, Europe, and Oceania.