The Program

The Asian and Asian American Studies Certificate provides students from all majors and backgrounds the opportunity to develop deeper understandings and critical analyses of historical and emerging political, economic, and cultural connections and intersections between Asia and the U.S., particularly as they relate to Asian Americans.

As the world in general, and U.S. society in particular, become more diverse, globalized, and transnational, the Certificate gives students the opportunity to learn about the interconnections between two similar but unique sets of histories, cultures, and issues -- Asia and Asian America.

As students complete courses taught in different departments related to both Asian Studies and Asian American Studies, the Certificate also gives students (1) an understanding of different racial/ethnic groups & international issues and (2) interdisciplinary and multi-method research and critical analysis skills.  Both of these can give students a competitive advantage in their courses at UMass and in whatever career they enter once they graduate.

Requirements

Students complete a total of 22 credits (or 8 courses), with at least two courses in both Asian Studies and Asian American Studies.  Students then choose either Asian Studies or Asian American Studies as their area of concentration, then take two more courses in that concentration area. With the approval of the Program Director, students may substitute courses offered by other colleges in the Five College community or taken through study abroad.

A minimum grade of C is required in all courses. No courses may be taken Pass/Fail. All students take two required courses:

• ASIAN ST 397B - Bridging Asia and Asian America Colloquium
• ASIAN ST 491A - Senior Seminar

For students choosing the Asian Studies concentration, courses must cover at least two different cultural heritages, e.g., China and Viet Nam. No more than 6 credits may be taken in any one department and no more than two language courses may count toward the 22-credit total.

Students choosing the Asian American Studies concentration are required to take one of the following courses:

• English 204, "Introduction to Asian American Literature"
• History 253, "Asian-Pacific American History, 1850-Present"
• Sociology 240, "The Asian American Experience"
• Sociology 326, "Asian Americans in Media and Popular Culture"
• Sociology 330, "Asian Americans and Inequalities"

Advising

Although no formal enrollment is required, students are urged to contact the Program Director periodically to discuss their plans for meeting requirements and to monitor their progress.

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the Program Director submits students’ names to the Registrar’s office to confirm completion of the certificate program. Students then receive a certificate suitable for framing and their official transcripts include the designation “Completed requirements for the University of Massachusetts Asian and Asian American Studies Certificate.”