The Graduate Emphasis is a formal component of graduate studies at the University of California, Irvine, in addition to the fulfillment of requirements towards the Ph.D. or M.F.A. degree in an array of fields in the Schools of Humanities, Social Sciences, Social Ecology, and the Arts. Completion of this rigorous academic sequence demonstrates significant scholarly ability and ethical commitment to the critical study of race broadly, and of Asian Americans in particular.

Designed to complement existing graduate degree-granting programs by providing interdisciplinary training in Asian American Studies, the Graduate Emphasis is comprised of four courses:

  • ASIANAM 200A - Theory and Methods in Asian American Studies
  • ASIANAM 200B - Contemporary Issues in Asian American Studies
  • Two Electives in Asian American Studies:
    Eligible courses include ASIANAM 200C, ASIANAM 200D, ASIANAM 201 or ASIANAM 250; graduate seminar courses taught by Asian American Studies core or affiliate faculty; or directed reading courses with an Asian American Studies core or affiliate faculty.
In addition to the coursework, students must have at least one Asian American Studies core faculty member on their qualifying examination. With the approval of the Asian American Studies Department Chair and Director of Graduate Study, affiliated faculty members can sit in place of the core faculty.

Applicants to the emphasis must be a current UCI graduate student.

To apply to the Asian American Studies Graduate Emphasis, please click here to complete the Application Form.

For students who have completed the coursework for the emphasis, as well as successfully advanced to candidacy for their degree, please click here to complete the Emphasis Checklist Form.

Additional questions can be sent to Dr. Julia Lee, Director of Graduate Studies, or Sofia Barsan, Academic Program Coordinator.