Fukuoka Jo Gakuin University is a private women's-only institution which can trace its roots back to foundation in 1885 as Fukouoka Ewai Jo Gakku by an American Methodist missionary, Jennie Gheer. It is one of nine universities in Fukuoka, the largest city on Kyushu, southernmost of Japan’s main islands and its leading centre for business start-ups.
Between 1885 and its recognition as a university in 1990 it went through a familiar Japanese ascent, through school, high school and junior college. Although few other universities can point to a predecessor which in 1921 introduced sailor suits as a pupil uniform.
It has stayed committed to its Christian traditions, with its website in early 2019 carrying a message from the President with hopes to "nurture lives that are founded upon the Bible" and "the improvement of one’s character through the foundation of Christ’s teachings". The university chapel is named Gheer Hall.
The foundation faculties of humanities and lifelong learning have been supplemented by Human Relations and, in 2014, an International Careers Development faculty intended to "help cultivate global citizens". Students taking the Literary Arts degree are expected to read "100 literary masterpieces" and to watch 100 films or plays of comparable standing during their four-year course.
The Fukuoka Jo Gakuin Nursing University was created in Koga, around 20 miles from Fukuoka in 2008.
The accreditation from the Association of Japanese Universities in 2014 complimented the strength of mission and purpose of the institution and was particularly impressed by the effectiveness of two-day study camps for graduate clinical psychologists in developing the skills of students.
