Industry Snapshot
This program is designed to help prepare you for careers that require a broad understanding of East Asian history and culture in areas such as translation, teaching, journalism, analysis, and nonprofit field work.
Online Bachelor's Degree
East Asian Studies
East Asian Studies
Bachelor of ArtsAT A GLANCE
- 120 credits
- Transfer up to 90 credits
- All courses available online
- Select hybrid courses available
TUITION
- $318 per credit (in-state)
- $499 per credit (out-of-state)
- $250 per credit (military)
- Other fees may apply
Next Session Starts
June 14Hone your communication skills and cultural knowledge in this unique degree program.
In the online bachelor's program in East Asian studies at UMGC, you’ll examine East Asia's rich past and continuing contributions to the global community. The program provides an overview of the history, economics, politics, culture, and languages of the region, which includes China, Korea, and Japan. The curriculum, designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars, combines theories with practical skills that will be valuable if you live or work in East Asia, know East Asian languages, or regularly interact or work with people from East Asian countries.
- Courses
- Requirements
- Sequence
Total Credits Required: 120
Required Major Courses: 30 Credits
- (3 Credits, ASTD 284)
- (3 Credits, ASTD 285)
- (3 Credits, PHIL 348)
- (3 Credits, ASTD 485)
- East Asian language courses (9 credits): Courses designated CHIN or JAPN and numbered 111, 112, 114, or higher
- Upper-level East Asian content courses (9 credits): ASTD, CHIN, JAPN, KORN, Asian HIST, and Asian GVPT courses and (3 Credits, ANTH 417) apply (focused study in China or Japan recommended)
Degree Focus
To align with the 9-credit upper-level requirement listed above, we recommend you choose from one of the following groups of classes below to align with your career interests:
China Focus
- (3 Credits, HIST 480)
- (3 Credits, ASTD 370)
- (3 Credits, ANTH 417)
Japan Focus
- (3 Credits, HIST 482)
- (3 Credits, JAPN 333)
- (3 Credits, ANTH 417)
General Education Courses: 41 Credits
Review the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework for bachelor's degrees.
Minor and Elective Courses: 49 Credits
Review a list of available academic minors or see the course catalog or Schedule of Classes to help you select elective courses.
This is our recommended course sequence to progress through this program. You may take multiple courses simultaneously, up to your course load limit. You cannot take a prerequisite with its subsequent course during the same session. Your plan will be unique and dependent on multiple factors, including the number of credits you transfer to this program. Contact an advisor if you have any questions about this plan, course alternatives, or your course load limit.
| Sequence | Course | Requirement(s) Fulfilled |
| 1 | (3 Credits, PACE 111C) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 2 | (1 Credit, LIBS 150) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 3 | (3 Credits, WRTG 111) | General Education: Communication |
| 4 | (3 Credits, IFSM 201) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 5 | Choose the course that aligns with your degree focus: China: (3 Credits, CHIN 111) Japan: (3 Credits, JAPN 111) |
Major |
| 6 | (3 Credits, NUTR 100) | General Education: Biological & Physical Sciences |
| 7 | (3 Credits, ASTD 284) | Major |
| 8 | Choose the course that aligns with your degree focus: China: (3 Credits, CHIN 112) Japan: (3 Credits, JAPN 112) |
Major |
| 9 | (3 Credits, SPCH 100) | General Education: Communication |
| 10 | (3 Credits, MATH 105) | General Education: Math |
| 11 | Choose the course that aligns with your degree focus: China: (3 Credits, CHIN 114) Japan: (3 Credits, JAPN 114) |
Major |
| 12 | (3 Credits, WRTG 112) | General Education: Communication |
| 13 | (3 Credits, ASTD 285) | Major |
| 14 | (3 Credits, HUMN 100) | General Education: Arts & Humanities |
| 15 | (4 Credits, BIOL 103) | General Education: Biological & Physical Sciences |
| 16 | (3 Credits, BEHS 103) | General Education: Behavioral & Social Sciences |
| 17 | (3 Credits, ARTH 334) | General Education: Arts & Humanities |
| 18 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 19 | (3 Credits, ECON 103) | General Education: Behavioral & Social Sciences |
| 20 | (3 Credits, PHIL 348) | Major |
| 21 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 22 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 23 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 24 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 25 | (3 Credits, WRTG 391) | General Education: Communication |
| 26 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 27 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 28 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 29 | (3 Credits, HIST 480) | Major |
| 30 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 31 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 32 | (3 Credits, ASTD 370) | Major |
| 33 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 34 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 35 | (3 Credits, ANTH 417) | Major |
| 36 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 37 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 38 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 39 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 40 | (3 Credits, ASTD 485) | Major |
| 41 | 1-credit elective course | Elective |
Total Credits Required: 120
Required Major Courses: 30 Credits
- (3 Credits, ASTD 284)
- (3 Credits, ASTD 285)
- (3 Credits, PHIL 348)
- (3 Credits, ASTD 485)
- East Asian language courses (9 credits): Courses designated CHIN or JAPN and numbered 111, 112, 114, or higher
- Upper-level East Asian content courses (9 credits): ASTD, CHIN, JAPN, KORN, Asian HIST, and Asian GVPT courses and (3 Credits, ANTH 417) apply (focused study in China or Japan recommended)
Degree Focus
To align with the 9-credit upper-level requirement listed above, we recommend you choose from one of the following groups of classes below to align with your career interests:
China Focus
- (3 Credits, HIST 480)
- (3 Credits, ASTD 370)
- (3 Credits, ANTH 417)
Japan Focus
- (3 Credits, HIST 482)
- (3 Credits, JAPN 333)
- (3 Credits, ANTH 417)
General Education Courses: 41 Credits
Review the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework for bachelor's degrees.
Minor and Elective Courses: 49 Credits
Review a list of available academic minors or see the course catalog or Schedule of Classes to help you select elective courses.
This is our recommended course sequence to progress through this program. You may take multiple courses simultaneously, up to your course load limit. You cannot take a prerequisite with its subsequent course during the same session. Your plan will be unique and dependent on multiple factors, including the number of credits you transfer to this program. Contact an advisor if you have any questions about this plan, course alternatives, or your course load limit.
| Sequence | Course | Requirement(s) Fulfilled |
| 1 | (3 Credits, PACE 111C) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 2 | (1 Credit, LIBS 150) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 3 | (3 Credits, WRTG 111) | General Education: Communication |
| 4 | (3 Credits, IFSM 201) | General Education: Research & Computing Literacy |
| 5 | Choose the course that aligns with your degree focus: China: (3 Credits, CHIN 111) Japan: (3 Credits, JAPN 111) |
Major |
| 6 | (3 Credits, NUTR 100) | General Education: Biological & Physical Sciences |
| 7 | (3 Credits, ASTD 284) | Major |
| 8 | Choose the course that aligns with your degree focus: China: (3 Credits, CHIN 112) Japan: (3 Credits, JAPN 112) |
Major |
| 9 | (3 Credits, SPCH 100) | General Education: Communication |
| 10 | (3 Credits, MATH 105) | General Education: Math |
| 11 | Choose the course that aligns with your degree focus: China: (3 Credits, CHIN 114) Japan: (3 Credits, JAPN 114) |
Major |
| 12 | (3 Credits, WRTG 112) | General Education: Communication |
| 13 | (3 Credits, ASTD 285) | Major |
| 14 | (3 Credits, HUMN 100) | General Education: Arts & Humanities |
| 15 | (4 Credits, BIOL 103) | General Education: Biological & Physical Sciences |
| 16 | (3 Credits, BEHS 103) | General Education: Behavioral & Social Sciences |
| 17 | (3 Credits, ARTH 334) | General Education: Arts & Humanities |
| 18 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 19 | (3 Credits, ECON 103) | General Education: Behavioral & Social Sciences |
| 20 | (3 Credits, PHIL 348) | Major |
| 21 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 22 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 23 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 24 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 25 | (3 Credits, WRTG 391) | General Education: Communication |
| 26 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 27 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 28 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 29 | (3 Credits, HIST 480) | Major |
| 30 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 31 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 32 | (3 Credits, ASTD 370) | Major |
| 33 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 34 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 35 | (3 Credits, ANTH 417) | Major |
| 36 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 37 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 38 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 39 | 3-credit elective course | Elective |
| 40 | (3 Credits, ASTD 485) | Major |
| 41 | 1-credit elective course | Elective |
Program Highlights
Develop skills and gain knowledge through coursework that draws from the expertise and experience of our respected faculty.
Sharpen Skills in Research
Advise others based on your understanding, research, and analysis of East Asia.
Strengthen International Relations
Promote and facilitate cooperation between East Asia and the global community.
Expand Leadership Skills
Create a presentation to raise awareness and educate others about East Asia.
Further Graduate Study
Write a research paper about a specific subject using primary source material.
Develop Fluency
Improve your language, integrating interpersonal skills and cultural knowledge.
Gain Hands-On Experience
Apply your knowledge of East Asian diversity, values, and expectations.
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