Introduction to the Major
The South and Southeast Asian Studies major is a flexible, interdisciplinary program offering opportunities for both wide and comparative study of South and Southeast Asian cultures, literature, religion, and history. Students may choose from 13 languages for language study, including Bengali, Burmese, Filipino, Hindi, Indonesian, Khmer, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Additional Options
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It is possible to create a mixed South/Southeast Asian combination in the major; please see the undergraduate faculty adviser to discuss this possibility.
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Already have an intended major but interested in South and Southeast Asian Studies? Consider adding a double major or minor.
Amplify Your Major
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Immerse yourself in South and Southeast Asian language and culture through study abroad
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Apply for a FLAS award to support your language study.
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Find scholarly resources, events, and research opportunities at the Institute of East Asian Studies, the Institute for Southeast Asia Studies and the Center for Buddhist Studies.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements
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Enroll in L&S 1 and an Arts & Humanities Gateway Course
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Take the placement exam for your chosen language of study.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring from graduate students with Berkeley Connect.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center
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Explore the Berkeley Language Center.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course
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Visit the South/Southeast Asia Library collection at the Doe Library.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options in Asia with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Set up a Handshake account and sign up for CareerMail
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Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Complete the lower division prerequisites in South or Southeast Asian language and Introduction to the Civilizations of India or Southeast Asia, and declare the major.
- Review major guidelines. Explore study abroad and schedule an appointment with the UG Faculty Advisor about using specific abroad courses toward the major.
Connect and Build Community
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Check out the Southeast Asian Student Coalition
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
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Start attending South & Southeast Asian Studies department events.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
- Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program.
- Apply to the Boren, Freeman-ASIA, or Critical Language Scholarship.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator
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Shadow alumni during the Cal Job Shadow Program
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Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
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Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Focus on upper division requirements in intermediate language, religion and history, literature courses, and electives.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
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Ask your major advisor about the South and Southeast Asian Studies honors program.
Connect and Build Community
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Explore resources from the Center for Southeast Asia Studies and Institute of South Asian Studies
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Work with peers and graduate students in HUM 196: Mentored-Research and Discovery Groups.
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Consider joining the Association of Asian Studies.
Discover Your Passions
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Apply for a FLAS award to support your language study.
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF
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Curious about entrepreneurship? Enroll in HUM120: Entrepreneurship for All.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital
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Get international work experience with a Berkeley Global Internship in Mumbai or Singapore.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Learn about career fields and conduct informational interviews with people in those fields.
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Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
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Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
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Attend career and graduate school fairs.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses.
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Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements
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Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
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Practice your language skills while helping others learn in the SLC Language Exchange Program
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Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop
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Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course
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Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
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Consider submitting your work to the Student Journal of Asian Studies
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State
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Apply to the Fulbright ETA Program to teach English in Asia.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
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Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
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Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
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Asst. Professor, Peking University
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Asst. Professor, University of Hawaii at Manoa
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Associate Professor, UC Berkeley
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Associate Professor, UW-La Crosse
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Business Dev. Associate, SF City and County
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Category Specialist, Walmart E-Commerce
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Coordinator, AmeriCorps
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External Relations Specialist, Year Up
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Foreign Service Officer - US Dept. of State
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Musician
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Paralegal, Los Angeles
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Principle Investigator, ACHEE for S. Asian Americans
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Student Services Assistant, UC Berkeley
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Visiting Professor, Brown University
Graduate Programs
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Asian Studies, PhD
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International Education, Masters
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Public Health, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates and South and Southeast Asian 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 sseas.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
For questions and advising about the South and Southeast Asian studies major and minor, please contact the Student Advisor at kristenbrooks@berkeley.edu.
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.
