Graduates of accredited professional training colleges are eligible to receive either a diploma (senmonshi) or an advanced diploma (kodo senmonshi) in Japan. Each year more than 700,000 graduates of professional training colleges are awarded diplomas and 25,000 students are awarded advanced diplomas in Japan. All professional training colleges in the Jikei Group of Colleges are accredited by the appropriate prefectural government.

Diploma

A diploma is awarded to graduates of professional training colleges who have completed a period of study of 2 years or more, accumulated 1,700 hours or more of classroom instruction, passed their examinations, and are recognized as having completed their program of study by their school. Students who have been awarded a diploma are eligible to apply for a work visa or continue their studies at a university. A diploma is considered equivalent to or higher than an associate degree.

Advanced Diploma

An advanced diploma is awarded to graduates of professional training colleges who have completed a period of study of 4 years or more, accumulated 3,400 hours or more of classroom instruction, passed their examinations, and are recognized as having completed their program of study by their school. Students who have been awarded an advanced diploma are eligible to apply for a work visa or continue their studies at a graduate school. An advanced diploma is considered equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.