Earn a Certificate of Achievement

  • Want a solid preparation for a major in Asian American Studies?
  • Want to develop a foundational knowledge-base about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for work purposes? 
  • Want to dive into Asian American Studies because you've always wanted to but never had the chance?

The Certificate of Achievement in Asian American Studies might be just right for you!


young woman writing at desk in classroomDe Anza's certificate in Asian American Studies will prepare you to

  • Analyze concerns that animate Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the context of social relations of power as well as Asian American and Pacific Islander histories.
  • Assess the strategies, tactics and complexities of community-formation and community empowerment for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders pan-ethnically and for various specific populations. 
  • Employ analytical skills of the social sciences, interpretive methods of the humanities, leadership resources of community organizing, and the creative impulses of social change toward promoting greater social justice and equity, with particular attention to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Programs and Courses to Suit Your Goals


Asian American and Asian Studies

  • Asian American Studies - Certificate of AchievementDetails for Certificate of Achievement - Asian American Studies

    The Certificate of Achievement in Asian American Studies prepares students to be historically informed and equity-minded participants and leaders in the multi-ethnic and multiracial communities in which they live, work, learn, and play — especially in settings that directly impact Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Students who complete the certificate will gain the skills and knowledge to assess and affect the social conditions and institutional settings that shape the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, with particular attention to the cross-cutting forces of race, gender, class and sexuality. For students with professional pursuits in mind, completion of the certificate will increase leadership capacity to research, understand, communicate and work with various Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, whether through community organizing, nonprofit organizations, public policy, public service or business. For students with transfer pursuits in mind, completion of the certificate includes transferable general education credits to universities and colleges, and also greater academic preparation for the social sciences and humanities, including an Asian American Studies or Ethnic Studies major. Colleges that offer a baccalaureate major in Asian American Studies include the University of California campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside and Santa Barbara, and the California State University campuses at Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge and San Francisco.

    Requirements

    Certificate/Degree Map


In addition to the programs listed above, you may be able to apply courses in this department toward General Education requirements.

You can check the course offerings in the college catalog against the following lists of GE requirements

These requirements may be subject to change. Always confirm the requirements for your specific program.

To learn about other academic programs at De Anza and their requirements, visit the college Degrees & Certificates page. For information about applying for your certificate or degree, visit the Apply for Degrees and Certificates page.


Planning to Transfer for a Bachelor's Degree?

California campuses that offer a baccalaureate major in Asian American Studies include:

A number of these campuses also offer the opportunity to minor in Asian American Studies.


Applying for the Certificate

When to Apply?

You can file for the certificate at any time during the quarter in which you are graduating, but you must apply no later than the last day of the quarter in order for your certificate to be conferred for that quarter.

*Note: Certificate courses are considered requirements for a major, so courses must be completed with a letter grade of C or better, not Pass/No Pass. Rare exceptions are possible under unique circumstances and require contacting the department chair to inquiry about such a petition.

How to Apply?

Who to Contact if you Need Help?

  • For general questions about the certificate: Mae Lee, Chair of ASAM: leemae@deanza.edu 
  • For questions about the application process: Phong Lam, Academic Adviser: lamphong@deanza.edu 

*Note: you may be eligible to apply for the Susanne Chan APASA Scholarship ($1,000) if you have taken one of the following ASAM classes: ASAM 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, 30, 31, 32, or 50; ELIT 24; ICS 20, 21, 22, or 24; INTL 11; WMST.  

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