Report an accessibility problem

Asian Studies (Graduate Certificate)

Asian Studies (Graduate Certificate)

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Asian Studies (Graduate Certificate)

Asia, Asian Studies, Asian-American, Cert, East Asian, SOUTH, SOUTHEAST

The flexibility of two tracks allows you to choose a geographic region that is of most interest to you. Whether you choose the East Asia track or Southeast Asia track, this certificate complements your current graduate degree and prepares you for a variety of careers.

Program description
Degree awarded: Certificate  Asian Studies (certificate)

The graduate certificate program in Asian studies offers graduate students a transdisciplinary specialization in Asian language and area studies.

The certificate program is available in two tracks. The East Asia track includes China, Japan and Korea, and the Southeast Asia track includes Burma, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei and Timor Leste.

At a glance
Degree requirements

18 credit hours

Required Core (6 credit hours)
two courses at the 500 level or above dealing with Asian content from a single discipline

Electives (6 credit hours)
two courses at the 500 level or above dealing with Asian content from a discipline other than that chosen for the core courses

Other Requirements (6 credit hours)
language proficiency requirement: two courses at the 400 level or above in one Asian language (Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese)

Additional Curricular Information
Students work closely with a faculty advisor from the Center for Asian Research to develop a cohesive curriculum tailored to their individual goals and interests.

Some of the coursework from the discipline in which the student is earning a graduate degree may be used to satisfy these requirements.

Admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Graduate students currently enrolled in any discipline may pursue a certificate in Asian studies in conjunction with their degree program.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

International students who need an F1 or J1 visa first need to apply to and be accepted into a graduate degree program prior to being considered for the certificate program. International students residing in the USA on other types of visas must adhere to all Graduate College policies and procedures regarding admission to be considered for admission to this certificate program.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Career opportunities

The graduate certificate program in Asian studies provides students with training and knowledge relevant to careers in government, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofit organizations, global relationships, intercultural understanding, foreign service, researchers, professional writing and community college teaching.

Career examples include:

  • cultural center associate
  • historical society and exhibit curator
  • language interpreter
  • teacher or instructor
Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

click back to top