Lakeland College

Lakeland's Dual Accreditation

Solid Credit, Internationally

Lakeland College, Japan (LCJ) campus is accredited by the Higher Learning Committee of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in the United States. The association sent investigative teams to the Japan campus in 1993 and 2008 to verify that the campus offered the same quality American education as the main campus in Wisconsin and with the same vigor. After both visits, the accrediting teams gave LCJ high marks and recommended its continued accreditation as a branch campus.

In December 2005, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, Sports and Technology recognized LCJ as an overseas campus of an American university. This recognition came as a result of negotiations between the American embassy and the Ministry of Education. As a consequence of this recognition, LCJ gained the right to sponsor student visas. With this ability, LCJ has been able to recruit a substantial number of non-Japanese students. By 2011, the percentage of international students had risen to approximately 30 percent of the total student body, representing approximately 25 countries. Japanese students have benefited from the recognition by being eligible for student discounts on commuting passes; thus saving substantial money on bus and train commuting fares. They are also eligible for government loans to pay for their education.