SHOKEI GAKUIN UNIVERSITY

Credit And Graduation

Credit System

The study load of classes at university is expressed as “credits.” Students who attend classes for the subjects they have registered for and pass the assessment (written exams, assignments, practical exams, etc.) will be granted credits for those subjects. When they accumulate enough credits to meet the requirements for graduation, they are able to graduate.

A 1-credit class subject requires a study load of 45 hours. The standard study load consists of study on campus (contact hours) and study time out of class (homework, e.g. preparation and review). The number of credits for each class is calculated as follows based on the number of contact hours and homework hours for these types of classes.

Lectures

As a general rule, one (1) credit is 45 total hours, consisting of 15-30 contact hours and homework hours.

Foreign language/Exercise/Practical Skills/Experiments/Practicum

As a general rule, one (1) credit is 45 total hours, consisting of 30-45 contact hours and homework hours.

Graduation Research, etc.

Credits will be awarded upon assessment of the study outcomes.

Credit Cap

To ensure that students are able to allocate sufficient time for preparation and review of work done in class and improve their study outcomes, students need to draw up a reasonable course plan. For this reason, a cap has been placed on the number of credits that students can register for in a single year.

Subjects not included in the Credit Cap

1. Credits approved for study abroad or overseas training or for participation in designated events
2. Credits earned through the Academic Consortium of Sendai credit exchange network
3. Credits earned through the Open University of Japan Special Audit Program
4. Credits approved as earned credits prior to admission
5. Credits approved from proficiency assessment in foreign language subjects
6. Credits for subjects related to obtaining teacher’s licenses
7. Free subjects
   • Credits for subjects related to obtaining curator qualifications
   • Credits for subjects related to obtaining architect qualifications Etc.

Promotion Criteria (Only for College of Human Health and Nutrition)

In consideration of the characteristics of education and the subjects to be taken in higher year levels, the following criteria have been established for promotion to 3rd Year.

• Of the 1st and 2nd Year specialist educational subjects that are compulsory for graduation, if eight (8) or more of those subjects have not been completed by the end of 2nd Year, the student will not be promoted to 3rd Year.

Graduation

Students who have been enrolled for at least four (4) years (and no longer than eight (8) years) and who have obtained the following Credits Required for Graduation will be approved for graduation by the University president upon deliberation by the Faculty Council and will be awarded the degree of Bachelor.

The individual colleges and departments have certain subjects (compulsory and compulsory elective subjects) that must be taken to be eligible for graduation.

Deferral of Graduation

Failing to satisfy the requirements for graduation and extending the period of enrolment to continue studying is referred to as “deferral of graduation.” Documentation concerning deferral of graduation and a notice of interview will be sent to those students who have not satisfied the requirements for graduation at their designated postal address by early March, with their guarantor copied into the letter. The student, the student’s guarantor (parent/guardian), and the student’s advisor will meet to draw up a future study plan for the student.

Classes and Grades

Semester

The academic year is divided into two semesters: April-September and October-March. However, this is subject to change depending on the circumstances of educational affairs.

Classes

1. Timetable

A duration of 45 minutes will count as one (1) contact hour and a single class period will count as one (1) block (90 minutes) on the timetable as a general rule. However, some classes may occupy 1.5 blocks (135 minutes) or 0.5 block (45 minutes).

2. Categories by Course Requirements

3. Teaching Periods

4. Class Cancellation and Supplementary/Alternative Class

5. Syllabus

The Shokei Gakuin University syllabus is available for view on the student portal.

Grades

1. Assessment and Credit Recognition

2. GPA (Grade Point Average)

GPA is a grade assessment scale which is the average of the grade points (GP) awarded for each assessed grade per credit. This numerical value is used to indicate the results of students’ study at university in a plain way. At Shokei Gakuin University, the GPA has been introduced as a way of raising students’ motivation to achieve higher study outcomes, and also with the objective of providing appropriate course guidance and study support.

3. Release of Results

Results for 1st Semester subjects will be released on the date of 2nd Semester orientation.

Results for full-year subjects, 2nd Semester subjects, and intensive lecture subjects will be released in early March for final-year students or in late March for students in other years.

4. Request for Confirmation of Grade Assessment

Any student who has sufficient reason to believe that an error has been made in the assessment of their grade can, as a general rule, lodge a Request for Confirmation of Grade Assessment to the subject coordinator within seven (7) days of the release of results. However, this scheme is not to be used as an easy way to demand one’s results be reconsidered and/or changed. Such requests are only to be lodged in the event of firm grounds for holding doubts about the assessment of one’s grade.

Credit Recognition Scheme

With the objective of the proactive commendation of students’ independent ambition to learn and their various study outcomes, credits will be recognized under the following scheme.

1. Academic Consortium of Sendai Credit Exchange Network

If their timetable permits, students enrolled in 1st to 4th Year may take subjects at any of the partner institutions and, upon deliberation, have the credits thus obtained put toward the calculation of their credits for graduation at SGU. Admission fees and tuition fees, etc. are free (excluding Open University of Japan), but some subjects may charge for certain actual costs. For details, check the Academic Consortium of Sendai.

2. Open University of Japan Special Audit Program

Students enrolled in 1st to 4th Year (including students on leave of absence) at SGU who make effective use of television, radio, the internet, and other means to take certain specified subjects offered by the Open University of Japan may, upon deliberation, have the credits thus obtained put toward the calculation of their credits for graduation at SGU.

3. Credits Earned Prior to Admission

In the first year of enrolment only, 1st Year students may have credits previously earned at another university or other institution approved by SGU, up to a maximum of 60 credits.

4. Credits Earned at International Partner Institution

Students enrolled in 1st to 4th Year (including students on leave of absence) at SGU may, upon application, transfer credits earned at partner university which are admitted to be effective, as SGU credits.

5. Proficiency Assessment

If a student obtains a rank or point score in a proficiency test specified by SGU either prior to or after admission to SGU, the student may apply for credit. Upon deliberation, that test result may be approved as credit for certain specified class subjects.

[Credit Recognition]

• The recognized credit will be indicated as “Recognized (N)” on the Academic Transcript.
• For second and subsequent recognitions, the recognized credit will be replaced with the higher rank or point score.

[Proficiency Test Specified by SGU]

• EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency
• TOEFL iBT/CBT/PBT
• TOEIC

6. Credit Recognition through SHOKEI POINT (SP)

The SHOKEI POINT (SP) Program is a course that supports, assesses and recognizes students’ willingness to learn and act for themselves. Students can build up a portfolio of attendance at university-designated lectures and open courses and community service activities and outcomes and be awarded one (1) credit for "Challenge Portfolio" when they have accumulated certain points. Application for recognition of credit can be made from 2nd Year onward, but emphasis will be given to active, continuous engagement in such activities from 1st Year. Check the noticeboard at Learning Station for details of how to engage in these activities.