Introduction to the Major
Ethnic Studies is the interdisciplinary and intersectional study of race, ethnicity, and indigeneity with a focus on the experiences and perspectives of people of color within and beyond the United States. We offer classes that engage the art, literature, politics, history, social movements, and lived experiences of racialized populations.
The Department of Ethnic Studies offers a major and minor in Ethnic Studies as well as Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies, Chicanx and Latinx Studies, and Native American Studies. Along with African American Studies, we offer a Summer Minor in Race and Law.
“Ethnic Studies—the histories, perspectives, insights, and analysis we bring to a whole range of subjects—is absolutely necessary to becoming an educated and informed member of society.”
- Juana María Rodríguez, Professor
The Major Curriculum
The major in Ethnic Studies provides a core curriculum designed to develop an understanding of the experiences and communities of African Americans, Asian Americans, Chicanx/Latinxs, and Native Americans. Along with four lower division courses, students will complete eight upper division courses and have the opportunity to select elective courses from related departments.
All students in the department are required to satisfy four units of 197 field study doing community service work with organizations and programs that engage and support underrepresented communities on campus and in the surrounding community.
Amplify Your Major
- Get involved with one of the Centers for Educational Justice & Community Engagement
- Consider a summer minor in Race and the Law
- Enrich your studies with a Summer Abroad course (ETH STD N180) in Barcelona or Mexico City.
- Explore campus centers and institutes like the Center for Race & Gender and Othering & Belonging Institute
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements
- Enroll in ETH STD 11AC: Introduction to Ethnic Studies.
Connect and Build Community
- Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect in Ethnic Studies and L&S Mentors Program
- Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center
- Enroll in UGIS 98: College Success in L&S.
- Connect with The Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence (CE3).
Discover Your Passions
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, L&S 1, or a student-run DeCal course
- Attend the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Fair in October.
- Visit the Ethnic Studies Library in Stephens Hall and explore its collections.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
- Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center
- Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library
- Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail
- Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series or a winter externship
- Visit the Ethnic Studies website for career ideas after graduating.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Satisfy two additional elective courses if you have not done so already.
- Complete the three lower division prerequisites and meet with your major advisor to declare the major.
- Review major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
- Check out resources from the Centers for Educational Justice & Community Engagement
- Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
- Start attending Ethnic Studies department events.
Discover Your Passions
- Continue with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course
- Assist faculty in their research through URAP
- Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database
- Enrich your studies with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor like Race and the Law.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course
- Consider connecting with a student outreach program like bridges, Indigenous and Native Coalition (INC) Retention and Recruitment Center, Raíces Recruitment and Retention Center, or REACH! API Recruitment and Retention Center.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Reflect on your education so far and continue to set goals for yourself.
- Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator
- Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Focus on upper division requirements and electives.
- Enroll in methods courses ETH STD 101A or ETH STDS 101B.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisors.
- Ask a major advisor about the Ethnic Studies honors program.
Connect and Build Community
- Continue attending Ethnic Studies department events
- Become a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
- Get involved with one of the student development offices like Asian Pacific American Student Development or Chicanx Latinx Student Development.
Discover Your Passions
- Teach your own DeCal course
- Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF
- Explore the Center for Race & Gender, Center for Research on Social Change, Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, Center for Research on Native American Issues, Latinx Research Center and Othering & Belonging Institute.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program
- Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital
- Enrich your studies with a Summer Abroad course (CHICANO N180) in Barcelona, Spain or Mexico City, Mexico.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs like the “Nonprofit, Education, and Public Service Career Fair.”
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements
- Satisfy the 197 field study requirement if you haven’t done so already.
- Enroll in ETH STD 190 “Advanced Seminar in Comparative Ethnic Studies.”
Connect and Build Community
- Join a professional organization such as the Critical Ethnic Studies Association
- Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
- Teach your own DeCal course
- Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study and submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program
- Interested in a public service career? Apply for the John Gardner Fellowship
- Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Utilize job board tools in your job search.
- Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Students in the Ethnic Studies Program gain skills that prepare them for careers in a variety of fields, including teaching (K-12, community college and 4-year universities), counseling, law, journalism, marketing, community and housing development, radio and television, health and medicine, culture and arts, community and union organizing, social work, and positions in federal, state, and local governments as well as those at the city and county levels.
Jobs and Employers
- Account Associate, Accenture
- Asst. Production Manager, Kaiser
- Business Dev. Consultant, Oracle Corp
- College Adviser, UC Berkeley
- Law Clerk, Booth and Koskoff Law Offices
- Project Specialist, UCSF
- Retention Specialist, SMCCD
- Teacher, Lick Wilmerding High School
Graduate Programs
- Counseling, Masters
- City and Regional Planning, Masters
- Data Science, Masters
- Education, Masters, PhD
- Law, JD
- Medicine, MD
- Public Administration, Masters
- Public Health, Masters
- Public Policy, Masters
- Social Work, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates and the Ethnic Studies Department.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit ethnicstudies.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can contact the major advisors to schedule appointments or ask questions by emailing Laura Jimenez-Olvera at lauraj@berkeley.edu or Dewey St. Germaine at deweystg@berkeley.edu
Advising Hours
Monday - Friday, 9:30-11:30am, 1:30-4pm.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
