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Certificate Programs

Updated: December 7, 2007

A certificate in Asian Studies is another academic credential that attests to a student’s particular knowledge of one or more of the societies of Asia.

The certificate is designed for students who wish to intensify their study of Asia—either because they intend to use their knowledge of that critical part of the world in their careers after graduation, or because they realize the importance of an understanding of Asian history, language, and culture as part of their liberal arts education.

An Asian Studies Certificate (graduate or undergraduate) may be earned by students from any department or school of the University. It entails a combination of foreign language training and multidisciplinary area studies necessary for both communicative and cultural competence. When the academic degree and certificate requirements are completed, both are posted on the student’s official academic transcript.

Since most certificate students find they would have taken courses required for the Asian Studies certificate as part of their regular programs of study, enrolling in the certificate program allows them to earn another academic credential at no extra tuition cost and without additional investment of time or work. More than 300 students are currently enrolled in Asian Studies certificate programs.

Admission to Certificate Programs
All students interested in enrolling in the certificate program in Asian Studies (graduate and undergraduate) should apply to the Asian Studies Center as soon as they have been admitted to the University of Pittsburgh.

Asian Studies Certificate Applicants should visit Ms. Dianne Dakis in the Asian Studies Center in Wesley W. Posvar Hall, Suite 4104 (4th floor) or contact her via email to dakis@pitt.edu.

Benefits to Students

• Eligibility to apply for ASC scholarship funds. Forms are automatically sent to certificate students during the fall term. Scholarship competitions are held each year and are funded by endowment funds, grants from private sources, and monies from the U.S. government (the Asian Studies Center is a National Resource Center for East Asian Studies).
• Monthly Asian Studies Newsletters and frequent mailings announcing the many lectures, seminars, guest speakers, and activities sponsored by the Center.
• Special booklets produced each term that identify and describe classes with an Asian content from throughout the University.

Undergraduate Certificate Requirements

Students in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of General Studies can pursue an undergraduate certificate in Asian Studies as a supplement to a departmental major. Formal admission to the program is permitted at any point in the undergraduate career, but interested students are encouraged to apply in their freshman or sophomore year. There are no special requirements for admission. Students wishing to substitute the Asian Studies certificate for the “related area” requirements for the baccalaureate degree should first obtain permission from their major departments. The following are the requirements for the undergraduate certificate:

• Four courses (12 cr.) on Asia in at least two departments outside the major.
• One course (3 cr.) on Asia in the major department. If the major department does not have options for an Asian focus (e.g., chemistry, English), the student must take an additional Asia-related course in a third department.
• Two years (four terms) of Asian language study at the college level or equivalent proficiency.
• Successful completion of the certificate program in Asian Studies is noted on the student’s official academic transcript upon graduation.

If students have taken Asian Studies courses at another college or university, they may request that two of the courses be credited toward the certificate in Asian Studies at Pitt. The grade for these courses must be a B or higher. Acceptance of the transfer courses is not automatic; each case will be individually reviewed. Grades for courses taken at Pitt must be at least a C, or the course will not be accepted for the certificate program.

Graduate Certificate Requirements

Graduate students from any school of the University are encouraged to apply for the Advanced Certificate in Asian Studies.

The following are the advanced certificate requirements:

• A minimum of five upper-level courses or graduate seminars dealing with Asia, in at least two departments. The five courses must include one seminar outside the student’s major department.
• A research paper. The student can fulfill this requirement by presenting either a seminar paper or thesis. The paper can be used to complete departmental requirements for a graduate degree as well as for the certificate, but must include research using the student's approved Asian language.
• Demonstration of proficiency in reading and speaking Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Hindi, or other approved Asian language related to one of the student’s countries of interest. Proficiency is interpreted to mean at least three years of study or the equivalent, and may be demonstrated by successfully completing courses or by passing a special examination.

GSPIA Students:

There are three separate options now offered that allow students in GSPIA to earn an Asian Studies Certificate. The certificate is awarded only upon completion of a GSPIA degree. A student may choose one of the following programs:

1) A Special Certificate in Asian Studies designed for GSPIA students does not entail language work.
For at least three required courses in the GSPIA Master of Public & International Affairs (MPIA) or Master of International Development (MID) program, the student must prepare a research paper with a focus on economic, social or political problems germane to no more than three Asian countries. In addition, three of the electives required for an MPIA or MID degree must involve work on the problems germane to no more than three Asian countries. The terminal option (capstone course) in the MPIA or MID program or the dissertation in the PhD program must be focused on issues in an Asian context.

2) A Related Concentration Certificate in Asian Studies requires five upper-level courses on Asia, a research paper focusing on Asia and a total of three years’ study of no more than three different Asian languages. For the MPIA or MID program, the student must prepare a research paper with a focus on economic, social or political problems germane to no more than three Asian countries. Three of the electives required for an MPIA or MID degree must involve work on the problems germane to no more than three Asian countries. The terminal option (capstone course) in the MPIA or MID program or the dissertation in the PhD program must be focused on issues in an Asian context.

3) An Advanced Certificate in Asian Studies demands three years’ study of a single Asian language and five upper level courses or graduate seminars dealing with Asia in at least two departments. For at least three required courses in the GSPIA MPIA or MID program, the student must prepare a research paper with a focus on economic, social or political problems germane to no more than three Asian countries. Three electives required for an MPIA or MID degree must involve work on the problems germane to no more than three Asian countries. The terminal option (capstone course) in the MPIA or MID program or the dissertation in the PhD program must be focused on issues in an Asian context.

Successful completion of the advanced certificate program in Asian Studies is noted on the student’s official academic transcript upon graduation.