Traditionally the most common choice and for many the only reasonable option, many universities and colleges throughout North America offer degrees in Asian studies and related fields. Most of these schools have study abroad opportunities that allow for intensified language study and global awareness.

Which universities/colleges offer Asian studies and related degrees?
What should I look for in an Asian studies program?

Which universities/colleges offer Asian studies and related degrees? Up

Close to one hundred universities and colleges in the US and Canada offer reasonably developed four year Asian studies programs. Obviously, not everyone of these programs is suited for every learner. Our website offers profiles and reviews of many of the instititions offering Asian studies and related degrees. Click here to view a complete list of schools in the US and Canada.

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What should I look for in an Asian studies program? Up

If you are interested in majoring in Asian studies, no doubt this will play a significant role in your choice of a post-secondary institution. While finding a college or university with a good Asian studies department will be important, you will also want to ensure that the school in general is a good fit for your needs. Once you have selected several institutions that meet your standards, you will want to take the following into consideration in comparing Asian studies programs.

Which languages are taught?

A key feature in most college and university level Asian studies programs is language courses. Chinese, Japanese and Korean are the most common, but some more established programs are also known to offer a choice of Vietnamese, Thai, Cantonese and other common Asian languages.

If you are interested in studying a specific language or languages as a part of your degree, you'll obviously be the most interested in schools that offer courses in that area. Be sure to check which level a particular language is taught up to. If you interested in developing fluency in Vietnamese, for example, a college that offers only two years in the language will not be as effective a place to study as another institution that offers a full four years of courses.

A broad range of language offerings is an added bonus. Even if you are set on studying a particular language, you may change your mind later or wish to begin some introductory study of a second Asian language. A Korean language major may be interested in taking a few lower level courses in Japanese to compare similarities and differences between the two languages. A student that has studied Cantonese might decide to try their hand at Mandarin as well, since both languages are similar and use an almost identical writing system.

What other types of courses are offered?

Your personal interests will play a big role in which types of courses you will be the most interested in taking. It is recommendable to download or get a physical copy of course lists and descriptions offered by each institution you are considering attending. If your primary interest is in studying modern issues related to China's economic development, you should be careful about attending a school where the majority of the Asian studies course offerings is dedicated to history. While a good understanding of a nation or region's history is a good prerequisite to any study of modern events, you don't want to spend your time in university or college learning what happened during the Ming Dynasty if you are planning for a career that will require a knowledge of current affairs.

How many faculty teach within the department?

Asian studies is a heavily opinionated discipline and accordingly you will want to ensure that you have opportunity to gather insight for a variety of different sources. If the majority of the courses you take are taught by one or two specialists, you will have a much more slanted perspective in your learning than if your courses are taught by a variety of professors from different backgrounds and experiences. As well, remember that your interested may change somewhat as you make your way through your university studies. So try to be as confident as possible that your choice of institution offers a broad enough prospectus for your continued growth as a student.

What options for study abroad are available?

In today's world, any sort of study related to world geography is largely useless if limited to theory and includes no first hand experience or travel. Check with the different university and colleges that you are considering and find out if they offer their own study abroad or internship programs to countries that you have a particular interest in and ask about their policies for self-designed study abroad. In addition to gaining a general 'street-smart' understanding of a nation, overseas experience is critical to language acquisition and some travel within Asia should be one of a student's main objectives.

What types of employment will this major prepare me for?

Department heads love being asked this question. Most will usually have a mental list of graduates that have gone on to embark on interesting experiences worldwide and who are enjoying successful careers due in part to the quality of their undergraduate studies. Some schools will even be prepared to put you in on contact with a recent graduate who is currently working in an area related to your own future goals. Asking about post-graduation hire rates is not usually necessary, as there is always a great deal of domestic and international demand for college and university grads who have foreign language skills and experience, regardless of which institution they have graduated from. It may, however, be wise to ask about the success rates of graduates who have applied to post-graduate study programs in Asian studies or other fields.