Bachelor of Arts Asian Studies (BA)
Please note: Admissions is on hold for program review Fall 2026 onward.
Requirements
A total of 120 credit hours is required for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Asian Studies. The 120 credit hours are divided into two major categories:
- Requirements for General Education and electives and
- 30-32 hours at the upper level required for the Asian Studies major
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both courses and in ENGL 110C before declaring major
Information Literacy and Research can be met in the major by HIST 201 or POLS 308.
HIST 101H is required for Interpreting the Past.
Upper-Division General Education
- Option A. Approved Minor, 12-24 hours; also second degree or second major
- Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor, 12 hours specified by the department, 3 of which may be in the major area of study
- Option C. An approved certification program such as teaching licensure
- Option D. Two Upper-Division Courses from outside the College of Arts and Letters or from the Arts and Humanities Component within the College of Arts and Letters that are not required by the major (6 hours). ASIA courses and any course listed as an elective choice for the major cannot be used to meet this option.
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include the following:
- Minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
- Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
- Completion of Senior Assessment.
Asian Studies Major
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 38-47 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (minimum of 6 credits) | 6 | |
| Complete foreign language coursework through the 202 level | 0-6 | |
| Research Methods | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Historical Methods | ||
| Research Design | ||
| Social Research Methods | ||
| Quantitative Methods | ||
| From Correlation to Causation: Applied Causal Inference | ||
| Upper-Level Elective Courses | 24-26 | |
| Capstone Seminar in Asian Studies | ||
| ASIA 461W | Asian Studies Capstone Seminar * | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 74-91 | |
- *
Grade of C or better required.
Upper-level Elective Courses (24-26 credit hours at the 300 or 400 Level)
These courses can be elected from the list below. Students are strongly encouraged to take courses in more than one region of Asia. Courses are under development in different disciplines, and additional courses with an Asian content may be approved by the program director. No course listed below may be used to fulfill more than one requirement.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Studies | ||
| ASIA 332 | South Asia Since Independence | 3 |
| ASIA/HIST 336 | The Emergence of New China | 3 |
| ASIA 337/HIST 338 | Japan's Era of Transformation | 3 |
| ASIA/POLS 338W | Politics of East Asia | 3 |
| ASIA/PHIL 353 | Asian Religions | 3 |
| ASIA 360 | Asian Art | 3 |
| ASIA 395 | Topics in Asian Studies | 3 |
| ASIA/POLS 435 | Chinese Politics | 3 |
| ASIA 461W | Asian Studies Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| ASIA 495 | Topics in Asian Studies | 3 |
| Asian Experience (Study Abroad or an approved practicum; consult with the director for arrangements) | 3 | |
| Business Management and Marketing | ||
| MGMT 463 | Management Seminar Abroad (Korea, Philippines, China and/or other Asian countries) | 3 |
| MKTG 496 | Selected Topics in Marketing (Asian content) | 3 |
| Communication | ||
| COMM 300 | International Sojourning | 3 |
| COMM 400W | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 495/496 | Topics in Communication (Asian content) | 1-3 |
| Economics | ||
| ECON 450 | International Economics | 3 |
| ECON 454W | Economic Development | 3 |
| ECON 495 | Selected Topics in Economics (Asian content) | 1-3 |
| English | ||
| ENGL 396 | Topics in English (Contemporary Filipino/Filipino-American Literature) | 1-3 |
| ENGL 495 | Topics in English (Techno-Orientalism in Science Fiction Film & Literature) | 1-3 |
| Filipino American Studies | ||
| FAST 395 | Topics in Filipino American Studies | 3 |
| Foreign Languages | ||
| CHIN 395 | Topics in Chinese | 1-3 |
| CHIN 311 | Advanced Chinese Language and Culture I | 3 |
| CHIN 312 | Advanced Chinese Language and Culture II | 3 |
| JAPN 301 | Intermediate to Advanced Japanese I | 3 |
| JAPN 302 | Intermediate to Advanced Japanese II | 3 |
| JAPN 309 | Kanji Skills for Reading Japanese | 3 |
| JAPN 310 | Japan: A Cultural Odyssey | 3 |
| JAPN 311 | Global Conversations | 3 |
| JAPN 312W | Writing Around the World | 3 |
| JAPN 323 | World Cultures and Contexts | 3 |
| JAPN 335 | Japanese Society and Language | 3 |
| JAPN 396 | Topics in Japanese | 1-3 |
| WCS 310 | Japan: A Cultural Odyssey (Culture class in English) | 3 |
| Geography | ||
| GEOG 453 | Asia | 3 |
| GEOG 495/496 | Topics in Geography (Asian content) | 1-4 |
| History | ||
| HIST/ASIA 336 | The Emergence of New China | 3 |
| HIST 338/ASIA 337 | Japan's Era of Transformation | 3 |
| HIST 396 | Topics in History | 1-3 |
| HIST 495 | Topics in History | 1-3 |
| International Business | ||
| INBU 463 | International Business Seminar Abroad | 3 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies | ||
| REL 352 | Islam | 3 |
| PHIL/ASIA 353 | Asian Religions | 3 |
| PHIL 380 | Hinduism | 3 |
| PHIL 381 | Buddhist Traditions | 3 |
| PHIL 482 | Chinese Religion and Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 485 | Japanese Religion and Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 495/496 | Topics in Philosophy (Asian content) | 1-3 |
| Political Science | ||
| POLS/ASIA 338W | Politics of East Asia | 3 |
| POLS/ASIA 435 | Chinese Politics | 3 |
| POLS 437 | International Relations in East Asia | 3 |
| POLS 495/496 | Topics in Political Science (Asian content) | 1-3 |
| Psychology | ||
| PSYC 420 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| Sociology | ||
| SOC 306 | Religion and Society | 3 |
| SOC 395 | Topics in Sociology (Asian content) | 3 |
| Women's Studies | ||
| WGS 401W | Women: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| WGS 495 | Topics in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | 3 |
Elective courses may be taken for the remainder of the minimum 120 credits required for the degree.
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematical Skills | 3 | |
| Language & Culture I (CHIN 111F or JAPN 111F recommended) | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past: HIST 101H required | 3 | |
| Language & Culture II (CHIN 212 or JAPN 212 recommended) | 6 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research (Grade of C or better required) or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| Research Methods: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Historical Methods | ||
| Research Design | ||
| Social Research Methods | ||
| Quantitative Methods | ||
| From Correlation to Causation: Applied Causal Inference | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Literature | 3 | |
| Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research (Can be met in the major by HIST 201 or POLS 308) | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| 300/400-level major elective course | 3 | |
| 300/400-level major elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| 300/400-level major elective course | 3 | |
| 300/400-level major elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| ASIA 461W | Asian Studies Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| 300/400-level major elective course | 3 | |
| 300/400-level major elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| 300/400-level major elective course | 3 | |
| 300/400-level major elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 1 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Dual Dominion Program
The Dual Dominion BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study. The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree. Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study. Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.
BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Dual Dominion Program
The Dual Dominion BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student. The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree. The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major. Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the Dual Dominion program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).
Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog. For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.