American Ethnic Studies
College of Arts & Sciences
American Ethnic Studies is the interdisciplinary and comparative exploration of historical and contemporary relations of power and issues of social justice in American societies. Our main fields of research and pedagogy focus on the United States but also extend into questions about global and transnational dimensions, concepts and histories concerning race and ethnicity in America.
Students earn a BA degree in American Ethnic Studies by taking core courses on ethnic-specific and comparative, multi-ethnic subjects. At the same time, they develop an emphasis in one of our concentrations that make up the major.
Graduates of this degree pursue careers in a variety of fields such as education, business, law, public policy, media and communication, nonprofit and health care.
Major category:
Curricular options: African American Studies, Asian/Pacific American Studies, Chicano Studies, Comparative, American Ethnic Studies
Area(s) of interest: Social sciences
websiteDegree requirements
Applicant type
First-year students can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)
An application for general admission to the UW is required for all transfer students. UW accepts general applications for Autumn and Winter with some select majors allowing applications in Spring. Review your intended major’s website for information about which quarters it is open for admission.
Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.
Use the information below to help you prepare for this major. Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
- Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
- Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
- UW college and school graduation requirements
Department admission information
Although admission is open, students are strongly encouraged to prepare for the major before transfer by taking courses in United States history, literature, drama, arts, political science, sociology, and ethnic studies.
Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
Courses RECOMMENDED for admission:
- United States History
- Literature
- Drama
- Arts
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Ethnic Studies
Entering transfer information:
Total undergraduates: 55
Total from Washington community colleges: 5
Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):
3.75 – 4.00: <5
3.50 – 3.74: <5
3.25 – 3.49: <5
3.00 – 3.24: <5
2.75 – 2.99: <5
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: <5