Asian Pacific American Studies, BA
Program Description
The BA program in Asian Pacific American studies prepares students to engage and transform their communities.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities include multiracial and multiethnic coalition building and resistance, colonization and military occupation, exploited labor, Indigenous sovereignty, environmental justice, migration, multiracial identities, activism, creative resistance, and diverse genders and sexualities. These diverse AAPI experiences provide key insights about global processes that inform current issues and how AAPI communities have responded within local contexts.
Students may apply the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills they learn in this program to an optional internship working with local communities in culturally relevant ways that are productive and empowering.
Asian Pacific American studies emphasizes community-engaged research methods, local community collaboration and independent research for the development of transferrable skills applicable to professional careers, civic engagement and world-making. The program applies a pedagogy of care and creative options that promote student learning and success.
In addition to the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit the college's website for more information and requirements.
Required Courses (Major Map)
What if: See how your courses can be applied to another major and find out how to change your major.
At a Glance: program details
- Location: Tempe campus
- Additional Program Fee: Yes
- Second Language Requirement: Yes
- First Required Math Course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
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Math Intensity:
General
Admission Requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
Freshman Transfer International Readmission
Transfer Options
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use the Transfer Map search to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.
ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and help students save time and money in their college journey. Students may learn more about these programs by visiting the admission site: https://admission.asu.edu/transfer/pathway-programs.
Change of Major Requirements
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should refer to https://changingmajors.asu.edu for information about how to change a major to this program.
Flexible Degree Options
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:
American Studies, MA
What is America? What is the American experience? How do the answers to these questions vary depending on who is being asked? Learn to think deeply and critically about these questions and about the role of the U.S. in matters near and far.
Website | Locations: TEMPE
Social and Cultural Pedagogy, MA
Do you have a passion for improving society through education? This preeminent program of social pedagogy in North America helps you develop an interdisciplinary approach to socio-educational interventions. When merging formal, nonformal and informal education, learning types and public pedagogies, you can make an impact across a variety of social and educational contexts.
Website | Locations: TEMPE
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.
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Career Outlook
Graduates who complete the bachelor's degree program in Asian Pacific American studies possess skills relevant for any career, professional degree or graduate school. Training from this program also complements work in positions involving:
- business
- community organizations
- creative arts
- education
- health
- immigration
- journalism
- law
- social work
Example Careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:
Cultural Studies Professor
- Growth: 3.9%
- Median Salary*: $80,910
Educator
- Growth: 2.3%
- Median Salary*: $47,650
High School Teacher
- Growth: 1.0%
- Median Salary*: $62,360
Historian
- Growth: 3.1%
- Median Salary*: $64,540
Human Resources Specialist (HR Specialist)
- Growth: 5.9%
- Median Salary*: $64,240
Intelligence Officer
- Growth: 1.5%
- Median Salary*: $86,280
Lawyer
- Growth: 7.5%
- Median Salary*: $135,740
Museum Curator
- Growth: 11.1%
- Median Salary*: $60,380
Public Relations Manager (PR Manager)
- Growth: 5.9%
- Median Salary*: $129,430
Religious Leader
- Growth: 0.6%
- Median Salary*: $55,550
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Global Opportunities
Global Experience
With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- SSTadvising@asu.edu
- 480/965-7682