Asian Studies
Asian Studies is part of the International & Area Studies program and is designed for students who want to focus their studies on the culture and society of the following subregions: Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia.
Programs Offered:
*Asian Studies majors (not minors) are required to achieve intermediate level of any modern foreign language related to the area (e.g., Chinese 6 or 6A, Filipino 6, Hindi-Urdu 6, Indonesian 6, Japanese 6, Korean 6, Thai 6, Vietnamese 6).
Watch our Information Session recording to learn about Asian Studies and our other International & Area Studies majors & minors.
Asian Studies Major
The Asian Studies Major consists of 6 preparation courses, the language requirement, and 12 Upper Division classes. Students in the major have options to study abroad, participate in research, and complete internships associated with their major. Some students choose to double-major with other programs on campus, and several choose to add a minor.
Asian Studies Major Requirements Worksheet
Quick Facts:
How to Declare the Major:
Students can declare the major after completing I A STD 1 ("C" or better) with an overall 2.0 UCLA GPA. The intermediate level of a foreign language (2-year, Level 6 at UCLA) is required to complete the degree requirement.* For more information click here.
*Completion of the elementary year of the foreign language is acceptable when applying for the major. Completion of the intermediate year of the foreign language is part of the preparation requirements, but can be done after being accepted to the major. The minimum prep GPA of 2.00 will still need to be met with the inclusion of this course.
East Asian Studies Minor
The East Asian Studies Minor is designed for students who wish to augment their major with concerted study of the history, culture, and society of East Asia -which includes China, Korea, and Japan- from an interdisciplinary and modern perspective.
Photo: Kumano Nachi Taisha, Japan
East Asian Studies Minor Requirements Worksheet
To declare the minor, please click here.
South Asian Studies Minor
Left: Gateway of India, Right: Bangladesh
The South Asian Studies Minor, which is part of the International & Area Studies IDP, is designed for students who wish to augment their major with concerted study of the history, culture, and society of South Asia -which includes Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives - from an interdisciplinary and modern perspective.
South Asian Studies Minor Requirements Worksheet
Southeast Asian Studies Minor
Left: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Right: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
The Southeast Asian Studies Minor is designed for students who wish to augment their major with concerted study of the history, culture, and society of Southeast Asia -which includes Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, and East Timor- from an interdisciplinary and modern perspective.
Southeast Asian Studies Minor Requirements Worksheet
To Declare the Minor, please click here.
Our Students
The Academic Programs offered through the UCLA International Institute allow students to focus on a particular area of study - either a specific geographic area, or a global comparative and issue-oriented approach - through a variety of disciplines across campus. The Institute also offers its own courses taught by core teaching faculty under the following subject areas: African Studies, Global Health, Global Studies, International & Area Studies, International Development Studies, International Migration Studies, and Latin American Studies.
B.A. just the starting point for these graduating seniors
Kyilah Terry (B.A., European Studies 2019) is headed to graduate school this fall, while Maria Amaya Morfin (B.A., International Development Studies 2019) is currently preparing for the GRE and grad school applications. read more
Two projects win funding at Global Development Lab showcase
The winning projects will provide an Internet connection for Atutur Hospital in Kumi, Uganda, and deliver food and after-school tutoring to unsupervised children in Tijuana, Mexico, respectively. read more
International internship: Enabled Children's Initiative
UCLA senior Kawsar Nasir Ahmad did a 10-month internship with the Afghanistan-based Enabled Children's Initiative, an experience that has only solidified her plans to work for Doctors without Borders after she becomes a doctor. read more
More Student Stories>>
Our Alumni
Alumni of the UCLA International Institute Academic Programs live across the globe, and are involved in a multitude of fields, including the education, government, cultural, nonprofit, health, legal and business sectors and international affairs. Below are a few bios of our alumni.
Global Studies graduate wins UCLA Young Alumnus award
Katya Daniel (UCLA 2008) was named 2019 Young Alumnus of the Year at the annual UCLA Alumni Association awards ceremony held June 8, 2019, at the Luskin Conference Center. read more
UCLA and an international career were not on his radar screen
Chasing race car dreams
More Alumni Stories>>
Adam Moore, Chair, International & Area Studies Michael Thies, Interim Chair
Robin L. H. Derby, Ph.D., History Patrick C. Heuveline, Ph.D., International Institute, Sociology Jennifer Jung-Kim, Ph.D., Asian Languages & Cultures Namhee Lee, Ph.D., Asian Languages and Cultures Adam D. Moore, Ph.D., Geography, International Institute Helen M. Rees, Ph.D., Ethnomusicology Bonnie Taub, Ph.D., Community Health Sciences, Anthropology Kevin B. Terraciano, Ph.D., History Dov Waxman, Ph.D., International Institute, Political Science
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.
Questions about registration, fees, classes, etc.
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