Asian Pacific American Studies, Certificate
Explore Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander histories, cultures and social movements. Build analytical, community-engaged and leadership skills that strengthen majors across the social sciences, humanities, education, public service and the arts.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Asian Pacific American Studies undergraduate certificate description
The Asian Pacific American studies certificate program educates you 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. You have the opportunity to work with dedicated faculty who are committed to community-engaged research and student-centered learning.
The program is housed in ASU's interdisciplinary School of Social Transformation, the only school of its kind in the United States.
Why earn an Asian Pacific American studies undergraduate certificate at ASU?
Located in the Phoenix metropolitan area, this certificate connects you with Arizona's growing and diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Your coursework can partner with local organizations, schools, cultural centers and advocacy groups through projects and, where applicable, internships or independent studies. As a flexible, additive credential, it lets students across a wide range of majors document focused expertise in Asian Pacific American Studies on their transcript, strengthening preparation for careers or graduate study involving AANHPI communities, migration, equity and inclusion work.
Additional details
The Asian/Asian Pacific American Students Coalition at ASU brings multiple Asian American and Pacific Islander student clubs together under one umbrella, helping you find the group that best fits your interests. Through the School of Social Transformation, you can also attend regular events, lectures and workshops featuring activists, scholars and artists engaged in racial and social justice work, many of which connect directly to Asian Pacific American Studies.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 15 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate in Asian Pacific American studies requires 15 credit hours, of which 12 credit hours must be upper-division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be completed through The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a scale of 4.00) or better may be applied toward the certificate requirements. |
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APA 200 Introduction to Asian Pacific American Studies
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
APA 360 Asian Pacific American Experience
One APA 360 course is required. The course may be repeated for credit with different topics: Chinese Americans; Filipinx Americans; Japanese Americans; Multiracial; Pacific Islander.
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
APA 484 Internship
or
SST 484 Internship
APA 484/SST 484 Internship requires department consent prior to registering for the course. Visit The School of Social Transformation internship website to get started.
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
Upper Division
APA Elective
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- 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.
- 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.Enrollment requirements
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this Asian Pacific American studies undergraduate certificate prepares you for
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 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.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Social Transformation
|
WLSN 5th floor
SSTadvising@asu.edu
480-965-7682
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
