Asian Studies Certificate

Certificate Requirements

1. Asian Area Studies Courses: Interdisciplinary understanding of Asia can help build an understanding of broad trends and ideas from many different perspectives. Students earning an Asian Studies Certificate must take a minimum of five courses (15 credits) either designated as an Asian Studies course or which has been approved by the Asian Studies Academic Advisor. You can look at the courses available for the Asian Studies Certificate in any given semester at https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc/students/courses. Required courses for the Asian Studies certificate may overlap with Gen. Ed. requirements and with courses taken on study abroad. Additionally, up to two courses (6 credits) may overlap with another singular credential, such as a major, minor or another certificate. In the case of multiple credentials, a maximum of four courses (12 credits) from the Asian Studies certificate may overlap with said credentials.
   
   Students must take courses in a total of three different departments.  At least one course (3 credits) should be in the student’s major, unless their major does not include an Asian Studies designated course, in which case a course from a different department can count towards this requirement.
    
2. Language proficiency: A minimum of two years (four terms) of Asian language study at the college level or equivalent proficiency is required. The University of Pittsburgh offers Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Vietnamese, and Arabic, but any Asian language at intermediate proficiency would count toward fulfilling the Asian Studies Certificate. Students can fulfill the language requirement through taking two years of college language, demonstrating intermediate proficiency through testing, or by being a native speaker of an Asian language. If you have questions about a language Pitt does not teach, please see the Asian Studies advisor.
    
3. Digital Portfolio: Students will be given a template to create an Asian Studies digital portfolio the academic year of their intended graduation. Students will work on the digital portfolio during their final year at the University of Pittsburgh. The portfolio offers a chance for students to reflect on academics, work/internship experience, study abroad observations, and co-curricular activities that highlight their Asian Studies experience. Students should work closely with the Asian Studies advisor on the creation of their portfolio. Information on the digital portfolio can be found at www.ucisportfolios.pitt.edu.
    
4. GPA requirement is 2.0 for all courses to be counted towards the Asian Studies Certificate.

Financial Assistance

Asian Studies certificate students may be eligible for a variety of scholarships and study abroad awards. For information, visit http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc/funding/undergraduate