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.

Courses to Suit Your Goals

While the department does not currently offer a degree or certificate program, 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.  

Back to Top