The Asian Studies Program at UMBC embraces a Global Asias approach that draws on multiple disciplines to study Asia as a diverse and dynamic region of growing global significance. Students are invited to explore how the idea of “Asia” came about and how people in different parts of the world make sense of and engage with its past, present, and future. The training Asian Studies provides will equip students to meet the demands of a global economy and workforce.
Our major, minor, and certificate programs allow students a flexible way to incorporate Asian Studies into their overall plans. Students can pursue advanced language study in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, among others. Our electives are offered by over thirty faculty representing 17 different academic departments and programs, including:
American Studies (housing the Asian American studies minor) • Ancient Studies • Emergency and Disaster Health Systems • Economics • Education • English • Gerontology • Global Studies • History • Media and Communication Studies • Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication • Music • Psychology • Philosophy • Political Science • Sociology/Anthropology, and Public Health • Visual Arts
Our students are excellent candidates for a variety of prestigious scholarships, internships, and study-abroad programs that enable them to apply their linguistic and cultural knowledge. UMBC’s location between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. gives our students unparalleled access to archives, museums, government offices, and other outstanding resources to complement their classroom work. When they graduate, UMBC’s Asian Studies students are well-prepared for advanced graduate studies or careers in government service, business, international relations, law, global media and communication, the nonprofit sector, and education.