Asian Languages & Cultures
College of Arts & Sciences
Students will develop their ability to read, write and speak one or more Asian languages and will combine those language skills with Asia-related studies in various humanities disciplines. Students are encouraged to explore wider interests by taking courses in other units and to take advantage of numerous study abroad opportunities. A popular option for many is to combine a minor in Asian Languages and Cultures with a major from another department, such as Computer Science, Business Administration, or Global and Regional Studies. Graduates go on to a wide variety of careers, reflecting the indispensability of knowledge of Asian languages and cultures in our increasingly interconnected world.
Major category: Open
Curricular options: Asian Languages & Cultures
Topic(s): Arts, Humanities and Design
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.
Suggested first- and second-year college courses:
First year of an Asian language(s): Chinese, Japanese, Korean, South Asian (Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu) or Southeast Asian languages (Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese). Any courses relating to the area or discipline of major study.
Minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA required.
Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
Courses recommended for the major:
- 15 credits in the language of primary concentration
- Any course related to the major
Entering transfer information:
Total undergraduates: 38
Total from Washington community colleges: 10