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: Open
Curricular options: African American Studies, Asian/Pacific American Studies, Chicano Studies, Comparative, American Ethnic Studies
Topic(s): Social sciences
websiteDegree requirements
Applicant type
Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)
Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).
Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer
Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.
- Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
- 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
Departmental application deadline: Students in good academic standing may declare the major at any time, including on their application for admission to the UW.
Please contact the department for details about the application process.
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 the major:
- United States History
- Literature
- Drama
- Arts
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Ethnic Studies
Entering transfer information:
Total undergraduates: 55
Total from Washington community colleges: 5