Declare the African and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) Major
Declaring the Major
Click on the blue link above to request to declare the major. You must have all the major preparation coursework completed (click here to view the major worksheet). For the foreign language requirement, you can declare the major with only the elementary language level completed. Note that students must be in good academic standing (2.0 overall GPA) and have a 2.0 major prep GPA in order to be admitted into the major. All preparation coursework grades must be posted (not in-progress) before submitting the request to declare the major.
Interested in Switching to African and Middle Eastern Studies?
Students admitted to UCLA with a different major can apply to switch into African and Middle Eastern Studies. Please contact our Advising Office for individual details.
Interested in Double Majoring with African and Middle Eastern Studies?
With careful planning, students can elect to double major with African and Middle Eastern Studies and a different major. Please contact our Advising Office to set up an individual appointment to review your academic plan.
Incoming UCLA Students
Incoming freshmen and transfer students may enter UCLA as a Pre-African and Middle Eastern Studies major. Students can be officially changed to African and Middle Eastern Studies once they complete the preparation coursework for the major.
Incoming Transfer Students:
Transfer students interested in the African and Middle Eastern Studies major should complete as many preparation courses prior to coming to UCLA as possible, leaving only I A STD 1 to be taken at UCLA (typically during their first Fall Quarter unless taken during a prior summer term at UCLA). Please review Assist.org and UCLA's Admissions page as needed.
Please contact the I A STD Academic Counseling Office if you have any further questions.
To be admitted to the minor, students must:
*If adding a minor, students must still prioritize their major to ensure that they are able to graduate within their Time to Degree. If students are unable to graduate within their approved time, they may be ineligible for a UCLA degree. Students should consult with an academic advisor in the College if their academic program changes or they encounter challenges that prevent them from finishing on time.
Note: Minor declaration requests may take up to two weeks. You will be notified via email. We appreciate your patience.
Fill out the online petition (below) to declare the African & Middle Eastern Studies minor or African Studies minor.
Petition to Declare a Minor
WELCOME to UCLA!
The International Institute is home to a diverse transfer population, including international, non-traditional, first-generation, and parenting students. Transfer students admitted to UCLA with ANY major are eligible to apply to our majors.
NEW STUDENT SESSIONS
Please make sure you sign up for New Student Session and attend the Departmental Counseling session to learn about major requirements and suggested courses. If you are unable to attend New Student Session, please contact our office at undergrads@international.ucla.edu. Please note, if you cannot attend, you will be allowed to enroll in classes starting in mid-September.
FUTURE UCLA APPLICANTS
In addition to reviewing Assist.org and UCLA's Admissions page, please review our website and familiarize yourself with our programs.
Transfer students should complete as many major preparation courses prior to coming to UCLA as possible, leaving only International & Area Studies 1 to be taken at UCLA during their first Fall Quarter (unless taken during the prior summer term at UCLA).
CURRENT UCLA STUDENTS
Check out our Transfer Student Handbook and let us know if you have questions!
The UCLA Transfer Center connects incoming transfers to the university and provides resources and events to ease the transition to UCLA. Visit the Transfer Center in 128 Kerckhoff Hall or connect with them on Instagram (@bruintransfers) or Facebook (UCLA Transfer Students). Current Transfers are eager to meet you!
Apply to join the Transfer Mentor Program! Each incoming Transfer student will be placed into a group with other incoming transfers and one continuing transfer mentor.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you hold an F1 visa and/or attended high school where instruction was not in English, the foreign language requirement for the major may be waived. Please check with your major counselor at orientation.
ADVISING
For any questions about our majors, please contact our Advising Office at undergrads@international.ucla.edu or sign-up for an appointment on Karina's or Yumi's calendar.
Please note: questions about course transferability will only be addressed once transcripts are posted.
Foreign Language Requirement for AMES Major
The African and Middle Eastern Studies Major at UCLA requires students to complete the intermediate level of a foreign language spoken in African or the Middle East. In most cases, the intermediate level of a foreign language is equivalent to the completion of the sixth quarter at UCLA (ex. Arabic 102C).
Note: Students minoring in African and Middle Eastern Studies or African Studies do not have to complete a language requirement.
Acceptable Languages: The African and Middle Eastern Studies Major accepts: Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Iranian, and Turkic Languages. For other language requests, please consult with the AMES Advisors. Exemptions: You may be exempted from the Foreign Language requirement for the following reasons:
When declaring the African and Middle Eastern Studies major, completion of the elementary year of the foreign language is acceptable. Completion of the intermediate year of the foreign language must be completed by graduation in order to fulfill all preparation requirements.
ACADEMIC COUNSELING
For 2023-2024 we will be offering virtual and in-person advising support.
We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to read our FAQs and program websites. If you still have questions or concerns, you may contact us at undergrads@international.ucla.edu (please include your name & UID).
We strive to provide holistic and comprehensive support to our students through one-on-one advising, workshops, and events that focus on academic and professional planning, exploration of research, internship opportunities, and experiences abroad.
Yumi Kinoshita
Academic Advisor
Undergraduate Counselor
Karina Barrera
Undergraduate Advisor
We can assist you with:
Contact Us
Please include your name and UID in all emails.
Email us if you need accommodations for same day or outside office hours appointments.
✉ Undergraduate Advising: undergrads@international.ucla.edu
✉ Graduate Advising: idpgrads@international.ucla.edu
Current UCLA undergraduate students can make an advising appointment with Karina at Academic Counseling - Barrera, Karina.
If you're not a UCLA student, please e-mail us at the corresponding email as noted above.
Bunche Hall 10256 & 10254 (10th floor)
Mailing Address: Academic Advisor UCLA International Institute Academic Programs Office of Academic Advising 10256 Bunche Hall, Mail Code 148703 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1487
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For other questions or concerns, please review the following information:
Refer to your main Counseling Unit for questions about GE/IGETC Requirements, Course Add/Drop Petitions, Degree Plan Contracts, College-specific requirements, Holds, Grad Checks, Academic Probation status, Readmission, etc.
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