The goal of the Korean Studies program is to provide students with a broad range of training that will benefit them in a variety of professions. Over the past decade, graduates of this program have had successful careers in business, banking, government, social work, and education. Others have used the degree as a stepping stone to pursue doctoral degrees in history, political science, anthropology or comparative literature at this and other universities.

What will you learn in Korean studies?

The Korean studies major is based on the premise that both contemporary and historic understanding of Korea, its interrelations with larger East Asia, and its global importance today cannot be fully grasped without a deep understanding of its language, history, social systems, and culture.

Areas commonly included under this rubric include Korean history, Korean culture, Korean literature, Korean art, Korean music, Korean language and linguistics, Korean sociology and anthropology, Korean politics, Korean economics, Korean folklore, Korean ethnomusicology, and increasing study of Korean popular culture.

Korean Studies Studies degrees

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Global Korean Studies focuses on fostering a social scientific understanding of Korea. The program is designed to help students explore Korea in its regional and global contexts and develop an in-depth interdisciplinary understanding of Korea from the viewpoints of political science, law, economics, and sociology. This balanced program of language study and lecture-based modules helps you develop a critical understanding of Korea. You'll learn the Korean language from scratch, and spend a year studying in Seoul at one of our partner universities.

Would you like to continue your studies after obtaining your Bachelor's degree? Then, of course, moving on to a Master's program. The master's offers students an expansive curriculum from which to choose and subsequently customize their learning. Study South Korea from diverse disciplinary perspectives – at times using original source materials – from its religion and popular culture to its modern and contemporary history.

What can you do with a Korean studies degree?

You can work in the following positions:

• Secretary at an Embassy.

• Policy Officer at a ministry.

• Communications adviser.

• Coordinator of an Asia desk.

• Coordinator of a Korean trade mission.

• Export consultant in Korea.

• Junior police officer, political and international relations.

• Manager of a translation and interpreting agency.