Asian Studies

Asian Studies students prepare themselves for graduate study or professional work by studying the language, history, culture and politics of the region. The Asian studies major has also supported student travel to China, India, Vietnam and Japan, and is constantly working to develop new opportunities. Through the program, you may receive funding to study abroad in Asia. If you’re looking to better understand these areas, a major or minor in Asian studies is right for you.

The Asian studies major at Saint Joseph’s University offers courses in the following:

• Politics 
• History 
• Art
• Literature
• Economics 
• Religion

An interdisciplinary program, Asian studies will help students gain an understanding of Asia, the Persian Gulf, Philippines, China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Burma, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and the Central Asian Republics of the former Soviet Union.

Offered as both a major and a minor, the program emphasizes understanding of Asian cultures through an emphasis on the study of core cultural values. Currently, participating departments include Economics, English, Fine and Performing Arts, Foreign Languages, History, Political Science, and Theology. Asian Studies is an ideal complement to many majors, ranging from political science to business.

Bernadette B. and James J. Nealis III ’69 Program in Asian Studies at Saint Joseph's University allows students to prepare themselves for graduate study or professional work by studying the language, history, culture, and politics of the region. 

Asian Studies students prepare themselves for graduate study or professional work by studying the language, history, culture, and politics of the region. The Asian studies major has also supported student travel to China, India, Vietnam and Japan, and is constantly working to develop new opportunities. Through the program, you may receive funding to study abroad in Asia. If you’re looking to better understand these areas, a major or minor in Asian studies is right for you.

View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.

Affordable tuition rates can be found on our Tuition and Fees page.*

*Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our Tuition and Fees page for a detailed breakdown.

To apply for this program, complete an application online. SAT and/or ACT scores are optional but you can submit them if you think they’ll strengthen your application.

Learn more about admission requirements and how to apply as a first-year student, transfer student or international student.

First-Year Students
Applications for high school students are available beginning August 1 of your senior year. Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision options are available. For a full timeline of deadlines, visit our admissions page.

Transfer Students
Applications to transfer into Saint Joseph's are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and spring start terms.

1. To be considered for admission, you must have graduated from an approved secondary school (or be on track to graduate), received a diploma from an accredited home school association or earned a GED.

2. A high school transcript with an official school stamp or an official GED transcript is required. High school transcripts must include courses completed through your junior year as well as courses in progress during your senior year. If you’ve attended any post-secondary institutions, official transcripts for those institutions are required as well.

Transfer credit may be awarded for previous coursework. A course must meet the following requirements to be considered for transfer to Saint Joseph’s University:

• Undergraduate courses with a grade of “C” or above
• Graduate courses with a grade of “B” or above
• Pass/Fail grades are not eligible for transfer credit
• Must be from a regionally or programmatically accredited institution
• The coursework must match the course offered at Saint Joseph's
• Some programs have a time limit for specific courses
• Earned credit may be submitted for review based on a timeline of less than or equal to 5 to 10 years between completion of course and enrollment at SJU

Visit the Transfer Admission page for a detailed breakdown of courses and institutions eligible for transfer.

If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:

• Satisfy general admission requirements
• Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey

Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT as an option to the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.

Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:

• Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
• Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
• Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
• Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
• Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
• Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
• Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
• Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)