Asian Studies

Programs Offered

• Asian Studies (major and minor)

This major is not accepting new admits as of Autumn 2023.

Sixty percent of the world’s population lives in Asia. Additional millions of Asians live in other parts of the world — and Asia is home to the world’s oldest modern civilizations, some of its richest cultures, and some of its most dynamic societies. 

From our location in Seattle on the Pacific Rim, students and faculty at SPU learn about and encounter Asia because this is central to our mission of understanding and engaging our multicultural and complex world.

Pursuing Asian Studies as a major or minor will deepen your understanding of, and commitment to, global and cultural engagement, reconciliation, and human flourishing. In this major, your interdisciplinary coursework and diverse educational experiences will prepare you for service or further study in business, education, development, law, ministry, history, linguistics and many other fields.

Asian Studies (BA)

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• A minimum 54 credits are required for this major, including 23 upper-division credits.
• Core coursework is the study of the history, languages, and cultures of Asia.
• Electives include coursework from disciplines across the University, including art, business, economics, literature, music, political science, and others.
• An Engagement Experience is required, such as a study abroad, an internship, or a senior project.

Asian Studies minor 

VIEW DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• Asian Studies Minor

• A minimum 30 credits are required for this minor, including 15 upper-division credits.
• Core coursework is the study of history, languages, and cultures of Asia.
• Electives include coursework from disciplines across the University, including art, business, economics, literature, music, political science, and others.
• An engagement experience is required (e.g., study abroad, internship, or senior project).

Entering and completing the major or minor 

In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major or minor, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.

Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) and minor(s) by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.

• If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified the Asian Studies major as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major.
• To change or enter a major or minor in this department, follow these instructions.
• The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major or minor; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
• To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major or minor.
• You must complete the major or minor requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major or minor.