Asian Studies
Major in the College of Liberal Arts
The undergraduate major in Asian Studies provides a solid and broad background in classical and contemporary Asia for students with a variety of career goals.
Students take courses from a variety of disciplines, including anthropology, history, literature, politics, philosophy, and religious studies. In addition, Asian Studies majors must take at least two years of an Asian language approved for their area of interest. The department offers specializations in East Asia, Taiwan, and South Asia.
Declaration Requirements
ShowProspective University of Texas at Austin students should visit UT Admissions to learn about the application process and how to declare a major.
How to Declare
ShowUndergraduates currently enrolled at UT who wish to declare an Asian Studies major must first meet with an Asian studies advisor. There is no formal application process. For more information, visit the student affairs page on how to declare a major.
Required Courses
ShowVisit the Asian studies degree plan to view all required courses for the Asian studies major in the College of Liberal Arts. View course descriptions of current Asian studies courses and a list of ANS courses by different geographical areas.
Specializations
ShowThe department offers specializations in East Asia, Taiwan, and South Asia.
- East Asia concentration: Fourth semester proficiency in Chinese, Japanese or Korean
- Taiwan concentration: Fourth semester proficiency in Chinese with a focus on traditional characters
- South Asia concentration: Fourth semester proficiency in Bengali, Hindi, Malayalam, Sanskrit, Tamil, or Urdu
View the Asian Studies Undergraduate Programs page for more information.
Personality
ShowAsian Studies majors interested in learning more about the cultures, politics, religions, and histories of either the East Asian or South Asian regions. They must be willing to work hard to become proficient in an Asian language.
Learn about Asian Studies-related student organizations.
Skills
ShowA major in Asian Studies you for a broad range of career options. As part of a liberal arts education, you will learn to think critically and express your ideas clearly. The specific knowledge of Asian countries and languages qualifies you to work in international positions, including journalism, the travel industry, or non-profit organizations. Many students major in Asian Studies or Asian Cultures and Languages in preparation for law school or combine this major with science classes needed to pursue a career in the health professions. Training in Asian languages and studies proves invaluable for anyone planning to work on an international level.
