Program Description
Asian Pacific American studies educates students in social justice; the global causes and impacts of Asian and Pacific Islander migration; relational and comparative racial formations; and ethnic studies movements that have made, and continue to make, a difference in society for all people.
Topics include diaspora, globalization, U.S imperialism and settler colonialism, social networks, immigration, interracial and interethnic relations, and the health and well-being of Asian Pacific American families and communities. The certificate program provides students with the opportunity to work with a dedicated faculty committed to community-engaged research and student-centered learning.
The Asian Pacific American studies program is housed in ASU's interdisciplinary School of Social Transformation, the only school of its kind in the United States.
Program Requirements
The certificate consists of 18 credit hours, of which at least 12 must be completed at the upper-division level. Nine credit hours of core coursework are required and the remaining nine credit hours are selected from any course with an APA subject. At least nine credit hours must be taken in residency at ASU. All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better.
Required Core Courses -- 9 credit hours
*One APA 360 course is required for the core. The course may be repeated for credit with these different topics: Chinese Americans; Filipinx Americans; Japanese Americans; Multiracial; Pacific Islander.
Electives -- 9 credit hours
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
Enrollment Requirements
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to summarize a range of Asian American and Pacific Islander experiences and communities within local, national and global contexts.
- Students will perform critical analysis of a historical or contemporary issue affecting the Asian Pacific American population drawing upon key concepts in the field of Asian Pacific American studies.
Career Outlook
Graduates who have combined the certificate in Asian Pacific American studies with their major program of study may be more marketable to employers. They often decide to pursue employment in law, education, public service, and human welfare and social work.
Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
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.
Community Health Workers
- Growth: 14.1%
- Median Salary*: 46190
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 3.9%
- Median Salary*: 80910
Customs Brokers
- Growth: 4.6%
- Median Salary*: 71690
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Growth: 8.2%
- Median Salary*: 98560
Lawyers
- Growth: 7.5%
- Median Salary*: 135740
Political Scientists
- Growth: 6.6%
- Median Salary*: 128020
Social and Community Service Managers
- Growth: 9.1%
- Median Salary*: 74240
Supply Chain Managers
- Growth: 8.2%
- Median Salary*: 98560
Interpreters and Translators
- Growth: 4.3%
- Median Salary*: 53640
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 1.4%
- Median Salary*: 76030
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
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.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor’s degree in 2.5 or 3 years.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master’s degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.
Accelerated bachelor’s degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
To add a minor, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
To add a certificate, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
