ICU International Christian University | The College of Liberal Arts | Academic Excellence

Educational System

Trimester System

The academic year at ICU is divided into trimesters. Students have an opportunity to select courses twelve times during their enrollment at ICU. This system allows for a dynamic learning experience in accordance with the changes in students’ interests, as well as a smooth transition to colleges overseas and the transfer of credits acquired abroad.

Each term lasts approximately eleven weeks. A class period is 70 minutes and the number of academic units assigned to a course corresponds to the number of class periods per week. Most courses are counted as two or three credits: a three-credit course requires three class hours per week in addition to six class hours of preparation and review per week.

Although the number of units allowed for courses is 13 units per term, students can take up to 18 units with their advisor’s permission.

Grade Evaluation and the Grade Point Average (GPA) System

Grades are based on a full score of 100, with more than 60 as a passing grade. Students receive grade reports from their advisors, with grades of A,B,C,D, or E for each course they take.

A (100-90):	Outstanding performance in the requirements of the course
B (89-80):	Commendable
C (79-70):	Satisfactory
D (69-60):	Minimal for passing
E (less than 60):	Failing

The grade point average (GPA) indicates the student’s academic achievement. Students earn four points for an A, three points for a B, two points for a C, one point for a D and none for E. GPAs are calculated by dividing the sum of the grade points earned by the number of units taken. The GPA serves as a marker for students, achievements, used as reference in screening for scholarship eligibility and exchange programs. Students with a GPA of less than 1.00 receive a written low-grade warning that they may be expelled from the university. The GPA serves as an indicator for students, achievements and allows students to create their own style of learning.

GPA calculation (example)

Course	Units	Grade	Points
Problems of Philosophy	3 units	A	3X4= 12
Politics in Russia	2 units	C	2x2= 4
Computer Language	3 units	B	3x3=9
Introduction in the Study of the Japanese Language	3 units	A	3x4=12
Psychology of Perception	2 units	E	2x0=0
Total	13 units		37 points

GPA = Total Points ÷ Point Number of Units = 37　÷ 13 = 2.84

Credit Transfer from Other Universities

Tama Academic Consortium (TAC)

The Tama Academic Consortium includes Kunitachi College of Music, Tokyo Keizai University, Tsuda College, Musashino Art University and ICU.
ICU Students can take specified courses at the other universities, and credits earned can be transferred and counted towards the graduation requirements if permitted. They also have access to libraries at the other universities.

ICU

Tsuda College

Tokyo Keizai University

Kunitachi College of Music

Musashino Art University

More information on TAC

EU Institute in Japan - Tokyo Consortium

In April, 2004, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Tsuda College and ICU formed a consortium called the EU Institute in Japan - Tokyo Consortium(EUIJ). Funded mainly by the European Commission, the Institute promotes understanding of the EU in Japan by enhancing and developing research and educational activities about the EU, as well as by providing its latest accurate and comprehensive information. Its outreach activities include international symposia, business seminars and open lectures. Students are awarded credits for taking EUIJ courses at any of the four universities within the consortium.

ICU

Hitotsubashi University

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

Tsuda College

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

ICU Students can take specified courses at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and credits earned can be transferred and counted towards the graduation requirements if permitted. They also have access to libraries at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

ICU

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

Credit Transfer

Transfer students and Regular students(Freshmen)who have completed at least one year of college work can transfer the credits they have acquired at other universities only when courses they have taken are equivalent to the graduation requirements at ICU. Credit transfer will be approved for grades of C (score of 70) or higher, however there is a limit to the number of credits transferable, according to the categories of courses.

For courses taken by ICU students at other universities(while studying abroad or as Credit Auditors such as TAC or EUIJ),up to 30 credits acquired can be transferred and counted towards graduation requirements at ICU, if grades are D or above (score of 60 or higher).